VIDEO: JENNIFER HUDSON PERFORMS NATIONAL ANTHEM AT DNC
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Jennifer Hudson performed her rendition of the national anthem Thursday afternoon at Mile High Stadium in Denver to kick off the final day of the Democratic National Convention.
Earlier this week, the ‘Dreamgirls’ Oscar winner and former “American Idol” contender was asked personally by Senator Obama to perform at the event. Hudson, who calls Barack a “great role model,” told Entertainment Tonight that she had never yet sang for such a large crowd.
“This is definitely one of the biggest honors for me,” she said. “It’s something that I’ve really wanted to do.”









148 Comments
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1.
ikashoro
Thursday, August 28, 2008 /
She was awesome . Hey Osei Baby!!!
2.
kmniles
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I see you and your belt Jen. Very good job. Waiting on that album…
3.
Babatunde
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I watched it live and she was amazing! Gotta love Jennifer Hudson.
4.
mphsmade
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
SHE WAS SO GOOD!!!! IM SO PROUD OF HER!!! GO JEN!!!!!!!!!
5.
J'Nay
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
This is not a performance of hers that I’d like to remember. It just didn’t seem polished. I do commend her though, that was a huge crowd.
6.
Register 2 Vote 4 Barack!
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Just what I expected…sheer brilliance! I am very proud of Barack, Michelle and Jen. Its been a great week!
Btw, welcome home Hill and Bill. It’s about time y’all recognize all black folks done did for y’all. It’s time for us to collect.
Register to Vote Y’all! We want an even bigger celebration and crak in history on November 4th!
7.
Kelvin
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
this was like a performance from when she was on american idol. it really wasnt that good. beyonce’s was better.
8.
Talulazoeapple
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
AMAZING!!!! SIMPLY AMAZING!!!! GOD BLESS HER!!!!
9.
Corey
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
AMAZING!!! Truly amaong the greatest like Mariah and Whitney leauge…just PERFECT!!!! Tonight was Chicagos night!!! Mayor Daley Jennifer Hudson and BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!! Shawn Johnson Olympic gold medalist and that AWESOME speech OBAMA Had never seen nothing like that since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and just history being made everywhere!!! I hope with Shawn being their is a sublimnal message that Chicago will get 2016 Olympics, all type of history was made tonight why not!!!
10.
JustSaying
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Her voice was rather shaky. However, nice job.
11.
Santana
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
#7. Kevin- If Barack Obama wanted or felt like “typical”, “overrated” “would drug it out” Beyonce could have done better than he would have asked her to sing. But it’s obvious that Jennifer Hudson is a better singer than Beyonce that’s why Barack “PERSONALLY” asked for Jennifer.
12.
lia
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
pitch problems here and there, but hey she was asked by obama wow.
13.
Aziajs
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
1. She killed it!!
2. I am so glad he chose her.
3. I love her hair.
14.
obamaindenver
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
SHE WAS NERVOUS
BUT IT WAS GOOD SHE TRIED TOO MUCH
BUT IT WAS OKAY BECAUSE LIKE OBAMA SAID ORDINARY PEOPLE WILL DO EXTRAORDINARY THING
HERE’S A PROOF
OBAMA08
DENVER ROCKS
15.
Get Togetha
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Chi -Tow represent! Jennifer voice is so darn powerful; it can’t be contained. Jennifer is still young and she still doesn’t fully possess the gift that she has been given. She’s not a slouch but she definitely needs some inner self confidence. Give her five years and she’ll come into her own.
16.
politicallyincorrect
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Way to go Jennifer, I hope her album is a hit.
17.
Cee
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Very proud of her! She did an amazing job! Very controlled,strong and brilliant delivery. One of the best versions I’ve heard!
18.
trevor
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
#5 i totally agree wit you. This performance was NOT her best at all! Although she hit some great notes… the pitch was very shaky & overall a mediocre performance. She sounded very nervous in the beginning.
#7 I am one of da BIGGEST BEYONCE fans in the world… but Beyonce had nothing to do with this performance. Its ppl like u who compare her to everybody & then when somebody criticizes her… u wanna get all mad!
#11 It has nothing to do with who’s the better singer… Barack chose her because he is a fan of hers & felt that she could portray our national anthem in a particular way. If being a “better singer” had anything to do with it… then he couldve easily chosen Patti Labelle, Jordin Sparks, Celine Dion, and YES even Whitney Houston! Every artist is different so they’re not gonna sound alike. Your idea of a “better singer” maybe different from my idea which is Beyonce. Belting & Louder doesnt mean “better”
19.
ThaTruth
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
its really sad when people argue over who song the national anthem ‘better’, hence the words ‘national anthem’, its suppose to unite us as Americans. why does it matter who song it better? who cares who barack picked to sing it? why the HELL does Beyonce name have to be put towards every singer?… shes talented but people take it overboard. Jen did good, shaky but hell cant sing perfectly all the time.
20.
visionista
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
#5 she’s never polished and #10 she’s always shaky. nevertheless jhud did an AWESOME job. it’s the heart she puts behind every performance that kinda makes you ignore all of her vocal errors.
never been a huge fan of hers but i think she did a fabulous job.
ps. not to drag on the beyonce comparison (i love her…honestly), but she LIPSYNCS at every big tv performance, from the super bowl to nba all star games. jhud sung the mess out of that song LIVE. so props to effie.
21.
MIA
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
OVER SUNG AND OVER WEIGHT! !!!!
JHUD TRY AGAIN FAT AS$,
THAT REDITION WAS THE WORST I’VE HEARD BY A MAINSTREAM SINGER
22.
kmniles
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
11
Her version was just as good if not better. Give credit where credit is due.
23.
My V-O-T-E matters
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
DAMN Directv! Damn receiver wasn’t giving a signal. Missed J Hud sing.
She was pitchy, but girlfriend did her thing. She sang at the DNC and that means a lot.
Don’t understand why folks have to bring B into this. This is about J Hud singing and Barack giving one hell of a SPEECH!
24.
Nikki
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
C’mon ya’ll….4REAL…she ripped it. Beautiful job.
I’m sure it was an honor to even be ASKED to sing at THE Democratic National Convention. Let’s give Jen some credit, and for once and for all…Beyonce is NOT the only one who can and should sing the national anthem at these events…..there are always other voices to be heard, and better voices at that.
25.
brwncrayola
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
umm, I couldn’t get through the whole thing, she was too… something. It just seemed off, I know my Jenny can do better so I won’t hold it against her
26.
BLIARS
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
She did great for a LIVE performance….the crowd enjoyed it and it was an honor…she has come and long way and still going…and that she wasn’t overdone dress wise…she did a good job.
Go JEN!
27.
kmniles
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
21
Jen’s singing style is classified as dramatic alto. It’s common among alot of people who sing in church choirs and isn’t welcomed in most pop music (hence the harsh criticizm she recieved on American Idol). This is her biggest hurdle if she wants to crossover into the pop realm, not to mention she’s an alto and very few of them are given a chance to shine (Brandy, Toni B. and Anita Baker are all altos) In comparison, singers like Beyonce also have dramatic singing styles (she’s a dramatic mezzo soprano) can get by because she’s a soprano, has excellent vocal control as well as a powerful middle register. If Patti LaBelle had done her rendition…that would’ve been oversinging.
28.
LLCOOLJ
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
NICE VOICE…………BODY? NOT SO MUCH
29.
V
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
how are you guys gonna put up the anthem before obamas speech!!!??
30.
FirstLady
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
She gave me chills!!
31.
RealTalk
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Jennifer sang the hell out of that anthem. AMAZING! And I love how she sang it her own way. Girlfriend definitely is up there with the Whitneys and Mariahs. Great job.
OBAMA 2008!!! OBAMA 2008!!! OBAMA 2008!!! OBAMA 2008!!! OBAMA 2008!!!
32.
BOSS LADY
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
GREAT JOB J HUD. MOST OF THESE SINGERS CAN NOT SING LIVE TO SAVE THEIR LIFE AND THE FACT THAT SHE DID IS A JOB WELL DONE. AND FOR ALL THE HATERS WHO FEEL BEYONCE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER, PLEASE. SHE CAN’T SING LIVE FOR ANY MAJOR PERFORMANCE SHE IS SO OVERRATED. SHE SCREAMS, YELLS AND SLINGS HER LACE WIGS ALL OVER THE PLACE TO TAKE THE ATTENTION OFF THAT GOD AWFUL VOICE.
33.
TyTy
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
She has an incredible voice, hopefully she won’t end up, bone skinny, on drugs, in jail, or have a bobby/Whitney drama ruin her career.
Her spirit seems on point. Great Voice.
GO OBAMA
34.
MALIKA
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
See real singers like this girl, don’t get radio play. WHY? ? ? ? she has something to say. Instead we get Barbie dolls with average vocals, fake model looks with eye-lashes, weaves down to the ground, wanting to look like asian/white girl half-naked hussy’s like Rihanna, Beyonce, Ciara, Britney, Miley Cyrus
I SUPPORT REAL SINGERS: Jennifer Hudson, Whitney and Mariah. Chante Moore, Aretha, Celine and Christina Aguilera.
Thank you.
35.
sheila
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I agree with #34 and i’m so tired of these non-singing models getting all the SPOTLIGHT, i’m so sick of it. they have even let the need for perfect looks affect our queens (whitney and mariah) who both try to look so young and have the boobs all pushed up. Beyonce and all her legions of wannabes will NEVER have the soul of Aretha, the vocal power of Whitney and Mariah (old school music).
i’m not hating, i’m just sick of weak whiney singers on the radio 24/7.
I SUPPORT REAL SINGERS and if you doubt me. put Whitney’s LIVE Vocals against BEYONCE and Whitney will SMASH her.
36.
Maden
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
ANTI-DIVA.
Real Singers Big Ups
agree with #33, 34 and 35
OBAMA FOR LIFE
37.
Rana-sxyldy
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Jen is Jen!! Screw Bey…This night was JEN’S!!!!!!
She did a great job!! and how HOTT was it that she was asked by THE PRESIDENT himself.
38.
Sharon
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Christina aglera sounds like a younger Whitney and Mariah. is she original? dont know if i would mention her in the same sentence as Aretha. Jennifer hud did her thang she aint bring fire like Whitney did but she was good and most of all LIVE
39.
BossLady's MAN
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I agree i’m tired of beyonce’s tina turner/mariah imitations. corny. Jhud upstaged her on the Oscars and JHud Sings L I V E
40.
Whit Whit
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
SING BIG GIRL, DON’T LET THEM MAKE YOU SKINNY HONEY, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR VOICE. SING WITH THOSE BIG STRONG NOTES MS. GIRL
BEYONCE EAT IT (AND YA BIG FAT MOTHER TOO WITH HER EVIL A_S)
AND YOUR RUDE UGLY SISTER (DID YA’LL SEE HER INTERVIEW WHERE SHE SCREAMED ON THE REPORTER) . I BET BOTH OF THEM HAVE 1 STRING OF HAIR UNDER THOSE WIGS. AND IT’S BRAIDED.
41.
MARIA
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I LOVE SINGERS I CAN “FEEL”. LIKE JENNIFER HUDSON, MARIAH AND WHITNEY AND EVEN CHRISTINA. THEY HAVE SO MUCH RAW EMOTION AND HURT AND PASSION IN THERE VOICES.
I JUST LOVE THEM.
JHUD IS LIVE, RAW, AND FULL OF LIFE HERE. THANK YOU GIRL. THERE IS MORE TO MUSIC THAN PLASTIC FAKE SINGERS (I WONT MENTION NO NAMES) beyonce rihienna ashanti leona and ciaaara (they are so unimportant i mis-spelled their names)
42.
Steve
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
JHUD ROCKS, OBAMA ROCKS
BEYONCE AND HER CREW ARE FINISHED. AMERICAN IS TIRED OF PLASTIC-COATED ENTERTAINERS AND POLITICS.
REAL TALENT WILL PREVAIL.
JHUD, WHITNEY, MARIAH, ALICIA KEYS = TALENT
43.
StBernard
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
WOW …. she gave that!
44.
Big M
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I thought this post was about Jennifer Hudson’s performance?! Why the need to compare, bash and overly criticize other artists? She did her thing and I give her credit, although I was not moved by her performance. I believe that nerves played a huge role, not the mention the historical factor surrounding the entire evening.
Overall, good for you Jennifer.
45.
Wa_Me_Say
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
The National Anthem is an extremely difficult song to sing. There are a only a handful of singers who can carry the entire song form beginning to end. It was not the greatest rendition, but Jennifer gave her personal best.
Next…
46.
jJarrell
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
She over sang the sound just a lil but to much but she was ok. He wasnt wrong for his pick wish she would have control some notes a lil bit more than she did. But other than that not bad for her first time sining it.
47.
Mel
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Please stop the comparison to Beyonce, she is good at what she does. And to the stans you guys invite haters because you always trying to compare B to somebody.
Jennifer is Jennifer and Beyonce is Beyonce, I like them both.
But really my girl killed it last night, I don’t know if it was pre recorded or live but she nailed it . And I think Ms. Hudson looks good, it is nothing wrong with her size.
I think alot of these comments come from young kids who don’t know what singing is.
48.
Dame(The real singers are back)
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
nice J. Hud I loved it she is growing on me
What does this post have to do with BEE? Again she is the most talked about person and name is no where in the post. Comparing her to Whitney explains how talented she is.
49.
L-NaNa
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
She needs to have more controll in her voice when singing, there were some pitch problems, especially on that last note, ugh..but overall it was ok…definitley not her best. …and yes I agree, Beyonce did sing it better, sorry…my opinion.
50.
61
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
WHY WHY WHY PEOPLE I FEEL LIKE THIS BEYONCE IS MCCAIN AND JENNIFER HUDSON IS OBAMA. WE NEED CHANGE THAT WHAT JENNIFER HUDSON IS GOING TO DO. STOP COMPARING BEYONCE TO EVERY SINGER THAT COMES OUT. YES SHE CAN CARRY A TUNE BUT COME ON THERE ALOT OF BETTER SINGER THEN HER BUT LIKE SOMEONE SAY THERE ALOT OF KIDS ON THIS SITE THAT DO NOT KNOW WHAT REAL MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT. THIS GENERATION ALL ABOUT BOOTY MUSIC AND STUFF THAT DO NOT MAKE NO SINCE. BUT GOOD JOB JENNIFER.
51.
jen can sing
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
some stan are gon hate the fat girl
barack made a great choice
52.
TRAILBLAZER
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
It’s always room for improvement BUT She did a better job than I would’ve done and probably did better than most of the ppl on here sooooo
Congratulations Jen! You made history yet again…
53.
TRAILBLAZER
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
It’s always room for improvement BUT She did a better job than I would’ve done and probably did better than most of the ppl on here sooooo
Congratulations Jen! You made history yet again…
54.
Poetic Blue
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Oh please people… Jennifer Killed it whether she screwed up or not.. she KILLED it…
Do you honestly think the people in the audience were thinkin… “man she had pitch problems”… no.. cause she KILLED it.
55.
Janet
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I’m so glad Obama picked Jennifer Hudson to sing it because she killed it ( a good thing), awesome performance. Beyonce could have never done what Jennifer did
56.
M. DOT
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
SHE SHOUTED THAT SONG VERY WELL.
57.
beyonceaintallthat
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
She did wonderful, when will you people stop comparing her to beyonce. she’s singing the national anthem people, this is one of the greatest day of my adult life. to see another black man make history. this is the greatest time for our generation. people we need to go out there and vote for Obama 08 please.
58.
Go Jen Go
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
That was fantabulous!!!
59.
Mrs Bee
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
It is so funny to read the remarks about how she was off pitch and shaky and 98% of you can’t sing and the other 2 % have never sung in front of anyone other than yourselves in a mirror. So pah lease she killt it so haters hate, you just wish Obama would have called you oh but wait YOU CAN”T SING HA HA LMAO HOLLA BACK BYE
60.
RORO
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
OK For all YOu HATERS she killed it!!!!!!!! She was wonderful and you all know it. I LOVE JHUD CHITOWN stand UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
61.
FIRESTARTER1981
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
#42 I agree with you so much. This girl did the damn thang. I hope her album is worth the wait. I am so proud of her. I think that she has so much PROMISE in her. Her personal best was just as good as Whitney Houston’s version in 1991. God Bless Jennifer!
62.
H-Town Chic***
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
@ Dame -I competely agree with you.
This goes to show that Bee stays on yall haters mind. This post ain’t even about her and yall bring her up!!!LOL.
Anyway I think JHUD did pretty good!
63.
H-Town Chic***
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
IMO I think the best sung national anthem was by Whitney and I think this country would agree
64.
MRSJONES3
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
@trevor
uhhh…jordin sparks?? next to patti and celine dion? over jennifer?? i don’t fuckin’ think so. sorry
65.
shuan
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Jennifer Hudson was totally AWESOME!!!! She is a powerhouse of a talent. We all know that there will be those who are jealous and still have that crab mentality but oh well get over it. She is definitely on her way with your approval or without it. Go Jennifer Hudson and don’t be anybody but you!!!!!!
66.
.:Nikki Martin:.
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
LMAO @ y’all thinking she sang good. The bitch growled the whole time. If y’all consider hollering throughout a song singing, then she did a perfect and wonderful job. Beyonce would have done better, her voice is way more soothing, calm and she doesn’t breath all heavily throughout a song like she just ran up a flight of stairs. JHud scares me with all those lion growls.
67.
get a life
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
just the fact that more than half of ya’ll are in here arguing over beyonce ONCE AGAIN just proves that she ain’t going any where anytime soon. the child been on break since that grammy performace and somehow, ya’ll have managed to talk about her more than any celeb on this site.
jen did an ok job, nothing to rave about and make me think she’s about to take the music industry by storm. she needs to learn how to control her voice and she’ll do great things in the future. also, i can’t believe ya’ll haven’t put it together why barack chose her. maybe he chose her because he thought she can sing but he also chose her cause they are both from chicago. get with the program people!
68.
hautia
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
ITA with #27
And it seems purple is her color… That is all.
69.
CHERYLINMIAMI
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
IT WAS ALRIGHT, NOTHING TO WRITE HOME TO MOM ABOUT. SHE WAS ASKED SO THAT WITHIN ITSELF IS COOL, I GUESS.
70.
MRSJONES3
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
gtf ouf of here!! this post ain’t about comparing singers!! it’s about how jennifer sang an introduction for our new president who’s going to bring huge and wonderful changes to our country. can’t u fuckers stop comparing damn celebrities for 5 minutes?
71.
Queen Bey
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Beyonce sings and looks better than fat ugly ass jeniffer whateverherlastnameis.
jennifer will never have beyonce success, power, fame, longevity, money, looks, body, respect, etc.
jennifer has been out how many years and how many hits does she have? ZERO.
jennifer can only sing other people’s songs and SCREAMING is not SINGING. Whitney is the best because she can blow without screaming. never put fat ass jennifer in the same sentence as whitney.
jennifer only gets attention when she’s compared to beyonce. before today when was the last time jennifer had any attention.
where was jennifer on the forbes’ list? if jennifer is so hot like her stans think she is, then why isn’t she anywhere near as famous and successful as beyonce?
and to that ugly ass visionista, beyonce always sings live. her national anthem has over 1 million hits on youtube. how many does jennifer have? how come jennifer dont get standing ovations like beyonce always do. beyonce always gets a standing ovation.
jennifer stans can kill themselves. they mad as hell that jennifer only gets attention when beyonce is mentioned.
oh and if barack is such a huge jhud fan, then why has he never taken his kids to any of her concerts? barack took his daughters to beyonce concert last year and he said he is a huge beyonce and jay-z fan.
he probably asked beyonce to perform but she was too busy with fashion rocks and preparing her album stuff.
btw beyonce has taken over yet another post. beyonce got these jennifer, ashanti, ciara, rihanna, cassie etc posts on lock.
why is every black female artist compared to beyonce? hmmmmm because she is that #1 chick.
her haters know it too.
72.
Kenyana
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
@#71
Uhm…………………. ok, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.
Well this the first time I seen it I like it alot, not to overly stress when others sing it.
Add lipin in shyt. But I think she was a little nervous and still pull off a great job.
I bet she did feel honor, Well job well done.
73.
Sherri
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
I predict this post having over 200 comments by the end of the day with everybody arguing about Beyonce and nobody even talking about Jennifer’s performance.
People can say what they want about Beyonce, love her or hate her, she has something that none of these other female artists have. People only get this riled up over her. What is it about her? I’m not a stan or a hater, I am a neutral fan. It’s not that serious.
Both stans and haters need to calm down.
74.
MURDA
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
who the FUCK cares who would’ve done it better or not? some of you act like knowles and hudson pay your rent and utilities. hop off their bra-straps.
75.
Sherri
Friday, August 29, 2008 /
Btw jennifer did okay. Not her best but good job.
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