It was a special Mother’s Day weekend for Jennifer Hudson, who was honored at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on Saturday, May 11. The morning show host and EGOT winner received GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award for her work promoting allyship and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and issues.
By her side was her 14-year-old son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., whom she shares with her ex-fiancé, David Otunga. The stylish mother-son duo turned heads on the red carpet, dazzling photographers with their coordinated outfits.
In her acceptance speech, Hudson expressed her gratitude and love for the GLAAD community. “You’re beautiful. You’re amazing. Do you all know how beautiful you are? Do you know your stories deserve to be told?”
She went on to say, “You guys make me feel safe, loved my whole life. Welcome. And so therefore it is my mission to do the same. It’s about using your voice,” she said, adding, “I remember actually presenting Ms. Patti LaBelle this very same award, I think it was 17 years ago.”
Paying tribute to icons like LaBelle and the late Aretha Franklin, Hudson shared, “They’ve always been advocates for telling me to use your voice. But that goes beyond a song.”
She concluded, “And I want to say that to all of us in this room. Continue to use your voice. And it is nothing like seeing others being blessed from your blessings. And that is what The Jennifer Hudson Show represents, is bringing everyone together. I want everyone to feel like they matter. Have a safe place. Feel celebrated. Whatever you are going through, if you want to be celebrated, just know you can always, I got you back. Jennifer Hudson is going to cheer you up. OK?”
