J.Hud Calls 4 Grammy Noms a "Blessing"

Jennifer Hudson, who's been grieving the deaths of her mother, brother and nephew, offered up thanks and gratitude on Thursday for her four Grammy nominations for her debut album.

"It's been a childhood dream of mine to release an album, so to receive 4 Grammy nominations is truly a blessing," Hudson, 27, said. "I'm extremely honored and humbled by the nominations."

Jennifer's self-titled album was nominated for Best R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for "Spotlight," and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I'm His Only Woman" with fellow American Idol alum Fantasia.

The nominations were announced on the same day as her estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, 27, was denied bail in the shooting deaths of Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and nephew Julian King, 7.