David, 16, moved his mother to tears by calling upon one of their beloved family traditions.

Jennifer Hudson cries after her son surprises her with moving Mother’s Day gift on talk show: ‘Y’all got me again’

David, 16, moved his mother to tears by calling upon one of their beloved family traditions.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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May 7, 2026 4:22 p.m. ET

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Jennifer Hudson and son David. Credit:

Jennifer Hudson Show/YouTube

- Jennifer Hudson's teenage son made a surprise visit to her talk show for a special Mother's Day surprise.

- David, 16, moved his mom to tears by using her own mother's recipe to recreate a beloved family tradition.

- The Grammy winner shares David with her ex-fiancé, WWE star David Otunga.

You can't have a proper Mother's Day surprise without a few tears.

Jennifer Hudson learned this lesson live on air, in the middle of Thursday's broadcast of *The Jennifer Hudson Show*, where she received a special treat from her producers: a visit from her 16-year-old son, David.

Hudson was obliviously sitting back in her chair when the stage doors parted to reveal her teenage son, bearing a cake and a big smile. As he approached, Hudson gasped in shock and immediately got visibly emotional, standing to greet him with a hug.

"David!" Hudson said, clutching her heart after giving him a big hug. While the Grammy winner appeared overcome with emotion, a member of her crew ran out to hand David a bouquet of flowers, which he promptly held up for his mother.

She immediately pulled him in for another hug, declaring, "Y'all, this is my baby."

Jennifer Hudson hugs son David on 'The Jennifer Hudson Show'.

Jennifer Hudson Show/YouTube

As the audience applauded, Hudson's face was wet with tears. Looking to her producers, the host admitted, "Y'all got me again!"

David then explained the kicker to his big surprise, pointing to the cake.

"This is your mom's special recipe, so I made it for Mother's Day," he told her. "I know it's special to you. I love you."

"Thank you! Give me a hug," Hudson said, pulling him in again. "He said he was coming here today, and I'm like, 'David ain't got here.' And then to hear you come out here, you done baked the cake…"

She then told the audience, "My mother always made this pound cake — our family tradition. So for Mother's Day, birthdays, all special occasions, he always makes it for me. Thank you, baby."

Hudson shares her son with ex-fiancé and WWE star David Otunga Sr. The couple were together for 10 years, including a nine-year engagement that came to an end in 2017. They welcomed David in 2009 and, these days, are still getting used to the idea that he's no longer their baby boy.

In 2024, Hudson told *Essence* all about her shock at discovering that her then-15-year-old son now towers over her. "He went to sleep in the room, took a nap with his mohawk, and when I tell you he came out, had a whole new nose, and shot up," she joked. "I was like, 'Where did my child go? Who is this?' That’s how quickly it happens."

She added, "Each phase of raising a kid is different from the last. So, it’s like, *Okay, how do you need me now? How do I parent you now with where you are right now?* So, we’re finding a new norm, and I’m preparing him for what’s to come.”

Jennifer Hudson and son David Daniel Otunga Jr. in February 2026.

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

The *Dreamgirls* alum has recently been romantically linked to rapper and actor Common. Earlier this year, she told PEOPLE that her partner and son are a big source of inspiration for her artistry, as musical artists themselves.

"My voice is a tree of many branches. I am a music lover, as well as a singer [and] artist, so it's going to display all of that, right?" she said in March. "My son is also a producer, and he's been recreating some of my songs, so I'm inspired by that."

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She added, "And then of course, the man Common, being around them both, they are so musical. It's inspired me in so many unique ways. So that's bringing out my artistry."

Watch Hudson react to her sweet Mother's Day surprise above.

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