"Dreamgirls": Hudson v. Holliday

When I was 15 years old back in 1982, I remember watching the Tony awards and getting blown away by Jennifer Holliday's live performance of "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. Okay, that makes me sound uber gay, doesn't it? Also uber-old. Ugh.

Anyway, it was a mind blowing experience for me. The only other landmark television moment that even comes close was Michael Jackson in 1983 doing the Moonwalk for the first time on the Motown anniversary special. (That television moment is still sort of cool, but has definitely lost some luster over the years what with Jackson's increasing weirdness.) But Holliday's performance at the 1982 Tonys-- it's every bit as awesome now as it was 25 years ago.

I guess we'll have to wait until December 15th (when Dreamgirls the movie hits theaters) to hear Jennifer Hudson belt out "And I Am Telling You." The film's producers seem to be keeping her performance of the song under wraps to build the buzz around it. Until then, check out Holliday's performance at the 1982 Tony Awards courtesy of the YouTube clip below. The former American Idol contestant may end up being amazing as Effie, but she's got a helluva big dress to fill.