Update!

Jennifer Hudson Had a "Major" Reason for Bailing on Michael Jackson Tribute

Singer pulls out of Michael Jackson tribute concert claiming organizers didn't have their act together

By Josh Grossberg Oct 10, 2011 5:30 PMTags
Jennifer HudsonDemis Maryannakis, PacificCoastNews.com

And Jennifer Hudson was telling you she was not going...but not everyone got the message.

The hitmaker claimed "major production issues" were the reason she was unable to appear at Saturday's Michael Jackson Forever tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales, letting down some fans in the U.K. who had hoped to hear her celebrate the late King of Pop's life.

So what's the story?

MORE: So True? So False? Did the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert Just Get Canceled?

Hudson took to Twitter Saturday before the event and told her followers that she wouldn't be participating in the show after learning that producers had failed to put out the word themselves.

"To my uk fans that were coming to the mj show in wales. I will no longer be attentding due to major production issues," the Grammy and Oscar winner tweeted, before adding, "I would have thought they would have informed you all by now, so since they did not , I am. Thank u for your support."

Per the Chicago Sun-Times, Hudson's camp claimed organizers did not give the singer-actress enough time to rehearse the number she was expected to perform, although other entertainers on the bill such as Christina Aguilera, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis and Cee Lo Green had the same amount of prep time.

However a source close to organizers told the paper "there was something else going on" besides production issues that prompted the absence.

The tribute was emceed by Jamie Foxx and featured Beyoncé via video, Smokey Robinson, LaToya Jackson, three members of the Jackson Five (Tito, Marlon and Jackie) and Michael's three children. The event was not a sellout at Millennium Stadium. Approximately forty thousand fans turned out, which left the upper decks empty though the event was still considered a success.

It wasn't without controversy, however.

The concert divided members of the Jackson clan with Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson opting out because it was being held at the same time as the manslaughter trial of Jackson's embattled doctor, Conrad Murray, who's charged in their brother's death.

In any case, Hudson's last-minute cancellation angered producers who are reportedly demanding she return her six-figure paycheck.

No word whether she intends to do so.

Hudson wasn't the only act to bail out. The Black Eyed Peas pulled out last week citing "unavoidable circumstances," though they didn't elaborate.

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Update Oct 12. 2011: Hudson's publicist denying reports that the singer took money despite not participating, noting that she did not receive the materials she needed in time to prepare for the performance and didn't expect to be paid.

"In the last few days, it has been written that our client, Jennifer Hudson, has been paid by the producers of the ‘Michael Forever' event for a performance that she did not give.  Ms. Hudson has not received any amounts in connection with the ‘Michael Forever' event," Hudson's rep, Lisa Kasteller, told E! News.