Jennifer Hudson may have gotten her start on American Idol in 2004, but the actress-slash-singer has made so much progress since her Idol days that it’s sometimes hard to think of an entertainment scene without her.
In addition to blowing up TV sets, movie screens, and Top 40 stations, J. Hud has also blown up the tabloid pages.
While there’s no question about Jennifer’s talent, there is a lot of gossip regarding her love life.
Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin and Marlon Wayans as Aretha’s abusive husband and manager Ted White filming on location for “Respect” on November 8, 2019, at Rockefeller Center in New York City (Credit: Jose Perez / INSTARimages)
Much of that speculation revolves around Marlon Wayans, a famous American actor, writer, comedian, and producer.
Marlon, who kicked off his career in 1988 with a pedestrian role in “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” quickly developed a successful Hollywood career, where he eventually met Jennifer.
Read on to catch up with some of that speculation… and find out the truth.
Hudson’s Turbulent Dating History Leads to Silence on Personal Life
Jennifer’s turbulent dating history has made the singer increasingly mum about her personal life.
Her well-documented conflict with ex-fiancé David Otunga appeared to cause both a lot of personal grief and career impact.
After ten years of partnership, Jennifer broke off an engagement with David and then requested an emergency protection order to stave off her former fiancé’s efforts to ruin her reputation.
She also got a restraining order.
Jennifer Hudson and her former fiancé David Otunga, with whom she shares David Daniel Otunga Jr., split in November 2017, and she received a protective order against him (Credit: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock)
In the process, David managed to leak false information to the press and won full custody of the duo’s son, David Daniel Otunga Junior.
Jennifer’s former fiancé also allegedly violated a confidentiality agreement, which explains further why Jennifer prefers to keep her personal issues out of the limelight.
Hudson’s Dating Life a Hot Topic Despite Her Privacy
However, as much as Jennifer would like to keep speculation regarding her dating life to a minimum, the tabloids continue to do what tabloids do.
After her separation from David Otunga, Jennifer Hudson was seen on a cozy dinner date with rapper-slash-actor Common.
The two were spotted at the upscale Philadelphia restaurant Vedge, where they were reportedly seen cuddling and giggling over their food.
Jennifer Hudson has been rumored to be dating Common, with whom she stars in the upcoming action-thriller “Breathe” (Credit: INFphoto)
Common — who recently split with comedian Tiffany Haddish due to busy schedules — hadn’t been tied to another love interest until he was cast alongside Jennifer.
Common and Jennifer both star in Stefon Bristol’s action-thriller “Breathe,” which may explain why the two were caught dining together. This futuristic picture also stars Sam Worthington and Milla Jovovich.
Hudson and Wayans’s On-Screen Chemistry Sparks Dating Rumors
Similarly, a film project starring both Jennifer and Marlon Wayans led to even more rumors about Jennifer’s dating life.
“Respect,” the biopic about “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, stars Jennifer as Aretha and Marlon as Ted White, Aretha’s abusive husband and manager.
The pair were first linked due to a discredited YouTube Video named “Jennifer Hudson and Marlon Wayans Go Public About Their Romantic Relationship.” Still, the rumors resurfaced again following the casting of “Respect.”
However, it’s highly unlikely that the two have ever dated.
Wayans has publicly shared in interviews that instead of pursuing relationships and marriage, he’s spent his time and emotional energy focusing on his mother.
Jennifer Hudson is rumored to have started dating Marlon Wayans while filming “Respect” (Credit: Jose Perez / INSTARimages)
“I never got married because I knew my mom needed me,” he told Essence.
Even though Marlon’s mother, Elvira Wayans, has since passed away, the actor still has no interest in marriage.
“On her death bed, I said, ‘Can I tell you something woman?’,” Marlon said. “She was in a lot of pain and she was fighting to stay alive and I say, ‘I’m 47 years old and I’ve never been married because I always wanted you to be my number one girl.'”
“My mother turned over, she looked at me, she grabbed my hand, and she pulled me close to her. I said ‘I know, I love you too,'” he said.
Marlon remains unmarried, and never married his ex-girlfriend Angelica Zachary. He dated her between 1992 and 2013, and they welcomed two children into the world, Amai Zackary Wayans and Shawn Howell Wayans.
Marlon has also been rumored to have dated Essence Atkins.
Marlon Wayans has been rumored to be dating his good friend Essence Atkins (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
While Marlon may have been quick to choose his mother over any future wife publicly, Jennifer has remained silent about the subject.
Why Jennifer Hudson’s Love Life Sparks So Much Interest
As fascinating as Jennifer’s love life is, we have to admit: This powerhouse is fascinating all on her own.
Jennifer is the youngest and only the second black woman to win all four top U.S. entertainment awards: Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony.
J. Hud also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013 and was declared one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential individuals on the planet in 2020.
So, even if Jennifer’s private life isn’t in the spotlight, we’re sure glad her talent is!
Jennifer Hudson’s Style
Jennifer Hudson wears her short hair in a spikey hairstyle at Clive Davis’s Pre-Grammy Gala held on January 25, 2014, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles (Credit: WENN)
If the dress that Jennifer Hudson wore to the 2014 Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons looked familiar, it’s likely because you’ve seen it before.
Jennifer styled a black off-the-shoulder Christopher Kane dress with Christian Louboutin’s popular “Pigalle” glitter pumps.
Jane Fonda, Clive Davis, and Jennifer Hudson pose for photos at a pre-Grammy party (Credit: WENN)
Her Christian Louboutin heels feature blue grosgrain trim and Neptune glitter.
The singer and “Respect” actress accessorized with an orange Rodo leather clutch and Jack Vartanian jewelry.
Jennifer Hudson poses on the red carpet in a colorful Christopher Kane dress (Credit: SIPA / WENN / FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / Nikki Nelson / Visual)
One year earlier, Chloë Grace Moretz wore the same dress to the Teen Choice Awards.
Chloë Grace Moretz wears a colorfully-accented black Christopher Kane dress to the 2013 Teen Choice Awards held on August 11 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles (Credit: SIPA / WENN / FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / Nikki Nelson / Visual)
The young actress styled the outfit with ankle-strap Jimmy Choo “Jada” platform sandals.
Chloë Grace Moretz’s feet in Jimmy Choo platform sandals (Credit: WENN)
Who do you think looked best in the elastic-striped off-the-shoulder dress by Christopher Kane?
Christopher Kane Elastic-Striped Off-the-Shoulder Dress, $1,860