Jennifer Hudson connects with 'Voice' contestant over family loss

Jennifer Hudson rarely discusses the shocking, unthinkable tragedy that struck her family 10 years ago, on Oct. 24, 2008, when her mother, brother, and nephew were murdered by her sister’s estranged husband. ("It's frustrating as hell to me to have somebody who ain't lost nothing try to talk to me about it," she told Glamour magazine in 2015. "I want to say, 'Don't even bother, because you know nothing.'”) And one of her Voice contestants this season, SandyRedd, has a been a standout for her fiery, Tina Turner-esque rock ‘n’ soul numbers -- but she hasn’t shown much vulnerability. However, on Monday’s top 13 night, when SandyRedd dedicated Boyz II Men’s "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" to her mother, who died of a sudden and aggressive form of cancer, SandyRedd’s “Chicago sister” Jennifer could relate. What ensued was a raw, genuine moment, during which both women truly opened up. “My entire career is centered around making sure my mother's legacy is felt and to remember her always. This speaks volumes about how much I miss her,” explained SandyRedd, to which Jennifer replied. “I definitely understand. …There's not too many people I would sit and have a conversation with about the loss of my mother, because they can't relate. I can have that conversation with you, because I know you know.”

SandyRedd, trading in her trademark leather and thigh-high boots for a Grammy-worthy column gown, delivered a stately and uncharacteristically subdued rendition of the five-hanky ballad, during which both she and her coach fought back tears. SandyRedd was actually bawling by the end, although, to her credit, she didn’t let her sobs compromise her vocals, which had been Jennifer’s concern during rehearsal. “[That performance] took us to the depth of your hurt. That was a powerful thing,” said a clearly moved Jennifer.