FINALLY, AN ARREST IN THE HUDSON MURDERS • "Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, was arrested Monday in the slayings of the Oscar winner's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, according to Chicago police."
TRUMP FINDS PR OPPORTUNITY IN HUDSON TRAGEDY • "In the wake of her family tragedy, Jennifer Hudson has received a helping hand from a very unlikely source — Donald Trump. Hudson and some of her family members have been staying at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, and Trump has been picking up the tab. 'They are safe,' Trump told People on Monday night. 'She’s a great girl and we’re protecting them well.'"
GOOD THINGS HAPPENING TO BAD PEOPLE "Monday morning could be absolutely huge in the Hudson family murder case — the cops' only suspect, William Balfour, could walk out of jail a free man. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Balfour, who's only being held on a parole violation in a case unrelated to the murders, could "conceivably" skate if there's not enough evidence to prove he did violate his parole."
HUDSON MURDER SUSPECT CONTINUES TO LOOK GUILTY "The convicted felon suspected in the slayings of actress-singer Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew told police he is innocent but balked at taking a lie-detector test, a police official said."
The triple murder tragedy of Jennifer Hudson's family wasn't going to be ignored by the celebrity weeklies. Sadly, multiple deaths are what it takes to get a black girl on the cover of a tabloid. The editors of each weekly, then, had to consider how the competition was going to play the game. Only People and Us gave Hudson A1 treatment, while every other magazine at least included her in a sidebar or footer.
Life & Style and OK! ended up with the same photo. Only the Globe went with a picture of Jennifer with her mouth closed — because nothing says tragedy like eyes staring into the horizon and a mouth agape.
And the honor of Going Full Exploitative goes to, not surprisingly:
HUDSON FAMILY SLAYER SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN PRISON "The convicted felon suspected in the slayings of Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew was arrested after police allegedly found crack cocaine in his car in June, but authorities declined to return him to prison on a parole violation, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. A judge dismissed the charge for lack of probable cause in July, but under the strict rules of the state's parole program, William Balfour could have gone back to prison just for the arrest."
HUDSON MURDER SUSPECT LOOKING GUILTIER "The case is building quickly against William Balfour, the man police sources have pinpointed as the primary suspect in the murder of Jennifer Hudson's family. More details are emerging: The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting Balfour's girlfriend — whose house he was arrested at — has contradicted Balfour's alibi and cops have caught him in at least one other lie."
It's been confirmed: "Sources say that police have told the Hudson family that the body found on Chicago's West Side is that of 7-year-old Julian King. … Law enforcement sources said that the boy was shot multiple times in the back of the vehicle."
What can we say about the Jennifer Hudson tragedy that hasn't already been written? Our thoughts are with the surviving family members, who seem to be getting more and more terrible news, the latest involving the discovery of a body believed to be Jennifer's 7-year-old nephew. Losing a mother, brother and nephew in such a violent and inexcusable act is unfathomable to most of us, so all we can hope is that justice will eventually be served.
After the jump are two videos: One featuring Jennifer talking about her family ties, complete with a clip of her mother standing by her side after her Oscar win in 2007 (starting around the 1:00 mark); the other showing her family at home in Chicago during her Oscar win. We'll keep you updated on any new developments, but until then, keep Jennifer's family in your thoughts. CONTINUED »
BODY FOUND; LIKELY HUDSON'S NEPHEW "The Cook County medical examiner's office is investigating reports on Monday of a child's body found in an SUV in Chicago, a spokesperson for the office told CNN. The Chicago Tribune — citing the medical examiner's office — reported that the body of a boy was found Monday morning in a white SUV connected with Julian King, the missing nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson."
HUDSON OFFERING $100K REWARD FOR NEPHEW Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson is offering a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her nephew, Julian, who police believe has been kidnapped across state lines. Hudson's mother and brother were killed on Friday and her estranged brother-in-law has been apprehended as a "person of interest," but Julian remains missing.
JENNIFER HUDSON'S MOTHER AND BROTHER FOUND DEAD "Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Jennifer Hudson's mother was one of two victims shot and killed in Chicago earlier today. A neighbor tells TMZ the other victim was Jennifer's brother Jason. A cousin who lived nearby discovered the bodies."
Jennifer Hudson became a star with her longtime, regular-guy boyfriend by her side, but, you know, things change. She's now getting married to a reality show contestant who competed for the affections of Tiffany "New York" Pollard. Upgrade!
DREAMGIRL TO SING AT DNC THURSDAY "Barack Obama has asked 'American Idol' contestant and Oscar-winning 'Dreamgrls' actress Jennifer Hudson to sing at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. According to 'Access Hollywood,' Obama asked Hudson to sing the National Anthem on Thursday night when he formally accepts the party's nomination."
The MTV Movie Awards were held last night, and I admittedly couldn't bring myself to sit through the hours-long crapfest. Just by looking at the pictures (after the jump), it's obvious I didn't miss much.
Anyone care to share exciting stories from the show (if you decided to punish yourself last night)? CONTINUED »
It has descended upon us: The Sex and the City movie premiered last night in New York City, much to the delight of … Eli Manning? He was one of the guests in attendance, for reasons unknown, at the type of over-the-top shindig that should only be reserved for stuff like the second coming of Xenu.
The pictures (and there are many) are after the jump. CONTINUED »
• John Mayer upped the douche factor by charging a fan $10 to take a picture with him. [YouTube]
• The Ashlee Simpson-Pete Wentz wedding photo nobody has been dying to see. [People]
• Kelly Rowland is bitter she lost out a Sex and the City role to Jennifer Hudson. Trust us, Kel. It's a good thing. [ICYDK]
• Jessica Simpson is nursing her broken heart in Cabo with her parents. What a tough life. [INO]
• Martha Stewart is the new face of the "Got Milk?" ads, because if anyone can make you want to pick up a carton, it's her. [DListed]
• Good news: Jessica Alba and Cash Warren will be having another wedding so everyone can join in on their marital bliss. Does this mean they will have to get two divorces? [PS]
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