After dropping out of the public eye following her family murder tragedy, Jennifer Hudson now has the strength and the will to give three high-profile performances next month.

"So much has happened, but she's ready," the source says. "It's a new year, she's excited about performing again. She knew it was time."

Hudson, 27, will deliver the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, then sing at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala Feb. 6 and at the Grammys two days later.

The performances will be the first since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in the fall. Her estranged brother-in-law has pleaded innocent to the killings.

The source close to the Grammy-nominated Hudson says "there wasn't really a moment" that she decided to perform again, but, that "fans can expect the Jennifer they've come to love. She just really loves to perform; it's who she is, it's what she does."

The source adds: "I just admire her strength. Not many people could go through all that's happened and shown the strength she has."