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Scroll down for for photo of the original 'Dreamgirls' who reunited at 'Divas'

“Divas were everywhere. It was a grand event although, I didn’t believe my ears when I was told I would have to pay $10.00 to take a photo of one of the divas and $10.00 per question??!! I gulped hard and walked away sheepishly

      I have known about Divas Simply Singing an annual musical event benefiting aids hosted and produced by dream girl Sheryl Lee Ralph for the past 17 years! Each year, I have promised myself I would attend and this year, I kept my word. Wow, dang, my Lord, good gracious is all I can say.

     The Wilshire Ebell Theatre was a sell out.  There was not one empty seat and outside there were lines of people at will call. Ticket scalpers were also out in full force. A gent who tried to persuade me to buy a $250.00 ticket for $400.00 approached me to a make a quick sale!!! I made it perfectly clear from the get-go, I am media amigo. Step off.

     But, back tracking a little, the first part of the evening started out on the red carpet, which was situated in the alleyway adjacent to the theatre.  It was a crowded parade of stars that included, Dottie Peoples, Natalie Cole, Luenell, Norwood, KCAA Radio personality Wendell James, Jimmy Jean Louis, Jennifer Lewis, Neicy Nash and then cameras went wild as Sheryl Lee Ralph made her spectacular entrance wearing an Egyptian motif gold dress (Sheryl Lee made a few changes before the night was out), joined by her husband Senator Vincent Hughes.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

     Sheryl Lee’s grandeur and courteous demeanor represents true diva hood. Her star shines brightly from her perfect smile showing off her dimples, to her divine flawless skin and voluptuous sexy figure and eyes that twinkle with kindness. Sheryl Lee accommodated everyone’s request to take a photo with her while on the red carpet.  Sheryl Lee Ralph is truly a gracious lady. Her beauty emanates from deep within.

     Seeing her on this night, reminded me of back in the day when we were both struggling artists in the biz. I met her when she had just arrived from New York in the late 70’s.  Sheryl Lee always hosted lovely parties at her then modest Fairfax apartment. I remember being part of her group of friends which also included Vanessa Bell Calloway director Justin Lord, Oscar trophy model Renee Gentry and my husband J.D. Hall. Sheryl Lee would always come out and support our projects. She was dedicated to her craft and we were both students at Dupree Dance Academy on 3rd Street. She studied jazz and I studied Afro-dance. We interacted in those days quite frequently. I even flew to New York in 1981 to see her in the original Dream Girls on Broadway. I will never forget going back stage and congratulating her and catching up on our lives, loves and careers. From that time on, Sheryl Lee Ralph has soared to legendary super-star status.

     There was such a flurry on the red carpet at the Wilshire Ebell that my reveries soon came to a quick halt. After latecomer “10 Mil” man Lee Bailey dressed in a crisp suit and hat arrived exciting the blood of the shutterbugs all over again, I proceeded to see what other celebs were on the premises. I spotted Kiki Sheppard in the ticket line and Debbie Morgan looking radiant having a conversation with a handsome hunk. Then I proceeded to bogart my way backstage and I ran into Linda Hopkins who was sitting quietly munching on some good eats. I chatted with her a little about her niece, Brazilian dancer Guadalupe.

     From there, I slipped from backstage to the audience to take a seat and catch the opening. Sheryl Lee Ralph made a grand entrance on stage in a leopard designer outfit, with a split, straight up the middle of her legs that stopped short of danger, danger zones.  Her hair was pulled back taut from her face and the back cascaded in waves and curls to her waistline. She looked divalicious. Sheryl Lee thanked all of her loyal followers of Divas Simply Singing who had attended previous years.  They came from all parts of the nation and when she would call out a state, there were lots of cheers from residents in their respective regions. 

Deniece Williams & Lee Bailey

     Trying to see all angles, I went backstage again and spotted pretty Vanessa Williams (Soul Food television show) who I continued to see everywhere through out the night. Vanessa is so amiable and she was on the scene dressed very casual as if she just stopped by to check out the happs. I don’t remember seeing her on the red carpet at all. Vanessa was going with the flow, doing a little lip-syncing to some of the songs that sparked her interest, while standing in the wings of the stage. She seemed to be having a good time incognito. But you know, this was a night of divas and you can always spot a diva even with a bag over their head. Then, I saw beautiful songbird Deniece Williams. I think I know all of her songs by heart. In the eighties, no one but no one was played more on my record player than Deniece Williams. My needle burned a whole in the song “Silly.” I was elated to be backstage watching her sing one of my all time favorites. At this point, I joined Vanessa Williams in singing the lyrics. Lee Bailey, who had stated that he had to leave earlier was still at the show and now backstage also. I guess he couldn't break away from the excitement. Famed photog Vinni Ratcliff couldn't resist snapping a hot shot of Lee and Ms. Williams as she exited the stage. They made a harmonious hot pic of the night.

     Returning to my seat, I noticed that some very high profiled celebs were booted from their seats because the ticket situation was quite chaotic to say the least. It seemed that they had been casualties of missing tickets.  Although a bit disgruntled they kept their cool and in the end all was resolved when they were moved to the VIP green room to watch the show on the monitor along with many of the performers. At that point, I also made my way to the green room to sip juice and bite into a veggie and cheese buffet spread.  There, I was able to meet talented violinist Karen Briggs and jazz singer Ledisi who was wildly excited and unrestrained showing her overwhelming enthusiasm to see Oakland buddy Luenell. They were both busy chit chatting catching up on old times till Ledisi had to go on stage.  I also saw Damone Roberts Hollywood’s “Eyebrow King.” My sister who lives in New York swears by him.

     Towards the end of the show I returned backstage to see what other celebs were in the house that I might have missed because I wanted to give readers a full report, and I saw RUPAUL. This incredible statuesque (approx. 6’10”) he/she stunner was dressed in a tight fitting body suit and coiffed with a wild n’ picked out white Afro, wearing big rimmed eyeshades. If there ever was a diva RUPAUL is “it.”  I asked RUPAUL (notice the spelling all in caps) if he/she could take a photo and I was told flatly that it would cost $10.00 per photo and $10.00 just to ask a question. At which point I swallowed my saliva, gulped hard and walked away sheepishly. That was the first time I ever heard anything like that from a star. RUPAUL, sang her/his one-hit wonder…“Work.” Gotcha, I can be a diva too,oooo.

     I have to say that all of the performers were uniformly sensational. 

The original 'Dreamgirls' reunite at 2007 Divas Simply Singing

     For the finale all the stops were pulled out as original dream girl Loretta Devine took the stage followed by the incomparable Jennifer Holiday. At this point I was again seated in the green room and I exited quickly to see the last number, because I had to see Jennifer Holiday live on stage and not on the green room monitor. I didn’t want anyone or anything to disrupt the moment to see her. I flashed back again to the time I saw her in New York in Dream Girls getting goose bumps all over my body when I heard her sing “I’m not going.”  A much slimmer now blonde and glamorous Jennifer Holiday, not Effie took the stage and yes, this diva closed out the show with her signature song. At the end of her performance she received a standing ovation, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine joined Jennifer and they held hands.  I stood in the back of the theatre with the ushers watching.  It was a moving moment as I recalled seeing all of them back in 1981.  A photographer was standing just about a yard a way and I asked him to please take this photo for me and he got it.

     It took all of these years to come to this event and I was so so happy that I came during the year that the original dream girls were reunited for Divas Simply Singing. I will always remember this night.

     The program listing of the Divas Simply Singing included: Jamecia Bennett, Paris Bennett, Karen Briggs, Natalie Cole, Desiree Coleman-Jackson, Loretta Devine, Jennifer Holliday, Linda Hopkins, the group Jazmin, Lakisha Jones, Darlene Koldenhoven, Ledisi, Jenifer Lewis, Ann Nesby, Dottie Peoples, RUPAUL, Deniece Williams and Norwood Young.

     Other celebs spotted:  Ben Vereen, Michael Colyar and Brooke Colyar and young diva Laivan Greene (All of Us)

     Wait ... it’s not over.

Rumor-mill party report: There was a private invitation-only after-party at R&B Singer Norwood’s notorious palatial Greco-Roman estate (which I have in the past entered at my own free-will). Although I did not go on this night, I heard there was a catered buffet with mounds of shrimp, cocktails and hors’deuvres served till the early morn. It started about 12:30AM and there was a small intimate crowd about fifteen that included Karen Briggs, Luenell, Michael and Brooke Colyar and Jennifer Holiday.  – Kleo Out.

Eugenia Wright is a former actress turned freelance writer/publicist. You may write to her at KleoPatraGirl1117@hotmail.com.