Who is Jennifer Hudson’s Boyfriend? Everything You Need to Know

Jennifer Hudson is a talented singer and actress known for her EGOT status. The talk show host has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. While it’s clear her professional life is full of success, her love life has not always been easy. Now, she’s apparently in love and marriage could possibly be in the cards soon.

Here, we’ll take a look at Jennifer Hudson’s boyfriend, Common, and the rumor mill that brought their current relationship into the limelight.

Who is Jennifer Hudson’s Boyfriend?

While their relationship started out shrouded in secrecy, we now know that Jennifer Hudson’s boyfriend is 51-year-old rapper, Common. His musical catalog includes popular albums including “Like Water for Chocolate” and “Be.” After establishing himself in the world of rap music, Common ventured into acting. He’s starred in “Just Wright” with Queen Latifah and several of the films in the John Wick series. In April 2024, Common and Hudson starred together in the science fiction film “Breathe.”

Dating Rumors Swirled for Months

Hudson and Common are both from Chicago. They were friends for years before things turned romantic between them. The two were first linked romantically in 2022 while in Philadelphia filming “Breathe.” The two were spotted out to dinner “getting flirty.” Then, in early 2023 they were seen taking a stroll through Chicago’s suburbs.  In July 2023, the two continued to fuel dating rumors when they spent time together in London while Hudson worked as a producer on a stage play. And in August 2023, the singer briefly spoke on her relationship with the rapper after a TMZ crew caught up with her while out and about. The crew told Hudson that she and Common made the cutest couple and Hudson simply responded, “thank you.” She didn’t go so far as to confirm the relationship, however. When asked to do so she replied, “He’s a beautiful man, I’ll give you that.”

The Couple Confirmed Their Love on Hudson’s Talk Show

The couple finally confirmed their relationship on Hudson’s own talk show in January 2024. Common presented Hudson with a bouquet of flowers before the two jumped into a conversation. The singer cheekily pressed the rapper about his romantic life during the interview.

“Let’s get down to business, Mr. Common,” Hudson said. “I’m a host, and so I have to ask you this question, because everybody always wants to know this. Are you dating anyone?”

His response was what fans had been waiting for.

“So, yes. And I’m in a relationship that is (with) one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met, in life,” he replied, cementing for fans everywhere that he was officially Jennifer Hudson’s boyfriend.

Common went on to describe the qualities he wants in a partner further confirming he was speaking about Hudson.

“She’s talented. But I set my standard kind of high because she had to have an EGOT,” he said. “She had to win an Oscar on her first movie. I set my standard high. She had to get her own talk show.”

Marriage Could be the Next Step for the Couple

Common is famously known for not settling down. Over the years the rapper has been romantically linked to several other famous women but has never married before. While appearing on the “Today” show, host Hoda Kotb asked Common if he was the marrying type.

“I feel like I have grown and the work that I have done on myself has allowed me to see that I am a marrying type,” Common said.

In October 2024, Common again appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” During this second appearance Hudson questioned him about marriage.

““I heard you’ve been even out there talking about marriage. What’s that about?” Hudson asked Common.

She was referring to an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” where Common let it be known that if he were to get married it would be to Hudson.

“If I should be married, it will be to Jennifer Kate Hudson,” he said. “I was just being honest.”

Common’s Past Loves

While he’s currently Jennifer Hudson’s boyfriend, Common has had his share of famous partners in the past. He dated neo-soul singer Erykah Badu from 2000 to 2002. At the time, many fans noticed the rapper’s sense of style seemed to change to mirror that of Badu’s. The two appeared together in the music video for Badu’s hit song “Love of My Life.” After his relationship ended with Badu, Common moved on to actress Taraji P. Henson. That relationship eventually fizzled out after several years of dating and the rapper was next linked to tennis superstar Serena Williams from 2007 to 2010. More recently Common dated political analyst Angela Rye and comedian Tiffany Haddish. While Haddish made it publicly clear that she would say yes if Common were to ask for her to marry him, the two eventually split in 2021 after about a year of dating.

Hudson’s Past Relationships

Hudson has been linked to far fewer people romantically. She was engaged to and had one child with actor and former wrestler David Otunga. Otunga first broke out on the scene as a contestant on the VH1 reality show “I Love New York 2.” He eventually built a career as a WWE wrestler.

Otunga and Hudson were introduced by a mutual friend. They got engaged in 2008 just a year after meeting and welcomed their son, David Otunga Jr. in 2009. The couple remained engaged for nearly a decade but never made it down the aisle.

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