Jennifer Hudson's aides have dismissed reports the grieving star will sing The Star-Spangled Banner at U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.

Rumours suggested the Oscar winner would make her first public appearance following the triple murders of her mother, brother and nephew in October, at Obama's big party later this month, but her rep insists, "There is no truth to this.?

She suggests Hudson became a front-runner to perform simply because she sang the U.S National Anthem the night Obama accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

As it stands, Hudson is still scheduled to make her first public appearance next month when she pays tribute to Neil Diamond at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in Los Angeles - on the eve of the Grammy Awards. She's also expected to attend the Grammys themselves; Hudson was nominated for several Grammys for her self-titled debut album.

Meanwhile, William Balfour - the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, Julia - has been charged with the slayings. He faces three counts of first-degree murder and home invasion charges. He is scheduled to appear in court in the singer/actress' native Chicago, Illinois on 20 January - ironically the same day as Obama's inauguration.