Jennifer Hudson’s latest Grammy nomination carries special meaning

Jennifer Hudson’s latest Grammy nomination is more than an honour, it’s truly a gift of love.

The 44-year-old American singer and actress’ fourth studio album, The Gift of Love, has scored a nomination in Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

The latest Grammy nominations were unveiled on Friday, November 7, a date that coincided with a deeply personal occasion for Hudson: her late mother’s birthday.

Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, was tragically killed in a shooting in Chicago in October 2008.

Jennifer Hudson’s Gift of Love bags a series of special firsts:

Grammy nomination on her late mother's birthday

Hudson’s first Grammy nod in the pop album category

Her first holiday album

It was the singer’s first record in 10 years

Reflecting on her latest Grammy nomination in a press room at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, November 8, the Dreamgirls star said, "I’m still living a dream, it’s blessed me."

The Gift of Love is a "project that was done with heart," she noted. "And it was on my late mother's birthday as well, which made it even more special," she added, referring to the day she received the Grammy nod.