Jennifer Hudson, the sensational artist known as J-Hud, captured the hearts of audiences with her meteoric rise to stardom in 2004 through the hit show American Idol. Beyond her musical achievements, she earned acclaim for her roles in Dreamgirls and Sex and the City, gracing prestigious events like the Super Bowl XLIII, the Grammy Awards, and even performances at The Whitehouse.
Amidst the spotlight, her personal life unfolded in the public eye, particularly her ten-year relationship with David Otunga. Let’s delve into the details of Jennifer’s intricate and at times tumultuous relationship.
Who is David Otunga? Born in 1980, Jennifer’s ex-partner is not just a former professional wrestler but also an actor. He gained recognition for his time with WWE and finished as the runner-up on the inaugural season of NXT. Otunga’s academic prowess is evident, having earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois and later obtaining a law degree from Harvard. Post-graduation, he moved to New York City, where he became a laboratory manager in Columbia University’s Cognitive Neuroscience Center. Otunga has also graced the silver screen with appearances in films such as The Call, A Madea Family Funeral, and What Happened Last Night.
When did David and Jennifer get engaged? Introduced through a mutual friend on the set of the VH1 reality TV series I Love New York (season 2), the couple’s love story began to unfold. David reminisced in a 2012 interview with Wendy Williams, “She [Jennifer] first noticed me… I started doing a lot of interviews after the show wrapped and made friends with a couple of people. Next thing you know, [a friend of mine] says ‘Hey, you should meet my friend Jennifer.’” After a whirlwind romance, David proposed on Jennifer’s 27th birthday in 2008, presenting her with a dazzling 5-carat Neil Lane sparkler.
Do the couple have kids? A year after their engagement, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named David Daniel Junior. The close bond they share became even more evident in 2015 when Jennifer revealed how her son played a pivotal role in helping her cope with the tragic deaths of her mother, brother, and nephew.
Why did Jennifer and David split? The couple’s relationship took a turn for the worse, leading to their split in 2017. In November of that year, Jennifer filed for a restraining order against David, alleging “aggressive, threatening, and harassing behavior.” The statement released to PEOPLE emphasized that Jennifer’s actions were taken in the best interest of their son. David’s attorney, Tracy M Rizzo, countered these claims, stating, “Mr. Otunga has never abused or harassed Ms. Hudson or their son.” In 2017, David was granted primary custody of their son, and their legal battle concluded in 2019 with a final custody agreement, details of which remain undisclosed to the public.