The Man Who Almost Was: Unpacking Jennifer Hudson's 'Husband' Question And Her Current Romance With Common
Despite one of the most high-profile, nearly decade-long engagements in Hollywood history, the definitive answer to the question "Who is Jennifer Hudson's husband?" is simple: she has never been married. As of December 2025, the EGOT-winning powerhouse remains one of the most successful unmarried women in the entertainment industry, but her current romantic life is flourishing with a fellow superstar, rapper and actor Common, sparking fresh and intense speculation about a future wedding.
The curiosity surrounding Jennifer Hudson’s marital status is largely rooted in her former relationship with professional wrestler and legal analyst David Otunga, which lasted for ten years and produced a son. However, the latest and most significant update for fans is her confirmed, public-facing romance with Common, a relationship that has dominated headlines throughout 2024 and 2025, with both artists openly discussing a potential future together, cementing their status as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated power couples.
Jennifer Hudson: A Biography and Career Profile
Jennifer Kate Hudson, often referred to by her nickname J.Hud, has established herself as a true force in the entertainment world, achieving the rare and prestigious EGOT status.
- Full Name: Jennifer Kate Hudson
- Born: September 12, 1981
- Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Profession: Singer, Actress, Producer, Talk Show Host
- Breakthrough: Finished seventh on the third season of American Idol in 2004.
- EGOT Status: Hudson achieved EGOT status in 2022, meaning she has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.
- Major Awards:
- Oscar (Academy Award): Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls (2006).
- Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls (2006).
- Grammy Awards: Multiple wins, including Best R&B Album for her debut album (2008).
- Tony Award: As a producer for the musical A Strange Loop (2022).
- Talk Show: Host of the syndicated daytime talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, which premiered in 2022.
- Children: One son, David Daniel Otunga Jr.
The Decade-Long Engagement: Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga
The intense public interest in Jennifer Hudson’s "husband" can be traced back to her long-term relationship with David Otunga.
A Timeline of the David Otunga Relationship
Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga, a professional wrestler and Harvard Law School graduate, first began dating in 2007.
- 2007: Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga begin dating after meeting.
- September 2008: Otunga proposes to Hudson on her 27th birthday, less than a year after they started dating.
- August 2009: The couple welcomes their only child, a son named David Daniel Otunga Jr.
- 2008–2017: The couple remains engaged for nearly ten years without ever setting a wedding date, a topic that frequently came up in interviews.
- November 2017: Hudson and Otunga announce they have ended their engagement and relationship.
- Custody Battle: The breakup led to a highly publicized custody battle over their son, which was eventually settled in 2019, with the two sharing joint custody.
The fact that the couple was engaged for so long, coupled with the birth of their son, led many to mistakenly assume they were married, which is why the "Jennifer Hudson husband" query remains so popular to this day.
Common: The Current Chapter and Marriage Rumors in 2025
The freshest and most exciting development in Jennifer Hudson's love life is her romance with the Grammy and Oscar-winning rapper and actor, Common (Lonnie Rashid Lynn).
The Common Relationship Timeline and Confirmation
The relationship between the two musical titans was a closely guarded secret for a while before being confirmed to the public in early 2024.
- 2022: Dating rumors first begin to circulate after they were spotted together, having met on the set of the action-thriller film Breathe.
- January 2024: Common publicly confirms their relationship during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, praising her as "one of the most beautiful people I ever met."
- 2024/2025: The couple makes more public appearances together, including a memorable "date night" and red carpet events, solidifying their status as a couple.
Are Jennifer Hudson and Common Engaged? (Latest Update 2025)
Despite the intense speculation and the high-profile nature of their romance, Jennifer Hudson and Common are currently not engaged.
However, marriage is clearly a topic of discussion for the couple, making this the most up-to-date and crucial piece of information for fans.
- Common’s Public Declaration: In a July 2024 interview, Common stated that if he were to get married, it would be to Jennifer Hudson, adding that he is "in a relationship with a wonderful woman."
- Jennifer’s View on Marriage (2025): Speaking at the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards, Jennifer Hudson addressed the relationship, explaining why it works so well. She has also indicated that while she is not rushing, marriage is "definitely on the cards" for her future.
- Shared Interests: Both stars have noted that their mutual love for music, their shared Chicago roots, and their commitment to raising their children (Hudson has her son, and Common has a daughter) are strong foundations for their bond.
While the search for Jennifer Hudson’s husband yields no results, the journey of her love life is a compelling narrative of a woman who prioritizes her career, her son, and finding the right partnership on her own terms. The current dynamic with Common suggests a new, serious chapter that could one day lead to the marriage fans have been waiting for.
Jennifer Hudson's Relationship Legacy and Future
Jennifer Hudson’s love life has been a subject of continuous fascination, not just because of her former engagement, but because of her poise and focus throughout her career.
The singer and actress had a previous relationship with James Payton from 1999 to 2007, before her rise to fame on American Idol. However, it was her long-term commitment to David Otunga that truly cemented the public's curiosity about her potential husband.
Today, as she successfully hosts The Jennifer Hudson Show and continues to produce music and film, her relationship with Common is viewed as a mature, grounded partnership between two high-achieving artists. The couple has been "talking openly about their future," including the possibility of an engagement, which indicates that while she has never had a husband, a wedding might be the next major milestone for the EGOT winner.
Ultimately, Jennifer Hudson has carved out a life on her own terms, proving that a woman can be an Oscar winner, a Grammy recipient, a successful talk show host, and a dedicated mother without ever having to rush into marriage. Her current relationship with Common is a testament to finding love later in life with someone who shares her level of success and understanding of the entertainment world.
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