Jennifer Holliday Biography
Jennifer Holliday is an American Singer and Actress, who was born and brought up in Houston, Texas, United States of America. She gained wide recognition when in the Broadway musical Your Arm’s Too Short to Box with God. She is widely known for her debut single, the Dreamgirls number and rhythm-and-blues/pop hit, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, winning a Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Jennifer is also known for her role in the Broadway musical ‘Dreamgirls’ as Effie Melody White, which earned her a Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. She also performed “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” in a duet with Jennifer Hudson, during the BET Awards on 26 June 2007.
Jennifer Holliday Age
Holliday is 37 years old as of 2021, she was born on 19 October 1960, in Houston, Texas, United States. She celebrates her birthday on 19 October every year and her birth sign is Libra.
Jennifer Holliday Height
Jennifer stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches.
Jennifer Holliday Family
Holliday was born to her parents Jennie Eaton and Omie Lee Holliday in Houston. She spent her childhood with her two siblings named John Eaton and Charlotte Weaver. Our efforts to find out more about her family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Thus, the occupation of her parents and siblings is still unclear. We will update this section once this information is available.
Jennifer Holliday Husband
Jennifer has been married twice. She was first married to Billy Meadows in March 1991, a pianist, and divorced in 1994. The couple met in a nightclub where she was singing. “He had a great sense of humor and he made me laugh all the time,” Holliday says. “I had been feeling bad for so long, I wanted to laugh.”
The relationship lasted for a few months hence they divorced 9 months later. She explained to Meadows: “We just didn’t know each other well enough.” Her second marriage was to Rev. Andre Woods who was a minister in Detroit. Jet magazine covered the marriage in their April 19, 1993 issue.
Though Woods was a charismatic Detroit preacher, Holliday subsequently said that even so, he was a player who also ran through her money. Unfortunately, the relationship lasted for a few months. Holliday and Andre divorced, just four months after her Jennifer’s mother died of cancer. As of late February 2011, Holliday was residing in Atlanta.
Jennifer Holliday Net Worth
Holliday has an estimated net worth of $10 million dollars as of 2021. This includes her assets, money and income. Her primary source of income is her career as a Singer and Actress. Through her various sources of income, Jennifer has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Jennifer Holliday Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Jennifer Holliday.
Jennifer Holliday Wiki
- Full Names: Jennifer Yvette Holliday
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Singer and Actress
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: Afro-American
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Jennifer Holliday Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 37 years (2021)
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Date of Birth: 19 October 1960
- Place of Birth: Houston, Texas, United States
- Birthday: 19 October
Jennifer Holliday Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 5 inches (1.67 m)
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Black
- Hair Color: Black (natural)
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Jennifer Holliday Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Omie Lee Holliday
- Mother: Jennie Eaton
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): John Eaton and Charlotte Weaver
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Husband/Spouse: Andre Woods (1993–1994), Billy Meadows (1991–1991)
- Dating / Boyfriend: Not Available
- Children: Sons (Not Known) Daughter(s) (Not Known)
Jennifer Holliday Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $10 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Singer and Actress
Jennifer Holliday ‘And I Am Telling You’
The song is a burn song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, accompanied with lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. within the circumstance of the music “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is sung by the character Effie White. Holliday with the girl team The Dreams, to her executive, Curtis Taylor Jr., whose love affair and professional relationship with Effie is coming to and end.
The lines to “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, frequently thought to be the show’s signature tune. It recounts Effie’s love for Curtis, both firmly commited and resistant. She declines to let Curtis forget her behind, and bravely announces to him, “I’m staying and you … you’re gonna love me.”
Jennifer Holliday ‘I Am Changing’
This is a song coming from the second act of the prolonged Broadway musical Dreamgirls. It was written by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen. ‘I Am Changing’ was portrayed by the character Effie White, initially performed on Broadway by Jennifer Holliday.
Jennifer Holliday Weight Loss
But the good times came at a cost. Holliday, who weighed more than 300 pounds when she played Effie, struggled with depression and health issues. In the 1990s, Holliday lost a substantial amount of weight and talked about her health struggles with depression during promotional interviews.
Initially, weight loss was attained strictly by diet. On her 30th birthday, she tried to kill herself with an overdose of sleeping pills. For 15 years she struggled to find work. Eventually, in an effort to avoid regaining the weight, So Holliday had an experimental surgery called gastric bypass. She lost 124 lbs.
After the initial weight loss, she released an LP and video titled I’m On Your Side. At first, Holliday was hurt and angered. Unlike some of her Broadway castmates, she was not offered a cameo in the film. She was a star again, once more in demand for live performances. Today at age 57 she is slimmer, healthier and happier and she can still put on a show.
Jennifer Holliday Talks Depression Battle and Weight Issues
On suffering from depression
When I was suffering from depression, people weren’t talking about depression, it had a stigma. Nobody asked me about it. No one ever said, ‘Do you want to talk to somebody? I knew I was terribly sad, but I didn’t know why.
On her weight struggles
I had thought I was really ugly. I had just been let go by my record company since they labeled me as too ugly and not wanting. They were like, ‘We can’t make a music video of you. That’s the reason for my problems. My record company dropped me, I can’t get a boyfriend — that’s the reason! I’m too big.
On her new body
I didn’t fall for that trick, I like the way I looked and I have stayed that way. But i was not going to trust everybody else since they fibbed when I was overweight!
On fighting multiple sclerosis
For quite some time, they believed I had lupus, then they beleived I had something else. Lastly, when I could not walk, they did a spinal tap and conclusively discoveredi had Multiple Sclerosis. The process was painful. Sore joints and muscular pains took away my ability to walk and function.
One day in 2007, I felt an overwhelmingly sharp pain, as if someone had taken a knife to my eye. I ended up going completely blind in my left eye. However, I had to go to the New York Eye Infirmary, and I told my neurologist. Fortunately, there are a lot of blind singers. There was no discoloration in the eye, so I’m not concerned about seeing out of it as long as I can sing.’
On her comeback
It was a very long, hard journey, but now, I do think that I’m ready to come back. And maybe these opportunities will be better than what I thought I missed. But I’ve grabbed it. And I’m not going to let it go.
Jennifer Holliday Songs
- I Am Changing
- And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going
- Dreamgirls
- Just Let Me Wait
- Just For A While
- Shine A Light
- I Am Love
- Dreams Never Die
- Hard Times For Lovers
- No Frills Love
- Hard Times For Lovers
- Heart On The Line
- Read It In My Eyes
- I’m On Your Side
Jennifer Holliday Movies and TV Shows
- 2021 – The Road to Galena as Florrie
- 2021 – Fairy Tale Forest as Ava
- 2011 – Happily Divorced as Jennifer Holliday
- 2010 – Change in the Wind as Hattie McDaniel (voice)
- 2009 – Musical Theatre of Hope as Singer
- 1997-2001 – Ally McBeal as Lisa Knowles
- 2001 – The Rising Place as Sadie
- 2000 – Hang Time as Charlotte Hayes
- 1999 – Touched by an Angel as Norma
- 1997 – Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as The Dream Diva
- 1986 – The Love Boat as Dr. Charlene Thomas
Frequently Asked Questions About Jennifer Holliday
Who is Jennifer Holliday?
Jennifer Holliday is an acclaimed Singer and Actress, who gained wide recognition when in the Broadway musical Your Arm’s Too Short to Box with God, and for her debut single, the Dreamgirls number.
How old is Jennifer Holliday?
Holliday is an American national born on 19th October 1960, in Houston TX.
How tall is Jennifer Holliday?
Jennifer stands at a height of 1.67m.
Is Jennifer Holliday married?
Holliday was first married to her lovely husband pionist Billy Meadows but divorced a few months later. She then got married to Rev. Andre Woods of which they divorced just four months after her Jennifer’s mother died.
How much is Jennifer Holliday worth?
Jennifer has an approximate net worth of $10 million. This amount has been accrued from her leading roles in the entertainment industry.
Where does Jennifer Holliday live?
Holliday is a resident of Atlanta, GA, USA, we shall upload pictures of her house as soon as we have them.
Is Jennifer Holliday dead or alive?
Jennifer is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Jennifer Holliday now?
Holliday is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry, she is a cast member of the newly released movie The Road to Galena, which will be released in the late 2021 in the US and later dates in other countries.
What happened to Jennifer Holliday?
Holliday who weighed more than 300 pounds, struggled with depression and health issues. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Jennifer Holliday Contacts
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