By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 20, 2003
Jennifer Holliday won a Tony Award portraying Effie White in “Dreamgirls” and a Grammy Award for her signature song, “And I’m Telling You.” But it was her guest-starring spots on “Ally McBeal” that won her a new generation of fans who had never heard of–nor heard–the power-house singer. That’s about to change.
“I’m starting to do more concerts now,” says Holliday, 42. “I get to show people how I’ve grown as an artist.”
Holliday is the star of Saturday evening’s eighth annual N’DIGO Gala at Symphony Center. She took a breather to chat about her love-hate relationship with yoga, her battle with her weight and how she turned her life around.
CDs you’re listening to: Deepak Chopra, gospel, Nelly, 50 Cent. I’ve got eclectic tastes.
Tell us a secret: I’ve had a life coach for the past few months. She’s about to fire me because I’m trying to meditate and do yoga, but I’m not sure it’s working.
What you can’t figure out: I really don’t get yoga. It’s hard. I know once I get it I’ll be so happy, but this stretching till your bones hurt isn’t fun.
Your motto about exercising: Unless it’ll lead to a better position for sex, I don’t want to know about it.
Favorite artist we’d least expect you to like: Tupac’s [Shakur] music was haunting. I met him in Vegas right before he died and there was a look in his eyes that I’ll never forget. I was surprised he even knew who I was.
Pet peeve: I want to petition and protest about the lack of nutritious things to eat at the St. Louis airport.
Looking younger than ever: When you’re heavier, you look older. I now look the age I’m supposed to look.
How you got thin: I had the same surgery that Carnie Wilson and Al Roker did. I was 345 pounds and needed help.
Why you opted for such a risky procedure: I was at the end of my rope. My career wasn’t going well and I was suffering. I had tried to commit suicide.
Healing from within: I lost the weight, but I still had the same problems. I didn’t realize that like Dorothy [in “The Wizard of Oz”] I could’ve gone
home at any time.
Keeping it off: It has been 12 years since I lost all that weight. Some people don’t know I was ever heavy.
Confusing the family: My little nieces and nephews saw some old pictures of me on “Oprah” and said, “Who’s that? That’s not my auntie.”
Show biz factoid: I have to sing with a flat stomach. I breathe better.
Previous pre-show ritual: I used to eat Popeye’s chicken, a big old liter of Coca-Cola and then walk right on stage. I can’t do that now.
On being a celebrity: I went through an identity crisis about three years ago. I’m dealing with it.
What you do if your concert is tanking: I’ll change it in the middle of the show if it’s obvious the audience isn’t enjoying what I’m doing.
Last word about Chicago: It’s a music town that understands all genres of music. I’ve always had a good relationship with Chicago.
