Jennifer Holliday | And I Am Telling You | Live 1983

[@ThorSmith]

Joan Rivers had a soft spot for Jennifer Holliday and truly appreciated her talent. Decades later during the promotional run of the film "Dreamgirls", Miss Holliday made headlines when she shared that she felt snubbed & completely shut out of the proceedings. Joan was gracious enough to let Jennifer perform her signature song on one of her highly-rated "E! Fashion Police: Academy Awards" specials. The ONLY musical performance I can recall ever seeing on one of those specials. I've always felt that this was a very kind gesture on Joan's part.

[@ananeusaamorimcamargo6400]

❤

[@payingtoplay]

Joan was real

[@Southgate210]

40-year later and nobody can touch J-Holladay's version! Nobody! Close? In there own other way's for sure!

[@harvey2609]

Made me cry. I'm 62 and I still think this is the greatest vocal performance I've ever heard. Love ❤❤👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🇬🇧

[@alexanderdiaz1]

This AMAZING woman sang this song on Broadway 10 shows a week for years, and that voice is still blowing... Whew!

[@Johnmag1976]

She got fired because she kept puting up weight. Attempted suicide...dépression...then at 30yo bypass was done on her and it was a new start. I love her ❤

[@jurinac]

No one on Broadway does 10 shows a week! And Miss Holliday was known for missing shows -- but fully delivering when she was on.

[@Johnmag1976]

@@jurinac 7

[@mostlysondheim1930]

At 6:18, she talks about being up against Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Donna Summer for the Grammy. She would go on to win that Grammy. INCREDIBLE!

[@markyoung7151]

To be able to just stand there open your mouth and have that sound come out!!!! PHENOMENAL!!

[@Xclusivenig9a]

Baby my eyes BALLED THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME THROUGH!!!! The best version of this song she has ever performed!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@caitebon2]

She's adorable! I know this was years ago...but after all these years she's still belting it out.

[@leesmith2645]

MY GOD MY GOD!!!! Just when I think Ive seen it all!!!! She is just Friggging INCREDIBLE!!!!!! LOVE HER TO. PIECES!!!!

[@Bananadiva1]

The clip of her at the Tony awards is even more amazing that this performance.

[@zenafaye7183]

She killed it, even though she's not in full beast mode.

[@EdmundSookermany]

Better I loved this

[@teracejones4257]

So incredibly underrated. A true American treasure. As quiet as it’s kept. Young, Gifted and Black. Miss Jennifer Holiday. ❤❤

[@Hogs-t5z]

BEST DAMN VERSION OF THIS SONG PERIOD

[@missjoyceakaladyj6628]

The "tears" just welled up 😢😢😢

[@tyronemolden8736]

OUTSTANDING AND UNTOUCHED!!!! THE KEY WAS EVEN HIGHER THEN.... WHAT A VOICE!!!!

[@robertperez2262]

It’s the original key

[@heroxzq1263]

Jesus, the pipes on this lady

[@nannygranny4]

She said when she first sang this song she was singing for the love of a man, now we she sings it because she loves God. She said this years ago on a live radio interview with Martha Jean The Queen 🙌 👸 👑

[@emilygilliard3213]

I could feel the Holy Ghost ‘s presence just from listening on You Tube . My God how the Lord used her to reach so many . What a gift !

[@chrisblue961]

Man I would not have guessed she was 22 here crazy how clothes and hair style can age you. But she sounds good as always

[@richielee9838]

honestly,she does look like she was in her mid 30s here because of her dress and her hair😅

[@rannynatchelust3507]

Wow thought she was 56 r older

[@beaellie9766]

She was not in good health, physically and mentally. Still beautiful, regardless.

[@ilmacarmo1801]

Estava vindo de operações especiais

[@PeoplePlacesRocknRoll]

That was the style.

[@singingmanmd]

Saaaaaaaannngg Jennifer. This is her legendary iconic masterpiece! No matter how many version of this classic she does in the way she does it, No one does it like her!!❤❤

[@MarinPatt]

She’s so humble! One of the best performers ever and doesn’t seem to know it.

[@kurthanson518]

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF DREAMGIRLS....THIS CLIP BY FAR IS ONE OF THE BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES I'VE EVER SEEN ❤ #RIPJOANRIVERS

[@mark5301]

41st

[@kennyknight07]

She is one of my trinity goddesses; namely Jenn Holl. , Aretha & Whitney! Interestingly enough, Whitney was sangin Jenn’s swongs around the time of har debut to the music scenes in 83.

[@devinguerreri]

I thought I’d seen every performance she did of this song but damn this is incredible 😍🤩

[@greenmousewitch]

She’s got the cutest speaking voice and personality aaaargh I wanna be her friend so bad

[@jameshanley6143]

The original Dream Gurl no one can match her voice 💯

[@christopherroberts8788]

I’ve watch tons of Jennifer Holiday live performances but this one here is my new favorite. That voice that energy it’s just the best

[@MrBarrywes]

I know on this particular performance it's like she not even trying hard. Just raw power. Sometimes I like when it's a little dramatic though I mean it is Broadway

[@wellofcire]

@@MrBarrywes it's sounds like she's on helium here....notice she got rid of that odd way she would say same 'mind' later on.....

[@Nawlinsman43]

That voice still gives me chills.

[@RodneyPlayer-f9l]

When God made her voice he broke the mold. There will never be another like Jennifer. The other girls that came after her playing Effie could not match her. She's a true living legend and an American Treasure.

[@revolutionishere]

Her voice is the size of a tidal wave, probably one of the biggest voices in pop music.

[@demetrioduranduran]

The producers of the movie made a huge mistake not putting her in it! That other Jennifer, annoys the sh-t out of me with her screechy voice, it actually hurts my ears! I can’t even listen to anyone else even try to sing this song. Such a pity. I recently got to see her live in Denver a month ago. She still was knocking it dead!!! The power was still there. Amazing!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@demetrioduranduran]

I saw her sing this live just last month in Denver. She killed it! Still after all these years! Amazing!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pedrobeltranoficial8105]

She's My favorite singer,I love her so much... Jennifer holliday 😘😘

[@nubianleone]

2024 still amazing

[@jaliyalove2742]

Queen of this song 😍

[@czahnie]

Just listen to that audience! She ripped open her own soul and then let that audience have it. BRAVA!!!!!!!!!

[@milonanni8806]

Most powerful broadway song ever.

[@denisewalsh6586]

Biggest torch sound ever on Broadway

[@beaellie9766]

That tempo.....s-l-o-w!

[@suchisthismystery2814]

Jennifer at her Supreme Brilliant Best 💖

[@williambrown1814]

the breath CONTROL

[@DonRuffin-z4i]

Powerful and in control

[@NhanNguyen-wq6un]

Singgggggggg

[@alexzhang3]

Awww ~ she was so young and sang so very well!! the texture of the song was rendered so different!!

[@RooibaardBoerseun]

Park and Bark! This woman can sing! But it’s not uncommon for the better voices to be less well known in the music industry. What I mean is, just because you are famous singer by today’s standards doesn’t mean you can actually sing.. a few oohs and aahs with a sexy body is enough to get you up there.. We praise foolishness simply because we don’t know any better… She and so many others need so more credit than what they’ve gotten over the years.

[@marcoherera]

YOU BETTER SAAAAANG, SONGBIRD 😍😍😍😍

[@robertmonthe9750]

With age her voice really has taken some depth in it perfect singing Mrs Holliday

[@Joshua_Hu]

OMG the key is higher than normal !!!

[@marcuscrawley1756]

The second your gonna love me when she growls and belches a little bit I’m telling you it’s like no other 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Yeah22_tv]

3:07 It's an ad-lib I've never seen before.. Long breath..... oh my...

[@Vincent50]

Awesome performance and so sweet of a personality.

[@marvinhontiveros5824]

This is the best live of it like the recording studio version

[@smurf902]

Did u know she did that in one take? David Foster said she came with 2 dogs under her arms and a fur coat, put the dogs down and the coat, sang it, and they said ok that was just a warm up to get the levels down, and she said I only sing that song once, and she walked out. That's why in quite a few spots you hear the mic spiking almost (distortion), they hadn't set the levels. Amazing!

[@marvinhontiveros5824]

@@smurf902 thank you for the information

[@terenceoneal1297]

I'm old enough to remember her Grammy win been seen surprisingly as something of an upset because of the heavy competition and Aretha's track record of collecting Grammys; I remember as young boy rooting for her as the most deserving underdog that year in the best female R&B category

[@thekaliko]

thank you! I was wondering who won and didn't know how to look it up.

[@TrevorBattle]

I love that every performance she does of this is different!! One of my new favorites!!!

[@xavierdallenmusicuniverse6304]

Queen!!!!!

[@JoseOliveirasp89]

wow! Incredible!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@patrickklee521]

thank you for uploading such precious GEM on KZbin

[@garyfranco7827]

Best ever!!!

[@philkaslover9713]

Beautiful voice, i love it 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@remarkable54]

Geeesh! No words. I mean GEEESH!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@florencepatillo807]

Yes this girl can blow I love this song 💕

[@garyfranco7827]

Thank you for posting this! ❤️❤️❤️

[@rodricksmith2434]

Wow!!! I’m speechless ❤️❤️🙏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@joannawofford]

I can't keep from crying when I hear this song. It's words from my heart ❤️ 💙 💜

[@yallgonlearntoday]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@cintiarockdrigues5744]

Apaixonada!!!😍♥️♥️♥️♥️🎵

[@BrianIn2k7]

22 years old!!! 22!!!

[@Christopher-rd7ou]

Jesse Jackson at 6:05 looking at Jennifer Hudson like "what you about to do?"

[@damiancowan6423]

The most powerful avenger (singer)

[@kennethsims5308]

Fantastic! ❤❤❤

[@danielaquino2155]

Ouso a dizer q uma voz desse calibre não haverá nunca mais!

[@misterstarlight9446]

Concordo.

[@proyeccionmusical4163]

Jennifer holliday is the Best singer

[@alanvitorio4127]

3:03 I still don't know if she missed the note, or if she did something humanly impossible. 3:03

[@martinsantos3644]

Phenomenal

[@johnlyndsay]

How in God’s name? That was incredible…

[@yokos4656]

Wonderful!

[@acervodoluizinhomoura1005]

Diva divina

[@edzonhernandez6210]

Omg fuckn AMAZING

[@trohnb8104]

Wow she competed against the best. It seems almost unfair. Aretha, Donna Summers, Denice Williams, Patrice Rushen and Diana... Honestly it seems like the awards could've been divided better... all of the greats in one category??? Like Aretha (for Blues Brothers) Diana (for Wiz) and Jennifer (for Dream Girls) could fall under one category for Best Performance in a musical. Then Patrice, Denice and Donna for pop/R&B... was this for a Grammy. Each of them is a winner to me. 💯🌟

[@kaitlynrowena5463]

She should have been in the film adaption

[@caitebon2]

Definitely that. I read that was a blow to her but she kept on keeping on.

[@MichaelRoberts-vq3qf]

Omazing!

[@Iamvon157]

Wow 4:14

[@pedrorodriguez6772]

❤

[@MarkSmith-gb7sz]

Slay

[@rockfeather7406]

If Jennifer Holiday singing in front of Lion... Lion: She FIERCE

[@DanielWright-u7x]

I love her sooo much better than Jennifer Hudson ❤❤

[@etolerific]

@jaronmlegrair…. Please do this analysis!!!!

[@joyce101]

This ICON can sing, yall!!!

[@heroxzq1263]

Anybody know the aretha song she was up against?

[@MilikKashadTV]

The song was, "Jump To It."

[@Iamvon157]

Jesus❤ 2:13

[@rellenoz]

They should have ended the show early, after that performance. Then the channel should have signed off. Nothing can follow that.

[@ThorSmith]

Jennifer Holliday was out of this world....as always! But surprisingly, Doc Severinsen & The Band's arrangement was very sloppy. I much prefer Miss Holliday's SNL performance from this period and her Early 90s rendition at The Apollo Theater.

[@mark5301]

Jen did great as usual but that band was terrible ! She wound up winning that Grammy that year too ! No One can sing that song like her !!

[@DaTruEbonyRayne]

THAT LITERALLY JUST DID NOT MAKE NO SENSE!!!!!!! 22 yrs old singing like that!!! Jennifer ought to be ashamed of herself. She didn't have to sing like that, but I'm glad she did...lol Michael Bennett was not a fool to let her go at the beginning of Dreamgirls. It has been said that when she quit or was let go, the ticket sales did poorly at the door because they were coming to hear Jennifer Holliday's belt. But when she returned to the production, they had a sold-out show every night for the two years that she appeared with the cast. Of course, they ran for 4 yrs on Broadway, but the cast went their separate ways after 2 yrs. I couldn't imagine singing like that for 6-7 days a week in the same key. Because that arrangement is high especially when you're an alto singing in the pitch of a soprano.

[@zenafaye7183]

I so agree! Listen to her recording of 'I Love You Jesus' and when you listen, keep in mind that it is an 18 year old Jennifer that you are listening too!

[@reggiemitchell5198]

She’s not an alto tho lol. She’s a soprano but a spinto soprano.

[@PhillipDeville]

Made Whitney Houston sound like Bobby brown

[@felipelevita3516]

Not really. Whitney's beauty, she could not replicate even in her diamond days.

[@redy4him496]

Nah. Lol. Jennifer sang TF outta this, tho!

[@PhillipDeville]

@@redy4him496 facts that’s all I’m saying

[@Sttephy30]

Whitney's version is prettier. But Jen's version is more raw, aggressive and just nasty (in a good way).

[@Raphalou]

You ain't lying. I didn't enjoy Whitney trying to sing this song because Whiteny could never hold notes, and didn't have the power to sing this song, not the endurance. Whitney always had a bad habit of not sustaining her notes, until she sang I will always love you. The fact that Whitney tried eclipsing Jennifer's accolades for her song really upset me back then. I know it was Whitney's management who were making her do this. Clive because when Whitney's vocal started to become affected Clive offered Jennifer a contract

[@noppasitboon3597]

ตัดภาพเวียนหัวมาก

[@joannawofford]

That girl can't be touched with her voice

[@etolerific]

And then came Whitney….

[@itsnoahonfire]

Whitney was great at what she did but she wasn't touching Jenny with a 10 foot pole and she knew that.

[@rellenoz]

Absolutely no reason for her to be singing like her life depends on it!

[@hillbaby02]

Jennifer is awesome, but the band is annoying.

[@mark5301]

That band was AWFUL !!!!!!

[@meccawalker4773]

Sing Mutha Holliday..... The band is dragging tho

[@lenardmcclean7023]

She's the best 💟💟💟