'I have seen the lowest of the lows': Jennifer Hudson opens up about the heartache of losing her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew in brutal gun attack

She has chartered global success with her beautiful voice and acting talents, some would say living the Hollywood dream.

But in 2008, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson was faced with a horrific nightmare, when she learned her mother Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King were all killed in a horrific gun attack.

Six years on, in an interview with The Guardian’s Observer, the 32-year-old star has opened up about the heartache she suffered all those years ago.

Heartache: Jennifer Hudson talks about the pain she suffered when losing her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew in a brutal gun attack in 2008

‘I have definitely seen the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows,’ the actress explained. ‘You don't know how strong you are until you are placed in that kind of

moment.’

On 24 October 2008, Jennifer’s mother and 29-year-old brother were gunned down in her hometown Chicago, while her seven-year-old nephew was reported missing from the home, but the child’s body with 'multiple gunshot wounds’ was found dead in the back of an abandoned SUV days later.

Speaking about how she deals with the grief, she said: ‘If I close my eyes, I can almost remember what it was like, what I was like, 15 years ago. I was at home in Chicago, still in high school, singing in church, living with my family.

‘But generally, no, it feels like another Jennifer life. I don’t look the same. I’m a mother now. So many things have changed. I sometimes think the only constant is my voice. That hasn’t gone away.’

Tragic loss: The American actress has said she has 'seen the lowest of the lows'

Remembering her mother: The 32-year-old says, 'There is not a day that goes by when I don't repeat the things she said.'

A happier time: Jennifer Hudson with her sister Julia, their mother Darnell Donerson and her nephew Julian

The American star’s former brother-in-law, William Balfour, received three life sentences in July 2012 following his conviction in the Hudson family murders.

Jennifer explained how her performance at the 2012 Super Bowl, where she sang Star-Spangled Banner with the children of Sandy Hook High School, came soon after Balfour’s long trail of justice.

‘In many ways the trial was the most dreadful part of it all," she added. ‘But again I know my mother would not have wanted us to miss a beat, so we were there every day.

‘I wouldn't wish it on anyone to have to experience anything like that, but that is what you do for your family, so that is what we did...’

Superstar: The American singer performing at the Wawa Welcome America concert in Philadelphia earlier this month 

Meanwhile, earlier this month Jennifer wowed audiences at the 2014 Philly 4th of July Jam in Philadelphia.

She took to the stage to sing some of her new songs from her upcoming album titled JHUD as she showed off the album sampler at the event with an energetic performance, while showing off her sensual side in an outfit that was certainly a far cry from her American Idol days.

The concert event boasted an impressive line-up of performers including The Roots, Aloe Blacc, Nicki Minaj and Ed Sheeran.

Global fame: The Oscar winner shot to fame in 2004 as a finalist on American Idol

DM