Jennifer Holliday | "And I am Telling You"

[@alexanderdiaz1]

Jennifer Holiday is a Broadway Icon. She sang this song eight shows a week from 1981-1985 straight before leaving the show. I saw her on Broadway in 1982; I can't even begin to describe the audience reaction in the beginning, middle, and end of this song during her performance. I was 11 years old at the time and I knew I was witnessing greatness - just reliving that moment in my mind gave me goosebumps. She was beyond amazing and the thunderous applause at the end for her said it ALL.

[@familylifetoo9541]

Iconic I remember growing up on the outskirts of NY, THE commercials for Dreamgirls.. always amazed me

[@KCLove-mh7nt]

Me too. I was just a kid. I was mesmerized. I honestly wanted to be her.

[@misstinahamilton5714]

She si an ABSOLUTE icon! She performed a grueling schedule ! How she didn't bust a damn vocal cord I don't know - a powerhouse ! You hear me ! The haters better sit their asses down!!!

[@DeanMoxley87]

No she’s didn’t 40% of her acts in the first year were by her understudy !!

[@bernicecopeland3834]

I saw in 1982 too. The show was better than any movie. They don't get another take its live

[@princepeterwolf]

How is one of the greatest vocalists alive still not getting her due recognition blows my mind

[@lorainea.thomas6260]

Recognition in the music industry involves other people making money off your talent. If you cannot be bought, don't care about fame, or unwilling to cheapen yourself- the industry (most, not all) has no need for you. This is how someone like Jennifer Holliday can sing like an angel for decades, shatter the competition, sing without tiring, and still we have to look for her in the stacks.

[@agnesdains4855]

yes, raw talent there

[@danielhicks1682]

It’s really simple. Luciferians run the world, she is true devout Christian, and that is a non no for them

[@LLulu145]

I believe God is controlling that for His reasons. She's just phenomenol! No one like her!! NO ONE!! And she's humble and NICE!!

[@Joycenewfaces]

Também queria saber...

[@conorhardy9751]

Instead of criticising her technique and the way she pronounced some of words.... WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC SHE IS A ICON. She's made millions of what she does so

[@elizabeththomas6571]

I myself dont think people are criticizing her technique. I think they are just pointing out the technique she is using because it is so amazing and there just isn't the best or correct words to use. Just saying....

[@ThisGurlLovesMusic]

She is a great storyteller with a powerful voice. I struggle to understand why she made some of those choices though. 5:15 onward I'm just curious whats going on.

[@MsCandyKush_YT]

She makes those ugly faces

[@DavidTorres-id8pb]

@@MsCandyKush_YT It adds to the attitude of the sing, it shows emotion. A lot of singers do that

[@jaredoaks]

@@MsCandyKush_YT There’s nothing ugly about her or the character she’s singing.

[@isiahdoss2091]

For all the idiots that gave this a thumbs down, If Jennifer Holiday didn’t perform this song there would be no Jennifer Hudson 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Tabbycatify]

Isiah Doss I'm with you

[@roryjamescandanido7077]

Right

[@kameronhunt1962]

Agreed

[@chanekawaihae7540]

Isiah Doss that’s bs. Jennifer Hudson was gonna happen either way.

[@roberth5708]

@@chanekawaihae7540 no hell she would not...dream girls the movie put her in Hollywood not Idol

[@Ornacia29]

Look.. Jennifer Holliday is a primadonna. There is no one that has gone before or after that is anything like her. She truly is an incredible singer.

[@Leo-tu8gh]

Ornacia ORNACIA wheres vivacious?

[@linueldeleongolino5818]

Try elizabeth ramsey

[@Ophaninium]

fellow drag race fan watching this bc of chi chi i assume?

[@Ornacia29]

@@Leo-tu8gh motha has arrived

[@emandotcom]

almost 40 years later and she is still flawless. A true talent!

[@Granny73]

Jennifer, gurl, I was 31, when you hit the scene and you torn it down and now I'm 68, gurl your still Tearing it down!!!

[@sylviaallen5333]

I was 22 when I first heard Jennifer Holiday singing this in Dream girls and I was blown away! And I'm still blown away and I'm 59 now! Where does the time go? ❤️

[@davinastanton3865]

@@sylviaallen5333 I am 64 and don't know how I got to be this age. I wish I could back for a while. 💗⚘🕊

[@quandricorutledge]

There is a Special Place in HELL for anyone who gives Ms. Holiday a thumbs down. The fact that she is still able to stand on stage and SANG is a miracle. She has a story that deserves to be told and respected!

[@rclayton]

PROBABLY SOME IGNORANT MILLENNIALS!

[@faustosoliz303]

Woah not all Millennials have horrible taste in Music, I’m in love with Ms.Holiday’s music!

[@teemann7867]

Q Rutledge-Wade EXACTLY THIS LADY CAN FREAKING SANGGGGG

[@ericajeanforcia5349]

100%

[@Tabbycatify]

Q Rutledge-Wade ......You are so right!

[@airrekjaymes6375]

If you don't look ugly or if your lips don't tremble when your in the moment, are you really in the moment? Are you really feeling the passion?

[@girlynoob325]

Exactly

[@barbararackley6746]

Patti LaBelle said you can't be pretty and sing! You got to get ugly with it.

[@barbararackley6746]

I would say yes!!!

[@Alyn08]

That sounds about right. When you have that much passion, emotion, and soul in you to deliver a song that calls for feeling, how can one care about looking pretty?

[@kaydenfife3994]

Omg yes straight speaking facts the higher the more sour your face might get 😂

[@Gwion98]

You know you've done a good job when your mic is covered with lipstick by the end of the night

[@michaeldawson9168]

lol

[@makyeebon]

good one -- but true!!

[@Chezzgirl69]

I never noticed that until u mentioned it! Only a Queen like her could look So good & leave it ALL OUT THERE EVery TIME she sings this song.

[@singingmanmd]

True dat😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ttvictor]

Literally came to the comments section to make the same comment!! 💄 🎤

[@joanmacdowell4457]

Thank you JENNIFER HOLLIDAY for One of the best evenings of my life...1982 my husband took me to see DREAMGIRLS in NYC for our 10th anniversary , we are now in our 48th year of marriage...you were my best anniversary gift ever!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@cutflower36]

this woman is so under rated, she can blow!! see how she reach deep down from the diaphragm and brang it all out! wow!!

[@josevich]

She has won Grammy's and Tony's. She's not underrated

[@AncoJ]

Not underrated.

[@shenetheawardlow1033]

She brought it out

[@paigeanne1325]

She changed her style of singing to STILL sound good at her age while controlling her voice is just….yes miss Holliday I love yewwww🙏🏻😂😭👏🏻

[@shenetheawardlow1033]

Exactly and her voice is still strong. She can blow many of this generations vocalists out of the water

[@markevesantos4940]

This is what you call owning a song and not letting anyone to copy your style.. Love this woman so much power and talent.

[@crazyguy98456978]

I love the softer approach to this song. It adds so much more heartbreak to the song.

[@kameronhunt1962]

It don't matter if it's on key or if it's a step an a half down. She can still tear into this song and sing it like nobody else.

[@davidgaveston654]

Really captivating . There’s no way we can leave a holiday without JENNIFER!

[@KennuhWayne]

What?

[@alisagrant7511]

She gave me chills. Literally!

[@lyricistanonymous8126]

Ain't nobody like her in this world. She tears thst song up&down everytime!💕💞✊🎵🎶🎶👑👑👑

[@jubertong1242]

She looks younger and a lot different ,more beautiful that she was on her 20s or 30s...

[@rustybennineoneonemajesty]

Are you sure you got the right Jennifer Halliday there are more than one singers out there with the same

[@aleighc]

That's delusional. She looks great but there's no way a 50 plus year old looks younger than a chubby 25 year old. Period.

[@twiggycarter8350]

@@rustybennineoneonemajesty idk man OP kinda has a point. I was shocked how young Holliday looks here

[@aleighc]

@Coffee & Tea A thin 50 year old will never look younger than a fat 20 something. Get over it. There are benefits to being young; firm skin, no gray hair, no wrinkles, good knees, a juicy vag, not many ailments. I could go on. Big diff from 20 to 50 so stop.

[@IamRocque]

Ashleigh Baez If you take care of yourself you could be all those at 50 just saying

[@helenbritton3566]

How the heck can she still belt this out at nearly 60!! I can barely hold a note! Love, love love her ❤

[@sfr.adennn]

I feel bad that i watch this for free... what a blessing

[@heatherj4351]

Jennifer Holiday was the embodiment of everything this character was meant to be and then some. She had the ability to bring everyone in that theater so deep into that moment, and feeling, and the pain. That the outside world disappears all together. What an iconic moment in time.

[@tupepangan8462]

Even at lower key she slay!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@nadiaferguson5057]

I love Jennifer Holliday but how does she pronounce a g without closing her mouth... she is truly out of this world

[@hiddenuareandwillremain3079]

Nadia Ferguson 😂RIGHT!!!!!!

[@carlosskolnick8294]

Nadia Ferguson it's not hard

[@authentic.k3019]

😂

[@saucewizard69]

g is a sound made in the back of your mouth hun, no lips or teeth required

[@rolfmichaelsantos1664]

Its called special ability

[@jodaughtrey]

When I first saw her sing this on Broadway I don't think the White audience knew how to react. Us Black folks were going crazy screaming and hollering and the White folks was kind of giving us the side eye. We taught and showed them that it was okay to shout out and show your appreciation for a song/s that really moved you. And that also motivated the actors as well. Theatergoers and audiences of every hue have now come to life and WE paved the way.

[@KCLove-mh7nt]

I'm white...i saw her in the 80"s, we were going crazy!!! I was in awe. Beautiful women, absolutely mindblowing voice. One of a kind.

[@origin1407]

They were feeling it primally.

[@michelebartlett3921]

Really? 🤣 I lovvveeeeee Gospel style singers & music. They have so passionate & alive. I love Jennifer

[@pandapeep1148]

Oh good grief, white people certainly appreciated and went nuts for her performance on Broadway. Maybe you had some stuff shirts when you went, but she was always blowing everyone away and they went wild for her. As for "paving the way," audiences have been coming to life for artists since long before Dreamgirls. Let's not pretend we invented the internet. Let's just enjoy great performances like hers...which is legendary.

[@lyndaijennette8878]

Jennifer Holiday is my FAVORITE Singer! She is AWESOMELY AMAZING! Her Vocals are like NO other! She Sings from the Very Deepest Depth of her Soul! Her Whole Internals are involved!

[@cassandradennis5685]

My God!! That woman sent chills through my body singing HER song!!! 😢👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Bravo!

[@chanekawaihae7540]

She’s like fine wine

[@jhejum9594]

whenever i watch her performances, she never fail to impress me. those growls, tho! wow 💕 a true legend!

[@bblover590]

Jennifer! You have been one of my favorite entertainers since I was 19 years old. We all love you!

[@chenab427]

OMG at that age she could sing that way she just a saint. She truly an artist !!! May god give this saint jennifer healthy and long live as we want her to sing !!!

[@raymonddiwa1007]

Nobody can do it. Only her herself. So respect DIVA! 💕😍

[@geraldinecarter3242]

HER SONG, TODAY, AND FOREVERMORE 🎵 🎤🎶🎼🎤🎶🎶💃💃💕🌹💕👑💕💕

[@lyoshagorshkov7110]

One of the most iconic and passionate Broadway performers! I adore her! She is so sincere and deep!!!!! Love you!

[@arielvillena1405]

This performance is out of this universe . I think this performance is floating in the galaxy hooooooo. Love it

[@stephenacs]

She deserves to squeeze out every single note of pathos in a song that made her a star. I saw her do it live in Dallas in 1984 and she had the Mistral, a two-tiered nightclub absolutely losing it with screams, tears and applause. She was at her very best. She needs to perform - and she knows this will always remind everyone from whence she came.

[@AMurphySharp]

I think her way of expressing her singing is won-der-ful!!! Sang girl!!! Yes!!!

[@irenarudnicki5485]

The Most Powerful Song ever. 🏂🏂🌾🌾

[@dionbell7919]

The queen of theatrical song!!!!

[@jeiorcullo]

Ms. Holiday schooling us how this song should have been sang and not just being relentlessly belted.

[@Sfundo2.0]

OJ Orcullo your mocking jeniffer judson and amber riley

[@jeiorcullo]

Uhm nope. They too know how to sing this but in my opinion nothing beats the original.

[@petersugar2185]

@@jeiorcullo she sang it good...but i agree i prefer the original too

[@ib3b0]

Aside from the gorgeous voice, she is getting younger and younger... love and respect ❤️

[@veronicagreene7502]

Wow. She sang that song. I love she wore purple. Purple mesns royalty. She is music royalty. She looks great and sound great.

[@lorriebaker503]

I agree Isiah! This makes my blood run cold, she is BRILLIANT, what expression in her voice, absolutely spinetingling.

[@frenchanthony2226]

Thank you Ms. Holliday, you are a treasure! What I would have give to be in the audience that night!

[@christinepayne78]

We were blessed to witness this phenomenal performer in person this past November at the Let Freedom Ring Gala in Williamsburg, VA, in celebration of The Historic First Baptist Church set. 1776.

[@carolinegriffiths1]

This woman has greatness in her soul. Timeless.

[@helloworld7818]

"I'm not GO-EEHUUU- I I -NG" 1:05

[@mikeykm1993]

I’m not go*yawns*

[@lacrampetteyazmin]

HAHAHAHAHHA

[@jerry_zuhrinart7869]

i'm laughing 😂😂😂

[@lovin4more]

OMG i thought I was the only one thinking abt this 😂

[@happyguy2k]

💀 💀 😂

[@vindab06]

She is so amazing I can't stop crying!

[@familylifetoo9541]

This is on my Playlist ... You' re gonna Love Me. I am telling You. Jennifer the GOAT!

[@LaPerledesAntilles1804]

Another beautiful performance of that beautiful song by the one and only Jennifer Holliday! Loved it!!!👏👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥💐💐💐💐❤

[@ginadillon2072]

I LOVE HER SO MUCH. SHE IS THE BEST AND NO ONE COMPARES. I love you lady!

[@TagaloconJosquine]

This woman never failed to give me goosebumps. 😍😍😍

[@davinastanton3865]

I still cry when she sings this. No no no way,I am living without you. Oh tears again. 😢 Jennifer thankyou for this beautiful song lovely lady. 💗⚘🕊

[@diannewilson4810]

I dont care who else sings this song..this song will always belong to Jennifer and always will❤

[@timgriffin807]

when I search for Jennifer .. and find a clip of her singing this song ... I melt. One of my favorites ! She is fantastic !

[@imasongdude]

The girl can still Blow! with as much passion as ever. She is the ONLY Jennifer who can SANG! this song. Chills & Tears!

[@bridgetwhite9738]

NO WORDS!! God, you truly out did yourself when creating Ms. Holiday❤❤❤.

[@quetypairo7450]

Simply great! We owe her this iconic song! Future generations maybe will learn from such a lady!!!

[@jennyrust8334]

I’m going to say it again and again this is her song nobody will ever compare to the way she sings this song EVER!!

[@annisafakhranafildzah_0222]

Shes the diva🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@TheSpeedraccoon]

Definition of greatness........

[@christinesullivan1229]

A huge legacy given to us by this amazing woman. This survivor, this beauty, this warrior woman, this woman of the heart x

[@musiccoachtito]

This Chick can still Sing. I TRULY Love her!

[@Torihope1000]

SUCH a gifted and under-appreciated singer…. I’ll never forget seeing her in Dream Girls in NYC years ago. My.

[@amberjay82]

Even lowering the key she still sings it better than the rest

[@bimalbhuiyan3571]

Completed 50 likes after two years ✌️✌️

[@iusandthefoods]

Only Jennifer Holliday can sing this way without losing her voice 😭😭😭 idk is it the right technique or not 😭 but she is amazing

[@jasonallen703]

Wow, so they say only a few percent of people connect with music they give you goosebumps and the chill and hair that stands up. I am one of those people and this totally deliver, but today was a first both only did I get the hairs to stand up on my arms, both of my legs hair stood up and I also tear up. The trifecta I didn’t know existed. Bravo !!! Encore!!’

[@fattwinktwonk2780]

Ms Holliday's voice is instrument of internal healing. She is prophet of love.

[@Goddess521]

Darn all of us were mesmerized and beyond awed watching this! I grew up not knowing the original singer even though I’ve heard this song hundreds of times being sang in karaokes; tv shows; and singing contests. She’s the best so far; no one could beat her. I could feel her emotions like she’s telling a story. World class performer!

[@barbararackley6746]

I saw the original on Broadway. She was excellent! I think everyone in the audience was touched in a place they didn't know existed.

[@billday592]

Her Voice Is the Same Voice When She Was more Young😍

[@djleslie777]

She’s so dramatic at the end, I love it!!

[@johnnetherly7878]

Beautiful voice and she is a beautiful woman...............Great talent is timeless.....

[@rainedelaze708]

I mean, she’s an ICON! A living legend.

[@nan2yvr804]

WOW!! What a voice! Gave me chills! 🥰

[@ninejack1]

I love you so much Jennifer from Thailand...

[@RDP920]

Incredible. Every. Time.

[@teachershen]

She is so great that can still sing this tough song at age fifty something. Amazing.

[@leonapearlpescasio5067]

This is always giving me goosebumps she is the only one can pull this song no matter how many covers, the same she feels singing this before is still the same until today, only JENNIFER HOLIDAY😍😍😍😍

[@Freptboy]

This is her signature song. Her voice sound even better now than the first time she perform this song back in the 80's.

[@73beany]

She is fabulous and a lovely person too, I enjoyed meeting her... sing on Jennifer XOX

[@romarromano651]

she is a beast i really idolize her , more power to come miss jenifer

[@metrojuan2000]

OMG! Immaculate Talent!! and I am telling you!! I love you Jennifer Holliday!!

[@z013i]

absolutely love her voice, very soul and emotional .

[@Jayintercedingforthechurch]

I cried this is so amazing

[@marvindayao5649]

I love how she pronounce going.😂😂😂

[@StoryOfAlonzo]

ME TOOOO 😩🤣 literally my favorite hahaha she take those lips to the side

[@elliott_678]

Me too😂😂😂

[@senojohnvincent5175]

Me too hahahhaa

[@kidzvonhan]

Same

[@jamesbell6769]

@@StoryOfAlonzo what. Up. My. Friend

[@mactoki7074]

No one can perform this song with the energy and passion like Jennifer Holiday herself.

[@yanjun3878]

Her fire never burns out!

[@rhianfelipe2899]

INCREDIBLE SINGER...VERY GOOD...INSANE HER CONTROL...GREAT VOICE FOREVER

[@rudolphmcneill515]

WOW!! I think this is my absolute favorite performance of this song by it's original songstress.

[@금싸라기-d1s]

제가 살면서 봐왔던 가수 중에 가장 훌륭한 가수예요. 이 나이가 되도록 목소리를 유지했다니 정말 놀랍습니다

[@khanmontegrejo7841]

So great voice, amazing,, incomparable !!

[@baronashleyanuran597]

I love this performance❤️👏🏻

[@karlakosta899]

The voice! O Love you Miss Jennifer Holyday 💜

[@mydoglayla5045]

It just doesn’t get any better.

[@renzpaulzorilla9970]

Nothing to do but to watch her perform. ☺

[@cirepooch]

In whatever way she does it! She tells the story at its best!

[@janetgray6932]

Yes Lady! The original!!!

[@zianyrodriguez6145]

Who else in September loving her voice. Queen Holliday ❤️👑