I don’t watch “American Idol,” so I didn’t see Jennifer Holliday’s performance with the runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, last night. I have to reluctantly admit that I didn’t even know who Jennifer Holliday was until today, though Wikipedia tells me that she’s the Queen Of Broadway Gospel.
However, a lot more people know who Jennifer Holliday is now, thanks to a performance last night that might not have raised too many eyebrows a decade ago. Now, however, we live in a world of tumblr where every facial gesticulation is screen-grabbed and GIF’d for the masses.
All due respect to Holliday, who I’m sure is an outstanding Christian woman, but during that performance, it looked like she was trying to go down on her microphone while simultaneously being tasered. That screenshot at the top of the page is just the beginning. These GIFs, via MackeyAttack, will crawl inside your brain and haunt the nightmares of your unborn children. Gospel or not, that woman has got some demon inside of her.
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/photo/4006/thumb)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/Head-Shake-GIF-150x150.gif)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/jean-claude-van-damme-10-150x150.gif)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/joker-150x150.gif)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/Fainting-7-150x150.gif)
I’ll admit, I watched the AI finale last night with my wife. I sat there, mesmerized by Holiday’s facial expressions during the duet with Jessica Snatchez (wife’s nickname for her), I honestly looked over and said, “I could watch GIFs of these faces for an hour and be happy.” And today, this post. THIS is why I love the internet.
I just got fired for blowing a switch in my office trying to load all those GIFs at once. Thanks a lot.
I worked the graveyard shift at Fatburger in West Hollywood back in the 80′s and suffice it to say Jen came in a few late nights and attacked a Double King Egg Chili Cheeseburger in the same manner as seen above, frightening.
I saw Ms. Holliday perform at Carnegie Hall once. I don’t recall that much crazy going on. Although I might’ve been temporarly blinded by the awesomeness that is Elaine Stritch.
I make that last face at least 16 times a day.
Nice to see “I’ll Have Another” get some time off for concerts before The Belmont.
It’s like Joe Cocker and Teddie Pendergrass had a love child.
The three are making a supergroup called Palsy.
I can’t even believe how many ppl are raving about this performance. I thought it was the most ridicuous spectacle I had ever seen. It was SO beyond over-the-top.. She looked like a psychotic drag queen with torret’s syndrome {however you spell it} It was absurd. I thought I was watching an SNL parody and speaking of which, I can’t wait til they do one…
I made similar facial expressions when I heard that Dan Harmon was fired as Community’s showrunner.
THIS IS HOW IT IS DONE! Jennifer Holliday is a living legend and should be given respect.
Jennifer Holliday had to carry not only the song, but also the stage performance because Ms. Sanchez clearly was in over her head.
At 51 years of age, Jennifer Holliday has as much, if not more, performance ingenuity and vocal capacity as she did 30 years ago when she FIRST performed this song.
Take note of what you are listening to and looking at. Diva powerhouses like Jennifer, Chaka, and Patti (to name only a few) should be relished and marveled. There are very few of them left. Once they are gone we are left with the likes of J-Lo and Beyoncé whose performances can only be acclaimed for the size of their buttocks. The music industry has changed dramatically and is not churning singers. The craft of singing has now sadly become a craft of dubbing, auto-tune and publicity/PR stunts to sell albums.
Oh, and by the way, the performance of this song, tonal inflections, expression, mannerisms, etc. are what made the song last for 30 years. You wouldn’t be writing your nonsensical article if it wasn’t for her.
Finally, Dustin Rowles, your sensationalistic reporting at the expense of Ms. Holliday is pretty low. Calling her insane is actually rude and defamatory, and I can think of some choice words for you. You should do some homework and look at the career that she has paved. Her performances are original, from the heart, from her very soul, and some might even argue from a higher power. Take your criticism and save it for Britney or Beyoncé or Rianna or Kesha or any of the other trolls who can’t sing a note to save their life.
I am horrified that people would comment on Jennifer Holliday’s performance and try to make a joke out of her.
You should all be ashamed of yourselves!
That was one of the funniest performances i have ever seen. Hey inthekeyofc, That performance does not demand respect. She looked ridiculous. Way way over the top. Jessica Sanchez does a great job and would have sounded 10 times better without the nutcase. I think most people saw that performance and wondered how that crazy lady escaped from the asylum. Ms. Sanchez was not in over her head, she was frightened out of her mind. I don’t know how she kept a straight face with that lunatic singing in her face. She may have been great at one time, but i think somebody needs to get a straight jacket for her. The funny thing is, if she performed as a contestant on American Idol, she would have been let though just for the comedy of it.