Original Dreamgirl” star Jennifer Holliday urges fans to “make an ugly face” and tag her on social media.

Holliday, who lives in Atlanta, says in a video posted on  her Instagram account Monday that people used to give her the blues about the faces she made whenever she performed her amazing  hit, “And I’m Telling You (I’m Not Going).”

“I know a lot of people on the internet make fun and ridicule the ugly facial expressions I make when I sign my signature song,” said the Grammy and Tony winner, as she stood  in front of the Imperial Theater, where the show opened over 35 years ago.

“It used to hurt me, but now I count it all joy and I’m laughing with them.”

She then breaks out in song.

Related:

Avery Sunshine celebrates new marriage, new album

Jennifer Holliday pulls out of Trump inauguration

Holliday, who played Effie White in the hit musical, just wrapped a Broadway revival of "The Color Purple" and is now doing concert dates through the summer.  She was in New York to see "On Your Feet,” the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Here’s Holliday performing the classic during the 1982 Tony Awards.

“Happy May everybody and make an ugly face and tag me,” she said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Blooper celebrates the Atlanta Brave’s 5-0 win over the New York Mets during a MLB game Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Truist Park. This year, the venue is a first-time host of the MLB All-Star game. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC