Jennifer Hudson had an emotional mom moment on national television after her 16-year-old son, David Otunga Jr., surprised her during a recent episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”
The EGOT winner became visibly emotional after one of the show’s producers teased a surprise before David suddenly walked out onto the stage holding a homemade pound cake. Hudson immediately stood up to hug her son as tears filled her eyes.
“Y’all, this is my baby. Y’all got me again,” Hudson told the audience while trying to compose herself.
The sweet moment quickly became even more meaningful when David revealed the dessert was made using a special family recipe tied to Hudson’s late mother.
Jennifer Hudson’s Son Continued a Family Tradition
David baked Hudson her favorite pound cake for Mother’s Day, telling his mom, “This is your mom’s special recipe, so I made it for Mother’s Day. I love you.”
Hudson explained that the pound cake has long been part of their family traditions and was originally made by her mother for birthdays, holidays and other celebrations.
“My mother always made this pound cake,” Hudson shared during the episode. “And our family tradition, so for Mother’s Day, birthdays, all special occasions. He always makes it for me.”
The touching gesture clearly struck an emotional chord with the singer, who has spoken openly over the years about the deep impact her family has had on her life. Hudson lost her mother, brother and nephew in a tragic 2008 shooting just months after getting engaged to former WWE star David Otunga Sr.
The couple welcomed their son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., in 2009, and Hudson later reflected on how becoming a mother helped her emotionally after the devastating loss. Per People, she once said her son “saved” her life during one of the darkest periods she had ever faced.
Hudson and Otunga eventually split in 2017 after nearly a decade together, but the singer has continued sharing small glimpses into her close bond with their son over the years.
David Has Been Following in Jennifer Hudson’s Musical Footsteps
This is not the first time David has surprised his famous mom in an emotional way.
Back in December 2025, Hudson broke down in tears again after her son secretly recorded a cover of her song “Find the Love” from her holiday album “The Gift of Love.” Per E! News, David played the recording for Hudson as a Christmas surprise while cameras captured her emotional reaction.
“I didn’t want to sing with you because I had made you something,” David told his mom before playing the song.
Hudson became visibly emotional listening to her son sing while her boyfriend, Common, reacted warmly nearby. “Y’all done outdid yourselves now,” Hudson said through tears at the time. “Wow. I don’t know what to tell you.”
The “Dreamgirls” star later shared the moment on Instagram, writing, “I feel the love! Out of the mouths of babes. This hit me in the depths of my heart that only he can reach.”
David’s growing interest in music comes as no surprise to Hudson fans. Last year, she told People that her teenage son was heavily into both basketball and music while joking that he had grown so tall people often mistake him for an adult.
“People are like, ‘Who that man Jennifer with?’” Hudson joked. “And I’m like, ‘Y’all, that’s my son.’”
Now at 16, David continues to show not only his musical side, but also the close bond he shares with his mom through thoughtful family traditions and heartfelt surprises.
