'From my heart to yours': Jennifer Hudson performs an emotional version of America The Beautiful with choir of children from Sandy Hook gun massacre school
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It's a cause that is dear to Jennifer Hudson's heart - after having lost her family to gun violence.
And on Sunday the singer paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting at the Super Bowl.
Hudson was joined by the chorus from the Newtown, Conn. school as they opened up for the nation's biggest football event with an emotional performance of America The Beautiful.
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It's personal for her: Jennifer Hudson performed with the choir from Sandy Hook Elementary School at the Super Bowl on Sunday
The Oscar winner adorned her black leather Monika Chiang top with a green ribbon in honour of those lost at Sandy Hook and showed off her curvy figure in a white button front L'Wren Scott skirt.
Jennifer was flanked by over two dozen children from the school which was devastated by a shooting rampage last December where 20 first-graders and six adults were killed.
Moments before stepping on stage the 31-year-old Grammy winner tweeted her excitement to be performing in New Orleans.
Close to home: The singer lost her mother and nephew to gun violence in 2008
Close to her heart: The Smash star wore a ribbon honouring the children lost at Sandy Hook
Such a privilege: Jennifer tweeted that the performance was an emotional roller coaster
We must pray: Jennifer has been an outspoken critic against violence
Heavenly praise: 'Thank you lord for this day,' she tweeted
Standing strong: The children attend the same elementary school that lost 20 first-graders in a shooting last December
A great loss: The children have since returned to school
'Such a privilege to be performing w the Sandy Hook elementary chorus at the #SuperBowl today. We go on just before kick off!'
She also thanked God as she neared her emotional performance.
'From my heart to yours! Such an Emotional roller coaster [and] So close to home.'
She continued: 'NoNo matter who or what we r, we must pray! Thank u lord for this day! May thy will be done! Have your way , oh God!!
Showing off her curves: The singer has lost over 80 pounds since starting her career
Dueling divas: Jennifer's performance comes before Alicia Keys' version of the Star Spangled Banner
The Dreamgirls star herself has been the victim of tragedy, after she was devastated four years ago when her mother Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson were gunned down in her home town Chicago.
Her seven-year-old nephew Julian King was reported missing from the home, but was found dead in the back of an abandoned SUV days later.
Her brother-in-law William Balfour was sentenced last year to three life sentences without the possibility of parole, followed by 120 years for other crimes.
Happy family: Jennifer looked full of joy as she posed with her mother Darnell, sister Julia and nephew Jason before the 2008 tragedy
Watch Jennifer Hudson's performance here
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2273008/Jennifer-Hudson-performs-emotional-version-America-The-Beautiful-choir-children-Sandy-Hook-gun-massacre-school.html#ixzz2JtHuIbLl
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