No one sings this better than Jennifer Holliday. No one. She is perfect in this song.

I saw this cast in1982 in NYC. I was in front balcony and in the end it was like she was singing to me. You could see the pain and the crazy. I cried.

Jennifer Holiday the original Dream Girl no one can match her Tony winning performance.

Watching Jennifer Holiday perform this is akin to a religious experience ... it's like being in church and getting happy in the spirit.

And THAT is why this song is such a difficult number, few can follow that performance!! The emotion is truly moving!!

People were not prepared for this when she first performed this on Broadway. The performance brought the house down.

This is a piece of history here. This is one of the most memorable broadway shows. Jennifer Holiday and then Jennifer Hudson both saaaaang this song❤️

OMG...imagine doing this LIVE 8x a week!!! Just incredible!!!!!!!!!!

Dreamgirls was the 1981 production broadway play based on the girl group The Supremes berry Gordy Motown. The actress is Loretta Devine you just called her name along with the other actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. Jennifer Holiday has powerful voice all the actress can saaaang. Jennifer was only 22 I’ve been hearing this song ever since I was 14 when this came out. I’m 54 so yea this never gets old

This is perfection. No one wanted to follow this performance! This is the reason to go to Broadway. Although no other show will match this. Singing and acting. Raw power and emotion.

Jennifer is from Houston Texas I grew up with her when she was a lead singer in the community choir, people made fun of her back in the day because of her size and she always wore wigs. But who is laughing now she is a legend now !!!! Actress , singer Humanitarian

One thing that is often overlooked is how young Jennifer Holliday was at the time. She is the original vocalist of this song and others have tried to replicate her performance until Jennifer Hudson took it on.

I had the privilege of hearing Jennifer Holliday perform this twice, once in Dreamgirls and again at a charity event. I cry every time she sings this.

There really are no words to describe the level of amazement this song is.

This was ranked one of the best performances on Broadway of all time! It is literally iconic and brought the house down night after night!

G.O.A.T even Whitney couldn't match this 🔥🔥🔥🔥and Whitney is to me the greatest ever RIP LEGEND 😢😢😢

You got the feeling, young man 👍🔥 if you don't get chills from a Powerhouse voice like that, you probably aren't breathing. 😅 Loved your honest and genuine reaction 💞

😂❤️Your face through this whole reaction was perfection. I can’t imagine jumping into Dreamgirls and Jennifer Holiday with no warning. Honestly this performance is so beautiful it makes me bawl every time I hear it. Thank you for such a pure reaction.

She’s The Original Dream Girl

They don't have singer like that anymore, the hardest song to sing. All natural ✨ 😍

The look on your face while watching this "young buck"...is pricless.

Jennifer Holiday's version is still chilling to this day. Good Lord.

I saw this on broadway and I was blown away by ms. Holloway's performance. With the acoustics in this theater and her powerful voice, it felt like the song wrapped around you. The audience stood before she even finished, anticipating the final note, then the ovation began, with thunderous applause and cheers.

Her voice just goes right through you

As someone who’s been obsessed with the musical “Dreamgirls” since I was kid, watching your reactions is priceless! 😂 I’m always glad to see someone appreciate the greatness that is this show, and specifically Miss. Jennifer Holliday! She is one of the best to ever grace a Broadway stage. The only thing better than this performance is hearing her sing this live, which I’m proud to say I was lucky to do… ❤️

The look on your face was priceless. It was as if you were imagining someone singing that you in real life and meaning it. It was Jennifer Holliday singing the song. She is a powerhouse and her vocals are extraordinary. Thanks for the reaction. This play was on Broadway for a long time and it was made into a movie. Beyonce was in it but Jennifer Hudson had the Jennifer Holliday role in the movie.

This is the original Dreams Girls

This performance is from the 1982 Tony Awards. And the best performance ever. Jennifer Holliday made music in the 80s, 90s, and even today. See has R&B songs and she also has Gospel songs!

U not the only one who gets the chills hearin her beautiful voice. Jennifer Hudson also gives me the chills singing this song just does such a great tribute to the original.

This was the best Broadway musical (play) back in the day, I wanted to see this play when I was young back in 1982, (yes I’m telling my age 😊) Jennifer Holiday gave me chills every time I would hear her sing this song. I’m glad to see you react to broadway musicals. You should check out more musicals, especially any song from play Hamilton” I promise you will not be disappointed. Great reaction to Dreamgirls’ show stopping song. 😊👍🏼

Okay! This was an incredible performance and your reaction, oh Honey, was nothing short of priceless! The look on your face was the definition of "Gobsmacked"! #jenniferholliday #shawnytv

This is the most PURE reaction video ever. The fact that this is all new content for you and you seem so fascinated and awakened, lol. The look in your eyes is saying theatre has accomplished it mission, once again! Beautifully captivating! Thank you for doing this video!

I'm gonna give you 2 thumbs up because you're the 1st person doing these reactions to play the whole scene from that play

Singers back then KILLED everyone. They didn't need microphones.

Loretta looks absolutely gorgeous

I was just out of college when I first saw this very performance (at the Tony Awards) LIVE on TV. I was STUNNED. And I was stunned and astonished once again watching it now. Wow.

Yes, Yes and YES!!!! I had the honor of seeing Jennifer Holliday perform this in the early 80’s on Broadway when she was in the original cast; my uncle took me to see the matinee; we had no money so we were in the standing section; I will have that memory forever ❤❤. Afterward, I would belt this out in my room, now, I belt it out in the car 😂. So fortunate to grow up in NYC.

Exhausting , Painful yet Brilliant performance! WOW.

Can you react to Vesta Williams- congratulations

Listen to Jennifer Holliday sing This is the Moment Off the chart sanging!!!!!

that was gut wrenching, complete with a zombie walk... Idk how she did it daily and sometimes twice (matinee shows) this can never be duplicated..please react to another broadway sensation Stephanie Mills singing "Home" Live at the Apollo, you'll be lost for words...again.

Her huge voice is remarkable. Loved you were mezerized.

Maaaaan, this brought tears to my eyes 😢😢❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

You should know this song from the movie with Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson. This was the original play from 1982. I was 13 and wanted to see this play so bad as a kid. When this song was released as a single it went to number 1 on the R&B charts that year.

Good God she's amazing. Jennifer Hudson does an amazing version of this too, but still there is no comparison to the legendary voice of Jennifer Holliday. I would never have gone to see a musical or broadway production when I was younger, and now I can't get enough of them. The singing is just off the chain. if you ever have an opportunity to go see a musical or a broadway show, do it. It will change your life.

Lord that woman can sing n hit vocals sitting down lord ❤ amen

Yes that's Jennifer holiday and she has a most recent song out Call (So in love) I seen this play its so darn good, And Jennifer Hudson and beyonce did the movie call dream girls. But Jennifer holiday is the original singer Of am I telling you. But go check out Jennifer Hudson's version It's powerful

She sang a lot of songs She my favorite singer of all

He is such a little cutie.

This is one of the most difficult songs to sing...so awesome!

Bro I had chills the whole time she sang 😭🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

This is a terrific song from a terrific musical. If you can't catch the stage show, the movie is terrific as well.

I love to see young people react to classic art...they missed out on so much true talent

The One, The Only. Another Legendary Queen! Yes! She Sang This, and then Jennifer Hudson also sang this too. But nothing like the original!

Goose bumps every time. Chills everywhere

I was fortunate enough to see "Dreamgirls" in 1983, when I was 17. I don't think I breathed through this entire song. I had connections that got me backstage afterwards and had the cast autograph my program, so of course I still have it. It has my fingerprints forever etched into it, because I was clutching it so hard and sweating so profusely through this scene!

It's so improbable to hear an angel sing. I had never felt a soul singing. However, I had already heard an Aretha Franklin, an Ella Fitzgerald...🙏

This is a classic now you got to react to Dreamgirls version from jennifer hudson till this day Jennifer holiday still sings like this till this day

You may know her from Ally Mcbeal, she was soloist on the church screens. She also gone gosple and club music.

Shawn U've heard this song before. They have played it on the Radio since I was a kid. Over and Over and Over and Over for YEEEEEEEEEEEEEARS til even now they still play it. On competitions females and males have sung this song. So u've heard it before.

She was in her early 20s during this play. She's amazing

What a fantastic performance! This was incredible.

Ur reaction was priceless. She is talented.

This is the original, Jennifer Hudson started in a movie about her, Beyoncé with in the movie too, but yea Jennifer played her and say TF outta that song😩💯❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Glad you cracked that door open for the vocalist's from back in the day. This is just one of her popular songs. " I am love", is a banger, and so is " I'm on your side ". She was and a few others that knew how to sang. Check out " Home ", by Stephanie Mills, sha was from back in the day too. Btw, you go need to put on your seatbelt for this one. Lol

This song….both performances (Holiday and Hudson) make me cry every time. Just stunning!!

Glad you enjoyed that. It is history. Yes it is Jennifer Holiday and she has much more.

I'll be damned if I chase after any man 😂 but this was 10/10🔥🔥🔥

Some of Jennifer's other songs are "Just Let Me Wait" and "Giving Up" which many think is a cover of Donny Hathaway, but actually Gladys Knight and the Pips made it first (to my knowledge). Also "I am Love" and "I'm on Your Side".

You can hear her voice in Robert Townsend’s The Five Heartbeats. She was the choir soloist, Touched By Angel, The Love Boat, Alley McBeal, she also recorded I’m On Your Side, she’s performed at Show Time @ The Apollo,

One of the best performances ever!!! Check out Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple. The song is I’m Here !!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

I still tear up every time I see her perform this song. Fire!

I saw that when it aired, in mono, on an old Zenith TV. I was blown away.

The great Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph love them. Ms. Jennifer Holliday put her foot and toes.

Great reaction. You just brought me back years. I saw Dream girls on Broadway in New York City with Jennifer Holliday in 1982 it's was the best experience to watch live she was amazing.

Man I thought that JHud owned this song but she is like a mouse singing it compered to big mamma Jen damn that is a powerful voice ,how the hell have I never seen this woman before.

That look on your face towards the end was priceless 😂

Your reaction is priceless! 😂 I remember this musical came to DC when I was about 18, but I couldn’t afford the theater ticket. The Movie with Jennifer Hudson is ok, but doesn’t really do it like Jennifer Holiday.

You should see her on American idol years later as a guess it was omg amazing

Hey Shawny! Yes, that's Jennifer Holliday playing the role of singer, Effie White in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls". Have you ever seen the MOVIE "Dreamgirls" with Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Beyonce, Danny Glover, etc? If not, check it out. It will give you a better understanding of what was going down to get to this point. Jennifer Hudson plays Effie in the movie. Peace...✌🏽

Could you react to Betty Buckley Memory at the tony awards? She was a powerhouse in her time on Broadway

Yes it was, I believe all of these actors are still around today

Did you see the movie of Dreamgirls? This is the Broadway original version! The movie version had Jennifer Hudson in the role of Effie. Holliday reminds me of Patti LaBelle.

That was Jennifer Hudson in the movie dream girls staring Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Fox and Eddie Murphy Or You might have saw Will Smith Willie Smith Lip syncing it on the fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Thanks, cutie. Peace.

In this day of "very disposable" media content... what with... what's "poppin'" now... Tik Tok generation, and so forth... I COMMEND you, young brother, for being open-minded enough to experience "new performances" to yourself - which many of us "older" folks are well aware of! "Dream Girls," this Broadway musical, is historic! Jennifer Holliday won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her betrayal as "Effie," her character in this musical! She gave us "chill bumps" too... facts lol! Keep doing what you do... we realize that you must also react to "what's poppin'" now... and what's "a bop" right now in today's music. But the fact that you are open to explore music that you've never heard or seen before, speaks to your maturity as a content provider in the current media landscape! It's "possible" that this song might sound familiar to you... if you ever saw the movie version of "Dreamgirls," featuring Beyonce. If so... then this song sounds familiar to you, because Jennifer Hudson (not Holliday) sang "this song" which you just reacted to, in the movie version (J-Hud played the chatacter, "Effie" in the movie). Keep it up! 👏🏾👏🏾

Now this was sooooooo Inspirational And Joyful. The Singing Was Just OUTSTANDING!!. And I Can See Why You Mentioned The Movie The WIZ. Because That Singing Style Was In The Movie. But Not With Jennifer Holiday. Now You Might Be Thinking About The Woman That Played The Mama On The TV Show "What's Happening." Her Name Was Mable King. Their Voices Are Similar But Jennifer Is The Better Singer.

Now I want to see the cast of the movie Dreamgirls.. The original was 🔥 and the movie cast did it justice. 🔥

I gotta plug the group SOLO again if you like that soul singing. "Where do you want me to put it" 👍🏾

Listen to Jennifer Holliday and Luther Vandross singing with Paul Simon , singing bridge over trouble waters live.

Your face was priceless the entire time.

Like they say "Showbiz ..Sister Showbiz". You can be replaced no matter who you are....The Show Must Go On...LOL

His reactions are very natural I love it ! Do more please

Yessssssssss, she does have other hits. Please check out "I am loved" also "Iam changing"

Stuck!!! your reaction lol I love it!

I understand if you haven't seen something, you haven't seen something, but i LOL when you said "oh, so this is a little play or something." Get ready to get your mind blown.

That’s how old stool did it. 😂

My favorite Singer of all Jennifer Holliday

You were completely adorable the whole video. 😂🥰😂