Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga have announced their separation after ten years in a relationship. The Academy Award-winning Dreamgirls actress and the retired professional wrestler got engaged in 2008 after dating for several months; they never married. Now Hudson and Otunga are in the midst of a legal battle over the custody of their eight-year-old son, David, Jr. Reports of the split surfaced this week, when public court records showed Hudson had filed a protective restraining order against Otunga, whom she said posed a safety risk to her and her son. A representative for Hudson said in a statement,
They have been in the process of ending their relationship for a number of months. Today, Jennifer requested and received a protective order against her ex-fiancé. Jennifer's actions are solely taken in the best interest of their son.
This statement, which Jennifer Hudson's representative told People, leaves out some the particulars of the protective order. However, TMZ allegedly obtained the details, which describe a physical altercation during which David Otunga pushed Hudson out of their master bedroom suite. Moreover, the document also supposedly says Otunga left a gun out on a kitchen counter. The report apparently acknowledged Otunga's side of that second story, which was that the gun was a prop for a film project. Nevertheless, the document allegedly quotes Hudson saying,
David knows that I am and have been very sensitive to firearms after my mother and my brother were murdered by a firearm. I believe that he left it out to taunt, intimidate and frighten me, which he absolutely accomplished.
Jennifer Hudson was referring to the fatal 2008 shootings of her mother, Darnell Donerson, her brother, Jason Hudson, and her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King. A Chicago jury convicted Jennifer Hudson's former brother-in-law of the three murders and sentenced him to life in prison.
But let's jump back to the breakup story, because it turns out the plot thickens. David Otunga's lawyer, Tracy M. Rizzo, told People her client and Jennifer Hudson were supposed to be working out "an amicable parenting agreement." But according to Rizzo, Hudson noticed Otunga might receive residential custody of their son, as Otunga already had taken on responsibilities as the primary caregiver-- a role Otunga seems proud of when he posts Instagram pictures like this one with his son:
Furthermore, Ms. Rizzo indicates Jennifer Hudson's filing of a Petition for Order of Protection was a ploy to win favor with the court. Rizzo even said,
As a result of Mr. Otunga's career in the WWE, Ms. Hudson felt that she could give an award-winning performance in court to portray herself as the victim. Mr. Otunga has never abused or harassed Ms. Hudson or their son, and it is unfortunate, especially in today's climate, that she would feel the need to make these false allegations against him. Mr. Otunga looks forward to his day in court and in being awarded the residential care of the parties' only child.
Yikes! Did you catch the "award-winning performance" bit? Jennifer Hudson might want David Otunga to hit the road, but it sounds like his lawyer is telling you she's not going.
Also, because Jennifer Hudson's representative said the Grammy Award-winning vocalist and David Otunga had been working out the terms of their separation for months, it is worth noting Hudson herself discussed her lengthy engagement as recently as April when she stopped by The Ellen Show. Hudson told Ellen DeGeneres she was not in a rush to marry, and she indicated she felt confident Otunga was not going anywhere. But now it seems he most certainly is. Here's hoping Hudson and Otunga work out the situation quickly and safely, especially because their young child is involved.
