Jennifer Hudson Excited About Grammy Nominations

Jennifer Hudson received four Grammy nominations for her debut album and she feels "honored" to be in the same company as her peers.

E! reports that Hudson, whose family tragedy was in the headlines for weeks as she broke into the music world, released a statement via her record company, Arista, about her happiness in being nominated.

"It's been a childhood dream of mine to release an album, so to receive four Grammy nominations is truly a blessing," Hudson, 27, said.

She added, "I'm extremely honored and humbled by the nominations."

Her self-titled debut album is up for R&B Album of the Year. The lead single, "Spotlight," is in the Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance categories.

Hudson is also nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals with fellow season three American Idol cast mate Fantasia, for the song, "I'm His Only Woman."