After months of rumours, it looks like Common and Jennifer Hudson are finally ready to confirm their relationship publicly.
On January 22, Common will be a guest on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and is expected to speak candidly about his love life.
In a clip from the episode shared to the show’s official Instagram account on January 21, Hudson cheekily presses Common to discuss the romance.
“Let’s get down to business, Mr. Common,” Hudson jokes. “I’m a host, so I have to ask you this question, because everyone always wants to know. Are you dating someone?”
The crowd screams and cheers as the 51-year-old rapper laughs nervously.
He replies: “So, yes.” And I’m in a relationship (with) one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.
The audience applauds as he continues to list specific adjectives that confirm he is praising the Oscar-winning singer and actor.
“She’s smart. She loves God. She has something real about her. She’s talented. But she set a high bar for me because she had to have an EGOT,” he adds. “She had to win an Oscar for her first movie. I set my bar high. She had to get her own talk show.
After hearing him compliment her, Hudson, 42, said, “Oh, okay,” and laughed adorably before the video ended.
Common addressed his response to Hudson’s question during an appearance on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna on January 22.
“We had a little fun and it’s great to be on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show,’” he said. “I felt like, ‘Man, why can’t I be loving and true to who I am and who we are,’ and that felt good.”
He added that he is usually a private person who has certain things in his life that are “sacred.”
“So any relationships I have are not for public consumption, but at the end of the day we were on a show. We had a good time,” he continued.
When Hoda Kotb asked Common if he was “the married type” and if his current relationship could be “the relationship,” he laughed before giving his answer.
“I feel like I’ve grown, and the work I’ve done on myself has allowed me to see that I’m the married type. I’m the type of person that I’m capable of and I have the ability, and if I want to do it at some point in my life, I’ll know when the time is right.”
“For me, everything is divine,” he added. “I operate from that distinction that God speaks to you — when He speaks to your stomach and you feel it in your heart and soul, so when I feel it, I will reach out to that person, and if she feels it, why not?”
The full “Jennifer Hudson Show” interview will air on January 22, and it looks like he and Hudson may be talking more about their relationship.
“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Tune in tomorrow to hear @iamjhud’s response!” “The Jennifer Hudson Show” Instagram account commented on his post.
Fans celebrated Common and Hudson’s romance in the comments.
“She was trying hard not to blush,” one person wrote. “This is so wonderful! I am so happy for them.”
Another said: “This was a smooth ad!!”
Although there have been rumors for months that they are a couple, they have remained mum about their relationship. In June, Common stopped by TODAY, and Al Roker asked him about the “Dreamgirls” star.
At the time, Common didn’t reveal whether or not it was an item, but he did dole out another list of sweet compliments.
“I will say, speaking of Chicago, she’s from Chicago, and this amazing human being — she’s always inspired me,” he gushed. “She’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met on this planet. Incredible heart, and she’s dope, man.”
He continued: “Seeing her develop and transform from an actress and singer, like doing many things and now her talk show. She’s amazing, she’s inspiring. I am grateful to know her.
Common was previously in a relationship with Tiffany Haddish. She said in an interview with The Washington Post in July 2023 that their breakup “was not mutual” as he had previously indicated after their 2021 split.
He has a daughter, Omoi Assata Lyn, with his ex-partner Kim Jones.
Hudson dated James Payton from 1999 to 2007. She began dating former WWE wrestler David Otunga, and the two announced their engagement in 2008. They announced their breakup in 2017.
Otunga Jr.’s 14-year-old talk show co-host David Daniel Otunga Jr.