I was expecting tonight’s Jennifer Hudson holiday special, Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home For Christmas to have some drama. After all, Jennifer was going back to Chicago, the place of what has to be a lot of bittersweet memories. It was only a little over a year ago that her mother, brother and nephew were murdered, allegedly at the hands of her sister’s ex-boyfriend.
But, Jen’s journey home wasn’t the emotion-packed tear-fest I was expecting. There were a few vague references to her losses, and except for a scene at the very beginning with her fiance, David Ortunga and little baby, David Jr., and an a capella sing with some cousins mid special–family was glaringly absent.
The action centered around her high school and her church–the two outside forces that shaped her as a singer. At her alma mater, Jennifer was reunited with the teacher who encouraged her young dreams. And, standing outside her church, Jennifer remembered praying about the “Dreamgirls” role. A week later she learned the part was hers.
In lieu of the gut-wrenching drama were some pretty incredible performances. I posted my favorites after the jump.
Jennifer sings a joyous “This Christmas” at her high school, a rousing medley of gospelized Christmas favorites at her church (check out Rickey Minor!), a sassy “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with Michael Buble and a starkly beautiful “O Holy Night”.
Video after the JUMP…
This Christmas
Gospel Medley
Baby It’s Cold Outside w/ Michael Buble
O Holy Night
