re: Jennifer Holliday: 'What the public doesn't understand is that I actually created my role'

[Kringas]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:12pm

On today's episode of 'Inside Edition,' Jennifer Holliday, who created the breakout role of Effie Melody White 25 ago in the Michael Bennett-directed musical, says she’s very disappointed at her lack of involvement in the soon-to-be-released film version of 'Dreamgirls.'

"I’m not going to lie--I did have hopes that I would reprise the role for the screen. What I wasn't prepared for was not to even be asked to do a cameo of some sort," Holliday tells show hostess Deborah Norville.

Holliday also revealed that the filmmakers used her voice for the hit song, "And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going" -- the show's signature tune-- to market the movie.

"For six months they used my voice on the trailer," Holliday said, explaining she doesn’t want people to think she’s angry, but admits the resurgence of interest in the 'Dreamgirls' story is extremely bittersweet for her.

"What the public doesn't understand is that I actually created my role. I wasn't a girl-for-hire where someone said, 'Here’s the script and here's the songs--your job starts tomorrow. I actually created that role," the Houston native added.

"Everything from the song 'And I Am Telling You' to the end of the second act, I created. Effie was not in the second act at all. I fought for her to be there. I fought for her to come back strong. I fought for her to have more songs," she continued...
Jennifer Holliday: Got To Be Real

"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:17pm

"Everything from the song 'And I Am Telling You' to the end of the second act, I created."

And Michael Bennett is spinning in his grave.

Updated On: 11/22/06 at 02:17 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:17pm

She was too old to be playing the role now, but I DID hope that she, Sheryl and Lorretta would do cameos somewhere....

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:18pm

Loretta actually does have a cameo in one scene. I don't know which one. All I know is that she'd better run for her life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[parislover87]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:18pm

this is disgusting... Everyone who originates a role creates it... Did Daphne throw a fit when she didn't get a cameo? Or the entire cast of Phantom...

Jennifer Holliday is amazing... but she's not the best thing to ever happen to the planet earth... And Jennifer Hudson (IMO) is just as good as her... and I thought Lillias was just as good too... ugh I'm too angry to even make sense

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:20pm

"but I DID hope that she, Sheryl and Lorretta would do cameos somewhere.... "

Loretta Devine IS doing a cameo. But Loretta is more than a one-trick pony.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:20pm

It's all she has.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:21pm

C.R.A.Z.Y.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:21pm

"I’m not going to lie--I did have hopes that I would reprise the role for the screen. What I wasn't prepared for was not to even be asked to do a cameo of some sort," Holliday tells show hostess Deborah Norville.

Say what? How old is she now? 43 or so? Of course she wouldn't be playing that role. Of course, notice that she says "the screen," not specifically this movie. But still, let it go!

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:25pm

She really does need to start being gracious about Dreamgirls. She threw the same fit at the time of the Actors' Fund concert. She know's she fundamentally uncastable in any other role, and is whining and grasping at straws like a spoiled little girl. I mean, is there anyone out there who reads this kind of stuff from celebrities and doesn't think, "Wow. Bitter much?"

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:26pm

"I’m glad about [it's] showing my Tony performance because that way the public can see that I did it first and that this is being copied."

Being copied?
Um... ohk.

~Steven

[Kringas]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:30pm

Wow, I wasn't expecting such vitriolic reactions. I was mainly interested in her saying that she created "Everything from the song 'And I Am Telling You' to the end of the second act." I'm wondering if she meant business or characterization or what. It really does sound like she's claiming she wrote it. If it hasn't already aired here, I'll try and check out the interview on tv.

I'm sure for her Dreamgirls is alternatley the greatest thing that's ever happened to her and the albatross around her neck.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:31pm

It's sad when a performer (or anyone for that matter) hangs onto the past so tightly and never lets go. Live in the the now, Jenny. It's too bad she so identifies with that part and never got to do anything else of note. It's a tragic turn with a Norma Desmond feel to it.

Daphne is the example of being gracious after not being cast in RENT and she would have had a legit gripe since almost the entire original cast was in the film. She totally rose above it.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:31pm

"I took an overdose of sleeping pills and, just to show you how bad my career was, I tried to take my life, and nobody even wrote about it. It was like, ‘Okay, I didn't even get in the paper.’ They didn’t even know who I was,"

This offends me to no end. You try to kill yourself for attention, and then get mad that no one writes about it? I'm sorry, but being a person with depression and hearing about this really makes me mad.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:33pm

Yeah. I thought I'd leave that one for someone else to comment on. How can anyone take this woman seriously?

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:33pm

They DID use her voice for the trailer which is misleading at best--so THAT I can understand.

Of course she is too old, but Bill Condon could have found a spot for her--I would have.

parislover: I doubt VERY seriously that Holliday is bested by Hudson or White--but we should ask Margo--Holliday's performance is the stuff of legend--check the numerous threads about her in regard to this...I'm just sayin....

[Kringas]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:34pm

That's not how I read that passage. I don't think she was "mad" no one knew who she was.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:34pm

The good news:

Now she has something new to draw on when she does "AIATY" next concert.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:35pm

Yes but it sounds like she let that moment/performance define her and she got stuck which is the tragic part. Brilliant or not, it is still sad if she never followed up on it.

[algy]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:39pm

Wow.... Not exactly gracious is it?

I've never seen Dreamgirls, but I know of people whose opinions I rate on this who really rave about her, so I won't comment on whether she's delusional about her role in creating the part, but I think she could have expressed her opinions better shall we say.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:42pm

So we had Sheryl Lee Ralph with her "Beyonce's not black enough" comments, and now we have Jennifer "left in the dust" Holliday. I realize it's tough when something you had a huge part in creating suddenly comes around again with terrific buzz... and you're not a part of it anymore. That's got to hurt. But they need to put it in perspective. This isn't the stage show anymore. And Effie White isn't Jennifer Holliday anymore. She put her stamp on the original role, and Hudson even borrows a bit of her interpretation of the songs and the character, paying tribute to Holliday, without actually copying her.

What has been stolen from Ms. Holliday and Ms. Ralph is the glory they once felt, when they were the stars of Dreamgirls, and it opened as THE show to see on Broadway.

I'm sure it hurt to hear her own voice promoting the film in the first teaser/trailer. But Jennifer doesn't own the rights to that recording, Geffen does, and it's his film with DreamWorks, so there isnt' much she can do.

Loretta Devine has the film career going. She works constantly in high-quality projects and is VERY well-connected in Hollywood. It's not surprising that she is the one with the cameo in this movie. They already have their "good luck charm" with Loretta. They don't need three good luck charms.

I was hoping Jennifer and Sheryl would be asked to participate in the DVD release, but with these bitter attitudes, I doubt they're playing nicely now.

I wonder if Jennifer is contemplating any legal action with the use of her voice in the trailer... or now as a "new" remix on the remastered OBCR? She should read her contract(s) very carefully first... as I'm sure Geffen and DreamWorks already have.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:43pm

The point is, OF COURSE she HELPED create the role -- she originated it. She was there. She worked with the authors and director and choreographer and producer, etc. The same is true for anyone who originates a role. That doesn't give her sole ownership over it for the rest of her life, nor does it entitle her to some sort of "credit." She won the Tony for it 25 years ago. What more credit for creating the role does she want?
Updated On: 11/22/06 at 02:43 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:43pm

All I can hear now is her rendition saved for posterity on the Leading Ladies DVD - it's not good. Very affected. All the gloriousness and passion of the OBCR is gone.

[morosco]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:44pm

"I doubt VERY seriously that Holliday is bested by Hudson or White--but we should ask Margo--Holliday's performance is the stuff of legend--"

No question about it....her singing in the show was legendary. No one will sing the role the way she did. She was a force of nature that literally stunned me. That said...her acting skills during dialogue (at least during the original run of DREAMGIRLS) was rather stiff and amateur. It seemed as if Michael Bennett was always there in her head whispering line readings. But I would pay anything to see her in the role again.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 2:45pm

I couldn't agree more, Rath. She's become a cartoon of herself.