More Tragedy for Jennifer Hudson

I'm very to sorry to say that the body of Jennifer Hudson's nephew has been found dead in the back of a car parked about 10 miles away from his family home.

The oscar winning actress, singer and plus size role model was among family members and close friends who cried and held hands as they identified Julian King from a live televised image at the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

Police said the seven-year-old had been shot like his grandmother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and uncle, Jason Hudson, 29, who had been found dead on Friday.

No one has been charged but the police are holding the boys step father who is being questioned about all three murders.

Despite Jennifer's best efforts, and the offer of a $100k reward for safe return of her nephew, this was not to be and more heart ache has been piled onto Jennifer, her sister, and the rest of the family.

Cook County spokesman Sean Howard said the actress seemed to be coping well, but asked for the public to respect their family's privacy and to keep sending their prayers and support. 'She was just brilliant and strong,' said Howard when describing Hudson's demeanour while she and her family identified her nephew's body.

$100,000 Reward for Jennifer Hudson''s Missing Nephew

Award winning actress and plus size role model Jennifer Hudson is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of her seven year old nephew, who has been missing since Friday.

Jennifer issued the appeal after the double shooting of her mother Darnell Donnerson and her brother Jason Hudson at their home in Chicago on Friday. Seven year old Julian King was staying with his grandmother when the murders took place and he has not been seen since.

Julia Balfour, Jennifer's sister and mother of the missing boy, made an emotional plea for the safe return of her son yesterday. “All I ask, I don’t care who you are, just let my baby go, please,” Julia Balfour said at a news conference Saturday night. “I just want my son.”

Police have launched a statewide campaign to find the child but Hudson, who spent the weekend identifying the bodies of her loved ones, has stepped up the search for her nephew by offering the money and urging anyone with any knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward.

Hudson's representative Lisa Kasteler made a statement saying - 'Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian. We ask that all inquiries be directed to the Chicago Police Department, Area 1 Detective Division at 312/747-8380.'

The double edged sword of celebrity hits again as jennifer is able to publicise the search for her nephew, but at the same time is unable to mourn the death of her mother and brother privately. My thoughts are with Jennifer and I pray for safe return of her nephew.

Jennifer Hudson's Family Murdered

Oscar winning plus size actress Jennifer Hudson's mother & brother were shot dead and her 7-year-old nephew is missing.

Hudson's brother in-law William Balfour, 27, is suspected of the shootings & was arrested Friday night but he has not been charged according to news reports. Balfour is married to Jennifer's sister but they are said to be separated.

To make matter worse Balfour's stepson, seen in the picture, is missing.

Hudson's mother was shot in her living room at her house in Chicago, according to the police. Hudson's brother Jason Hudson, 29, was found in a bedroom.

Jennifer Hudson won an oscar for her amazing performance in Dreamgirls and is a role model representing curvy women in the world of celebrity, where the pressure to conform to stereotype is immense. My heart goes out to Jennifer when she must be enduring the hardest days of her life.

Favourite Oscars 2008 Fashion

The red carpet season continues with the 80th Annual Acadamy Awards ceremony last night in Hollywood. Although the whole night was a civlised (if not slightly dull) affair, with no major surprises, hiccups or the like - there was still some hot (and not so hot) fashion on the red carpet to contemplate.

Some of my personal favourites this year included Nicole Kidman in a gorgeous black Balenciaga dress & Heidi Klum who wore a show stopping bespoke red gown made by John Galliano. I was also a big fan of Jennifer Hudsons dress this year, a full length white beaded number by Roberto Cavalli, which showed her voluptuous figure at its best.

My favourite by far, however, was actress Kelly Preston. She appeared on the red carpet with husband John Travolta, wearing a gorgeous strapless Roberto Cavalli gown in deep yellow. The simple cut paired with the bold but very this season colour really make a statement.

In contrast, my worst outfit of the evening was worn by best actress winner - Marion Cotillard. The Jean Paul Gaultier mermaid-inspired gown will be a huge hit with some, but for me it was just all a bit over the top.

If you have your own special event planned and need to find a dress to impress in plus sizes try Curvety.com, who offer affordable red carpet chic in sizes 16 to 36.

Nikki Blonsky looks like a star at Hairspray Premiere

Over the weekend it was the London premiere for the new movie release of our old favourite - Hairspray.

Originally a John Waters film made in 1988 before becoming a leading musical. The 2007 re make stars John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, and new face - Nikki Blonsky.

Nikki Blonsky is new to the big screen and chose the fabulous Igigi Maya Chiffon Dress for her first premiere. Igigi are a US based plus size designer, but this dress can be found in the UK at Curvety.com.

Nikki shows promise of following in the footsteps of other great plus size role models such as Jennifer Hudson.

Voluptuous Dreamgirl Oscar Nomination

Jennifer first earned attention as one of the twelve finalists on American Idol in 2004. She grew up singing in gospel choirs, acting in community theater productions & singing on cruise lines but her naturally raw, soulful vocals had no formal musical training to speak of. Two years later she found her way into the auditioning room for the coveted role of Effie White, a character synonymous with plus size power and angst. Effie is the cast-off member of a popular 60s girl group in the film version of the popular Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls'. This time Jennifer was the winner and she was even ordered to gain weight for the role. In a make-or-break role of a lifetime Hudson makes the role her own in both acting and musical intensity. She has already won the National Board of Review for 'Breakthrough Performance', New York Film Critics Award, Phoenix Film Critic's Society Award, Golden Satellite Award, a Golden Globe Award and also a BAFTA and Oscar nomination. We will be watching on Sunday 25th February to see what Jennifer wears as she represents real figures with real talent in the biggest award ceremony of the year. Jennifer said that she has already been 'overwhelmed with clothes from every designer'. Does this mean a change to the designer thinking? Will we soon be able to thank Jennifer and other plus size icons for making curves mainstream?In the mean time you can get award ceremony glamour in plus sizes online at Curvety.com - a fab site for plus size evening wear which is glam enough for any red carpet!