American Idol Isn’t Performing at Obama Inauguration

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Saturday, January 17th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

2008 was a wonderful and horrible year for Jennifer Hudson, both at the same time.We already knew that of course. When Hudson released Spotlight (her first album) to high praise, not to mention her Oscar win, really shows us that she is on a great roll.Tragically, after her success her mom, brother, and nephew were murdered by her sister-in-law when she went on a rampage, a hit that could have destroyed the performers life, let alone career.She hasn’t been in the spotlight as much afterwards, rather preferring to grieve privately with family.

But there’s always the comeback, in the tradition of many who went through American Idol 8.In the history of American Idol a TON of past contestants have faded into near obscurity only to have a major comeback into the spotlight again.One of those great stories of success in Jennifer Hudson, and I have faith she’ll replicate that same success this year?

For a moment, we thought it wouldn’t have come any sooner. On New Year’s Eve, the New York Post reported that Hudson, who has not performed since the murders, is in talks to sing the Star-Spangled Banner during the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama, on January 20 in Washington, D.C.The news was picked up quickly by other media and they pointed out that she would be a likley candidate to sing the national anthem as she’s from Chicago where Obama got his political start. To boot, she is a big Obama supporter, the newspaper’s source said.

Very rapidly after the rumor came out a rep put out the rumor when they officially stated that Hudson won’t perform at the inauguration. “There is no truth to this,” a representative simply told Access Hollywood, maintaining that Hudson’s return performance will be at an event in Los Angeles in February, paying tribute to musician Neil Diamond.

With that, though, at least we can say that Hudson is indeed poised for a comeback.Setting aside any debate on whether the media should have been more sensitive to making this announcement in light of the murders, or whether Hudson is ready to come back, a comeback seems inevitable. Here’s to resiliency, then. This season of the show starts on January 13th and features the addition of a new judge Kara DioGuardi.

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