Jennifer Hudson is engaged to her boyfriend of under a year, David Otunga. Otunga was a contestant on the reality dating show I Love New York 2, which aired in late 2007. He was nicknamed “Punk” on the show. Both Hudson and Otunga are from Chicago. Hudson’s last serious relationship was with her hometown sweetheart of eight years, a maintenance engineer named James Peyton. She was spotted out with NY Jets safety Kerry Rhodes late last year, but was seen with Peyton after that, suggesting they may have had an on-off relationship. It looks like Hudson has moved on, as she accepted Otunga’s proposal on her 27th birthday:
Jennifer Hudson and boyfriend, David Otunga, have gotten engaged, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A.” says the rep.
Otunga, who is known as “Punk” from the reality show I Love New York 2, popped the question with a Neil Lane diamond ring on the Dreamgirls Oscar winner’s 27th birthday.
The couple, who have been dating less than a year, both hail from Chicago.
Professionally, it is a busy time for Hudson as well. Her debut solo album, Jennifer Hudson, will be in stores Sept. 30, and her next film, The Secret Life of Bees opens on Oct. 17.
[From People]
Did any of you watch this show and remember if “Punk” came across as a decent guy? I read the Wikipedia entry for it and he lasted until nearly the end of the show, until episode 10. I think I’ve watched it once but there are only so many sacrifices I’ll make for this job.
I know little about Jennifer Hudson, but I like her. She looks so comfortable in her own skin and projects such confidence. She also knows how to dress to flatter her figure. Her clothes look great, never too tight (Beyonce, are you paying attention?) and her make-up is always gorgeous, because you barely notice it – you see her features, not the cosmetics.
Best of luck to her on her upcoming marriage.
I like Hudson too. Not the Wig on her head in that picture because it is badly put. 🙄 but generally she seems nice and well grounded.
That said, I doubt whether this will last. Something about her fiancee doesn’t wash. You never know….
Sadly I watched the show and yes punk does seem like a good guy in comparison to everyone else(not that hard I’m afraid) I believe he’s a lawyer with a degree from Havard? You’d have to question why on earth he’d go on that show though!
Hi Lola,
That’s not a wig, that’s her natural hair which has been relaxed and the stylist has tried to give her an up-swept look on one side. That doesn’t work so well on Black hair. Otherwise, it is a very flattering cut.
I hate this girl. I dont think she is all that talented and she does that stupid fat girl thing where her tongue seems to big for her mouth. Makes her look brainless. She seems to get more credit for having a big ass than anything else.
Good for her! I just hope they have a long engagement. If they’ve been dating less than a year, they really should take a little more time…
Yes, Punk (Otunga) came across as a decent guy on the reality show. Actually, I think that the only normal/decent guy on the show. It was very funny because at the time that the had to bring their families to meet New York (I love New York) his family was so imppresed by New York of morals and extended (bad) vocabulary.
He seemed like a really great guy on the show, romantic, articulate, playful when appropriate and serious when appropriate, very real and down to earth. And yes, a Harvard-educated lawyer. But it does seem a little weird that he’d a) go on a show like ILNY and b) get engaged so quickly. Maybe he’s one of those guys who wants desperately to be married. To a celebrity, however minor.
She apears to be a doll…she does have beautiful features and her makeup is always beautifully applies….as for as her hair, I dont think its a wig either…they pulled her hair to far backwards…Yes, she does wear weaves & wigs, which usually look good on her…
JHUD—I too hope you have a long engagement because you were with the other guy for several years and sometimes we (women) see what we want…
especially when you’ve been treated badly in the last relationship—–
Good luck dear and may GOD keep you in his precious arms
I always heard that her former boyfriend was super nice, which was why she was with him for so long. I guess he got dumped, when she got more famous. Bummer for him. Jennifer always said thqat she loved him, because he was so calm and kept her grounded and sane during tough times. I don’t think that this thing with the new guy is gonna last.
I saw Punk on the show and he was so decent and normal. I believe he was a lawyer and had a killer body. The only thing against him is the fact that he possibly “loved” New York. YUCK. He was way too good for New York and I’m glad that he found someone more deserving.
I love Jennifer Hudson and think they make a gorgeous couple! Yay Punk!!!!
The only thing that made me wonder about him as “Punk” was, How could a truly decent guy have anything whatsoever to do with that New York creature? 😯 She’s a complete psycho and a horrible, awful person. Not bright at all either. His mother was utterly horrified he was on the show and horrified by Tiffany (“New York”). Which was pretty funny, actually, since everybody else on the show chose to overlook her stupidity and pretend to like her for the sake of being on tv.
However, I wouldn’t be assuming who dumped who on her old relationship. Nobody knows the real story.
AGREE BAHOLICIOUS !!!..I think Jennifer is very talented actress, and has come along way from her American Idol days..She rose to stardom fast, and she seems to be a sweet and caring youg lady…One paparazzi group stated that she had ” the most impeccable manners”, of anyone they had photographed or interviewed. I’m amazed at her engagement though, as I thought she was still with her long time beau since has dated since 1999!..But either way, I wish her the best..Can’t wait to see Jennifer in the ” The Secret Life of Bees”!
Trust me people, that is a wig. A ‘ready-to -wear wig. Her hair has been pulled back in a tight knot and that wig has been placed on top. Yep, it is a wig. You can tell from where they separate it. The line is not deep. Must have slipped in the course of the day because I can see her hair on the side a little.
OK, I have never watched the show. But from most posters here, he seems like a nice catch. But I have many questions, Why is he called Punk? Couldn’t he change it, poor him, imagine going to court and having to introduce yourself as Punk every time. I hope it is a Nickname.Sadly it doesn’t seem so.
A harvard Lawyer on a reality show??? Why? His hair too???
God, I have just realised that I don’t care that much. 😕
Well I hope Punk is finally happy, he seemed very nice, but the thing for me that seems wierd is why would he not only like but be in love with New York, she is really ghetto, vaseline all over her body, all that terrible weave and all fake and stuff with Flava Flav.. I wonder what Jennifer thinks of that.. I mean no doubt women find lawyers VERY sexy but again, he did like NEW YORK..
yay! I like them!!!!
Yuck I would never date or marry anything that had anything to do with I Love NY. That’s just nasty wth is she thinking? Most(if not all) of those guys on that show have celebrity aspirations. Yea it’s great he’s highly educated but so was Al Reynolds.
Okay now this supposedly Harvard Law-educated man (with documented prior delusional taste in women)is a professional wrestler.
More like PROFESSIONAL GRIFTER. He’s nothing but a famewhore, chasing famous women. Disgusting narcissist. I hate to see him taking advantage of a decent person like Jennifer. Notice how fast she got knocked up and he proposed? Tasteless.