Jennifer Hudson delivered a stirring tribute to the legendary Whitney Houston performing the iconic ballad "I Will Always Love You" on Sunday evening at the 50th American Music Awards.
Hudson's performance was a homage to Houston's remarkable musical legacy and also a testament to her own vocal prowess and artistry.
Throughout her career, Hudson has frequently honoured Houston, often citing her as a influence on her music. This was not the first time Hudson had paid tribute to Houston.
In 2012, she performed the same song at the Grammy Awards, after Houston’s passing, a performance that moved many to tears. Hudson also portrayed Aretha Franklin in the 2021 biopic “Respect.”
Fans and viewers quickly took to social media to praise Hudson’s performance.
X user @jhudaccess wrote, “Jennifer Hudson gave it all she had tonight. She gave looks, tonality, power, and above all a one-of-a-kind tribute to Whitney Houston.”
Jennifer Hudson gave it all she had tonight—She gave looks, tonality, power, and above all a one-of-a-kind tribute to Whitney Houston#WhitneyHouston #JenniferHudson #AMAs pic.twitter.com/gNUlzTxYZm
— Jennifer Hudson Archive (@jhudaccess) October 7, 2024
Another fan, @juicyneli718, remarked, “You can seriously hear the growth in Jennifer Hudson’s voice—the control and power. Wow, please drop a new album!”
You can seriously hear the growth in Jennifer Hudson voice the control and power wow please drop a new album!#AMAs50 #AMAS pic.twitter.com/d90ptyckcq
— Juicyneli718 (@juicyneli718) October 7, 2024
X user @WriteAsRae tweeted:
“Jennifer Hudson just showed y’all why we need VOCALISTS back in RnB music. All these new heffas just want to be a booty-shaking, mumbling ‘vibe,’ and it’s not working.
“Bring back power ballads and big voices! Where’s the Faiths, the Mariahs, the Brandys, the Tamias?”
Jennifer Hudson just showed y’all why we need VOCALISTS back in Rnb music.
— A Rae With Words (@WriteAsRae) October 7, 2024
All these new heffas just want to be a booty-shaking, mumbling “vibe” and it’s not working.
Bring back power ballads and big voices!
Where’s the Faiths, the Mariahs, the Brandys, the Tamias??
In a video shared by the AMAs, Hudson reflected on her deep connection to Whitney Houston.
“I think the gospel. You know, the presence, the gift, it just touched me at an early age. I don't think I can recall a time that I didn't know of Whitney, but I remember seeing her at a young age, just being completely captivated by this goddess, this voice that was, like, from heaven or something.
“And it resonated with me at, like, seven years old.”
Jennifer Hudson, who first gained fame as a finalist on “American Idol” in 2004, has since built an extraordinary career, earning both an Academy Award and a Grammy Award. She also hosts an hour-long daytime talk show.
Whitney Houston, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, remains a towering figure in the world of pop and R&B.
With over 200 million records sold worldwide and six Grammy Awards to her name, Houston’s influence on music and culture is still felt today.
Her version of “I Will Always Love You” became one of the best-selling singles by a female artist, solidifying her place in history.
IOL