Dreamgirls Jennifer Holliday "I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" with Sheryl Lee Ralph & Loretta Devine

This is the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls.
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Welcome! These musical clips are from a large video collection that is now being converted from VHS/Beta to digital. There is some viewing quality loss from the original video source due to the age of the tapes, but the performances are preserved and still a joy to view. I'm finding many lost performances from vintage R&B, Soul, Pop, Broadway, Cabaret and other performances. This channel will be the Ed Sullivan channel for the digital generation, something for everyone to enjoy. Many of the performances will be seen for the first time since they were originally televised. I will be adding many musical performances from a variety of sources that I hope you will enjoy. Please hit the like button if you can.

[@DavidRichardson95]

Here because Ms. Sheryl finally got her just due at the Emmy's tonight.

[@siantelove]

Same😊

[@andreiliver9295]

This is probably the most powerful and emotional Broadway performance ever to be staged in a Tony Award show.

[@residentevil4life]

the intensity of this song is insane, like she's belting to the extremes nonstop for several minutes

[@TahariBlue]

I have heard so many great renditions of this song, but Jennifer Holiday is the blueprint! She sung and acted with her whole entire everything, and in 2020 it still brings me to tears.....just MASTERFUL!!!

[@Percussiongurl]

It’s a master class. Range, style, breathe control, emotion I could go on.

[@taqaripayne8122]

Hit the hammer on the nail with that one

[@GenaGilder]

Jennifer Hudson did the the damn thang, but there’s nothing like seeing the original. ❤

[@TaqariPayne]

Hands down

[@tlo666]

It's her song... No one songs it like her

[@levitroyce4605]

This clip needs to be in every theatrical and musical category, within every museum in the world. A once in a lifetime masterpiece that defies all logic and reason.

[@meetthetables6803]

Couldn’t agree more

[@carolynfinkelmeier1227]

And to think she did this 10 times a week for years !!!!!!!

[@bradleyscarton3931]

Broadway does 8 shows a week, not 10. And yes, in the beginning Jennifer did do this 8 shows a week, but within a few months the vocal demands of the role took its toll on her voice and understudies went on a lot for her after she began to blow out her voice. When she went to LA to do the show, she only did the evening shows because it was too much for her vocally to do that many shows. The matinees were done by her understudy, Lillias White, and within a few months Jennifer was blowing out her voice to the point that Lillias was doing just as many shows as her.

[@NunuBird]

@@bradleyscarton3931I think they was being dramatic you didn’t have to write a whole essay lol

[@bradleyscarton3931]

@@NunuBird Thanks for telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I'll be happy to take your advice next time.

[@LizzieBirdsworth-ek3io]

@@NunuBird Why be a douche? I appreciate someone who knows so much about the background of this, things the general public would never know. I sincerely thank this person for giving the details. Many people do not understand how that world works.

[@NunuBird]

@@LizzieBirdsworth-ek3io ok

[@sierria64]

my god when she took that breath .... you knew she was bringing it

[@laurenjennings6226]

I get chills every time

[@winterbutterfly9096]

And they called Whitney "The Voice". Yes, Whitney's voice was absolutely phenomenal, but I hate that we don't give Jeniffer Holiday the credit she deserves for her own. I pray we don't wait until she's gone to give her not only her flowers but the whole freaking field full of them!! She is most definitely deserving of such and should have gone a hell of a lot further musically than she did. Love her!

[@IWannaBeDownWithYou]

Aht don’t do Whitney

[@LEGENDPantherJennings]

Dont Do Whitney Like That

[@kidking___________________7554]

She ain’t no whit you sound crazy as hell

[@davidstovall7263]

No where near Whitney

[@kaydenceisthemuse]

Why y’all so mad in these replies?

[@shawnbflannigan]

There is nobody on earth that puts as much as themselves into a song as Jennifer Holliday. She brings down the house every time with that song. I cannot watch without getting chills and tears.

[@lamontking87]

Loretta was fine 🔥😍

[@ojotuoluwabukola5701]

IS!! She’s still fine and not dead🙄

[@marimuffin]

Still fine! I love her

[@generalholiefield]

This has gotta be one of the single greatest performances of all time

[@donalddavis6689]

Patti LaBelle Are A Great Powerful Singer As Well.. Jennifer Holliday Love Patti LaBelle.

[@sensationsmag]

40+ years of attending Broadway shows, and this was the single best musical performance of all of them. I saw her do this show live. Jennifer Holliday was 18-21 years old during these shows, and belting out this performance, show after show, 6 days a week, twice on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with some understudy breaks later in her run. It's a truly remarkable achievement.

[@zbluesy]

I'm with you. I saw her do this when she was 18 and I was in high school. My friends and I went backstage to thank her. She was so kind and gracious to us, talked to us. She barely had voice left at the end of the night. I was weeping in my seat when she did this. What a memory. She is amazing!

[@everberry51]

I’m so jealous you got to see this live!!

[@sensationsmag]

I was very fortunate. For me, it was a life-altering moment, very much like Elton John's song, where he talks about Marilyn Monroe "from the 22nd row" - pretty much the row I was in!@@everberry51

[@quinnmurph2750]

Shout out to the actor who stood opposite her in this performance and stayed in character. Can you imagine the transfer of energy with Holiday singing like this so close to you? That he can keep it together is astounding... though it's probably why they have him exit the stage mid-song: it would be almost impossible to remain unmoved on-stage with her through the end of the performance.

[@spyari18]

They had him exit mid-way to give her the whole stage to herself to finish the second half in a gut wrenching way to the climax, and for the audience to feel the impact of her abandonment and the pain she was experiencing of been repalced both by her lover and the group. She had to be alone on staget for impact.

[@shizzray]

Cleavant Derricks

[@yeslia2010Godis]

I never realized that Loretta Devine could sing like that and she looked good.. No words for the phenomenal talent of Ms Jennifer Holiday!!! A true unsung Artist!!!

[@mariahg.8209]

YEAP, the original Dream Girls.

[@roshelltannen9698]

​@mariahg.8209 No one did it better than this cast. I watch this every year. I was baby when this on Broadway.

[@SH-jv5uf]

And Sheryl Lee Ralph too.

[@Mama-Ames]

No one, NO-O-O-O-O-O-O ONE will ever, EVER, EHHHHHH-VER top Ms. Holliday's LEGENDARY performance of this EPIC song. Tho Jennifer Hudson was pure excellence... not even HER. NO ONE. EVER. PERIOD. FULL STOP.💕💕💕

[@sandraatkins2539]

You're absolutely, undeniably correct!!! Ms. Holiday brings her feminine, anguished soul to this iconic song. No matter how loudly she belts out those anguished notes, we still hear her femininity. To this day, it is difficult to hear and see a woman who sounds like a man when she sings. Without naming anyone, just think about what I am inferring. Jennifer's powerful, beautiful voice combines the anguish of thousands of women who have been mistreated throughout the ages, and we hear those women. Ms. Holiday absolutely OWNED this song. There are imitators, but no emulators!!! Ms. Jennifer Holiday here is a standing ovation.

[@carolynfinkelmeier1227]

Saw this in NYC and the crowd was in tears after she sang this incredible song…… Still can get tears

[@joannap8769]

Ooo you’re so lucky! This is the first time I’ve heard this and I’m in awe. I can’t imagine what this must have been like in person 😄 how cool!

[@GoddessInTraining444]

I'm in tears right now

[@clintotitot]

Jennifer Holliday brought the entire house down! No one else could better sing this song but her because each time she gets to open her mouth, emotions just start pouring in and you know that she’s going to kill it ♥️ my respect for this LEGENDARY singer ever to have graced the earth ♥️

[@TakaComics]

There are a few original performances in theater that are so iconic and powerful that the actor sets the stage for everyone who comes after them. In most cases, only one other actor has been able to match them. Betty Buckley's Grizabella, Idina Menzel's Elphaba... and this. Jennifer Hudson came the closest, but nobody has ever topped Holliday's performance in skill, emotion, and power.

[@iago07]

THE HANDS-DOWN GREATEST TONY AWARD SHOW PERFORMANCE. EVERRRR!! I wish they would have let Jennifer sing that note uninterrupted at the end.

[@365designs]

I know!

[@jaquen1977]

The last note being uninterrupted is literally the thematic point.

[@engsfitnessnaturalhaircare7829]

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 real tears. She sang that with her entire being. A living legend. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jaykay9766]

I was honored to play the strings (keyboard) for Dreams Girls in Austin, TX 1997. I have yet to see such a great performance !

[@dollewilliams2742]

Loretta divine looked absolutely stunning

[@thekaerichtexas]

Never seen the original but dreamgirls with Jennifer hudson is my favorite movie. I'm here after the sheryl Lee Ralph Emmy win. Just wanted to see her in her prime singing

[@logangillon484]

When she sings “that’s a lie that’s a lie Its just I having been feel that well “ 😌🔥👍🏾

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

I watched this 20 times at least today, just the most incredible vocal performance ever done on stage.

[@shiemah27]

I really wish I could see this on streaming I was born in 84 😢

[@DominicGo]

this is beyond iconic, her voice and emotion, raw talent!!

[@mzbea4996]

NO ONE will EVER sing this sing as she did. ❤

[@Wisdom2812]

She set the bar with this performance! (I just shake my head in awe, everytime I look at this performance!) W😳W! "You think a star is a king!...wake up baby, a star is a slave!" That's the sleeper line of the century!

[@beaellie9766]

...and she repeated it 40 years later on the Tony Awards -- brought the house down again with little difference in her ability to sing this song.

[@Wisdom2812]

@@beaellie9766 I saw it, crazy! (Didn’t realize it was 40 yrs later)

[@donalddavis6689]

​@@Wisdom2812Oh Yes!! It Was A Long Long Time ⏰ Ago.

[@Wisdom2812]

Yes she did!@@beaellie9766

[@Wisdom2812]

I saw that one too, left them in awe!@@beaellie9766

[@kewchiemonster]

HOW CAN A HUMAN MAKE THOSE SOUNDS!?!?!? MY HEARTTT

[@katielawrence5420]

I love Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine.

[@NiqueTheSneak1]

When I say that woman BODIED this performance!! OMG!! So freaking gorgeous! Beautiful job!! They should’ve just ended the show right there haha! Love it! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤️❤️😁😁😄😄

[@byrondevillier8837]

I saw her perform this live on Broadway, July 10th, 1982. It still gives me goosebumps.

[@militarymom6690]

I have heard other powerful voices belt out this song, but……Jennifer Holiday OWNED IT!!

[@mills2006]

1 of the greatest performances ever on planet earth

[@perfumewench]

Many have tried. Some have done well. Amber Riley comes to mind. But NO ONE else will ever match the brilliance of this performance. It’s as if she was possessed by the meaning and the music. Every cell of her body was used in full force. No one will ever match this.

[@tinkerbellneverland5350]

Unbelievable talent I Jennifer Holiday!

[@havefaith.staypositive.ble9219]

The Originals Dream Girls. Iconic At Its Finest! Gone Jennifer Holiday!🙌🏿

[@CalvinTennessee]

Jennifer Holliday is such a special woman and human being.

[@petey6716]

Wow, just looking at this and it brought back so much memories. I actually got to see this play amazing. 💕💕

[@Lincia517]

I come back to Dreamgirls so often, this part just pulls the right string in my soul. Jennifer is so powerful with her performance once I saw it it never left my mind

[@roshelltannen9698]

Everyone talks about the women (they are dope) but the men in this play aren't slobs.

[@ladennayoung2939]

They did really good too. I like the way they delivered their lines in this scene.

[@shizzray]

Oh, man. When Obba Babatunde came in with that note.

[@katielawrence5420]

I love Jennifer Holliday.

[@makeitmakesense5348]

You can literally feel it...She is Soul Music...#Legendary😍

[@amandaboom3777]

What an experience that must’ve been.

[@sarahclark6225]

I still need a dose of this per 3months.

[@hijo94]

Jennifer Holiday has a phenomenal voice and the perfect intrepretation of this song. Pure talent and class. I saw her perform live.Bravo!👏❤❤❤😂

[@TheSakebomb1]

I remember hearing this soundtrack at 10..the gasp at the end..

[@crystalfloyd6492]

❤❤❤ Outstanding

[@shewandabrandon5204]

OMG. I don't know what to say. She sang that!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@cj10109]

Sang!! This will always be the blueprint classic 🔥🔥🔥

[@mistafreeze7241]

AIN'T NOBODY........I REPEAT.......NOBODY......F$%KIN' WITH THIS.........POINT BLANK AND PERIOD.....CAN'T BUY THOSE KINDA PIPES.😤

[@sushiharden]

Absolute goosebumps!!!! Man I wish I could have seen this live

[@ThomasBryant-sg6sn]

She took this song to next level 🎚️ awesome

[@k.leetalon742]

Saw this production multiple times when I first moved to nyc and each time the entire audience was in tears by the end and standing O. It was so incredible.

[@RightAsAlways5759]

Saw this on broadway 1983, freaking unbelievable

[@dianaboozer8564]

Perfection on that stage

[@valenciataylor7872]

CAN'T NOBODY COMPARE!!!!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟The Queen of it ALL!!!!!! 💖💖💖 POWERFUL!!!!

[@misticmoon115]

Here from the Emmys…WOW. This was incredible. Such emotion, ma gawdddd I wish I could’ve seen this original live

[@zhaneempress5529]

OMG my heart that just gave me soooo many chills that was a wonderful performance my girl got them LUNGS 🫁 🥰👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾I almost cried near the end

[@NuCreechure]

DAMN! She did that!

[@mysticamethyst1398]

Oh mai gaw I just realized thas miss Loretta herself!! Ive seen this a thousand times!! She looks amazing! Who knew 😶

[@barbaraleonard8379]

Chills !!!!!!!!

[@handbagshoes]

this is crazy, wow moved to tears

[@tatilalima2874]

Sensacional. Sem palavras 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@denisemcdougal6445]

She sang the hell out of that song .

[@LaikynSings]

The incomparable talented genius Chester Daigle II on those keys in the wings......my mentor and the man I call second father.... RIP POP Chester

[@ramelmilton4496]

This is legendary!!!!

[@Dea.jamone]

I got chills !!!! My goodness

[@lafinoutloud]

Such a bombastic and beautiful voice. This was my first time ever seeing the original rendition of this song

[@LadyTate925]

🥺😢 That was so GIANT..... I am blown away!

[@Raphalou]

I tell you, if this was a Gospel song, the entire world would convert to Christianity and get saved! PURE unadulterated power, control, emotion, and character!

[@francespearcy3967]

I am Yet SPEECHLESS. AIN'T NOBODY AND I MEAN NOBODY CAN TOUCH JENNIFER HOLIDAY WITH SONG. AS MENTIONED, SHE IS THE BLUEPRINT.

[@alexandrebertrand-lafleur3114]

Jennifer Holliday, OC Effie, did a appearance with Jennifer Hudson (Effie from Bill Condon's Dreamgirls)

[@mngreg1790]

1 WORD---POWERFUL!!!!

[@rhonefraser]

CLASSIC. Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!!😍😍😍

[@jetblackhair92]

Omg first time seeing this is so amazing

[@terrancesings]

Everyone felt that pain

[@paultrevorbale2440]

How to bring the house down! Utterly amazing!

[@BenjaminIsaac-pz1tu]

Still to this day; #Chills !!!

[@Percussiongurl]

Listen. Sheryl’s walk is so underrated

[@Msomifabien]

Omg Loretta devine looks so beautiful

[@cheriep8375]

Funny thing, I knew Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Hollywood embraced them Jennifer Holiday tho she was ‘the voice’ got absolutely no love after dream girls It wasn’t until she lost weight and talked about the experience that I knew who she was 😳 She was the star 🥲 if only beauty wasn’t just skin deep

[@bradleyscarton3931]

Weight was part of it. The other part was that Jennifer had a reputation of being difficult to work with. She fought regularly with Michael Bennett during Dreamgirls and when she did the show in LA during the first National tour, the cast and crew were pretty much fed up with working with her because how demanding and downright nasty she had been to them. After the LA engagement, her contract wasn’t renewed and her understudy, Lillias White, was given the role. While Hollywood definitely takes to “beauty” and that certainly played against her because of her weight, a negative reputation didn’t help.

[@hyenanutz]

Now add why it was difficult working with her. Depression! She was not a worldly person at all. Being in a company of things and people you've always steered clear of. She was and still is a strong minded and willed human being who has kept clean from alchohol and drugs. So yes I'd be difficult as well . it's not an easy thing to do.. giving into a lifestyle that causes such hard roads. REMEMBER she was a church girl. You should research who she was and is even her brother and sister stated she was suffering depressing Long before broadway. She was sociable ONLY on sundays At church. Not excusing any behaviors but at least know why... sounds very negative and tyrannical of her the way you explained it.

[@ladennayoung2939]

@@hyenanutz And it sound as though you absolutely was and is making excuses for her too. Things can be tough on someone, and when you struggle with depression it can show up as being an angry individual. Some people use certain things as an excuse too. Only God knows. But if you do have a nasty attitude, it will tarnish your reputation, and cause people to not want to work with you or interact with you. It will have a negative impact on someone that is working a 9 to 5 too. In all honesty some people are just mean. Some people feel as though you should cater to them because they do have a certain gift, or whatever the case maybe. They become arrogant, egotistical, and full of pride. So, you really never know. Perhaps there is some truths to what both of you all have said/stated. But there is no need to respond in anger, and dismiss what someone else stated altogether. Just because you are a fan of an individual. None of us really know that person, or anyone for that matter. Not even our own selves, like we say or think we do. Only God truly knows someone's hearts, intentions, and what they are capable of doing or not doing. I pray your strength in the Lord. And I pray that YOU choose to grow in HIS/GOD'S love, mercy, grace, strength, wisdom, compassion, passion, discernment. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. AMEN.

[@ladennayoung2939]

I heard her name before, perhaps through my mom or someone. I'm not quite sure, to be honest. But it had to be more then her weight that held her back. Loretta is older, and not so slim anymore. Yet. She is still working. I'm an understanding person, that honestly try not to judge, condemn, or ridicule anyone. Especially from the outside looking in, and have come to learn the importance of not believing everything that you hear. But with that being said you have to try to take EVERYTHING into consideration. There are people that will NEVER take accountability for their own actions either. If they are nasty, rude, mean, arrogant, hard to work with, a liar, or whatever the case maybe. Then generally won't own up to that. They will end up denying it, or make excuses for their behavior. Only God knows. I pray your strength in the Lord, and that you choose to grow in HIS discernment, love, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.

[@hyenanutz]

Ladenna you're replying but didnt even understand. You text all that to be Self Righteous and put God in the mix The love of God would have stayed your opinion.call it angry and I'll call it One shouldn't present another in way that we forget We all fall short and need GOD. Keep working on yourself as will I.

[@Shelikewoah]

Goosebumps…

[@JohnAdjepongWilson]

they did well in the 2006 film....the original is a classic

[@michaelhenderson8126]

Jennifer Holliday is the very best 😘 she should have been in the movie version, too! This is her signature song.

[@marymiller6188]

She was too old to play Effie by the time the movie came out

[@J.P.Robles]

I thought that I was going to have a hard time finding out who was Loretta because of how young she was here but I was able to identify her very quickly and easily She really looks the same now as back then

[@KraXoom]

Bro I didn’t know this was reuploaded with this quality! I watched the first version on here almost 20 years ago now!! Never thought I’d see a HQ upload 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽 Thank for this ❤️

[@shawnlevel3095]

🗣️AINT NOBODY LIKE THIS WOMAN!

[@danafripp4120]

The Whole Godhead came out that woman's throat.🔥 Monumental.

[@bakeembakeem]

Broadway Musical History 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@ladennayoung2939]

This was good y'all, from what I got to see. I have never got to see this version. It seem like it is pretty good though. May God continue to bless, cover, carry, lead, and protect EVERYONE, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. AMEN.

[@daking589]

Good? Pretty good? My lord.

[@robbyrobinson187]

Still brings me to tears…she really is everything

[@1yricalhill]

my gosh ... speechless

[@maddesthatter8089]

Jennifer Holliday is phenomenal! I’m younger so I’ve never seen this version, didn’t even know it existed until Sheryl Lee Raph mentioned it in one of her interviews. I liked Jennifer Hudson’s version but there’s something about her voice I don’t like. It’s almost like it’s too powerful/loud

[@IzzysCuisines]

Yes Jennifer Holiday Created This Song. If it wasn't for her there would of been no And Im Telling You or Dreamgirls as we know of it today

[@stefonpatterson9194]

No true I love j hud Dreams was already well known before the movie version

[@stefonpatterson9194]

Here's a little history and I'm telling you was done by Neil Carter doing the workshop Jennifer Holiday doing the workshop Jennifer Hudson doing the movie version the song was already popular before J Hud got to it If you check your history dream girls came out in 81 and an 82 On Broadway very popular not Jennifer Hudson version Jennifer Hudson did a wonder job but there is nothing like Jennifer Holiday's version hands down 😊😊

[@meetthetables6803]

Wow. 😳🤩

[@joeymissie]

3:35 I'm saying this line like this forever 😭

[@JAneUNO]

Chilling. A classic.. ^-^

[@delainebutler9459]

My dream role

[@joannap8769]

This is so incredible 😍😍😍 she’s beyond words phenomenal! And beautiful. All of them are so good! On a side note I had no idea Loretta Devine was a singer! She’s stunning 🤩