On a new episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, Jennifer Hudson and Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday delivered a stirring duet of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” The showstopper from Dreamgirls has become iconic through both Holliday’s Broadway debut and Hudson’s Oscar-winning film portrayal.
Hudson, who played Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation, invited Holliday—who originated Effie on Broadway in 1981—on stage to sing the powerful number together. Before they began, Hudson addressed the audience: “Can we give the future Effie’s an example of what they’re going to do in the future?”
A Moment of Musical Legacy
Their voices intertwined in soulful harmony. At one point, Hudson deferred to Holliday, letting her take the final note. The studio erupted in applause. Their performance felt like an emblem of continuity—past meeting present on one stage.
Holliday reflected on Hudson’s Oscar moment, recalling how Hudson had shouted her name to honor Holliday mid-speech. “I know I’ve told you before, but … when you won your Oscar and you ran back with urgency to shout my name over the music … ‘And Jennifer Holliday, too!’” Holliday said. “I was like, ‘Yes, I’m a winner, too!’”
She added, “That moment … I heard it, I got it, and it meant so much to me, even to this day … It still means so much to me.”
Looking Ahead to Dreamgirls’ Return
The duet arrives as Dreamgirls gears up for its first Broadway revival, slated for fall 2026. Producers have launched a nationwide casting search. The new production will be directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, marking a fresh chapter for the musical.
In conversation during the episode, Holliday also gave advice to future performers who might step into Effie’s shoes. “You have to find a place in your mind … to keep Effie fresh … because you can feel every night,” she said. She warned against relying on vocal tricks alone, urging artists to feel the character emotionally each night.