Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem on day four of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field at Mile High on August 28, 2008, (Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
"Dreamgirl,'' Chicago-style, in Washington:
The singing sensation from Chicago, Jennifer Hudson, has a date at the first State Dinner of the Obama White House tonight, according to her Arista Records.
The 28-year-old soul singer, catapulted to fame as a 2004 winning contestant on American Idol and securing her credentials in an Oscar-winning role with a show-stopping song in the 2006 film, Dreamgirls, is confirmed for the big show at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Washington Post reports.
This won't be Hudson's first performance for the Obamas. She sang the National Anthem at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the mile-high event in Denver where Barack Obama was nominated for the presidency.
But this will be the first State Dinner for President Obama. The president and First Lady Michelle Obama will play host to India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Kaur following a day of meetings and a press conference for the president and prime minister at the White House today.
The arrival of the first couple from India at the North Portico and toasts at the dinner will be open, the dinner closed to press.
The United States and India negotiated a nuclear arms arrangement on the watch of former President George W. Bush, who traveled to India to seal that deal with Singh. The U.S.has agreed to help India, which has never abided by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, with technical assistance in the development of civilian power, in turn for India's agreement to contain nuclear weapon-making power to several facilities.
Hudson, one presumes, has a nuclear-powered performance ready for the president, prime minister and their guests. Gotta figure there will be a YouTube.
Comments
Yes - some people don't have food for Thanksgiving - let's all think about the millions being spent for Obama and his Hollywood friends (and Oprah) to have a beautiful dinner on the White House lawn. all you kool aid drinkers thought he was going to be different - he is worse!
Posted by: nancy | November 24, 2009 9:54 AM
Jennifer Hudson is such a class act. People just love her, and want her to be in there space. The love and grace she has in her heart is very real. A very humble loving multi-talented young lady. The right choice for the white house.
Posted by: norma | November 24, 2009 9:58 AM
check out this funny post: http://barackoflove.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/the-red-carpet-meets-the-white-house/
Posted by: obamniac | November 24, 2009 10:46 AM
What do you mean norma? the right choice for the White House?
Do you have opinion's regarding the hundreds of other attendees?
All this superficial hollywood campaigning and campaigning and campaigning with the White House as the backdrop.
Posted by: springfield | November 24, 2009 10:57 AM
Yes - some people don't have food for Thanksgiving - let's all think about the millions being spent for Obama and his Hollywood friends (and Oprah) to have a beautiful dinner on the White House lawn. all you kool aid drinkers thought he was going to be different - he is worse!
Posted by: nancy | November 24, 2009 9:54 AM
Yes Nancy. We all thought that State Dinners under the Obama administration would be held in Forest Preserve pavlions, feature ham sammichs, a couple cases of Bud, and provide entertainment from an a.m. radio.
Let's just make it simple: you're on record as hating everything associated with Obama, without regard to any other facts. We look forward to next hearing from you seven years hence.
Posted by: a blinkin | November 24, 2009 10:58 AM
Good for Jennifer Hudson. She deserves it.
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | November 24, 2009 11:11 AM
Ever since Obama has moved into the Whitehouse it's become Hollywood East. Glad all these pot smoking, line sniffing weirdoes finally have someone they feel comfortable enough to latch onto. Susan Boyle would have been a better choice because she reflects the whole Obama regime. Their policies sound good but when you take a close look at them they are butt ugly...
Posted by: wingnut master | November 24, 2009 12:28 PM
Great opportunity for Jennifer Hudson. I think both Jeniffer and white house are complementary for each other. She is a brilliant performer.
Posted by: Highest CD Rates | November 24, 2009 12:56 PM
Yeah, I'm with you Nancy.
Mr. Obama shouldn't be celebrating Thanksgiving and serving an official dinner. He should be asking us all to fast for the holidays. We don't want this President to have anything at all that resembles a head of state function. Right? You still looking for that birth certificate? Gotta be around here somewhere. I do know one person who's thankful...that would be Sarah!
Thankful for all those books she's selling! Chill Nance. Only seven more years to go.
Posted by: jaykay | November 24, 2009 2:02 PM
Nancy, you're a fool. Why don't you go back in history to find out how many State dinners Dubya hosted? Wait--why don't you go further back to see how many State dinners each President in our history has had? I agree with a blinkin...where do you expect them to be held, at the drive-in? Go listen to your buddy Limbaugh for more "insightful" information. Idiot.
Posted by: Sharon | November 24, 2009 2:06 PM
Thanks for the great news flash. Will Barry Obama export more jobs to India as a gift to his new friend?
Posted by: BDD | November 24, 2009 2:20 PM
Yes, Nancy, because no one else ever living in the White House ever did any holiday meals....ever...right??
Hudson at the WH.....so?
To the Obamas - Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy your guests!!
Posted by: Rob | November 24, 2009 2:48 PM
Nobody tosses out the word "hate" more than you blinki.
It's the hate mongers like you that call everyone who disagrees with you or in this case the Obama administration a "hater".
If you've ever been loved in your life, spread a little around, please. Stop with all the "you hate" mumbo jumbo.
Defend the president's right to hold a bigger, more costly state dinner than his predecessors.
Defend the president's right to create a larger "state tent" in order to seat more people than the official state room provided in the White House.
Drop the hate, it's ugly and we know you're not an ugly person, you just talk that way.
Posted by: springfield | November 24, 2009 2:50 PM
Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson. She is a great performer.
Posted by: Jamaicafest | November 24, 2009 4:08 PM
The only thing that smells is Republican's Fascism and the remaining reich wingers in Congress.They all can wave goodbye after the elections of 2010.
Posted by: s. fanders | November 24, 2009 4:58 PM
ROCK-N-ROLL PRESIDENT OBAMA!
YOY WON THE WHITE WITH THE LARGEST WINNING MARGIN IN THE LAST TWENTY YEARS, THAT'S WHY WHAT'S LEFT OF TODAYS RIGHT WING ARE CRYING SO MUCH!
ENJOY YOURSELF AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!
Posted by: Mo Bobby | November 24, 2009 7:14 PM
AS AN INDIAN AMERICAN I SALUTE INDIAN DEMOCRACY!
Some Americans (Right Wing/Republican) are rude, indecent and ignorant and they know nothing about the world, and I pity them.....
The OBAMA ADMINISTRATION higly acknowleges the importance of Indian Mind, and the Politics in that part of the World. INDIA is far better than CHINA where the country is ruled by the Communists, and there is NO Democratic Goverment.
I salute Dr. Singh along with Preseident Obama.
INDIA AND USA TWO GREAT DEMOCRACIES IN THE WORLD!!!
Posted by: Coshel | November 24, 2009 8:04 PM
Big surprise!....not.
Republicans Boehner and McConnell lie to the American people - claim they weren't invited to tonights State Dinner.
"MANUFACTURED REPUBLICAN STORY OF THE DAY.... With an Indian delegation, led by Prime Minister Singh, at the White House today, President Obama will host his first State Dinner this evening. The conservative media/noise machine has already decided on its preferred angle.
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http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_11/021146.php
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Posted by: former Republican | November 24, 2009 9:25 PM
Great a celebratory dinner for Obama and his hollywood pals, while he completely drops the ball on health care, the economy, Afghanistan, and wall street corruption… we believed a year ago… anyone still kidding themselves needs to wake up.
Posted by: buoyancy aids | November 25, 2009 1:29 AM
WHENEVER IT COMES TO THE OBAMA'S THERE IS ALWAYS NEGATIVE RESPONSES. AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED. AND IF WE ALL REMEMBER THAT THE NEW PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY ARE STILL HUMAN BEING. AND I AS ONE CONGRADULATE THEM BOTH ..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND MY GOD BLESS YOU !
Posted by: SVINES | November 25, 2009 2:56 AM
Is this currying favor or favoring curry?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | November 25, 2009 2:39 PM
WHENEVER IT COMES TO THE OBAMA'S THERE IS ALWAYS NEGATIVE RESPONSES. AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED. AND IF WE ALL REMEMBER THAT THE NEW PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY ARE STILL HUMAN BEING. AND I AS ONE CONGRADULATE THEM BOTH ..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND MY GOD BLESS YOU !
Posted by: SVINES | November 25, 2009 2:56 AM
Simmer down little lady, you don't have to scream.
Can my God bless him too or just your God?
Cheesus!
Posted by: springfield | November 25, 2009 3:23 PM