Jennifer Hudson made an emotional return to the stage last night for the first time since the murders of her mother, brother and nephew.

The oscar-winning actress overcame her grief to sing the star spangled Banner to a crowd of more than 70,000-at the superbowl in the raymond James stadium, Tampa, florida.

Wearing skinny jeans and a militarystyle cropped jacket, Hudson took a deep breath before she began. At the end she clenched her fist by her side and tossed back her head.

The performance by the star of dreamgirls received a standing ovation as she brought tears to the crowd's eyes. show producer rickey Minor said: "This was such an important performance-because it's the first time everyone has seen Jennifer. But she's in such a great place, with such great spirits and time can heal her wounds."

Hudson followed faith Hill, who sang America The Beautiful, to start the game which saw the Pittsburgh steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23. Bruce springsteen performed at half time.

Hudson's mother, darnell donerson, 59, brother Jason, 29, and nephew Julian King, were shot dead last october. William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, Julia, is charged with three counts of murder.