N o w - H o l l y w o o d . b l o g s p o t .c o m

Former talent show contenders Diana DeGarmo, Jon Peter Lewis and Camile Velasco have reached out to the star, offering their support to Hudson in her hour of need.

The trio was included in the talent show's third season final 12 line-up alongside Hudson, who was catapulted to fame after she was eliminated in the show - going on to win an Academy Award for her role in Dreamgirls.

DeGarmo, who finished second that season, couldn't believe Hudson's family had been involved in the horrific incident, insisting they were all well liked.

She tells Access Hollywood, "I was completely shocked and stunned when I heard about this tragedy. I know how important Jennifer's mother and brother were to her.. They were so nice and so pleasant. Jennifer always spoke about her mom, how close they were and how much of a 'big sister' role her mom played in her life."

And former contestant Velasco describes Hudson's mum Darnell Donnerson as a "wonderful" woman.