If you’ve ever scrolled through social media or caught an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, you’ve probably felt that warmth she radiates. She’s an EGOT winner, a talk show powerhouse, and basically a Chicago legend. But when it comes to her personal life, there is one question that seems to trip everyone up: how many times has jennifer hudson been married?
The answer is actually simpler—and maybe more surprising—than the tabloids would have you believe.
Honestly, despite the high-profile engagements and the decade-long romances, Jennifer Hudson has never been married. Not once.
It sounds wild, right? Especially since she’s been in the public eye for over twenty years and had a very famous, very long-term partner who many people assumed was her husband. But if you're looking for a marriage license, you won't find one. Let’s get into why people get this so wrong and what her actual relationship history looks like.
The David Otunga Era: The Marriage That Never Was
The biggest reason for the confusion is her relationship with David Otunga. He’s a Harvard Law grad and former WWE wrestler. They were together for ten years. Ten!
In Hollywood time, that’s basically three lifetimes. They got engaged in 2008, right around Jennifer’s birthday. It was a huge deal. He gave her a massive 5-carat Neil Lane diamond ring. They eventually had a son together, David Daniel Otunga Jr., in 2009.
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Because they were together for so long and raising a child, the public just... assumed. People started calling him her husband in headlines. Even some reputable news outlets slipped up over the years. But the wedding never actually happened. Jennifer used to tell interviewers they were taking "baby steps" toward the altar.
Why didn't they tie the knot?
There were a few factors. First, Jennifer’s life was hit by an unimaginable tragedy shortly after the engagement. The loss of her mother, brother, and nephew was a lot for anyone to process. Plans for a celebration naturally took a backseat.
As years went by, it seemed like they were just comfortable as they were. But behind the scenes, things got rocky. By the time they split in 2017, it wasn't a quiet breakup. There were legal battles and custody disputes that lasted until 2019. It was a messy end to a decade-long chapter, and it cemented the fact that "fiancé" was the highest title Otunga ever held.
James Payton: The High School Sweetheart
Before the fame, before American Idol, and way before the Oscar, there was James Payton.
A lot of folks forget about James, or they mistakenly think he was her first husband. They started dating way back in 1999. He was her childhood sweetheart from the South Side of Chicago.
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They were together for about eight years. He was actually the one on her arm when she won her Academy Award for Dreamgirls in 2007. But as her star skyrocketed, the relationship hit a wall. Jennifer has since said that it wasn't the fame that broke them up—it was just time to move on. They never married, and they split shortly before she met Otunga.
The Truth About Jennifer Hudson and Common
Fast forward to right now. If you’ve been watching the news in 2026, you know Jennifer is currently in a very high-profile relationship with the rapper and actor Common.
They are adorable. Seriously.
They first sparked rumors around 2022 when they were filming the movie Breathe together. For a long time, they played it coy. Then, in early 2024, Common appeared on her talk show and basically confirmed it with a giant bouquet of flowers and some very sweet words about dating an "EGOT winner."
Are they engaged or married yet?
As of early 2026, the answer is still no. They aren't married.
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Common has dropped some pretty heavy hints lately. He’s said on the Today show and The Breakfast Club that if he were to get married, Jennifer is "the one." Jennifer, for her part, seems happy taking it slow. She’s mentioned that her late mother always said "a man knows what he wants," and she seems content to let the relationship breathe (pun intended) without rushing to a chapel.
Setting the Record Straight
To recap the "how many times has jennifer hudson been married" mystery:
- Marriages: 0.
- Long-term engagements: 1 (David Otunga).
- Current status: Dating Common (and looking very happy).
It’s easy to see why the confusion exists. In a world where celebrities get married and divorced in the span of a long weekend, Jennifer Hudson’s ten-year commitment to Otunga felt like a marriage to the outside world.
Moving Forward: What to Look For
If you're following Jennifer's journey, don't look for divorce records—you won't find them. Instead, keep an eye on her talk show. She’s become much more open about her happiness lately.
If you want to keep your celebrity facts straight, remember that Jennifer is a rare case in Hollywood: she's built a massive legacy and a beautiful family while staying true to her own timeline, regardless of what the "wife" label might suggest to the public.
Actionable Insight: The next time you see a headline about J.Hud's "ex-husband," you can confidently correct the record. She has never walked down the aisle, which makes her current chapter with Common all the more interesting to watch.