Cowell, Abdul Send Condolences to Jennifer Hudson

Condolences for Jennifer Hudson have begun pouring in following the brutal murders of her mother, brother and nephew. "I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer and her family," said American Idol producer and judge Simon Cowell. His sentiments were echoed by fellow judge Paula Abdul, who said "This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family. The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on Idol was very special to me, and I personally can't imagine a greater loss for any family."

Several of Hudson's cast mates in films like Dreamgirls and The Secret Life of Bees have also spoken out in support of Hudson. Bees' Queen Latifah told Access Hollywood "I know the family is devastated and heartbroken and I hope that friends and fans and those who care about her just pray for her and give her all the support that she needs at this moment and for quite a long time to come." Sarah Jessica Parker, who starred alongside Hudson in the Sex And The City movie, said in a statement "My heart goes out to her and her family in their time of anguish and grief." Immediately following the murders, even Barack Obama, a fellow Chicago resident, sent his condolences to Hudson. Beyoncé, who starred with Hudson in Dreamgirls, has refrained from commenting on the murders, saying she respects the family's wish for privacy in these tragic times.

Related Stories:
• Body of Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Found Following Murder of Her Brother, Mother
• Movie Review: Dreamgirls
• Album Review: Dreamgirls

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Song Stories

“Piano Man”

Billy Joel | 1973

Billy Joel’s first hit, “Piano Man,” was – ironically – an autobiographical lament about how his first album wasn’t a hit. When Cold Spring Harbor didn’t take off, Joel briefly became a lounge pianist in Los Angeles, and this song, about that experience, expressed his frustrations and fears at the time: “And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar/And say, ‘Man, what are you doing here?’” “It was all right,” Joel said later, about the gig. “I got free drinks and union scale, which was the first steady money I’d made in a long time.”

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