Jennifer Hudson Calls Grammy Nods "Blessing"

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson expressed her deepest gratitude for her four Grammy nominations this week — a piece of positive news following the heartbreaking shooting deaths of her mother, brother and nephew in late October.

"It's been a childhood dream of mine to release an album, so to receive four Grammy nominations is truly a blessing," the American Idol alum said in a statement. "I'm extremely honored and humbled by the nominations."

The 27-year-old singer/actress was nominated for best R&B album, best female R&B vocal performance, best R&B song for "Spotlight" and best R&B performance by a duo or group for "I'm His Only Woman" (a duet performed with Idol champ Fantasia Barrino).

Hudson's new single, "If This Isn't Love," is scheduled to premiere in January.

Hudson estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, is charged with murder in the deaths of Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and his own stepson, Julian King, 7. Her Grammy nods were announced on the same day Balfour was denied bail in Chicago.