The song occurs at a pivotal moment in Dreamgirls when Effie White, one of the lead characters, has lost everything after standing up for what she believed in. At the start of the musical, Effie leads the Dreamettes and falls for Curtis Taylor, who later becomes their manager. As the story unfolds, Effie is replaced by her best friend, Deena Jones, because she doesn’t meet the beauty standards Curtis wants for the group. Deena not only becomes the new lead singer but also wins Curtis’s affections, leading to Effie being kicked out of the group. “And I’m Telling You” is Effie’s desperate and emotional plea to regain Curtis and her place in the group.
Jennifer Hudson captures this desperation and devastation through her vocal performance, particularly by adding a growl to some of her words. This vocal technique is challenging and can be harmful if not done correctly. While it comes naturally to some, others may find it difficult to master.
Watch Sydnie Christmas’s 18-year-old performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” below to see how her voice has matured.
