It’s been a big week in the American Idol Nation. There was the wrap-up of the season 8 audition episodes. There was the premiere of Kelly Clarkson’s video for "My Life Would Suck Without You" (and the single’s historic leap from No. 97 to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100). There was the telecast of Fantasia’s buzz-worthy "Lady Marmalade" at UNCF’s tribute to Patti LaBelle. But all that good stuff was just a warm-up for the one performance that Idol fans and non-fans alike were anticipating: Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the opening of Super Bowl XLIII, her first public appearance since the horrific murder of her mother, brother, and young nephew back in October.
Suffice it to say the Oscar-winning star of Dreamgirls did not disappoint. Clad in a ruffly, navy blue military-style jacket and some dangerously high heels, J.Hud blew the doors off the National Anthem and made it look easy (vocally speaking, that is). You could see just a touch of nerves in Hudson’s face — and call me crazy, but maybe a second or two where she had to fight back the tears — before she heaved a sigh and began to sing. And sing she did, rumbling powerfully through the low notes on "twilight’s last gleaming," describing the "rockets’ red glare" with appropriate bombast, and holding out the note on "flag was still there" to a point where a lesser singer might’ve fainted from lack of oxygen. Yeah, her pronunciation of perilous ("pair-OH-lous") stopped me for a hot second, but ultimately, this was a triumphant, emotional return for a wonderful performer who’s suffered unspeakable tragedy. Welcome back, J.Hud, and congratulations!
More on ‘American Idol,’ ‘AI’ graduates:
EW’s ‘American Idol’ HQ
‘American Idol’: Get the scoop on what 14 of your favorite former contestants are doing now
David Archuleta announces tour (the Internet announces that I’m a fan)
Fantasia covers ‘Lady Marmalade’! Roof height at venue permanently altered.
Kelly Clarkson: Her new video does NOT suck! (Nor do the five other tracks that we’ve heard!)
‘American Idol’ NY, San Juan auditions recap: Livin’ la Vida Broke-down
Jennifer was awesome!!! Slezak…just think that may be Carly in a few years!
WOW!!! Jennifer was amazing. She gave me chills. I just wish the camera didn’t cut away from her quite so much. But that voice? Beautiful! Welcome back Jennifer!
Video?
Damn that was perfect.
Jen was fantastic! Good for her to come back strong. Great performance.
Sorry, I disagree completely. It is indeed nice to have Jennifer back, but her version of the anthem gave me a headache. Flawless? Not hardly….
To Joe C: Constipation?
Incredible. She has the most incredible voice. It gave me chills. Amazing.
Sounded me like she was lip-synching (sang with a backing track). It sounded almost too good!
she’s an excellent lip syncher…and i mean that is the most positive way. jennifer was simply amazing! so is every national anthem pre-recorded or do they take take a sound check version of the performance? either way i loved it
She’s great. Truly one of the best voices of our time.
I’ve watched it 3 times now and I really don’t think she was lip synching. watch her at the very end, that girl was singing.
John T she wasn’t lipsyncing you idiot. She had recorded music behind her.
Some people are so NEGATIVE!
That girl can sing! I think she was fabulous!
I think you are the only one buzzing about Fantasia. Everyone else moved on from McGruff years ago.