Jennifer Hudson has opened up about her relationship with Common, describing the rapper and actor as “a light” and “a blessing” in her life.
In an interview with E! News at the Daytime Emmy Awards, the Oscar-winning singer and talk show host reflected on why her romance with Common continues to thrive nearly two years after they confirmed they were dating.
“Our Chicago roots is a huge part of it,” Hudson said. “We're just similar souls and spirits. He's such a beautiful person, and I just respect him for just who he is, how he is.”
The pair both hail from Chicago, and Hudson said that shared background has kept their bond strong. “He’s a blessing,” she continued. “A light. That man is a light.”
Common — whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn — has also spoken warmly about their relationship, calling it one of the greatest gifts in his life. “That relationship is one of the greatest blessings and most important things in my life,” he said on an episode of the Mama, I Made It! podcast earlier this year. “The friendship, the partnership, the life partnership… it’s one of those things where you don’t know truly what a true partnership or relationship is until you get there.”
The 53-year-old rapper, activist and actor first rose to fame in the early 2000s with his album “Be” and later earned an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Glory”, which he co-wrote and performed with John Legend for the film Selma. He’s also appeared in several major films, including The Hate U Give, John Wick: Chapter 2 and Just Wright, and is known for his social activism and thoughtful lyrics.
Hudson, meanwhile, is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status — having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award — after first gaining recognition as a finalist on American Idol in 2004. She won her Oscar for her breakout role as Effie White in Dreamgirls and now hosts her own daytime programme, The Jennifer Hudson Show, which was nominated for Daytime Talk Series Host and Daytime Talk Series at this year’s ceremony.
Both stars have had high-profile past relationships — Common previously dated comedian Tiffany Haddish, while Hudson was engaged to WWE wrestler David Otunga, with whom she shares a son. But both have spoken about finding love later in life through growth and mutual understanding.
“It’s like those things you pray for, you don’t get them until you’re ready,” Common said. “Whatever growing I had to do, it was the divine time in alignment with when Jennifer and I started being interested in each other.”
The couple first met years ago and worked together on the 2022 sci-fi film Breathe, but it wasn’t until recently that their friendship evolved into something more. “We’ve worked together before, but this was the time where we just felt and got to see each other in that way,” Common added.
For his part, the rapper has nothing but admiration for Hudson’s artistry: “It’s inspiring to have somebody who’s as talented and just soulful and gifted, and can do all these different things and is one of the greatest vocalists of all time.”
With both stars balancing demanding careers in music, film, and television, it seems their connection — rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and growth — continues to deepen.
