Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Common’s Birthday with an Adorable Post Amid Romance Rumors | “One of the Brightest Lights”

Jennifer Hudson has a sweet birthday wish for Common. On March 13, the American Idol alumna, 41, celebrated the actor and rapper's 51st birthday with a photo of them posing together where his arm appeared to be around her on Instagram. She wrote, "Team Jhud pls help me wish one of the brightest lights, a Chicago and hip hop legend, the one and only @common a very happy birthday on today!" In his Instagram Story, Common appreciated Hudson's shoutout and reposted the picture, adding, "Thank You!"

Hudson's post comes at a pertinent time as there have been rumors that she and Common are dating. Fans were quick to comment on the post. A follower keeblercookie75 wrote, "Is this confirmation or naw." Another fan elma_corcoran wrote, "Is that a ‘Soft Launch Insta Offical'"

As per PEOPLE, the superstars were also spotted leaving Nobu restaurant in Malibu last month, shortly after dating rumors surfaced again as the year began. In a photo taken outside of the restaurant, they can be seen walking alongside each other. Common walks to the left of Hudson as he holds a black jacket in his hand and wears a white hoodie and tan pants, while she wears a pink-and-purple cozy outfit with sunglasses on her head.

The two came together in Breathe, an action-thriller from Stefon Bristol that also stars Milla Jovovich, Sam Worthington, and Quvenzhané Wallis. The film, announced in May 2022, features Common and Hudson playing husband and wife, while the earth is uninhabitable due to the lack of oxygen. Living underground, Hudson's character Maya and her daughter Zora, played by Wallis, must use an oxygen suit to survive, as a new couple joins their underground bunker, as per Variety. 

After dating rumors arose when Common and Hudson were reportedly spotted together in Philadelphia and then in Chicago in 2022, the Respect actress clarified their outings to Entertainment Tonight in September. "People create their narratives of it and it's like, okay, you know, how you feel," she said when asked about the rumors. "We shot a film together and he played my husband. We gotta eat in between those moments."

While Hudson became the 17th person to earn EGOT status — as an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner — back in June 2022, Common is only one trophy off from earning the status himself.

Before the EGOT winner, Common dated comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish. They began seeing each other in August 2020 before they split in November 2021. A source told PEOPLE at the time, "They are never in the same city together and both of them are just too busy for a serious relationship."

References:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvGTzluxum/

https://people.com/music/common-and-jennifer-hudson-step-out-for-dinner-at-nobu-amid-dating-rumors/

https://variety.com/2022/film/global/jennifer-hudson-milla-jovovich-common-breathe-1235263054/

https://www.etonline.com/jennifer-hudson-shares-what-we-can-expect-from-new-talk-show-addresses-romance-rumors-with-common

Cover Image Source: Instagram | iamjhud