SGL Café

Jennifer Holiday/Hudson backstage feud

See, I knew the bitch was getting way more props than she deserved. Okay, Hudson was a great Effie, I'll give her props. But the original diva can't be touched, though, it seems, Ms. Hudson did her best to ruffle the feathers of this legendary broadway star. (click to enlarge)

In true diva style, Ms. Jennifer Holiday was gracious under fire. That's why I love her. Ms. Hudson should've been taking notes instead of giving orders.

Holiday & Hudson Duet

Props, at last ...

And I'm Telling You' ~ Hudson Can't Touch Holiday.

Have you ever loved a man this damn much?

When Jennifer Holiday belted And I'm Telling You at the 1982 Tony Awards, the world stopping spinning, just a second ... and we all felt her pain. I was just a teen at the time, but even I knew.

Now Jennifer Hudson has tackled the role of Effie White in the film version of the show which is loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes. I have no problem with her performance, it was excellent. However Jennifer Holiday's was brilliant, a moment in history that will never be touched. To tell you the truth, I didn't totally enjoy the movie, nor the clueless crowd in the theater with me (some were disgruntled to learn that it was a musical ??!!). My people, my people.

But no one seems to care; no one wants to give homage where its due. The original Divas. Very few even knew that Loretta Devine (who has a cameo performance) was the original Lorelle. I think the whole thing is pretty sad, and so was the movie.

In all honesty though, I'm going through a break-up of my own, so maybe I didn't give the movie its fair shake. I do know Effie's anguish though; I wanted to pound my chest too, and demand that he stay and work it out. But this ain't Broadway. Such real-life theatrics rarely go over well, or garner any applause.

So I shrugged off the party invites this New Year's eve. I had a drink with a friend and painted my apartment red. Literally. Call it color therapy ... but in '07 I'm feeling red. What I'm not feeling is Dreamgirls, or the apparent lack of knowledge of the great ones who paved the way.

Jennifer Holiday is still the reigning Queen. No matter what anyone else wants to believe. She's the one who let me know that you can love a man that much ... enough to almost go there.

Almost.