- Portrayed the role of Effie Melody White in the original musical
version of "Dreamgirls", giving one of the most triumphant singing
performances ever committed to Broadway. Her raw, all-consuming vocal
version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" made the Tony-winning
performer a cult phenomenon. - She earned a Doctor of Music Degree from the Berklee School of Music in
Boston, Massachusetts. - Won Broadway's 1982 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for
"Dreamgirls." - In 2001, she sang "America The Beautiful" on the first WWE pay-per-view
to be held after the September 11th terrorist attacks. - In the 1990s, Holliday lost a substantial amount of weight and talked
about her health battles with clinical depression. She is now a
spokesperson on the subject. In an effort to avoid regaining the
weight, Holliday had gastric bypass surgery. - In the Broadway musical production of "Your Arms Too Short To Box With
God", her performance earned her a 1981 Drama Desk nomination. - Performed in the touring company of "Sing, Mahalia, Sing" in 1986, as
the late, great Mahalia Jackson. - "Dreamgirls" earned her not only a Tony, but Drama Desk and Theatre
World Awards; she also won a Grammy Award for her recorded version of
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". - Sister of John Eaton, and Charlotte Weaver.
- Made an appearance at the 6th annual United States
Conference on AIDS at the Anaheim Hilton & Towers in Anaheim,
California. (September 2002) - She sang "This is the Moment" at the 2004 July 4th Boston
Pops Concert for Independence Day. (July 2004)
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