Jennifer Hudson to speak on family tragedy

A year and a half after the shocking murders of three of her family members, Jennifer Hudson is finally speaking out about the killings in tonight’s episode of VH1’s "Behind the Music."

The show marks the first time the “American Idol” alum has talked at length about the 2008 tragedy, in which Hudson’s brother-in-law, William Balfour, gunned down her mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, her older brother Jason, 29, and 7-year-old nephew Julian King.

The Oscar-winning Chicago native initially acknowledged the life-changing event one month after the slayings, writing on her MySpace page in November 2008, “I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. My sister and I take great comfort and strength from your love and concern.”

At the 2009 Grammys, where Hudson nabbed an award for Best R&B album, she thanked “my family in heaven, and those who are here today.”

Tonight’s show will explore Hudson’s pain and how she moved past it to find happiness with fiancé David Otunga and their son, David Jr., and a starring role in the upcoming Winnie Mandela biopic, “Winnie.”