[Image credit: American Idol]
Kaleo Knight performs “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday, American Idol 2025 Season 23 Audition. Startattle.com – American Idol.
Kaleo Knight American Idol
Contestant: Kaleo Knight (16 years old), High School Student from Westchester, California
Round: Audition
Song: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday
Result: Advanced
Kaleo Knight American Idol Audition
Kaleo sings “You’re gonna love me…” but the American Idol judges already DO! It’s tough stuff for a 16-year-old to attempt Jennifer Hudson’s “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls – but as Lionel Richie says, Kaleo went from “I’m scared to death” to “I got this!” Her dream is well and alive… Kaleo gets a golden ticket!
Kaleo Knight “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” American Idol
“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (also known in short as just “And I Am Telling You”) is a torch song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, with lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. In the context of the musical, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is sung by the character Effie White, a singer with the girl group The Dreams, to her manager, Curtis Taylor Jr., whose romantic and professional relationship with Effie is ending. The lyrics to “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, often considered the show’s signature tune, describe Effie’s love for Curtis, both strongly devoted and defiant. She refuses to let Curtis leave her behind, and boldly proclaims to him, “I’m staying and you … you’re gonna love me.”
In addition to its presence in the musical, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is also notable as the debut single of two women who portrayed Effie. Jennifer Holliday originated the role on Broadway in 1981 and won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the role as well as the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for its re-release in 1982 for which it became a number-one R&B hit for Holliday. Jennifer Hudson portrayed Effie in the 2006 film adaptation of the musical, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Hudson’s version became a Top 20 R&B single, and a number-one dance hit.
Show: American Idol
Season: American Idol 2025 (Season 23)
Host: Ryan Seacrest
Judges: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie
The twenty-third season of American Idol premiered on March 2, 2025, on the ABC television network. Ryan Seacrest returned as host; Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie returned as judges, along with season four winner Carrie Underwood replacing Katy Perry as a judge.
Watch Kaleo Knight American Idol 2025 Audition “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” Jennifer Holliday, Season 23, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie. Kaleo Knight “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” American Idol. Kaleo Knight American Idol Audition. Kaleo Knight “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” American Idol 2025.
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