This week on Unsung, the spotlight will shine on the 'orignal Dreamgirl', Ms Jennifer Holliday.

dancerella said:

Really looking forward to this!

Same here!

Definately a great choice!

I'm sure Unsung won't bring this up but I heard a story that Gerald Levert attempted to produce her years ago. Something happened, the project was abandoned and Gerald said something like she was a nightmare to work with. Anyone else hear that and can provide further details?

kitbradley said:

I'm sure Unsung won't bring this up but I heard a story that Gerald Levert attempted to produce her years ago. Something happened, the project was abandoned and Gerald said something like she was a nightmare to work with. Anyone else hear that and can provide further details?

That's a shame, if true. I would have loved to here a Levert produced album from Jennifer Holliday. She sure had the chops...

What I find so amazing about Jennifer is that when she decided to do something about her weight she meant bizness...It's been well over 20yrs and she looks Beautiful and healthy..She's Broadway Royalty and during the height of her fame she should have been able to transition from Broadway to TV to Film...Yes she was heavy during The 80's but so was Nell Carter..

Chancellor said:

What I find so amazing about Jennifer is that when she decided to do something about her weight she meant bizness...It's been well over 20yrs and she looks Beautiful and healthy..She's Broadway Royalty and during the height of her fame she should have been able to transition from Broadway to TV to Film...Yes she was heavy during The 80's but so was Nell Carter..

I believe she had some health problems after the surgery because I recall her saying several times she wouldn't recommend anyone to have bariatic surgery. But, yes, she has done an incredible job keeping the weight off for so many years.

Simply the best.

kitbradley said:

I believe she had some health problems after the surgery because I recall her saying several times she wouldn't recommend anyone to have bariatic surgery. But, yes, she has done an incredible job keeping the weight off for so many years.

I remember her talking about the surgery in the past but I forgot she had health issues becuz of the surgery..I wonder if BeBe Winans had the same surgery or if he did it naturally?

dancerella said:

She has got to be one of the most intense, dramatic singers I've ever seen. Good Lord!

JabarR74 said:

1sotrue said:

dancerella said:

She has got to be one of the most intense, dramatic singers I've ever seen. Good Lord!

Her vocal theatrics turned me off sometimes but it's great for Gospel music. She signed to Geffen records which had a roster of rock acts not r&b acts. I don't believe her weight kept her back because there were other r&b acts who were successful in her time. Cheryl Lynn Vesta, Patti Austin, and Chaka Khan weren't a size 0 but they all were more successful.

She should've stayed with her Gospel roots after Broadway her voice was better suited for it

Chancellor said:

I finally watched Jennifer's episode last night...I agree she should have become a Full-time Gospel Artist after "Dreamgirls" becuz Gospel is the true essence of her Gift and her being...Her voice is not of this World and God awakened it during her late Teens...I've never heard another female Vocalist claim to have been gifted a unique vocal ability after surgery...Jennifer needs to continue to believe in herself and go after whatever she wants...The ONLY person that can stop her is herself...

Going to try to remember to watch her Unsung on my lunch hour today. This right here is my favorite song from Jennifer:

kitbradley said:

I'm sure Unsung won't bring this up but I heard a story that Gerald Levert attempted to produce her years ago. Something happened, the project was abandoned and Gerald said something like she was a nightmare to work with. Anyone else hear that and can provide further details?

>

It's been rumoured for ages.

I didn't see the Unsung so I don't know if it was addressed but she was supposedly such a nightmare during Dreamgirls that to this day Sheryl Lee Ralph won't even talk about her.

CynicKill said:

kitbradley said:

I'm sure Unsung won't bring this up but I heard a story that Gerald Levert attempted to produce her years ago. Something happened, the project was abandoned and Gerald said something like she was a nightmare to work with. Anyone else hear that and can provide further details?

>

It's been rumoured for ages.

I didn't see the Unsung so I don't know if it was addressed but she was supposedly such a nightmare during Dreamgirls that to this day Sheryl Lee Ralph won't even talk about her.

They addressed that...She and Sheryl made up and have been friendly for a few years now. Jennifer admitted she was mean and lashed out at people at the time because she was so depressed. Sheryl gave her a lot of compliments too.

Amazing singer,but I think much of her music has been run-of-the-mill.I like her 1983 single "I Am Love" but I didn't hear too many other great singles from her.They should have put her in the studio with someone like Quincy Jones.

SoulAlive said:

Amazing singer,but I think much of her music has been run-of-the-mill.I like her 1983 single "I Am Love" but I didn't hear too many other great singles from her.They should have put her in the studio with someone like Quincy Jones.

Yup! She was definately not a priority at Geffen. Maybe if she would have signed with someone else, they would have at least tried to team her with better producers. Unsung did bring up the fact that Geffen did not know what to do with R&B singers. i don't know. Other than a few songs here and there, all 3 of her Geffen albums are pretty forgettable. Which is unfortunate for someone who possess the kind of vocal power she has. And although Unsung didn't bring up the story about Gerald Levert, it very well could have happened. Jennifer admitted she sufferred from some extreme emotional problems and she was difficult to work with.

The oddest thing I remember about Jennifer Hudson's rise to fame is Jennifer Holliday performing "And I am tellng you" on E:Entertainment in some pre-awards show room hours before the Oscars were televised LIVE on ABC...A Gig is a Gig, but she knew Hudson was gonna sing the song during the Live broadcast, was she trying to prove something to herself by singing it Live on the Red-carpet? I guess she was still mad @ being dissed by Hudson & the Director...

I think it is great that Jeniifer and Sheyl made up after all that drama and it shows that the entertainment business doesn't care who gets hurt for a profit. I think Jennifers voice has not been utilized right and it sad that now when you google dreamgirls that Jennifer Hudson pops up before she does. Sad that her behaviors towards others helped to ultimately bring her down somewhat too. Im glad she got help for her food addiction and her medical issues. Hope she sees some renewed interest in her voice after this Unsung episode.

nursev said:

I think it is great that Jeniifer and Sheyl made up after all that drama and it shows that the entertainment business doesn't care who gets hurt for a profit. I think Jennifers voice has not been utilized right and it sad that now when you google dreamgirls that Jennifer Hudson pops up before she does. Sad that her behaviors towards others helped to ultimately bring her down somewhat too. Im glad she got help for her food addiction and her medical issues. Hope she sees some renewed interest in her voice after this Unsung episode.

It's not Sad that Hudson's name pops-up when you search "Dreamgirls"...The Wiz, West Side Story & Grease originated on Broadway and the original leading cast were forgotten about when the movies hit the Big screen. Plays take on a new life when they hit The Silver Screeen. Hudson's performance is rememberable and still fresh on peoples minds..