Jennifer Hudson opens up about murders of mother, brother and nephew: ‘My son has saved me’

Jennifer’s world was rocked in 2008 when her former brother-in-law William Balfour shot them dead – and her nephew was just seven-years-old.

William was sentenced to life in prison in 2012, and Jennifer has credited the birth of her son David with helping her get through the trauma.

Speaking to Glamour magazine, Dreamgirls star Jennifer said: “I went from being an aunt, having a mom and being a child to not having a mom, becoming a mom, and raising my own child. I tell David all the time, ‘You saved my life’.”

Jennifer – who shot to fame as a contestant on American Idol in 2004 – also revealed she doesn’t appreciate it when people try to sympathise with her situation, especially when they’ve never suffered loss.

She continued: “It’s frustrating as hell to me to have somebody who ain’t lost nothing try to talk to me about it.

“I want to say, ‘Don’t even bother, because you know nothing’. But you never know how much you can get through until you’re going through it.”

Jennifer and her family have since set up The Julian D. King foundation, which provides stability, support and positive experiences for children, in honour of her nephew.