Jennifer Hudson: Rise And Fall

As most celebrities rise to fame with their possessed beauty and connections, this 27 year old singer and actress Jennifer Hudson made her way to the spotlight through her talent, hard work and close-knit family.

Jennifer Hudson began her singing career as member of their church choir in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Englewood when she was just a child. Then, all the way through high school (Chicago's Dunbar Vocational High School), she continued her passion for singing. So as when she finished school.

In 2003, she auditioned for "American Idol" in Atlanta, Georgia, and managed to earn her way to the top-rated show. Unfortunately, she got voted off and became the 6^th among the 12 finalists who bid farewell to the show. However, in May 2005 -- several months after finishing the traditional post-"Idol" group tour -- she was contacted by a casting agency to do the part of Effie, the tragic soul of "Dreamgirls."

From there, she won series of awards including supporting actress honors from the New York Critics Circle, Golden Globes, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts the Academy Awards and of course, the Oscars.

At a time when the singer is in a new movie, "The Secret Life of Bees," and recently released her first solo album, Hudson is now back in the public eye largely due to a family tragedy.

Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found shot to death Friday in their Chicago home. Her 7-year-old nephew's body, Julian King, was found in an SUV on Monday morning.

The boy's stepfather, William Balfour, was detained as a suspect to the case.

Now, This tragedy is a sad turn for Jennifer Hudson despite the fame and glamour in her life. It only proves that just like everyone else, we rise and fall.

"We have hardships, but we prevail at the end."

Jennifer Hudson