Are Jennifer Hudson and Common engaged? Their complete relationship timeline
Are Jennifer Hudson and Common engaged? The couple is not engaged. Their relationship reportedly began in mid-2022 when they met on the set of Breathe. After months of speculation, the entertainers confirmed their romance in early 2024 and even stepped out together on the red carpet later that year.

Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jennifer Hudson and Common reportedly first met in 2014, but they were romantically linked in 2022.
- Through their public appearances, they sparked dating rumours until 2024, when they confirmed it on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
- They have expressed their desire to marry, but have not revealed any plans for engagement.
Profile summary
Full name | Jennifer Kate Hudson | Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. |
Nickname | - | Common |
Gender | Female | Male |
Date of birth | 12 September 1981 | 13 March 1972 |
Age | 43 years old (as of 2025) | 53 years old (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Virgo | Pisces |
Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, US | Chicago, Illinois, US |
Current residence | Los Angeles, California, US | Los Angeles, California, US |
Nationality | American | American |
Ethnicity | African-American | African-American |
Religion | Christianity | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight | Straight |
Height in feet | 5'10" | 6'1" |
Height in centimetres | 170 | 185 |
Weight in pounds | 154 | 185 |
Weight in kilograms | 70 | 84 |
Hair colour | Black | Black |
Eye colour | Dark brown | Dark brown |
Mother | Darnell Donerson | Mahalia Ann Hines |
Father | Samuel Simpson | Lonnie Lyn |
Children | 2 | |
Relationship status | Dating | Dating |
Partner | Common | Jennifer Hudson |
Children | 1 | 1 |
School | Dunbar Vocational High School | Luther High School South |
College | Langston University, Kennedy-King College | Florida A&M University |
Profession | Singer, actress, talk show host | Rapper, singer, actor |
@iamjhud | @common | |
@jenniferhudson | - | |
X (Twitter) | @IAMJHUD | - |
Are Jennifer Hudson and Common engaged?
Jennifer Hudson and Common are dating and are not engaged. They were first romantically linked in 2022, but it remained a rumour until they confirmed their romance in 2024.
The subject of their marriage has come up multiple times, including during the rapper’s interview on The Breakfast Club in July 2024, where he hinted at their relationship’s future. He said on the show:
If I'm going to get married, it's to her. That's simple as that. This is definitely, with all due respect to all the women I've dated, 'cause it's all love, but this is a really healthy and beautiful relationship. When you're with somebody who's from where you're from, it's a different kind of connection, too.
Jennifer Hudson and Common’s relationship timeline
Jennifer Hudson and Common’s relationship first made headlines in 2022, though it seemed casual at the time. They went public with their romance in 2024, sparking even more interest from fans. Here is a timeline of their relationship, highlighting the key moments.
2022: First meeting on the set of Breathe

Source: Getty Images
Jennifer Hudson and Common were first suspected to be romantically involved in 2022 while filming the action-thriller Breathe. Though their interaction was purely professional at the time, fans quickly noticed their on-screen chemistry as they played a married couple. Hudson portrayed Maya, while Common took on the role of her husband, Darius.
After working together on the film, the pair fuelled dating rumours once again when they were seen enjoying a dinner date at a Philadelphia restaurant in September 2022. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Dreamgirls actress refuted the rumours, saying:
People create their narratives of it, and it’s like, OK, you know, how you feel. We shot a film together, and he played my husband. We gotta eat in between those moments.
2023: Public appearances and rumours
Their relationship returned to the spotlight in February 2023 when they were seen leaving Nobu Malibu after what appeared to be a romantic dinner date. The two looked cosy together, further fuelling speculation about their romance.

Source: Getty Images
In March 2023, Hudson added to the buzz by sharing a heartfelt birthday tribute to rapper Common on Instagram. She praised him as one of the brightest lights, calling him both a Chicago and hip-hop legend, a gesture that made many believe their relationship was deepening.
By August 2023, the If This Isn't Love singer addressed the ongoing rumours during an interview with TMZ, saying:
Rumours say a lot of things. But he’s a beautiful man, I will give you that. That's for certain.
In November 2023, Hudson spoke publicly about her love life for the first time since ending her relationship with David Otunga. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, she revealed that she was very happy and in a serious relationship, though she chose not to name her partner.
Her admission came shortly after she was spotted holding hands with Common at Joe’s Pub in Manhattan, further fuelling speculation.
By September and December 2023, the couple’s bond seemed stronger than ever as they made more public appearances together: first at MJ: The Musical and later courtside at a Chicago Bulls game, signalling that their relationship was becoming more open and visible.

Source: Getty Images
2024: More public appearances and romance confirmation
The year began with the couple attending more NBA games, including games for the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers in January 2024. After approximately two years of speculation, Common ultimately confirmed the relationship when he appeared on Hudson’s talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Hudson asked him about his earlier talks about marriage, and he responded, saying:
I was asked about marriage, and I just answered honestly. I said, you know what, you told me a quote that your mother said, a man knows what he wants. I was saying my true feelings. Jennifer is the person if I should be married, it will be to Jennifer Kate Hudson.
The show host responded to Common's remark, describing it as beautiful and calling him a deserving man. Hudson also added that she supports the idea. The American rapper then presented her with a bouquet before kissing her on the cheek.

Source: Getty Images
Later on, when Common appeared on Today with Hoda & Jenna, he said about his appearance on Hudson’s show:
We had a little fun. I felt like, why not just be loving and honest with who I am and who we are? And it felt good, it was fun, we had a good time.
Several months later, after going public in June 2024, Jennifer Hudson talked to People about their relationship, saying everything was wonderful. The two have also collaborated on the song A GOD (There Is).
2025: Private but thriving relationship
Common and Jennifer Hudson continue loving each other but keep their relationship away from the spotlight, except for a few occasions. In July 2025, during an interview on the Mama I Made It podcast hosted by news anchor and reporter for ABC 7 Chicago, Samantha Chatman, Common talked about his relationship with Hudson, saying:
The friendship, the partnership, the life partnership, just the connection, it's one of those things where you don't know truly what a true partnership and relationship is until you get there. It's like those things you pray for, and you don't get them until you're ready. Whatever growing I had to do, it was the divine time in alignment when Jennifer and I started like being interested in each other.

Source: UGC
FAQs
- When did Jennifer Hudson and Common meet? They reportedly first met in 2014, but they were first romantically linked in 2022 on the set of the film Breathe.
- Are Jennifer Hudson and Common still together? As of 2025, the duo is still happily together and occasionally seen at public events.
- Are Jennifer Hudson and Common married? They are dating and are neither engaged nor married. However, they have expressed their intention to exchange marriage vows in the future.
- Does Jennifer Hudson have a child with Common? The couple does not have a child together, but each of them has a child from their previous relationships.
- What is Common and Jennifer Hudson's age difference? Their age difference is about 9 years: the rapper was born in March 1972, and the EGOT winner was born in September 1981.
- Have Jennifer Hudson and Common collaborated professionally? The two starred in the film Breathe before collaborating on the song A GOD (There Is).
- What happened with Common and Jennifer Hudson? They sparked dating rumours in 2022 and kept their relationship low-key until they came out publicly in 2024.
Currently dating and supporting each other publicly, Jennifer Hudson and Common have not revealed any plans for their engagement. Since first being romantically linked in 2022, the pair has frequently sparked rumours and made headlines with their relationship.
Legit.ng recently published Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s relationship timeline. The singers first crossed paths in 1987, when they interacted professionally. However, their love story began in 2002 after they ended their previous relationships. They got engaged and married in 2005.
The country music singers are still together and have been married for approximately 20 years. They are raising a blended family in Tennessee, United States. Read on to explore the key moments and twists in their relationship.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng