CHICAGO – In a tearful interview, singer and actress Jennifer Hudson said she’s still trying to make her mother proud, and that’s what has kept her going since her mother and two other family members were murdered.
Hudson, who has repeatedly declined to talk publicly about the killings, didn’t directly address the details of the October 2008 slayings in Chicago of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. But in an interview on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” that was broadcast Thursday, she discussed the source of the drive that quickly got her back on stage and in the recording studio just months after the tragedy.
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“I try to do everything to say, ‘OK, will my mother like this? Will she be pleased? Will she be proud of that? How do I know she’s happy and she’s smiling down at me from heaven?”‘ Hudson said. “And that’s what I try to go by and walk by.”
Shedding tears, Hudson said she could hear the voices of her brother and mother telling her to “knock it off,” stop crying and keep going.
In October 2008, the bodies of her mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found in the family’s Chicago home. The body of her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was found days later in a sport utility vehicle about 10 miles away.
Gaga wants to make best album of decade
NEW YORK – It’s only 2011 but Lady Gaga wants her next album “Born This Way” to be the best of the decade.
The performer tells the March issue of Vogue her fans deserve “nothing less” than that. She also doesn’t want to record “something trendy.”
The album’s first single of the same name is described as a gay-pride anthem, which the singer tells the magazine she wrote in 10 minutes.
Earlier this week, Lady Gaga wrote on Twitter the song would debut on U.S. radio today.
Lady Gaga is nominated for six awards at Sunday’s Grammy Awards including album of the year.
Sheen divorce is final, but he’s not single yet
LOS ANGELES – Charlie Sheen’s divorce from Brooke Mueller Sheen is finalized, but the pair won’t be legally single until May 2.
The actor and Brooke Sheen filed dueling divorce petitions in November, citing Christmas Day 2009 as the day of their breakup. Charlie Sheen was arrested in Aspen, Colo., that day on suspicion of domestic violence against his wife.
The pair will share legal custody of their sons, although physical custody is granted to Brooke Sheen with substantial visitation time allotted for the actor. He is required to pay $55,000 a month in child support, according to the agreement filed with the court.
Don’t call Kid Rock greedy
DETROIT – Kid Rock has penned an expletive-laden post on his website aimed to those critical of his decision to perform as scheduled in snowy Arkansas.
Some fans unwilling or unable to brave the conditions to get to the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Ark., for the concert Wednesday night voiced their displeasure on Kid Rock’s website.
The Detroit musician fired back online, informing fans that if they purchased tickets to the show and couldn’t make it, “YOU WILL BE GETTING A REFUND, STRAIGHT OUT OF MY POCKET.”
The posting also includes a profane response to those Rock says accused him of being “greedy” for deciding to go forward with the performance.
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