The chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment insists he has a way of picking up on talent, explaining it “really [is] something I feel or sense".

Music mogul Davis knew Hudson had an unbelievable talent the first time he came into contact with her.

He told the Chicago Sun Times: “I immediately sensed it with one of your own, from Chicago: Jennifer Hudson. The first time I saw that girl sing, I knew she had something special, something great.

He added: "Jennifer has a voice that is a force of nature. She has the kind of voice and the way of delivering her music that I know she will end up with a long, successful career that will include signature songs that will always be identified with her.”

80-year-old Davis has been in the business for many years, and has revealed his secret to success.

He explained: “It’s all about vigilance. You cannot ever take anything for granted. I always listen to new music. I get a copy of every new record when it comes out and begins to hit the charts. I’m always looking for signs of a breakthrough.

He continued: “To be honest, it’s a case of always having to refresh my ears. Music does change and I have to keep on top of it."

She appeared on 'Live With Kelly & Michael' this morning (February 8) and explained that the new judges, namely Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, have a different dynamic and appeal to those she's used to seeing on the show, which has made for strange viewing:

“It’s taken a bit to get used to the new judges. I come from 'American Idol', so I’m used to seeing Simon, Paula and Randy…"

"It’s kind of awkward for me to see it with new judges…"

Hudson continued to talk about the programme and added that she's happy to see Mariah Carey at least "because she's a singer": "I’m happy that [Mariah Carey]‘s there because she’s a singer, so she knows what to expect, how to judge, even the position that the kids are in when they’re auditioning."

Watch Hudson and the Sandy Hook students perform at last weekend's Super Bowl here:

The singer will perform 'America the Beautiful' with 26 children from Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary, where 26 people were killed in December by a gunman.

The emotional performance will form part of CBS's pre-game show before the big kick-off in New Orleans on Sunday (January 3).

Alicia Keys meanwhile is due to sing the American national anthem at the event, whilst Beyoncé is lined up for the coveted half-time slot.

Beyoncé meanwhile recently confirmed that she will sing live at the Super Bowl after admitting she mimed at the US President's inauguration.

She rose to fame after coming in seventh place during the TV talent show's third season and explained to Celebuzz that it has run its course and should finish on a high while it's still popular:

"Everything has its time. I think it should just allow itself to go out on top… and gracefully."

The first episode of the brand new series, starring new judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, debuted recently and unfortunately pulled in the lowest viewing figures it has ever had. Hudson added that despite the fact that the programme is losing steam, it is still important and helped launch her own successful career:

"'American Idol' changed the face of television. So, not everyone can say that. And, it’s always been a phenomenon. I’m proud to have come from 'American Idol', so I just say, go out on top."

Watch a clip from the new season of 'American Idol' here:

The award-winning band - comprising Beyoncé Knowles, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland - dropped their new track 'Nuclear' last week, a song from their hotly-anticipated compilation album.

Hudson is a big fan of the iconic girl group, and gushed to MTV News: "Oh my God, that is a dream come true. I am the biggest Destiny's Child — Beyoncé, Kelly, Michelle, all of them — fan in the world. I'm excited about it.

She added: "I grew up with these ladies listening to their music. I've always been a fan, and now I'm blessed to know each of them. I'm happy for all of them and cannot wait to hear this album and I love the song 'Nuclear.' I get it. I love it."

The release, entitled 'Love Songs', is due for release on January 29 and is the band's first album since 2004's 'Destiny Fulfilled.'

He recently signed up to be an actor in a new film entitled 'The Call' and Hudson told Access Hollywood that his transition into the movie world has given him a new moniker:

"We call him ‘Curtains,’ because when he got the role he was like, ‘Curtains for everybody!' He’s so excited. I can’t wait to see the film…"

"He’s super excited about the project coming out and he got to play an officer in ‘The Call.’ I just got to see the preview for it… Look out, curtains for everybody!"

Hudson, meanwhile, is set to perform 'Let's Stay Together' at the forthcoming Inauguration Ball, which will take place on January 21 at the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, and added that it's one of "Obama's favourite songs".

Watch a joint interview with Otunga and Hudson here:

After a much-talked about 80-pound weight loss, the stunning star has created her own fashion line for QVC. Hudson posed as a busy Manhattan woman hailing a cab for the clothing brand ads, but admitted waiting on the sidewalk for a taxi is not something she's that familiar with.

She quipped: "I was like 'How do I do this? Do I stand at the front or the back? And then I stood there waiting for him to open the door and I'm like 'Oh, he's not going to get out of the car?'"

Hudson is proud of her clothing line which caters for women of all shapes and sizes. She added to Access Hollywood:

"I have a serious love for clothes. Like no other. I am designing for every girl. I know what it's like to be the plus size girl, and I know how it is now being my 'new self' whatever that's called.

"I want my size 16 to look as good as my size 6."

Hudson and RedOne are working on new music together for the first time. The music producer - who has worked with some of the biggest names in pop including Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez - has told MTV that he's thrilled to work alongside the Grammy winner.

He gushed: "I'm excited about it. To me, like, I'm working right now [and] I'm working on some ideas for her. ... I think I'm very excited because I think it's fresh, something totally fresh for me.

RedOne continued: "I think it's going to be the most incredible thing. I know music, and I adapt to the art. It's very important to focus on that. And [with the] songwriting aspect, I think I know how she sounds on the radio. I think I know what people want to hear. I think I know what the artist wants. And the combination of all of that, you can never go wrong."

RedOne is also executive producing Lopez's new album and is excited with the progress they have already made.

He said: "We already have songs that are just incredible. It's just amazing. It's mixed [styles]. It's everything about Jennifer Lopez."

Footage recently emerged of the two new panelists embroiled in a heated argument and there appears to have been a lot of tension building between the female superstars, but Hudson thinks it may have been staged for the benefit of entertainment and pulling in viewers.

She told TMZ: "I don't believe it. I think it's just for ratings for the show."

The leaked video of the pair arguing caused such a stir that even President Barack Obama put his two cents in and explained that despite the obvious clashing of personalities he believes they can make amends:

"I think that they are going to be able to sort it out, I am confident. I'm all about bringing people together, working for the same cause, I think both outstanding artists are going to be able to make sure that they're moving forward and not going backwards."

Her estranged brother-in law, William Balfour, killed Hudson's family members back in 2008 and in a new interview with Oprah's Next Chapter, which aired in the USA last night (September 9), she explained that despite everything she has finally managed to let her anger towards him go:

"Yes (I forgive him) 'cause I feel like for the most part it's not his fault, it's... how he was brought up. We tried to offer love, but you were so far gone, that you couldn't even see that."

"A lot of things came out, that we didn't even know about, from his upbringing, which is like he never had a chance. You never had a chance. Had you had the love that my mother gave us, or the background that some have, then you would've stood a chance. So how could your heart not go out to that?"

Tweeting to Oprah last night after the interview premiered, Hudson wrote: "@Oprah wow, now that one got me in tears."

Watch a clip from the touching and very personal interview below:

The singer and actress revealed that she wanted to create garments that range between sizes 6 and 16 because she has "been a big girl" and understands how stressful shopping for clothing can be.

Speaking to Women's Wear Daily, Hudson explained:

"I feel like I represent every woman. I've been on both sides of the fence. I've been a big girl and now whatever this is, the average size, whatever you want to call it."

"But I wanted the clothes to be where any girl could wear it - no matter what size you are - and you could feel comfortable in it."

The Jennifer Hudson Collection will include all kinds of items from outerwear to tops and skirts, and is set to hit QVC on September 10 this year.

The trial began this week in Chicago, Illinois and Hudson was in attendance to testify against Balfour.

She broke down in tears on the stand (April 23) as she spoke about her immediate dislike of the man, who is her sister Julia's estranged husband, upon meeting him and subsequent warnings she gave her sister about not marrying him:

"I told her over and over again to not marry him. We did not like how he treated her."

The singer and actress also spoke about the last time she saw her family and explained: "It was my mother, my brother, my sister and my dog. I was so surprised. The whole family is here. That was the last time I saw them. Thank God I had the opportunity."

If convicted, Balfour will receive a life sentence.

The legendary Houston passed away on Saturday (February 11), one day before the Grammy Awards were due to be held.

Jennifer Hudson gave an emotional tribute to Houston with a special performance at the ceremony, and speaking to Us Weekly, she called it the "greatest honour" of her life. She said:

"It was the greatest honour of my life to be able to be the one to pay tribute to Whitney's memory."

And she added that the emotions are still incredibly raw as she begins to take in the death of a vocal legend. She said:

"'It was from my heart. I haven't stopped crying since she passed. Her family is in my prayers."

News broke on February 11 that the 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' hitmaker had died and Recording Academy president Neil Portnow announced that a "respectful" segment would be dedicated to her life and career at the ceremony. 

Hudson belted out a phenomenal rendition of the star's iconic hit 'I Will Always Love You' and stayed true to both her own style and the original song, which was met with rousing applause as the stage was illuminated with snapshots of Houston's journey. 

News broke late last night that the 'I Will Always Love You' superstar had passed away (February 11) and Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, has now confirmed that Hudson will honour the star with a special performance at the ceremony:

"I've asked Jennifer Hudson to come, and we're really at this moment talking about what she's going to do. It's going to be something respectful. It's not going to be a full-blown tribute, that's too early and it's too fresh at this moment."

"It's going to be something respectful to Whitney's memory," he continued. "Knowing Whitney like I did, she was a great artist and a great performer, and she knew the importance of thrilling an audience, and that's what we plan to do."

Houston was once the queen of the international music industry, winning six Grammys and two Tony Awards.