Jennifer Hudson Super Bowl video/Jennifer Hudson Super Bowl 43

It was a fitting comeback for Jennifer Hudson at Super Bowl 43 (Super Bowl XLIII) as she sang the national anthem before a capacity crowd in Tampa and before millions who were watching it live on television. Dressed elegantly in a studded black military-style jacket over a simple white blouse, the she went up to the small stage to the roar of the appreciative crowd. It must have been an awesome feeling to receive such a welcome after all that she had gone through in recent months.

I'm sure many of you know what happened to her family a few months back - how her mother and brother were killed in their home in Chicago, and how

her nephew was found dead a couple of days later slump in the back of an SUV. The suspect in the killings is her estranged brother-in-law now in police custody. It was a tragic blow to her life, seemingly perfect before the incident - a successful career, a debut album, an engagement to her long-time boyfriend. She canceled all public appearances since then and understandably so. She hasn't been in the limelight since then.

Jennifer Hudson was understandably nervous with this Super Bowl XLIII appearance and it showed. She let out a big sigh right before she sang the national anthem and let out a bigger one right after it. And the crowd was very appreciative though the song was pre-taped for the proceedings. Though she never smiled throughout her performance, I am sure she also appreciated the crowd's response. And with this performance, I hope it will be the start of her comeback to the spotlight. Welcome back, Jennifer Hudson!

Jennifer Hudson Super Bowl 43 national anthem video
Jennifer Hudson: Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLIII video