Jennifer Holliday originated the role on Broadway in 1981 .
Jennifer Holliday won a Tony Award for her performance as well as the Grammy for Best R&B Performance , Female for its re-release in 1982 for which it became a number - one R&B hit for Holliday .
Jennifer Holliday originated the role on Broadway in 1981 and won a Tony Award for her performance as well as the Grammy for Best R&B Performance , Female for its re-release in 1982 for which it became a number - one R&B hit for Holliday .