Jennifer Hudson won the prize for R&B album of the year at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday for her self-titled solo debut.
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The triumph is a bittersweet one for the Oscar-winning star of "Dreamgirls" -- whose mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were shot to death, allegedly by her brother-in-law, last October. Hudson had been keeping a low profile as she grieved for her slain family members.
She made her first public appearance at last week's Super Bowl where she lip-synced to a stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which she had pre-recorded.
She received a standing ovation as she took the stage in Los Angeles Sunday to collect her Grammy Award from presenter Whitney Houston.
"I'm just in awe right now," Hudson told the audience. "But first I would like to thank God, who has brought me through. I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here."
