UNENDING NIGHTMARE
Her strong faith helps Hudson endure loss of family
According to a high school friend of Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar winner has spent many months “steeling herself ” for the beginning of the trail this week of William Balfour, charged with killing her mother, brother and nephew.
“Family is everything to Jennifer. … She knew testifying would make her relive the whole nightmare, but that’s nothing new. A day doesn’t go by when she doesn’t think about those three family members she lost. She knows she will continue to think of them and mourn them every day — for the rest of her life.”
The source also added an explanation of how Hudson is coping with the unimaginable tragedy.
“Her faith has kept her from becoming bitter and while she wants Balfour convicted — obviously — her faith is keeping her from becoming a hater.
“She knows that would destroy her and impact negatively the lives of both [fiance] David [Otunga] and her beautiful baby boy, David Jr.
“That girl is all about faith and family. Pure and simple.”
† According to the source, the absolute hardest thing — and Hudson was prepared for it — was to face both Balfour and his family members in the courtroom. Refusing to make eye contact was how she has coped.
COULD CARE LESS: News flash for Michael Lohan: It may not come as much of a surprise, but Rosie O’donnell could care less what you think about her comments Tuesday on “Today,” criticizing his daughter Lindsay Lohan’s casting as Elizabeth Taylor in an upcoming movie about the late film goddess.
A source close to the recent part-time Chicago resident tells me, “Rosie has been added to that ‘Professionals’ panel on ‘Today’ specifically because she shy about sharing her opinions. … As for Michael Lohan, I can’t think of anyone who cares about his opinions — including members of his own family!”
† After O’donnell dissed Lindsay on “Today” Tuesday morning — claiming Lilo hadn’t made a single good film since she was 16, Michael Lohan quickly called TMZ saying, “Who the hell is Rosie O’donnell to judge anyone, especially Lindsay, who has far more talent than Rosie ever had?”
GOOD TIMING: There will be a screening of Holly Mosher’s documentary, “Bonsai People: The Vision of Muhammad Yunus” this very week Nobel Peace Prize
Jon Lovitz’s recent expletive-laced rant against President Obama didn’t surprise his Hollywood friends — or foes. The comic’s penchant for rude rants “are old news out here,” said a longtime Lovitz associate. “He talks before he thinks.” SPEAKING UP: Sounds like everything is virtually in place — locking-in the judges for the next season of “The Voice.” Word has it, the popular NBC musical talent search will re-sign Ceelo Green, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera. While there reportedly was a bit of grumbling from the men, they do understand that Aguilera’s superstar status is why she again is being paid more then the guy judges. All are getting major raises to a healthy seven figures. winner Yunus is in town attending the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. The film — highlighting Yunus’ work helping the poor with micro-business financing and health services — will be screened at 7 p.m. Thursday at Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton. For those who care, the onagain-off-again relationship between Amanda Seyfried and Josh Hartnett has quietly been revived and the twosome are again “on.”
Cook County Board president Toni Preckwinkle and her husband, Zeus, have become regulars at the Northwest Side eatery, 13 Tapas, where they recently celebrated both their birthdays. … Continuing his practice of frequenting new — or less-publicized — restaurants, Mayor Rahm Emanuel dined at Michael Kornick and David Morton’s new Ada St.