Actress and Singer Jennifer Hudson won big at the Image Awards on Thursday night, much to her delight.  This could not have come at a better time, given the murders of her mother, brother and nephew, recently.
Meanwhile, amidst allegations of domestic abuse by Chris Brown on girlfriend Rihanna, everyone was watching to see if either would be a winner.
Neither won as Beyonce beat out the Barbadian-born singer for the female artist award while Jamie Foxx won over Brown in the male artist category. Jennifer Hudson was the recipient of the best new artist award, outstanding duo, group or collaboration for `I’m His Only Woman` with Fantasia and album for `Jennifer Hudson.`
Both Rihanna and Brown continued their `hide out,` skipping the ceremony as they did the Grammy`s on Sunday.
Meanwhile, other Image Awards winners were Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, who won supporting actress for `The Curious Case of Benjamin Button` and Columbus Short earned supporting actor honors for `Cadillac Records.` Jenny Lumet earned the award for writing in a motion picture.
`The Secret Life of Bees` won outstanding film of 2008 at the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards Thursday evening. The female-driven drama also won outstanding director for Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Will Smith and Rosario Dawson were named outstanding actor and actress for `Seven Pounds.`
`Slumdog Millionaire` won for independent motion picture and France’s `The Class` was named outstanding foreign motion picture. while `Tyler Perry’s House of Payne` received four honors including outstanding comedy series, actor for LeVan Davis, supporting actor for Lance Gross and supporting actress for Keshia Knight Pulliam.
Tracee Ellis Ross won for outstanding actress for the sitcom `Girlfriends` while `A Raisin in the Sun` took home three Image Awards for outstanding television movie, mini-series and dramatic special, actress for Phylicia Rashad and actor for Sean `Diddy` Combs.
Source: CaribWorldNews.com
