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Jennifer Holliday, known for her powerful vocal performances and commanding stage presence, has established a significant career as both a singer and actress, earning a Grammy and Tony Award for her work.
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Request A ShowJennifer Holliday's breakout role in 'Dreamgirls' led to a recording contract with Geffen Records, which released her debut single 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' and subsequent albums. She was later dropped due to being deemed unmarketable concerning her weight.
After her departure from Geffen Records, Jennifer Holliday signed with Arista Records, releasing her fourth studio album 'I'm on Your Side' through the label.
Jennifer Holliday released her fifth album, the gospel-oriented 'On & On', through Intersound Records.
Holliday released her sixth album, 'The Song Is You', her first full-length album in twenty years, on Shanachie Records in 2014.
A collaboration between Universal Records and Lifetime resulted in the compilation album 'Breaking Through', which featured Jennifer Holliday's single 'A Woman's Got the Power'.
Lifetime (TV channel) collaborated with Universal Records on the compilation album 'Breaking Through', featuring Jennifer Holliday.
Holliday released her cover version of Cissy Houston's 'Think It Over' on Jellybean Recordings, which became a number-one hit on the Dance Club Play chart.
Jennifer Holliday released the collaborative album 'Goodness and Mercy' with Rev. Raphael G. Warnock on her own label, Euphonic Records.
Jennifer Holliday partnered with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote awareness of depression in the Black community.
Jennifer Holliday partnered with the National Medical Association to promote awareness of depression in the Black community.
Jennifer Holliday partnered with Pfizer to promote awareness of depression in the Black community.
Jennifer Holliday performs as the main title performer for the TV series 'The Upshaws'.
Jennifer Yvette Holliday was born on October 19, 1960, in Houston, Texas. Her career began in the early 1980s on Broadway, where her talent quickly garnered attention. She rose to prominence as Effie White in the original Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.” Her portrayal of Effie earned her significant acclaim, including a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1982. Her powerful rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the musical became a number-one R&B hit, also earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1982. This established her as a major force in both music and theater.
Holliday continued to build her recording career, releasing her debut album “Feel My Soul” in 1983, which achieved success on the R&B charts. Her second album, “Say You Love Me” (1985), featured “No Frills Love,” which topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and a version of “Come Sunday” that earned her a second Grammy Award in 1986 for Best Inspirational Performance. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she released several albums and singles, and maintained a presence in music despite facing industry challenges related to her weight. She expanded into television acting in the late 1990s, appearing in a recurring role on the acclaimed series “Ally McBeal.”
In the 2000s and 2010s, Holliday remained active in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, starring in musicals such as “Chicago,” “Downhearted Blues: The Life and Music of Bessie Smith,” and “Black Nativity.” She made a notable return to recording with her album “The Song Is You” in 2014, her first full-length release in two decades, which was well-received. In 2016, she joined the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple” as Shug Avery. Her career is marked by consistent vocal performances and significant achievements in live theater and recording.
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