Award-winning vocalist Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to the iconic Whitney Houston at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on Sunday night (Oct. 6).
Introduced by legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson, Hudson appeared on stage wearing a beautiful black dress with her hair slicked back in a ponytail.
Joined by an orchestra, Hudson opened with “I Loves You Porgy,” a jazz standard that Houston performed at the 1994 American Music Awards.
Following the operatic number, Hudson delivered an astounding rendition of Houston’s signature hit “I Will Always Love You.”
The latter song, a cover of Dolly Parton’s 1974 farewell ballad, was the lead single from Houston’s The Bodyguard soundtrack. The David Foster-produced rendition spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Further, Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” earned her Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 36th Grammy Awards in 1994. At the same ceremony, Houston also won Album of the Year for The Bodyguard.
In 2022, “I Will Always Love You” was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 10 million units in the U.S.
Ahead of Hudson’s performance, she shared her profound connection to Houston. “I think the gospel, you know, the presence, a gift. It just touched me at a early age. I don’t think I can recall a time that I didn’t know of Whitney,” Hudson told the AMAs in a promotional clip.
She continued, “Though I recall seeing her at a young age, just being completely captivated by this goddess, this voice that was like, from heaven or something. And it resonated with me at like seven years old.”
Hudson will release her first-ever holiday album, The Gift of Love, on Oct. 18 via Interscope Records.
The 16-track project will feature Hudson’s interpretation of holiday classics, such as “O Holy Night,” “My Favorite Things” and “The Christmas Song,” and original songs, including a collaboration with rapper Common.
The Gift of Love features production by Ryan Tedder, David Foster, James Poyser, Kirk Franklin, Greg Phillinganes, Fede Vindver, and Peer Åström.
Hudson will embark on a mini tour to support her festive album. The Gift of Love: An Intimate Tour Experience will begin Nov. 24 in Brooklyn and will make stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. She will perform two nights in Vegas, where she will conclude Dec. 22.
Watch Jennifer Hudson’s tribute performance at the AMAs 50th Anniversary Special below.
