Queen Latifah supported grieving singer Jennifer Hudson at the American Music Awards on Sunday - in a female-empowered performance with Alicia Keys and opera singer Kathleen Battle.

The singers closed the 36th Annual Amas with a rendition of Keys' hit single Superwoman, and offered words of strength to the Dreamgirls star - who lost her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason and nephew Julian in a tragic killing last month.

The pair were found shot dead at their home in Chicago, Illinois on 24 October, three days before seven-year-old Julian King -son of her sister, Julia - was found dead in an abandoned car.

Latifah took the stage, rapping "Rest in peace Darnell, we'll always remember ya/A job well done with Julia and Jennifer/Take a bright star, let it shine on this mean world/In your time of need, we'll help you follow your dreams, girl."

The main suspect in the case, William Balfour, who was married to the Oscar-winner's sister, is still being quizzed by officers over the slayings.

Balfour lost a bid for freedom on 10 November, after the Illinois Parole Board found "probable cause" for him to remain behind bars until next month.