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Jennifer Hudson brings the holiday spirit – with a little help from her family.

The 43-year-old EGOT winner opened up about how her 15-year-old son, David Otunga Jr., played a key role in her new Christmas album, The gift of love.

“(My son) helped name this holiday album,” Hudson revealed in an interview with People published on Saturday, November 30. “He’s a holiday fanatic just like me. He’s been very present in all of this.”

The American Idol alum went on to explain that her teenage daughter — whom she shares with her ex-fiancé, former WWE icon David Otunga — not only helped with the title, but also provided feedback throughout the creative process. “We sat by the fireplace, watched holiday movies together. He even said, ‘Mom, this song right here is my favorite song from the Christmas album.’ Give his two cents,” she said. “He’s encouraging, he helped me learn different notes.”

Released in October, The gift of love marks Hudson’s first holiday album and her first release since 2021 Respect soundtrack. “Everything is family oriented, even that process,” Hudson pointed out.

The proud mom also shared that her son has fully embraced the spirit of giving during the holidays. “He’s always looking for gifts to give to others. He’s a giver, and that’s how he was raised,” she explained. “He’s a lot like me. He loves to see everyone get together and have dinner together, have a good time together and see the unity of it all.”

Although David had a big part in shaping his mom’s album, Hudson’s boyfriend, Common — whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn — also got in on the holiday magic. The two teamed up for the song “Almost Christmas,” putting a new spin on the classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

“I said ‘It was the night before Christmas and the whole house’ and then he came in and he turned it around and started freestyling it and made it very personal,” “And I’m telling you I’m not leaving,” the singer told the magazine. “Then I thought, ‘Actually, this would be a really cool idea for my holiday album where (he) does (his) interpretation of what it would be.'” And then came the vocal part, which is just us welding our musical worlds together. “

Hudson and Common, 52, sparked dating rumors in early 2023 after being spotted together at Nobu in Malibu. In January 2024, the “I Used to Love HER” rapper confirmed their relationship during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Showcalling Hudson “one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met in my life.”