'Jennifer's actions are solely taken in the best interest of their son,' a Jennifer rep shares, referring to the former couple's 8-year-old son, David Daniel Otunga Jr.
- Nov 17, 2017
AceShowbiz - Jennifer Hudson and fiance David Otunga have called it quits after ten years. A representative for the singer tells PEOPLE, "They have been in the process of ending their relationship for a number of months."
The rep further reveals that the "The Voice" coach "requested and received a protective order against" the former pro wrestler. "Jennifer's actions are solely taken in the best interest of their son," the rep adds, referring to the former couple's 8-year-old son, David Daniel Otunga Jr.
The protective order may be related to Jennifer's family tragedy back in 2008. Her sister's estranged husband, William Balfour, shot Jennifer's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother Jason Hudson to death in a Chicago home. Jennifer's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was also found dead in the backseat of a car with his body being discovered several days later. William was convicted of the three murders in 2012.
David's attorney, Tracy Rizzo, speaks to TMZ that "David Otunga has been trying to negotiate the terms of an amicable parenting agreement with Ms. Hudson for several weeks now." The attorney adds, "However, when it became apparent to Ms. Hudson that Mr. Otunga would be the parent granted residential care of the child, as a result of Mr. Otunga being the child's primary caregiver while Ms. Hudson pursues her career all over the world, Ms. Hudson decided to file a meritless Petition for Order of Protection in an effort to gain an unfair advantage in the custody dispute."
Rizzo continues, "As a result of Mr. Otunga's career in the WWE, Ms. Hudson felt that she could give an award winning performance in court to portray herself as the victim. Mr. Otunga has never abused or harassed Ms. Hudson or their son."
The split seemingly explains why the 36-year-old singer is allegedly over sensitive when it comes to her private life on "The Voice" set. It was previously reported that Jennifer got into a spat with fellow coach Miley Cyrus after the "Malibu" singer joked about Jennifer still not being married even after a 9-year engagement.
Jennifer reportedly "looked Miley right in the eye and told her to never mention her private life again." A source also told Life & Style that Jennifer warned Miley not to "even say David's name."
37-year-old David proposed to the Oscar winner in September 2008, only a year after they started dating. The pair welcomed their only son in August 2009. Jennifer previously told Ellen DeGeneres that she and David were not in a hurry to get married. "I'm not in a hurry. He's not going anywhere," she said. Meanwhile, David once told Oprah Winfrey that he and Jennifer wanted to have more kids. "That is the next part of my dream and goal," he shared at the time.
