Jennifer Hudson's Family Woes Over Winnie Mandela Role

Jennifer Hudson's role as Nelson Mandela's ex-wife in forthcoming biopic Winnie will be a challenge for her new family - the American star can't bear to leave her baby son behind to film in South Africa.

The Oscar winner is the lead in South African filmmaker Darrell J. Roodt's new movie, documenting her life and marriage to the former South African president.

Hudson admits she's finding it tough to leave little David Jr., her seven month old child with fiance David Otunga, for the first time to pursue "the opportunity of a lifetime" - but she's determined to find balance in her personal and professional lives.

She says, "It's such an honour to play such an amazing character. I just want to be prepared. Yes that (flying back and forth) will happen because I can't see me being away. He's not old enough yet (to fly). That will probably happen because I can't see me being away from my baby at all. But we'll make it work."