To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Music Awards (AMAs) and honor the legendary Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson joined an incredible lineup of stars. She performed two of Whitney’s songs: one was a lesser-known jazz tune Whitney sang at the 21st AMAs in 1994, and the other was one of the biggest hits of Whitney’s entire career.
Jennifer’s amazing performance has already been watched over 1 million times online, wowing fans and critics around the world. People couldn’t help but praise her ability to tackle songs by one of the greatest soul singers of all time.
Jennifer’s six-minute set began with “I Loves You, Porgy,” a beautiful song originally written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1935. This song was famously covered by Nina Simone on her 1957 album Little Girl Blue. Whitney had performed it as part of a medley in 1994, mixing it with “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and “I Have Nothing.” But Jennifer made it her own, delivering an unforgettable version of the song.
She didn’t stop there. Jennifer followed it up with Whitney’s greatest hit, “I Will Always Love You,” a song that ruled the US Billboard charts for an unbelievable 14 weeks. Jennifer brought the house down with her emotional and powerful performance. Dressed in an elegant black silk gown with sparkling gloves, a diamond choker, and a dramatic black train, she delivered every note with so much heart that the audience was completely mesmerized.
Fun fact: Many people don’t know that Whitney’s version of “I Will Always Love You” is actually a cover! The song was originally written and sung by Dolly Parton in the 1970s. But Whitney’s version became so iconic that it outshone Dolly’s original and has remained a pop classic for decades.
Jennifer’s performance was pitch-perfect and full of emotion. The audience at the AMAs was blown away, and online viewers couldn’t stop praising her. One commenter called it “elite” and said Whitney would have been proud of how beautifully Jennifer sang her song.
Strangely, this powerful tribute aired just one day before the passing of Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, who died at the age of 91 in her hometown in New Jersey.
At 43 years old, Jennifer Hudson’s voice has only gotten better with time. Fans have noticed how much her vocal control has improved since she first hit the scene in 2008. Caleb Crowder, an online fan, put it perfectly: “Every single note she sang was earned with all the years of experience she has.” Unlike some singers whose voices weaken over time, Jennifer’s voice seems to grow even stronger.
Jennifer was just one of many incredible performers at the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special. Other stars included Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Green Day, Raye, and Stay Kids. Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Lopez also made unforgettable appearances at the event, which aired in early October this year.
If you want to hear more from Jennifer Hudson, you can check out her YouTube channel for more of her amazing music. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with her latest projects.
What did you think of her performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
