My thoughts on Jennifer Holliday’s "lowest moment"
*Shout to my co-conspirator Charles from Atlanta for tuning me into this
I have a feeling I’m not the only person who didn’t realize that Jennifer Holliday gave a special performance of her signature piece “I’m Not Telling You” on Oscar night. The event took place on top of an abandoned building overlooking the red carpet.
Her performance was sponsored by E News! and took place right around the same time Beyonce, Anika, and Jenny Hudson were being met by sworms of reporters on the star studded carpet. It hurts my heart that a black woman as talented as Jennifer Holliday has been reduced to cable channel performances in deserted warehouses.
Whoever was responsible for the theatrical and visual direction of Holliday’s performance knew what they were doing. All of the symbolism is there: Holliday proclaims “I’m not going!” in the distance, while the crowd below has no idea she’s even there. Holliday is alone, isolated, and distressed, while the A-list posse mixes and mingles off in the horizon. Her aged voice and withered appearance stands in stark juxtaposition to the flurry of media images of the youthful, teen-like Hudson.
What a dam shame. But here's whats more disturbing to me: in the 1000+ blog topics i've read about Hudson vs. Holiday, i've heard virtually no commentary on the underlying politics of racism, sexism and partriarchy which have framed both of these women's careers. At the end of the day these are two black women who are victims of the same oppressive media apparatus. I hate to break it to all you Jenny Hudson fans: 13 years from now Jenny might be just as desperate for a gig as Holliday was on Sunday night.
Rather than constantly pitting Holliday against Hudson (or even, yes, Hudsonvs. Knowles) we might want to be more critical of the ways in which black women are systematically denied the opportunity to pursue successful Hollywood/musical careers without having to be at odds with each other. Perhaps if there wasn’t only ONE opportunity per DECADE for a critically acclaimed “blockbuster” black film—nevermind a black musical---black actresses wouldn’t have to fight like dogs for one decent role.
And therein lies the real tragedy. For black women in Hollywood, “One Night Only” is the eternal theme song that structures their lives.
Posted by the young people's professor on
2/27/2007 at 11:05:00 AM
|Permalink
I fully agree that Holiday's post-Dreamgirls life has put her in a desparate situation in terms of the biz, but I think Hudson will be able to take lessons from Holiday's hardships and establish a more self-determined career. Marketing, size, and beauty standards will always be a reality in showbiz, but J-Hud seems to have that "I just wanna sing" attitude and isn't really caught up in becoming a megastar.
And though it may not seem like it, the industry is bigger and more varied than it was in Holiday's heyday, so I think Hudson has a better chance of carving out a strong niche in the pop world than Holiday did.
OH THANK YOU FRANK for your critical analysis of this whole Dreamgirls debaucle. You made me think about the more serious, subtle processes at play in this situation. I took your advice and pondered over the the racist, sexist, and patriarchal forces behind everything and was like DAMN! this is some ish for real.
I appreciate you depth of thinking...once again you helped me read between the lines.
thanks for this commentary...i think i appreciate jennifer hudson for a couple of reasons but particularly, i enjoy the fact that she keeps referencing those that have come before her: in the golden globe speech, she thanked Nona Gaye (i believe...i'm getting old...haha) and in her Oscar acceptance, she thanked Jennifer Holiday...she's great for doing that, IMO...
First,I don't think the performance was that bad. Second, she's not singing over abandon warehouses. She's high above Hollywood Blvd. Third, it's a gig. Finally, how much of what happened to Ms Holiday's career is her fault? If you ask most people who have worked with her, even from the beginning, they will tell you she's very difficult. I'm just saying, there are plenty of black women who have sustained careers in the entertainment industry over many years. Ms Holiday had a moment. That's more then many will ever have.
I agree with the above poster, those involved in the business can testify about Ms. Holiday's demeanor. She basically pushed her own career to doing just gay pride events by being sullen and uncooperative. Talent is just onepart of attaining success.
What an incredible performance. Jennifer Holliday was giving it to you on that roof top, even though she was singing to a track. I saw her interview on the E! post show. I missed her full performance, so thank you for showcasing this on your website. I have mixed feelings about the time and place too, but there is no one out there who can sing like Ms. Holliday. She sounds fantastic!!!! I hope this opens the door to new projects for her.
No one comes close to Jennifer.I am a musician that has worked with her since Dream Girls in New York and she kills live and kills it again.Hudson does not have any talent at all compared to the electric presence of Jennifer.
I fully agree that Holiday's post-Dreamgirls life has put her in a desparate situation in terms of the biz, but I think Hudson will be able to take lessons from Holiday's hardships and establish a more self-determined career. Marketing, size, and beauty standards will always be a reality in showbiz, but J-Hud seems to have that "I just wanna sing" attitude and isn't really caught up in becoming a megastar.
And though it may not seem like it, the industry is bigger and more varied than it was in Holiday's heyday, so I think Hudson has a better chance of carving out a strong niche in the pop world than Holiday did.
Posted by
jbyrd130 |
2/27/2007
Thank you...and good night!
Posted by
Joey Bahamas |
2/27/2007
absolutely brilliant framing and analysis frank. wonderful! This is the true tragedy.
Posted by
Anonymous |
2/27/2007
OH THANK YOU FRANK for your critical analysis of this whole Dreamgirls debaucle. You made me think about the more serious, subtle processes at play in this situation. I took your advice and pondered over the the racist, sexist, and patriarchal forces behind everything and was like DAMN! this is some ish for real.
I appreciate you depth of thinking...once again you helped me read between the lines.
Posted by
dancehard |
2/27/2007
thanks for this commentary...i think i appreciate jennifer hudson for a couple of reasons but particularly, i enjoy the fact that she keeps referencing those that have come before her: in the golden globe speech, she thanked Nona Gaye (i believe...i'm getting old...haha) and in her Oscar acceptance, she thanked Jennifer Holiday...she's great for doing that, IMO...
Posted by
AC |
2/28/2007
First,I don't think the performance was that bad. Second, she's not singing over abandon warehouses. She's high above Hollywood Blvd. Third, it's a gig. Finally, how much of what happened to Ms Holiday's career is her fault? If you ask most people who have worked with her, even from the beginning, they will tell you she's very difficult. I'm just saying, there are plenty of black women who have sustained careers in the entertainment industry over many years. Ms Holiday had a moment. That's more then many will ever have.
Posted by
Anonymous |
2/28/2007
I agree with the above poster, those involved in the business can testify about Ms. Holiday's demeanor. She basically pushed her own career to doing just gay pride events by being sullen and uncooperative. Talent is just onepart of attaining success.
Posted by
Anonymous |
3/02/2007
What an incredible performance. Jennifer Holliday was giving it to you on that roof top, even though she was singing to a track. I saw her interview on the E! post show. I missed her full performance, so thank you for showcasing this on your website. I have mixed feelings about the time and place too, but there is no one out there who can sing like Ms. Holliday. She sounds fantastic!!!! I hope this opens the door to new projects for her.
thanks Frank,
Mike P.
Michigan
Posted by
Anonymous |
3/04/2007
No one comes close to Jennifer.I am a musician that has worked with her since Dream Girls in New York and she kills live and kills it again.Hudson does not have any talent at all compared to the electric presence of Jennifer.
Bob Magnuson
Posted by
bobmag |
5/02/2007