Jennifer Hudson used the Super Bowl's massive television audience to make her first public appearance after she had lost her family in October. Her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were savagely murdered in their home from Chicago by Jennifer’s estranged brother-in-law who has been charged in the killings. Hudson has yet to speak publicly about this matter.

 

On Sunday evening at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Jennifer took a deep breath and then she sang her heart out during a flawless performance of the national anthem.

 

It is almost impossible to imagine what was going on in her heart as she struggled to overcome her unthinkable family tragedy. Therefore her 2 minutes and 13 second-performance felt more personal rather than patriotic and the singer looked relieved when she was through.

 

Rickey Minor, the music director for American Idol, encouraged Jennifer all the time, saying she was very calm and prepared. He was the one who actually advised her to take the deep breath before she began singing so she could put herself in the moment.

 

Minor has also been responsible for producing numerous Super Bowl pre-game performances, including Whitney Houston's 1991 anthem in Tampa. Since then, singers who take on the prestigious invitation to perform on this occasion try to match or overcome this Whitney’s version.

 

Before Hudson’s performance, the 41-year-old country star Faith Hill sang “America the Beautiful” during the pre-game show. In 2000 she also had the honor of singing the national anthem in Atlanta.

 

Jennifer Hudson is now expected to get back on track. After winning an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in "Dreamgirls," is scheduled to perform at next week's Grammy Awards while her new video for "If This Isn't Love" is set to debut next week.