Jennifer Hudson to sing at the Super Bowl

January 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

NEW YORK — Jennifer Hudson will make her first public appearance since the killings of her mother, brother and nephew during sports’ grandest event — the Super Bowl. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Wednesday that Hudson will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 1.

Hudson hasn’t made a public appearance since her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson; 29-year-old brother Jason Hudson; and 7-year-old nephew Julian King were slain in Chicago in October. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged in the killings.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Margaret O’Brien (“Meet Me in St. Louis”) is 72. Actor-director Mario Van Peebles is 52. Singer Lisa Lisa of Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam is 42. Actor Eddie Cahill (“CSI: New York”) is 31.