The reason why this is one of the best performances on stage isn’t because of how well she sang (which she did), but how she FELT this song. She didn’t care to sound “pretty” or perfect while singing. She put her emotion of what the character was feeling in this moment and made it be felt by the audience even more. She’s a beautiful singer, but she’s also a beautiful actress and this performance proves it. 👏🏻🙌🏻

@nateburch4977

5 жыл бұрын

Julia C. I agree wholeheartedly!!! Because of the artistry she delivered is why Jennifer Hudson’s performance will never come close to this! Hudson did well, but Holliday truly put her heart into this every night for, like, two years! The way she delivered the pain in the song will always move me and I believe that’s why she still has a following today! She knows how to express with freedom and vulnerability!!! But, she can also SAAANNNGGG!

@pbyates12

5 жыл бұрын

Exactly

@lois1677

5 жыл бұрын

Her acting while singing was very precise on how the song must sang. She showed a precise hurt on every line of the song. I felt Effie's pain I cried.

@chrissygram

5 жыл бұрын

well i mean though you also have to take in account this is a musical and you kinda have to sing good and with the balance of acting and dancing. there is ways to sing this sound without bad technique and overacting that causes strain.

@SO-jc9bp

4 жыл бұрын

Yes good lord. Everytime I cry because I can't feel her pain even through a screen. Imagine it live. I would've had a heart attack and wept.

She won the Tony Award for this performance, and deserved every bit of it!

@spreadmorelove5235

Жыл бұрын

And a Grammy for her recorded version and I agree, she has to hold the record for the most stunning and amazing live and recorded version of a song.

@user-yr4uo4vf4b

7 ай бұрын

Yeah that may be true but she can't sing her own song better than Jennifer Hudson but she is good ❤❤!!!

My dad was lucky enough to see her in this when he was 23. He said that even the rich elderly white patrons took leave of their normal etiquette and were standing up and cheering in the middle of the song.

@thechristianteen9167

4 жыл бұрын

Wow

@tiathompson7660

3 жыл бұрын

@Diamond Tribe this the one 😩😩

I saw Jennifer Holiday perform this role THREE times on Broadway, then went back three times to see three different singers perform "Effie" after she'd left the Broadway run, and NOBODY could sing this song like this woman. Vocal Technique--BEYOND. Passion--UNMATCHED. She OWNS this song and still does.

@blessedandfavored9242

Жыл бұрын

Who were the other singers?

She sang this song as if she was about to die. It was her last stand and repentance. Oh wow! Amazing

I never believed in aliens...but Jennifer is not human in this video. That kind of talent is other worldly.

@leonimcleod6574

7 жыл бұрын

TWeathers73. Yes it is right!!!!

@cathylaclair4068

6 жыл бұрын

she is better

@mamatwerk1498

6 жыл бұрын

TWeathers78

@rubenoliver5686

6 жыл бұрын

Truth!

@nguessanyaoisidore1555

6 жыл бұрын

She is extremely amazing

loretta devine lookin good af

@tempodopop5571

5 жыл бұрын

Jennifer Holliday

@alextirrellRI

5 жыл бұрын

@@tempodopop5571 Loretta Devine is featured at 1:31. She plays Lorrell.

@dasiahale7518

5 жыл бұрын

I almost didn’t recognize her

@introvertedangel8524

4 жыл бұрын

@@alextirrellRI I didn't notice it.

@africanqueents7606

4 жыл бұрын

Leretta devine lord yess

it was meant for Jennifer Hudson to play effie in dreamgirls. Jennifer holiday......Jennifer hudson.....same initials......had to take 30 years for another powerhouse voice to be born.

@latasha8526

4 жыл бұрын

Ordained indeed...not only because of their initials but their journies as well...both having the same experiences.

@serggg5247

3 жыл бұрын

Imma name my child Jennifer! HAHAH

@johnlyndsay

Жыл бұрын

Hudson did’t come anywhere close to Jennifer Hollidays legendary performance…NO WHERE CLOSE.

@makaylahswain8517

Жыл бұрын

@@johnlyndsay cap what girl first acting job and killed it with so much emotion

@BeachBear64

10 ай бұрын

@@makaylahswain8517indeed. However the original always beats other versions

Literally had "the STANK face" the entire she was singing 😩😩🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 my gawddddddd

@chatwithchante

6 жыл бұрын

LaKeya Morrris and real music lovers know exactly what you mean by the STANKKKK Face 😭😭

I dunno how she did this several times per week on Broadway. After watching this I wanna pass out.

@clarinamascarenhas7499

3 жыл бұрын

Good vocal training

I'm not lying, I had tears in my eyes. This woman's voice is touched by God. No singer's voice has ever brought me to tears.

@Tawni66

2 жыл бұрын

same

@muthaafrika6137

3 ай бұрын

What about Whitney Houston Aretha Franklin Tina Turner

40 years later, and this performance STILL gives me chills! Just the most powerful performance I have ever seen onstage!

She sung with her SOUL. Her emotion and pain in her voice is what makes the performance. PERIODT. 🤷🏼‍♀️ She has the best version in my opinion. I love how her facial features speak louder than the words she’s singing. You can tell that she’s heartbroken. 😩❤️

Damn Loretta!!! I see you back then.

@ztramsey93

7 жыл бұрын

laffytaffyatl killa RIGHT!!!!!

@ptrocks99

7 жыл бұрын

i knew her from greys anatomy then i saw this n i was shook

@helenharbison8997

6 жыл бұрын

l

@scratchnandsurvivn

6 жыл бұрын

laffytaffyatl killa Gorgeous!!! And her voice.. Booming!!

@lovelee1772

6 жыл бұрын

She was stunning! And has such a sweet voice.

Imagine, she did this basically every day for a few years!

You can't beat a live performance! I was 7 year old, and I remember watching this with my mom. I fell out on the floor crying because I empathize for Effie. Nothing has changed since then, every time I watch this original, I get emotional. JHUD did a fabulous job recreating Effie, but for me, Live Theater will always outweigh the special affects of film. Film only makes it available for All to experience. Ms. Holliday, you are outstanding!

@leonimcleod6574

7 жыл бұрын

RaphaelLouis Jones. Well said.

@may8043

7 жыл бұрын

My sister took me to see the original cast on Broadway, because her camp group had an extra ticket. I was so lucky! I was a kid and didn't even really understand love yet. When Jennifer sang this song there was not a dry eye in the place. It's like the audience felt what she felt. Jennifer Hudson has a great voice, but the emotion Jennifer Holliday conveyed was priceless.

@leaiplussize

7 жыл бұрын

the same experience for me to, I was young when I saw it, and when she sang that song, I was moved to tears, and to this day I never forgot and I still feel it now. now one will top her with that performance.

@elainedorsey7531

7 жыл бұрын

Mayra Forrest me to I still have the program I met her. It was a great show

@scratchnandsurvivn

6 жыл бұрын

RaphaelLouis Jones I saw Dreamgirls on Broadway when i was about 10.. I recently meet Sheryl Lee. Ralph at DragCon and I told her how much seeing Dreamgirls as a young girl touched me heart. I see I am not the only one!! We were some lucky kids!!

Wow! Classic! And look at Loretta Devine! She was so young and slim back then!

Jennifer Holiday's performance was UNBELIEVABLE!

SHE WENT AWF! THAT WAS FREAKING AMAZING. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

I can't stop crying, there's just so much emotion in this performance. Jennifer Holliday is amazing 😭

Jennifer Holiday, no one will ever touch those notes. Truly a legend.

Great Sound. I was actually THERE in the theater during this taping. VERY close to what it really sounded like; except it was 10x louder. But the Stereo really gives it life.

@RyanFranklinWilliams

6 жыл бұрын

John Roman jealous!!! ❤️❤️

@briafx

Жыл бұрын

This was actually the tony awards

Jennifer Holiday owned not only this song but the Dreamgirls play back in the day. A thunderous standing ovation every performance.

OMG - is that one of my all-time favorite actresses, Loretta Devine?!?

@mariemartin1049

5 жыл бұрын

demitris baker it’s Jennifer Holliday!!!

@polygonDust

5 жыл бұрын

Marie Martin Loretta Devine plays Lorrell.

Loretta Devine’s voice has so much power in her notes!

ICONIC PERFORMANCE! Nothing on Broadway has come close to this performance since.

Sweet Jesus. I've never heard her sing. My insides were shaking.

When she's saying "stay and hold me" around 5:30, that must hurt his ears having such a powerful voice straight into his ear 😂😂

@miszsaii24

5 жыл бұрын

That’s my favorite part

@shoneayers310

5 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂

There isn't a single Effie in Dreamgirls' history that didn't use Jennifer Holliday's recipe. Jennifer Holliday gave a gift to Broadway and the world that resulted in a once in a lifetime character. Never replicated, only some close in performing an impersonation.

Watching Jennifer Holliday perform this number is like being in a musical theatre 'Master Class'. Absolutely Incredible performance! NO ONE compares to this. NO ONE.

@8r3n69

4 жыл бұрын

This is legendary.

A writer writes lyrics, a composer writes notes, but it's the singer who 'creates' the song.

@miki28miss

6 жыл бұрын

sportynlife give life to the song* they all create it in their way

*MANY* renditions have been performed and plenty were fantastic in their own right BUT nobody, I say nobody can bring it like Ms. Jennifer Holliday - *PERIODT!*

@joyce101

Жыл бұрын

That's an AMEN!!!!

@sylviacollins652

Ай бұрын

Just like Whitney Houston singing the national anthem...BOTH of these performances should be left alone 'cause NO ONE will EVER, EVER, EVER TOP THEM. Folk should just STOP tryin'!!😅

Good God Almighty. Words can't describe this performance. Theater is a medium that is unparalleled. I can only imagine the emotions if you able to see this during the original Broadway run. I watched this clip live on the Tonys as a 15 year old. I cried then I cry every time I see this. Jennifer Holiday. BOW DOWN.

She was amazing. How she never became a household name is beyond me. Never have I seen anything as incredible as this. I am in disbelief that she doesn't get the respect she deserves.

@joyce101

Жыл бұрын

It's a darn SHAME!!!

The transition in the end was great. Showed how the Dreamgirls without Effie is about to get successful while Effie was still left in pain behind them until the curtains are down.

I'm 31 years old, and very much a Jennifer Hudson fan in general. But BABY, Ms. Hudson can't shake a stick at Ms Jennifer Holliday! There would be no iconic Effie White without her. Without Holliday's voice and conviction, those are just notes and rhythms on a paper.

@caitebon2

4 ай бұрын

I believe Jhud is aware of that too. No pretending

She torn that song up!!!!!!

OH MY GOSH.. That was WAS A JAW DROPPING PERFOMANCE😩😩😩😩

You will never see talent like this again :(

@soaribb32

6 жыл бұрын

markie polo In big stages maybe no but they're everywhere.

@BallintheJack1

6 жыл бұрын

She's still alive.....

@davis8326

5 жыл бұрын

markie polo yes you will, just because we don’t have her on the stage anymore, that doesn’t mean people with talent are just simply gone

They don’t make singers like that no more. So much passion and skill. She has an amazing gift.

With this solo Jennifer Holiday OWNS Broadway and the whole World of Musicals. Incredible !!!

I love how Loretta is in the remake too 💓

Omg live performance..and then back then they didn't have all the equipment to make her sound good like today.. so for her to sound that good that's great talent

Saw her performance of this live when I was a child. Every time I've heard this song sung by others, it's always an attempt to capture a spark of Jennifer Holiday, but no one ever will! LOVE LOVE LOVE you, legendary Miss Jennifer.

Omg QUEEN, why is she such a QUEEEEEEEN !!!!!! Unbelievably genius! I’m crying and shaking and smiling and feeling a lot of different emotions at the same time!!! She sang impeccably also felt it and played it! Amazing !!! Thank you God for Jen Holliday! Her talent is a rare holiday among mediocre “workday” singers lol

@igotyourback9175

4 жыл бұрын

My mother saw this when it first came out on broadway. She said that as good as this is, you had to be there live. She said her voice seared your soul and literally shook and vibrated the whole theater! She talked about how people were screaming, cheering, fainting, crying and shouting in the aisles! She said she has never seen anything like it then and still to this day.

We should all be thanking Jennifer for the opportunity to see that performance in our lives!

EFFIE, WE ALL GOT PAIN!

I happened to be watching the award show when this came on. I was totally transfixed and blown away by the song and Jennifer's performance. I have since seen Dreamgirls in London and NO-ONE does it like this talented performer!! She is quite simply THE BEST!!!

j holliday's tone is scary.

This was one of the most amazing theatrical events of my life. I saw this the Thursday after the Tony awards. This song is part of the show it has to be seen what leads up to it for the full impact of it and Jennifer Holliday was a phenomena. 4 standing ovation’s before the number was even over!

Thank you so much for posting this. For years, the only copy of this performance was a grainy , recorded-off TV version. This one is of much better quality. Why do I care? Because to me, this is the single greatest performance I've ever witnessed: stage, screen, or any other.

Seen video 50+X. This is powerful. Still can't imagine 2x daily, 6 days a week.? Incredible.

the emotion in this song overpowers how well she actually sang. shes such a threat in singing an acting. a true artist

Jennifer is so amazing. 😀😀😀 The power and force in her voice was mesmerizing. Such a gifted and talented singer.

lol I Love how she even owns the HA-HA/UH UH after IM NOT WAKIN UP TOMORROW MORNIN! lol

I am sooo regret not seeing this live on Broadway. I just watched this segment and it gave me chills watching Jennifer Holiday's performance. She is pure, raw talent. Not only did she own the stage and song but she captivated the entire audience. She should really return to the stage. Someone should write a play just for her...amazing talent from God.

@franciscoavila36

7 жыл бұрын

james williams She did just recently get done playing the role of Shug Avery in the Revival of The Color Purple on Broadway.

I wish I could of seen this on stage live!

@dancinonasmoothedge

6 жыл бұрын

Cheesey Chickens me too damn

The thing that’s sad is no one understood when she covered her stomach saying “she got pain” that she was pregnant. Nowadays that’s the first thing anyone says “oh you’re pregnant?” But the poor kid grew up with no father because they all betrayed her. 😭

Nobody will ever be able to match the vocal talent or the raw emotion J Holliday put into this song

I listen every day and every morning soon as I wake up... Mrs Holiday I love you so much for this performance... Mrs Hudson did great but can't compare to originality... Great great great... that voice is the voice of today ...fuc sound equipment u didn't need that back then like some need today....

@jefferyevans6131

6 жыл бұрын

👍👍👍👍

@caitebon2

4 ай бұрын

Me too! I listen to this every day. To m it's a spiritual experience

Goosebumps all over after watching this!!!

Ladies & Gentlemen That's how you BLOW THE ROOF OFF THE JOINT

Man and Jennifer gave me chill bumps....she killed it!

This Jennifer Holliday - just so amazing! Has anyone ever experienced such a wonderful, dynamic, heart-wrenching performance? Oh, to have been in that live audience! Truly, one of the greatest live performances ever....

she killed it like wowwwwwww

1981? Dam I was 22 back then! I saw this Tony Award Show and I was like dam! She looks crazy but heck? I'm 66 years old now and after all the craziness I've been through shit! I feel like in can well me a few bars myself! I get her now!

I love how Loretta came in and served that heffa some fierce

@terraywynter4276

8 жыл бұрын

jennifer holliday isnt no heffer ur mom is a heffer

@helenharbison8997

6 жыл бұрын

my

Holy Crap! She sang ALL of that song and then some! Whew! Love JHud's version, but this woman...Amazing. I remember seeing that performance on the Tony's back in the day. It still moves me.

@briafx

Жыл бұрын

This video is actually from the tony awards.

goddamn shes so good it hurts

One of the best live performances of any millennium hands down!

i have watched this so many times and only now I've realized its Loretta Devine....

omg i love miss jennifer holliday there is no one eles like her

@terraywynter4276

8 жыл бұрын

shut up

@tiffanchamberlainangelove

8 жыл бұрын

+Terray Wynter you shut up

@azel7733

6 жыл бұрын

tiffanchamberlain me too

Outstanding..no one...and I mean no one...can touch this. Simply amazing. Ms. Holiday blew me away. Her talent is truly amazing.

NOBODY can touch her version of this song!!! Goodness!!!

Holy fucking shit what a performance!

Jennifer's facial expressions 😂 but this is so good 😱😍

Jennifer Holiday rules !

This is me to Obama on January 20th , 2017.... Please don't go :(

@elainedorsey7531

7 жыл бұрын

sybylo lol to I 😭😭😭😭for real I felt like holding on to his leg lol dont go.

@jonathanmurphy4825

7 жыл бұрын

Isaac, don't be an idiot all your life

@dancinonasmoothedge

6 жыл бұрын

Jonathan Murphy 😃

@helenharbison8997

6 жыл бұрын

but z

@alexjames4315

6 жыл бұрын

sybylo worse president he was more worried about looking good and the media like him not cuz he was any regular guy but because he was black! He was liar and his laws were just monetarily!!! He deported more immigrants And separates more families than any president but now everyone is making trump seem like he’s doing all that. Obama made daca which was only temporally all those students were going to end up in the limbo and when all the illegal immigrants when to protest the media didn’t cover it, but now that trump is president it’s funny that they cover all negative aspect of him... I don’t see Obama as a black man or trump as a white man I see them as men’s and for my experience Obama wasn’t any better than the crappy presidents we have

spectacular show,, hudson&holliday are profesional singer,,i like both &can't compare

@joyce101

Жыл бұрын

I don't understand why not. Miss Holiday 's version was live on stage and Miss Hudson's was made for the movie theater.

Literally crying right now, she can make me feel her emotion in just view minutes video.😭😭😭 i wish i had her throat. Her voice was an angel voice sent from God's heaven ❤❤❤

America your music is out of this world respect from Poland ❤

One critic, I do not believe the director of this play give the audience enough time to feel what just took place on stage. Ms. Holiday dropped a steam trunk of emotion on that star with that song and not enough pause is allowed between her performance and the next. Dam she sang that song.

@onnapnewo

Жыл бұрын

That’s the exact point of the transition. We’ve just watched Effie pour her heart out over those multiple betrayals, yet everyone else in her life has moved on. She’s alone in an empty dressing room as the Dreams continue like nothing happened, with no mention of the fact there’s an entirely different woman in the lineup than there was five minutes ago. That being said, it doesn’t stop the number from completely stopping the show with applause breaks, cheers, and often standing ovations mid-song.

Brings me to tears every time! 😭

This has been my favorite song since I was a little girl. I love her.

this was gold just wow

2019 - just watched this again,. Jennifer Holiday was/ is AMAZING!!!! That is an unbelievable level of performance. how anyone can put the thumbs down on this video is beyond me!

I always come back to this video . Queen of good vibrations!!

Imagine doing this EIGHT times a week!

Damn Loretta Divine's voice still hasn't changed

she is the queen of vocalization. her energy just beyond the energy of nuclear power.

(When you desperate AF!) but this cast is so Amazing. Jennifer, Loretta, and Sheryl were absolutely amazing.❤ WOW! I love every bit of this. ❤🔥

OMG! I love it! I love them all.... especially Loretta Devine😘

Please...will somebody make available a viewing of the original stage play on video? I saw the musical in New York and it was incredible. Of course the music was great, but the staging was superstar! If I could see a view from an orchestra seat like I did before would be the best ever! I loved everything about this show and it was incredible.

Still here in 2019❤️

OMG!!!!!?!? IS THAT LORETTA DEVINE!!!!!!?

@tempodopop5571

5 жыл бұрын

Jennifer Holliday

@brittanyboseman5535

5 жыл бұрын

@@tempodopop5571 no it's Loretta Devine she's talking about the person playing in Laurel not the person playing as he the clip starts with more than just one person

Jennifer Holliday OWNS this song sorry Ms. Hudson

@elainedorsey7531

7 жыл бұрын

CookieWilliams YESSSS lord

@sirresebethea

6 жыл бұрын

CookieWilliams absolutely I agree

@scratchnandsurvivn

6 жыл бұрын

CookieWilliams Amen. I have this soundtrack on my ipod to this day. Classic!

@adedjd5349

6 жыл бұрын

scratchnandsurvivn Jennifer Hudson is a great talent but, Jennifer Holiday owns this song. I saw Dream Girls on Broadway years ago and Miss Holiday received a 10 minute standing ovation.

@scratchnandsurvivn

6 жыл бұрын

Traceye Dillion Jennifer Holiday IS Effie. This broadway actors are no joke! No comparison.

I wish they had this on dvd

Don't chase a man that don't want to be kept

And she did it 8 performances per week. #LEGEND

Jennifer Holliday IS Eiffie White! Nothing and nobody will ever beat this performance!