Jennifer Hudson son David Daniel Otunga Jr. is the only child of the award-winning singer and actress and her former fiancé, David Otunga. Born on August 10, 2009, David is 16 years old in 2026 and has grown from a child occasionally seen alongside his famous mother into a teenager with interests of his own, particularly basketball and music.
Over the years, Hudson has shared selected moments from her son’s life while generally protecting him from excessive attention. By 2025 and 2026, however, David was appearing more often with his mother at public events, on television and in family-related posts. His recent activities have also revealed a growing interest in singing and music production.
Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Daniel Otunga Jr. |
| Known As | David Otunga Jr. / David Jr. / DOJ |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 2009 |
| Age | 16 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Mother | Jennifer Hudson |
| Father | David Otunga |
| Siblings | Only child of Jennifer Hudson |
| Nationality | American |
| School Stage | High-school junior |
| Interests | Basketball and music |
| Music Activities | Singing and exploring music production |
| Notable TV Appearance | Celebrity Family Feud |
Who Is David Otunga Jr.?
David Daniel Otunga Jr. was born into a family already connected to entertainment, sports and law. His mother, Jennifer Hudson, is an Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning singer who became widely known after appearing on American Idol and later starring in Dreamgirls. His father, David Otunga, is a former WWE performer, actor and Harvard Law School graduate.
Despite having two well-known parents, David has largely experienced his childhood away from the constant spotlight. PEOPLE describes Hudson as having kept him largely out of the public eye, although she occasionally shares family moments. In recent years, he has gradually appeared more publicly, giving audiences a better glimpse of his personality and interests.
David Otunga Jr. Age and Birth Details
David Otunga Jr. was born on August 10, 2009, making him 16 years old in 2026. His birth was announced in August 2009, when Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga welcomed their first child, a son named David Daniel Otunga Jr.
His teenage years have brought noticeable changes in his appearance and independence. In 2025, Hudson described her son as having grown so much that people sometimes mistook him for an adult. She also said he was preparing for his junior year of high school, illustrating how quickly he has moved from childhood into his teenage years.
Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga as His Parents
Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga began their relationship in 2007 and became engaged in September 2008. Their son arrived the following year. The couple eventually ended their relationship in November 2017, after nearly a decade together, but David remained the center of their family connection.
Hudson has frequently spoken about the changing experience of parenting a teenager. Rather than treating David like a small child, she has described learning how to support him as he becomes more independent. Her comments show that she places considerable importance on being present while also preparing him for adulthood.
David Otunga Jr.’s Family Background
David comes from a family with strong connections to entertainment and public life on both sides. Through his mother, he is connected to the Hudson family, while his father brings a background in professional wrestling, acting and law. David is Jennifer Hudson’s only child, making his relationship with his mother an especially important part of her family life.
Family traditions also play a meaningful role in David’s upbringing. One memorable example came in 2026 when he surprised Hudson on The Jennifer Hudson Show with a homemade pound cake based on a recipe associated with his late grandmother, Darnell Donerson. Hudson explained that the cake had traditionally been made for special family occasions.
His Childhood and Upbringing
Hudson has described motherhood as something that changes with every stage of a child’s development. As David became a teenager, she began adapting to a different relationship with him, moving beyond the childhood routines of holding his hand and taking him to the park. She has emphasized being there for him as he grows into his own person.
The singer has also made ordinary time with her son part of her routine. In an interview with Real Simple, Hudson discussed taking morning walks with David and enjoying small moments together despite her demanding professional schedule. Those details provide a picture of a mother who values everyday family time alongside her high-profile career.
Education and Teenage Years
David is currently in high school, and by 2025 Hudson said he was heading into his junior year. His teenage years have coincided with a period of increasing independence, with Hudson discussing the need for him to begin taking on more responsibility as he gets older.
In 2025, Hudson also joked that her son was old enough to start earning his own money. Her comments reflected her desire for him to understand the value of work despite growing up with access to opportunities created by his parents. The emphasis was on responsibility and preparing him for adult life.
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David Otunga Jr.’s Interest in Basketball
Basketball is one of David’s strongest interests outside music. Hudson has openly described herself as a “basketball mom” and said she expected to spend time attending his sporting events. His father has also shared basketball-related moments involving David, including photos from his teenage years.
His interest in sports gives him a connection to his father’s athletic background while also creating a family activity that Hudson enjoys supporting. In 2025, she explained that she and David planned to spend time together outdoors, attend basketball games and enjoy concerts during his school break.
His Growing Interest in Music
Music is another major part of David’s life, and this is perhaps the most obvious connection between him and his mother. In 2024, Hudson revealed that her 15-year-old son helped with her Christmas album The Gift of Love, including contributing to the album’s name and offering musical feedback.
His involvement developed further after that. In November 2025, Hudson and David recorded a version of Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.’s “Best Part,” giving audiences a glimpse of his singing ability. In 2026, Hudson also said David had started experimenting with music production and recreating some of her songs, showing that his musical interest extends beyond simply performing.
David Otunga Jr.’s Television and Public Appearances
David has made several public appearances despite his mother’s efforts to give him a relatively private childhood. One notable appearance came on Celebrity Family Feud, where he participated alongside his family. ABC’s official press materials also identify David Otunga Jr. among the participants in the Jennifer Hudson family episode that aired in 2025.
He has also appeared with Hudson at major entertainment events. At the 2025 BET Awards, the mother-and-son pair made a rare joint red-carpet appearance, with David wearing a black suit and silver accessories. Their appearance attracted attention because of how noticeably he had grown since earlier public appearances.
His Physical Appearance and Personal Style
A precise public height for David has not been established in reliable biographical sources, but Hudson has repeatedly emphasized that her teenage son has become “super tall.” She even joked that people sometimes wonder who the tall young man accompanying her is before she explains that he is her son.
His style has also evolved as he has entered his teenage years. At the 2025 BET Awards, he appeared beside Hudson in a polished black suit, complemented by silver jewelry and glasses. Later appearances, including his homecoming photos, showed a teenager becoming increasingly comfortable with his own personal presentation.
David Otunga Jr.’s Social Media Presence
David’s public social-media visibility is closely connected to his parents. Jennifer Hudson has occasionally shared photos and birthday messages featuring him, while his father has also posted family pictures. Hudson publicly celebrated David’s 15th birthday in 2024, and both parents have continued to share selected milestones.
His social-media presence became particularly visible through the public handle @d.o.j10, which Hudson has used when celebrating his birthday. His father has also posted images of David, including basketball and homecoming moments. These posts provide occasional glimpses of his life without turning his entire childhood into public content.
Interesting Facts About David Otunga Jr.
- David was born on August 10, 2009, and turned 16 in August 2025.
- He is Jennifer Hudson’s only child and the son of former WWE star David Otunga.
- Blake Shelton once gave David a pygmy goat named Prancer as a Christmas gift.
- David recorded “Best Part” with his mother in 2025 and has explored music production.
- In 2026, he surprised Jennifer Hudson with a homemade pound cake based on a family recipe.
Conclusion
David Daniel Otunga Jr. has grown up surrounded by remarkable talent, but his story is increasingly becoming his own. At 16, he is balancing high school with interests in basketball, singing and music production, while gradually appearing more publicly alongside his mother and father.
His relationship with Jennifer Hudson remains one of the most recognizable parts of his public story. From helping with The Gift of Love to recording music with her and continuing family traditions such as making his grandmother’s pound cake, David has developed into a young person with strong family ties and creative interests of his own.
FAQs
Who is Jennifer Hudson’s son?
Jennifer Hudson’s son is David Daniel Otunga Jr., her only child with former fiancé and former WWE star David Otunga.
How old is David Otunga Jr.?
David Otunga Jr. was born August 10, 2009, making him 16 years old in 2026.
Who is David Otunga Jr.’s father?
His father is David Otunga, a former WWE performer, actor and Harvard Law School graduate who was engaged to Jennifer Hudson.
Does David Otunga Jr. like music?
Yes. David enjoys music and singing, helped with Hudson’s holiday album and has begun exploring music production.
Does Jennifer Hudson have more than one child?
Jennifer Hudson has one child, her son David Daniel Otunga Jr., whom she shares with David Otunga.
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