If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or catching clips of The Jennifer Hudson Show lately, you’ve probably noticed that look. You know the one. It’s that slightly shy, perma-grin Jennifer gets whenever a certain Chicago rapper’s name comes up. People have been asking who is dating Common for what feels like an eternity, mostly because the man has one of the most high-profile dating resumes in Hollywood history. But the mystery is pretty much solved now.
It’s Jennifer Hudson.
They’re together. It’s official, even if they took the longest, most scenic route possible to admit it to the public. For months, it was all "we’re just friends" and "he’s a beautiful man," but the breadcrumbs were everywhere. From courtside NBA seats to quiet dinners in Malibu, the evidence piled up until they finally just stopped pretending.
The Slow Burn: How Common and Jennifer Hudson Actually Started
Common—born Rashid Hameed Sabir Jr.—is basically the poet laureate of hip-hop. He’s smooth. He’s thoughtful. And he’s had a very public track record with women like Erykah Badu, Serena Williams, and Tiffany Haddish. So, when rumors started swirling that he was seeing JHud, fans were naturally a bit skeptical. Was it just a press stunt for a project?
They actually met on the set of the action-thriller Breathe. Working long hours on a film set has a way of fast-tracking intimacy. You’re in the trenches together. By early 2022, folks in Philadelphia started spotting them grabbing steaks and looking way too cozy for "just co-stars."
Jennifer is notoriously private. After her very public and painful split from David Otunga, she hasn't been one to flaunt her romantic life. She’s a mother first. She’s an EGOT winner. She doesn't have time for games. That’s why this pairing feels different. It’s not a flashy red-carpet debut; it’s a "we’re grown-ups who enjoy each other’s company" vibe.
That Viral Interview Moment
The real "gotcha" moment happened on Jennifer’s own talk show. Common came on as a guest in early 2024. The chemistry was so thick you could have cut it with a butter knife. She asked him—with a huge smirk on her face—if he was seeing anyone.
He didn't stutter.
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Common went on this long, poetic tangent about dating one of the most beautiful, talented, and "EGOT-winning" women in the world. He didn't say her name, but come on. There aren't exactly dozens of EGOT winners walking around who also happen to be hosting the show he was sitting on. It was a classic Common move: romantic, slightly indirect, but totally clear.
Why This Relationship Is Different for Common
If you look at Common’s history, he’s often been the one to walk away or struggle with commitment. He’s been very open about this in his memoir, Let Love Have Its Last Word. He’s talked about therapy. He’s talked about how his childhood shaped his view of relationships.
In the past, he was dating "it" girls and superstars at the height of their fame. With Jennifer, there’s a shared Chicago roots thing. They both come from the same soil. There’s an unspoken understanding of where they came from that you just can't manufacture.
- They share a deep religious faith that seems to ground them.
- Both are heavily involved in activism and community work in Chicago.
- They are both at points in their careers where they have nothing left to prove.
Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing. In an era of PR-managed "hard launches" on Instagram, seeing two icons just show up at a Bulls game and hold hands without a 20-slide gallery is cool.
Addressing the Tiffany Haddish "Overlap" Rumors
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Before Jennifer, there was Tiffany Haddish. Their breakup was... messy. Or at least, the aftermath was. Tiffany has been pretty vocal about the fact that the split wasn't exactly mutual or easy.
When people ask who is dating Common, they often bring up the "Common Curse"—a social media joke that he stays with women for exactly two years before moving on. Critics pointed out that he started seeing Jennifer not long after things ended with Tiffany.
But timing is a funny thing. Relationships end, and sometimes the next person has been standing right there all along. There hasn’t been any concrete evidence of an overlap, just the usual Hollywood fast-turnaround. Jennifer and Common seem to be moving at a much more deliberate pace, which might be the key to breaking that "two-year" cycle people keep talking about.
What the Experts Say About Their Compatibility
Relationship experts often point to "shared values" as the biggest predictor of long-term success. If you look at Jennifer and Common, their "Brand" is remarkably similar. They are both seen as "classy" and "inspirational."
Dr. Wendy Walsh, a psychologist who often comments on celebrity dynamics, notes that "couples who find each other later in life, especially after having children or major public breakups, often prioritize peace over passion." Not that there isn't passion—did you see the way he looked at her on her show?—but it's a stabilized version of it.
They are both 40+ years old. They aren't looking for a club partner. They are looking for a life partner.
The Career Synergy
It’s not just about love; it’s about power. Jennifer is a mogul. Her talk show is a massive hit. Common is a multi-hyphenate with an Oscar and a bunch of Grammys. Together, they are a Chicago power couple that rivals anyone in the industry.
When they appear together, they aren't just "dating"; they are reinforcing each other's status. It’s smart. It’s clean. And it makes sense for both of their public images.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Rumors of an engagement have been flying for months. Jennifer was spotted wearing a ring that looked suspiciously like an engagement rock, but she’s been quick to shut down those rumors—or at least deflect them.
"I'm happy," is her go-to line.
Common is equally vague but clearly smitten. In a recent interview on The Today Show, he admitted that he has finally reached a place where he sees marriage as a real possibility. For a man who has famously avoided the altar while dating some of the most eligible women in the world, that’s a huge admission.
They aren't rushing. They are both parents (Common has a grown daughter, Jennifer has a teenage son). Blending families is a whole different ballgame than just dating. It takes time. It takes work.
Next Steps for Following This Story
If you're looking to keep up with the latest on who is dating Common, don't look for a formal press release. That’s not how they roll. Instead, do this:
- Watch the Courtside Seats: They are regulars at NBA games, especially when the Bulls are in town. This is where they are most "themselves."
- Monitor 'The Jennifer Hudson Show': He will likely return as a guest once a season. Pay attention to the intro segments—she often drops "we" or "us" references when talking about her weekend.
- Check Chicago Charity Events: Both are frequent flyers at South Side community events. They often attend these without the fanfare of a Hollywood carpet, showing their real-world connection.
Ultimately, this isn't just another celebrity fling. It’s a grounded, mid-life romance between two people who have survived the meat grinder of fame and found something real in each other. Whether they get married or just continue being Hollywood’s most low-key power couple, they’ve already won by doing it on their own terms.