Vintage Mahalia Jackson video 'Just a closer walk with Thee'

Chicago's own Gospel Great Mahalia Jackson performing 'Just a closer walk with Thee' live.

Lost episode of Check Please! feat. President Obama

Check out this lost but now found episode of the PBS television series Check Please! featuring President Barack Obama reviewing the Dixie Kitchen restaurant in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Update on Jennifer Hudson's and her Fiance David "Punk" Otunga

Here's the latest update on the engagement of Jennifer Hudson and David "Punk" Otunga with a little background history on David Otunga provided by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker. Excerpt and link to Zwecker's column provide below.

Hudson to wed dreamguy
Oscar winner is engaged to fellow Chicagoan and reality star
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September 16, 2008

BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist
While some may have been surprised by the announcement of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson's engagement to fellow Chicagoan and ex-reality TV personality David ''Punk'' Otunga, it didn't shock several of his former colleagues at the Chicago office of the prestigious Sidley & Austin law firm.

Though Otunga, a 2006 Harvard Law grad, was at Sidley for only about a year, a couple of his associates -- and one of the firm's partners -- told me Monday that Otunga seemed totally obsessed with celebrities and fame.

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Jennifer Hudson attends a gala screening of "The Secret Life Of Bees" during the Toronto International Film Festival iin Toronto.
AP


''He always was on top of all that celebrity gossip,'' said the Sidley partner, who requested his name not be used, given the firm's policy of not commenting publicly on personnel matters. ''While many of us were shocked he'd go and do that reality show, I must say it seemed to fit his personality. ... He talked about Hollywood more than he did about clients, work or the law in general.''

That ''reality show,'' of course, was the VH1 dating series ''I Love New York 2'' -- which showcased Otunga as ''Punk'' in 2007. After Otunga's sexy TV appearances, the attorney -- who was working as a litigation associate -- resigned to pursue other opportunities.

According to a current associate at Sidley who knew Otunga, "It was very clear he was asked to resign,'' since firm management felt he seemed more interested in an entertainment career rather than one as a corporate lawyer.

• Another Sidley associate wasn't surprised the handsome attorney would end up with someone like Hudson. ''He kind of reminds me of a smoother, better-looking version of Al Reynolds [Star Jones' ex-husband]. He just struck me as someone who would be very calculating about the woman he would marry.''

• As for Hudson, fame clearly has changed the former ''American Idol'' contestant, whose career accelerated into the fame stratosphere after she won her best supporting actress Academy Award for ''Dreamgirls.'' For a while after winning her Oscar, the talented actress continued her relationship with building maintenance engineer James Payton, whom she had dated for seven years. As recently as last summer rumors circulated about Hudson and Payton getting engaged. It became obvious Hudson had moved on by the fall of 2007, when she declined to talk about Payton -- whom she earlier had called her ''rock'' and ''main man.''

Many of her longtime Chicago friends realized she had outgrown that relationship and were not surprised to hear she was dating Otunga, whom she met while making the ''Sex and the City'' film in New York.

''Not only was David great looking, very smart and totally smooth -- he was also from Chicago, and Jennifer liked that,'' said a friend from her Dunbar Vocational Career Academy high school days.

Though Otunga has gifted Hudson, 27, with a huge sparkler from top jeweler Neil Lane, no date has been set for a wedding.


http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/zwecker/1165205,CST-FTR-zp16.article

Jennifer Hudson's Special Birthday Gift

Jennifer Hudson became engaged to David "Punk" Otunga over the weekend. According to People Magazine, Mr. Otunga proposed to Ms. Hudson September 12, 2008, the day of Ms. Hudson's 27th birthday. CONGRATULATIONS COUPLE!!!

Due to the announcement of this engagement, it looks like David "Punk" Otunga has hit the big time. I just saw a entire news segment on HIM here in Chi-Town. Ms. Hudson. Allow me to be photographed with you so I can hit the BIG TIME...Hook a girl and fellow Chicagoan up!!!

Jennifer Hudson Performing At the Democratic National Conventon

Video of Jennifer Hudson performing (blowing it out of the park) at the Democratic National Convention.

Update on Jennifer Hudson's fake album cover needs changing!

Following is an excerpt and link from the latest interview J-Hud gave to ET in regards to "body image" Ms. Hudson. Don't you think it's time to change your fake album cover?

The singer and actress spoke to ET on the set of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and the Dove Self-Esteem Fund -- a cause Hudson champions because it tackles self-esteem issues and the pressures of body image.


http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/08/64794/index.html

Jennifer Hudson to sing for Obama at DNC

Chicago's own Jennifer Hudson has been asked to sing the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention by Presidential nominee Barack Obama. Jennifer will sing the anthem prior to Senator Obama's formal acceptance of the Democratic Presidential Nomination Thursday night. Jennifer should be able to show her vocal prowess with this song and let's hope she produces a few goosebumps.