Hudson OKs Gap ads and thanks her fans

The Gap considered removing portraits of Jennifer Hudson from its new holiday celebrity ads after her recent tragedy but decided to keep the images after the star said she wanted to go ahead with the campaign. Hudson's photos were taken in July in advance of what was expected to be a busy winter for her. She released her debut CD and was featured in the film "The Secret Life of Bees" in October. However, on Oct. 24, the bodies of her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, 29-year-old Jason Hudson, were found in the family's Chicago home. The body of her 7-year-old nephew Julian King - the son of Hudson's sister Julia - was discovered three days later in a car. William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, has been questioned in connection with the killings. In her first statement since the deaths, Hudson, 27, thanked fans. "I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," she said on her MySpace page Thursday. "My sister and I take great comfort and strength from your love and concern." (AP)