The pumpkins and skeletons are just starting to fill the aisles, but Jennifer Hudson is fully in Christmas mode thanks to two big announcements on Wednesday (Sept. 18). The singer and daytime talk show host is teaming up with Hallmark to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their annual “Countdown to Christmas” roll-out of holiday movies and content and the 2024 “Joy To Your World” holiday campaign by teasing the new song “Let There Be Joy.”
In a preview shared with Billboard of the raucous, gospel-tinged holiday anthem, the EGOT performer joyfully wails, “Let there be joy to your world/ Every boy and girl/ Peace on Earth, good will to men/ And may we wall shine our light, make the season bright/ Share a little love again.”
In addition, Hallmark announced that songs from Hudson’s upcoming debut holiday album, The Gift of Love (Oct. 18), will appear across upcoming Hallmark holiday programming. “No one does the holidays quite like my friends at Hallmark, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate the season together with my new song ‘Let There Be Joy,’ as we Countdown to Christmas,” Hudson said in a statement. “Music and movies have always been a favorite holiday tradition for me and my family, so I hope this song can become the same tradition for everyone on Santa’s list this year!”
Hallmark chief brand officer Darren Abbott added, “As we mark 15 incredible years of Countdown to Christmas, we continue to focus on our mission of bringing joy and happiness to the world during the holidays. Partnering with Jennifer Hudson couldn’t be a more perfect fit. The original song ‘Let There Be Joy’ captures the heart and soul of what we aim to share each holiday season — pure, genuine joy. We’re excited to share this magical experience and continue our tradition of making the holidays brighter and more joyful than ever.”
In addition, Hudson announced a limited-engagement holiday tour, The Gift of Love: An Intimate Live Experience, which will launch on Nov. 24 in Brooklyn, followed by shows in her native Chicago (Dec. 13), Los Angeles (Dec. 18) and Las Vegas (Dec. 21-22); tickets for the gigs will go on sale on Friday (Sept. 20) at 10 a.m. local time here.
Hudson’s first holiday album will feature covers of such standards as “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Auld Lang Syne,” along with a number of originals.
Check out Hudson’s tour announcement below.