Jennifer Hudson Talks Interest She and Boyfriend Common Bond Over: 'He's Very Passionate' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Common and Jennifer Hudson in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2024.Photo:Jim Poorten/NBAE via GettyJennifer HudsonandCommonshare an interest close to each of their hearts.The actress, singer and talk-show host spoke with PEOPLE about the couple’s bond during theElizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS 2024on Thursday, Sept. 26.Asked whether activism is something she and her beau have a shared love for, Hudson, 43, says “definitely.““He’s very passionate about everything he’s into,” she explains of Common, 52. “He leads with the heart, and I lead with the heart in everything that I do, as well.“Held in Beverly Hills, California, theElizabeth TaylorBall to End AIDS honored Hudson with the first-ever Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award on Thursday night.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Honoree Jennifer Hudson at the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS in Beverly Hills on Sept. 26, 2024.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImageHudson and Common firstsparked dating rumorsback in 2022, when they worked together on their filmBreathe, but have known each other for a long time. Over the years, the two have mingled at various events, including award shows and charities.Common seeminglyconfirmed their romancewhen Hudson asked him about his relationship status on her talk show this past January. The actor laughed before answering that he was, in fact dating someone. While he didn’t say Hudson’s name, everyone was in on the tease.And in July, he opened up to PEOPLE in this week’s issue about another shared interest — which came in the form ofcollaborating with his girlfriendon his albumThe Auditorium Vol. 1, which features Hudson on the song “A GOD (There Is).”“I loved it, because when I played it to musician friends, they were like, ‘Who is that singing?’ ” Common said. “I’m like, ‘That’s Jennifer!’ It doesn’t sound like things you’ve heard from her before. I love that we were able to utilize her gifts in a new space. She brought it, man.”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Jennifer Hudson and Common in Santa Monica on Sept. 8, 2017.Christopher Polk/GettyIn her conversation with PEOPLE on Thursday, Hudson spoke about receiving the Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award, which was bestowed upon her for her “ongoing support for people living with HIV and for the LGBTQ+ community,” perThe Hollywood Reporter, citing the foundation.“It means everything. Anything to help out the community to help make a difference in the world. And that’s what we represent at our show,” she says. “Anytime I can use my platform to help build awareness, to get rid of stigma, all of those things, I’m willing to do.““So it’s just thehonor to be here. The real gift is in the work,” continues theOscarwinner andJennifer Hudson Showhost.She goes on to say that “making a difference” and “making a world a better place for everyone” is her “focus,” more than “the accolades or the words.““It’s inspiring to me to encourage me to want to do more, and hopefully inspire others to want to help make a difference too,” Hudson adds.

Common and Jennifer Hudson in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2024.Photo:Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty

Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty

Jennifer HudsonandCommonshare an interest close to each of their hearts.The actress, singer and talk-show host spoke with PEOPLE about the couple’s bond during theElizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS 2024on Thursday, Sept. 26.Asked whether activism is something she and her beau have a shared love for, Hudson, 43, says “definitely.““He’s very passionate about everything he’s into,” she explains of Common, 52. “He leads with the heart, and I lead with the heart in everything that I do, as well.“Held in Beverly Hills, California, theElizabeth TaylorBall to End AIDS honored Hudson with the first-ever Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award on Thursday night.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Honoree Jennifer Hudson at the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS in Beverly Hills on Sept. 26, 2024.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImageHudson and Common firstsparked dating rumorsback in 2022, when they worked together on their filmBreathe, but have known each other for a long time. Over the years, the two have mingled at various events, including award shows and charities.Common seeminglyconfirmed their romancewhen Hudson asked him about his relationship status on her talk show this past January. The actor laughed before answering that he was, in fact dating someone. While he didn’t say Hudson’s name, everyone was in on the tease.And in July, he opened up to PEOPLE in this week’s issue about another shared interest — which came in the form ofcollaborating with his girlfriendon his albumThe Auditorium Vol. 1, which features Hudson on the song “A GOD (There Is).”“I loved it, because when I played it to musician friends, they were like, ‘Who is that singing?’ ” Common said. “I’m like, ‘That’s Jennifer!’ It doesn’t sound like things you’ve heard from her before. I love that we were able to utilize her gifts in a new space. She brought it, man.”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Jennifer Hudson and Common in Santa Monica on Sept. 8, 2017.Christopher Polk/GettyIn her conversation with PEOPLE on Thursday, Hudson spoke about receiving the Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award, which was bestowed upon her for her “ongoing support for people living with HIV and for the LGBTQ+ community,” perThe Hollywood Reporter, citing the foundation.“It means everything. Anything to help out the community to help make a difference in the world. And that’s what we represent at our show,” she says. “Anytime I can use my platform to help build awareness, to get rid of stigma, all of those things, I’m willing to do.““So it’s just thehonor to be here. The real gift is in the work,” continues theOscarwinner andJennifer Hudson Showhost.She goes on to say that “making a difference” and “making a world a better place for everyone” is her “focus,” more than “the accolades or the words.““It’s inspiring to me to encourage me to want to do more, and hopefully inspire others to want to help make a difference too,” Hudson adds.

Jennifer HudsonandCommonshare an interest close to each of their hearts.

The actress, singer and talk-show host spoke with PEOPLE about the couple’s bond during theElizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS 2024on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Asked whether activism is something she and her beau have a shared love for, Hudson, 43, says “definitely.”

“He’s very passionate about everything he’s into,” she explains of Common, 52. “He leads with the heart, and I lead with the heart in everything that I do, as well.”

Held in Beverly Hills, California, theElizabeth TaylorBall to End AIDS honored Hudson with the first-ever Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award on Thursday night.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Honoree Jennifer Hudson at the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS in Beverly Hills on Sept. 26, 2024.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Hudson and Common firstsparked dating rumorsback in 2022, when they worked together on their filmBreathe, but have known each other for a long time. Over the years, the two have mingled at various events, including award shows and charities.

Common seeminglyconfirmed their romancewhen Hudson asked him about his relationship status on her talk show this past January. The actor laughed before answering that he was, in fact dating someone. While he didn’t say Hudson’s name, everyone was in on the tease.

And in July, he opened up to PEOPLE in this week’s issue about another shared interest — which came in the form ofcollaborating with his girlfriendon his albumThe Auditorium Vol. 1, which features Hudson on the song “A GOD (There Is).”

“I loved it, because when I played it to musician friends, they were like, ‘Who is that singing?’ ” Common said. “I’m like, ‘That’s Jennifer!’ It doesn’t sound like things you’ve heard from her before. I love that we were able to utilize her gifts in a new space. She brought it, man.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Jennifer Hudson and Common in Santa Monica on Sept. 8, 2017.Christopher Polk/Getty

Christopher Polk/Getty

In her conversation with PEOPLE on Thursday, Hudson spoke about receiving the Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award, which was bestowed upon her for her “ongoing support for people living with HIV and for the LGBTQ+ community,” perThe Hollywood Reporter, citing the foundation.

“It means everything. Anything to help out the community to help make a difference in the world. And that’s what we represent at our show,” she says. “Anytime I can use my platform to help build awareness, to get rid of stigma, all of those things, I’m willing to do.”

“So it’s just thehonor to be here. The real gift is in the work,” continues theOscarwinner andJennifer Hudson Showhost.

She goes on to say that “making a difference” and “making a world a better place for everyone” is her “focus,” more than “the accolades or the words.”

“It’s inspiring to me to encourage me to want to do more, and hopefully inspire others to want to help make a difference too,” Hudson adds.

source: people.com