Jennifer Hudson feels 'blessed'

Jennifer Hudson feels "blessed" after being nominated for four Grammy awards.

The 27-year-old singer-and-actress – who has been in hiding since the fatal shooting of her mother, brother and nephew in October – says being considered for a host of the prestigious music awards is a dream come true.

She said: "It's been a childhood dream of mine to release an album, so to receive four Grammy nominations is truly a blessing. I'm extremely honoured and humbled by the nominations."

Jennifer's self-titled debut album is nominated for R'n'B album of the year, while her single 'Spotlight' has received two nods, for Best R'n'B song and Best Female R'n'B Vocal Performance. She also shares a nomination with Fantasia for Best R'n'B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their duet 'I'm His Only Woman'.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 8 2008.

Earlier this week, Jennifer's brother-in-law William Balfour was officially charged with the murder of her mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and seven-year-old nephew Julian King.

William Balfour's attorney Joshua Kutnick insists his client – the estranged husband of Jennifer's sister Julia and Julian's step-father - is innocent, saying: "It is scary as hell, he's charged with terrible crimes that he adamantly contends he's not guilty of.

"He has exhibited to me, at least, the patience to let the process unfold."