Holliday explains why the original cast didn’t see a big payday for the hit musical
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NEED TO KNOW
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Jennifer Holliday originated the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls on Broadway in 1981 at just 21 years old
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Holliday tells PEOPLE that while fans may believe the six principal stars of the production were well compensated for their success, she explains that isn’t quite the case
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The actress, 65, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Music Honoree award from the Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF)
Jennifer Holliday argues that there was one thing missing from the original Dreamgirls production.
Speaking with PEOPLE as she’s honored as the recipient of the 2026 Music Honoree award from the Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF), the entertainer, 65, says that fans are often surprised that Dreamgirls wasn’t as big as it could have been at the time.
“People keep asking, ‘Well, did you all know that you…’ No, we really didn’t. We knew we had something. But then again, with us being the first Black musical of that type in terms of that big budget and all that kind of stuff, we just really didn’t know what the response was going to be. And we had mixed reviews and it just kind of threw it off,” Holliday tells PEOPLE.
“The only greatest regret we all had is that we don’t have no Hamilton money. We ain’t got no Hamilton money,” she laughs, explaining, “We all sold our contributions to Dreamgirls for a dollar because it was done in workshop. But other than that, we’re right up there with Hamilton. In fact, we paved the way for Hamilton. So that’s just the way life goes.”
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While the financial side of things could have been better, Holliday is proud of the show because, “All of us are still relevant, still out here working and still have so much more to give.”
Holliday starred alongside Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine in the original Broadway production, which began its run on December 20, 1981. The show closed on August 11, 1985. Dreamgirls tracked Effie (Holliday), Deena (Ralph) and Lorell (Devine) as they fought to climb the music industry ladder in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“So we’re just going to have to raise our own dollars, get our own check because it’s not coming from Dreamgirls,” she laughs.
Holliday also spoke about how Dreamgirls’ legacy has been cemented in recent years.
“For me, over these 45 years, this last 15 years almost is why I’m proudest. Because with the movie of Dreamgirls and the young people who it impacted around the world allowed me not only to be rediscovered in my contributions and my creation of Effie and everything, but it also gave a new generation a chance to dream about being a Dreamgirl, which kind of goes perfect with the BAAF Foundation this year because we’re dealing with dreams in their theme,” she tells PEOPLE.
“So I think that it gives all these new people who want to be Effie, who want to be Deena Jones, who want to be the Lorrell and even the young men, James ‘Thunder’ Early and Curtis, all of those characters through not only national touring companies, but even high school productions. I have traveled quite extensively to see quite a few shows, even to Europe,” she continues.
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Seeing different renditions of the show is extra special for the entertainer.
“I don’t know, it just goes to my heart. It was like, wow, we created something that we did not look at for ourselves, just more so to just create the most excellent thing that we could in our own equal contributions, all six principals. And here we are that future generations will have an opportunity to shine in their talent and to grow in the theater as well,” she shares.
“I think that that’s also helped with theater too, because theater is so popular now with these young people. As when I travel around, I couldn’t believe how many young theater buffs there are and the ages that they are, so that all of that could make a difference,” Holliday adds.
The BAAF’s annual HONORS celebration raises critical support for Boston Arts Academy, the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. This year’s “Come Dream With Us: A Masquerade Ball” event will honor visionary leaders across music, dance, fashion, film, visual arts, civic leadership and sports and entertainment.
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Supporting young talent has been a career-long journey for Holliday, who hopes to prove to the youth that hard work pays off, and they’re truly only at the beginning of that journey.
“I’m in the third act of my life and my career. One of the greatest things is that I’ve been rediscovered, not only by the new fans, but just some of my old fans who would just say, ‘Where have you been? What are you doing?’ ” she shares.
Laughing, she adds, “So it’s pretty nice to be Jennifer Holliday right now. At 65, I’m starting a whole new venture and I’m far more open and saying yes to a lot of things that I used to say no to. And I’m enjoying it this time around.”
The Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s 2026 BAAF HONORS: “Come Dream With Us: A Masquerade Ball” will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, Massachusetts. Tickets must be purchased in advance by visiting baahonors.org.
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