Jennifer Hudson Chokes Back Tears Singing "I Will Always Love You"
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
She did Whitney proud.
Besides perhaps Adele, Jennifer Hudson was the most anticipated performer at Sunday's Grammys -- even though she signed on to the awards show just one day ago.
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Hudson, 30, was tapped to memorialize the late Whitney Houston (found dead Saturday afternoon in her hotel room in Beverly Hills) in a truly daunting way -- by lending her voice to the biggest hit of Houston's legendary career, "I Will Always Love You."
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After the annual segment of the show dedicated to music greats who passed away in the past year -- including Amy Winehouse, Etta James and Clarence Clemons, among others -- Hudson cautiously ascended to stage center for the gut-wrenching goodbye ballad.
Choking back tears, the Dreamgirls star offered a stripped-down, elegant version of the classic song (sung by Houston on The Bodyguard soundtrack and written by Dolly Parton) -- all the more impressive considering the nerve-wracking rehearsals began only Sunday morning. A backstage source told Us Hudson began "sobbing hysterically" while practicing the song.
Tell Us: What did you think of Hudson's performance?
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23Jennifer was pure 'CLASS'....It was truly done out of her great respect and love for Whitney Houston! I had goose bumps from the first note she sang until the last!. You could see the feelings behind every word she sang...You knew Jennifer was heartbroken ...that the reason she was on stage singing that song was because her 'Idol' was gone....She was barely able to hold back her tears, but she did...and she was determined to give it everything she had ~ I THOUGHT SHE WAS AMAZING!!!
Annalee, did you mean having a peer (or former boss) like Chaka Khan do the honors? She chose to opt out, even after professing her love and devotion to Whitney for over 30 years. She said she didn't feel it was 'appropriate' to perform. Yet Jennifer had the grace to step up to honor and respect Whitney, in spite of her own emotional duress and in the most stressful kind of time-crunch. With her grace and dignity, Jennifer told the old guard quite a bit about what it means to pay respect, and to be totally professional. A shout out for Jennifer -- I think she did an amazing job.
Sorry, should have been done by a peer of Whitney's or someone Whitney had looked up to...Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Dolly as some have said. I don't know why people think Hudson is the only singer out there and act like she's the end all be all. Not saying she can't sing just don't get the hype and I likely never will. Whitney is peerless as has been proven by all the acts at the Grammy's. It was just a bad night all around. Guess I'm still just pissed Whitney is gone...and I know she is mostly to blame. Just makes me mad we're stuck with people thinking this girl is the heir apparent or something. She doesn't even come close.
I think Jennifer did an outstanding job and Whitney would have been proud of her. She sang it in Whitney's style and although no one will ever be as good as Whitney, Jennifer did an amazing job.
I loved it and realized how honored she felt to sing that song. It was all about Whitney and the fact that Jennifer Hudson received her own Grammy a few years back from Whitney was also special...
I thought it would have been fitting to have Dolly Parton sing it because she is the only other person besides Whitney who can sing it so well. And Dolly has never had anything but praise for Whitney's version of the song she wrote.
For sure Jernnifer also had to be thinking of her mother and other family member who were murdered. She did a great job.
Jennifer did an awesome Job of the Song, despite you could see it im her eyes, and Voice how hard it was to sing that song of a Lady we all have in our hearts
Jennifer Hudson, a powerhouse voice in her own right, was unbelievably amazing! I kind of figured she joined the show at the last minute because she is probably the only singer who could have pulled that one off with such elegance and style. Kudos to you, Jennifer!
I agree that no one can sing it like Whitney.I honestly dont think Jennifers performance was all that great.I have watched it a few times and it just doesnt sound that great.I do understand how she might have been very emotional,but I still dont think she could have pulled off a better rendition on an ordinary day.
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she sang so beautiful.! Whitney would have been proud...
as I watched I sat crying what a beautiful tribute to Whitney Huston and the rest that past this last year Jennifer Hudson has an amazing voice, and I know it was very hard on her to sing that song and she did a terrific job, we will always love you Whitney was a nice touch to end of the song.
Jennifer's version paled in comparison to Whitney. It made me realize just how great Whitney's voice was. And in all due respect, Dolly's original version was phenomenal also.
Annalee - have a dam seat! Jennifer did a beautiful rendition of the song. She was on point & I am very proud of her!
I like her..powerful voice...I am sure it a sad night..
Actually Courtney, it was the second single off of Dolly Parton's album Jolene in 1974 that was the first.
She's so overblown. At least she didn't go completely over the top like she usually does. Could have done without the fake choking up at the end. Spare me. And the stories of her crying in rehearsals? The girl knows how to work it, I'll say that for her. Why would it be a "miracle she could perform"?? Please.
@Terri You hit it right on the head in that situation Jennifer did outstanding yeah Whitney's version of that song might be the most easily recognized but the first cover of it was actually Linda Ronstadt on her 1975 album Prisoner In Disquise
She did an outstanding job.