Jennifer Holliday, the renowned American singer and actress, has recently reflected on her unexpected journey within the world of theatre, especially as she prepares to receive the 2026 Music Honoree award from the Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF). The award will be presented at the BAAF HONORS event scheduled for October 22, 2026, an occasion that marks a special recognition for Holliday’s contributions to the arts.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Obba-Babatunde-Sheryl-Lee-Ralph-Michael-Bennett-Jennifer-Holliday-Ben-Harney-Cleavant-Derrick-072126-571e41a0b84a4b53b8a3c3a2bca46e71.jpg)
Holliday, now 65 years old, first gained acclaim for her groundbreaking role as Effie White in the original Broadway production of *Dreamgirls* in 1981. Her powerful performance earned her a Tony Award nomination in 1982, which led to some intense moments leading up to the ceremony. As she spoke to PEOPLE, Holliday admitted that she was not overly confident about winning, especially as she was nominated alongside her costar Sheryl Lee Ralph, who portrayed Deena Jones.
Reflecting on her experience, Holliday recalled how director Michael Bennett had given her a frank assessment of the competition. He had advised her to be ready for any outcome and shared his belief that Ralph was a superior actress, treating the entire award season with a healthy dose of realism. “He explained, ‘I know you don’t know a lot about show business, but you and Sheryl Ralph are in the same category, which could split the vote. Sheryl’s a better actress than you. You can sing, but Sheryl’s a better actor than you. So you might not win,’” Holliday recounted.
In addition to the stiff competition between them, she noted there were two other shows contending for the prestigious Best Musical prize, which raised further doubts about *Dreamgirls*’ chances – a category that ultimately saw *Nine* take home the award that year.
Bennett’s candid approach prepared her for whatever lay ahead. “He was trying to prepare me in terms of not being disappointed … So I did not know what would happen,” she shared. In a moment of disbelief during the awards ceremony itself, Holliday described the thrill of winning as it unfolded before her. The announcement, by Victor Borge, was filled with drama as he mishandled the card revealing the winner, which only added to her surprise.
“I was elated when I got the award and especially with Victor Borge at the Tony Awards. It was quite the first time in terms of just that exuberance and relief,” said Holliday. She expressed genuine gratitude for the opportunity to showcase her talent on such a significant platform. For her, the performance that night carried more weight than the trophy itself.
“The Tony Award performance, I felt, was more important than any award,” she explained, noting the significance of presenting her art to those who might not otherwise experience Broadway. “Back then, on TV, there wasn’t social media or anything like that. A lot of times, I was going to be introduced to people’s homes who could not afford to come to Broadway,” she added.
Now, as she prepares for the BAAF HONORS, Holliday reflects on her career and the new ventures she is undertaking later in life. “It’s pretty nice to be Jennifer Holliday right now. At 65, I’m starting a whole new venture and I’m far more open and saying yes to a lot of things that I used to say no to. And I’m enjoying it this time around,” she expressed.
The Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s upcoming event aims to raise essential support for the city’s only public high school dedicated to the visual and performing arts. The 2026 BAAF HONORS: “Come Dream With Us: A Masquerade Ball” promises to celebrate various influential figures from disciplines including music, dance, fashion, film, and civic leadership, showcasing the diverse fields that the foundation supports.
Guests can look forward to a captivating evening filled with entertainment and recognition, with tickets available in advance through the BAAF website, allowing attendees the chance to honour a beloved figure in the arts and support the next generation of talent.
As Jennifer Holliday prepares for this new honour, she reminds us that the journey is marked by growth, resilience, and the continuous pursuit of creative expression, no matter one’s age or stage in life.