Jennifer Hudson is opening up about her relationship with Common and why she does not measure a successful romance by whether it leads to marriage. The singer, actress and talk-show host described their partnership as ‘divine’ during an October 6 appearance on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, while making clear that she has never felt compelled to follow a traditional timeline.
Hudson and Common have been romantically linked since 2022. Their relationship has increasingly become public through appearances, performances and supportive comments about one another, but Hudson’s latest remarks put the focus on companionship rather than a wedding.
Jennifer Hudson praises her relationship with Common
Hudson said one of the most valuable parts of the relationship is having someone who understands her life on multiple levels. Both stars have long careers in entertainment, giving them common ground professionally as well as personally.
She also pointed to Common’s willingness to support her work. Hudson recalled being able to call on him to perform ‘Glory’ at Madison Square Garden and joked that he is capable of stepping in on her talk show because he knows how to talk. The examples illustrated the practical side of the partnership as much as the romantic one.
Why marriage is not a requirement for Hudson
Despite speaking warmly about Common, Hudson said she has never been someone who believed she had to get married. She pushed back on the idea that women automatically view marriage as the ultimate destination of a relationship.
That does not mean she has ruled marriage out. Hudson indicated that it could happen if it becomes something the couple wants, but she does not appear interested in forcing the relationship toward a milestone simply because it is expected.
Common has also spoken publicly about Hudson
The admiration has gone both ways. Common has previously praised Hudson’s character, resilience and care for other people. Their public comments have painted a picture of a couple who value emotional support and shared creative interests.
Hudson was previously engaged to David Otunga before their separation in 2017. Common has also had high-profile relationships over the years. Their current romance, however, has developed at a pace that Hudson appears comfortable defining on her own terms.
A relationship without a public deadline
Celebrity couples are frequently subjected to engagement speculation once a relationship becomes serious. Hudson’s comments offer a different perspective: commitment does not have to be validated by a public countdown to a proposal.
For now, she appears more interested in the partnership she and Common already have. Her description of the relationship as ‘divine’ was emphatic, but so was her message that marriage should be a choice rather than an expectation.
That distinction may be what makes the comments resonate beyond celebrity news. Hudson is not dismissing marriage; she is simply refusing to treat it as the only measure of a meaningful relationship.