Effie White is a fictional character from the musical "Dreamgirls," which tells the story of a 1960s girl group similar to The Supremes. Effie is the lead singer of the group "The Dreams" and possesses a raw, powerful, and soulful voice. Throughout the musical, Effie's journey revolves around her struggle with her identity, her relationships with her fellow group members, and her personal battle with her weight. One of the most memorable moments in the show is when Effie sings the iconic song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," which showcases her incredible vocal range and emotional depth. Effie is often portrayed as a strong-willed and determined character, but she also faces challenges and setbacks due to her fiery personality and the industry's preference for lighter-skinned and thinner performers. As a dark-skinned woman in a racially biased industry, she encounters discrimination and prejudice, adding another layer to her character's story arc.
Unjustly kicked out of the group she once led, Effie refuses to go quietly into the night. She confronts Taylor directly, asking, “Am I ugly to you, Curtis?” and insisting, “I’ve got the voice.” She’s poor and struggling once she returns to Detroit, but she continues to believe in herself and knows that she still has something to offer. Eventually, C.C. tries to make things right by writing a song especially for Effie after having sided with Taylor and the Dreams most of the film.
But Deena and Lorrell discover that superstardom comes with its own price to pay as they struggle to live under Taylor s increasingly tyrannical rule. In 2008, the singer-actress suffered a crushing blow when her mother, brother and young nephew were murdered in her Chicago hometown; Jennifer s brother-in-law was convicted of their shooting deaths.
As a dark-skinned woman in a racially biased industry, she encounters discrimination and prejudice, adding another layer to her character's story arc. Effie's daughter, Magic, is introduced later in the musical and serves as a representation of Effie's resilience and determination to succeed against all odds. Magic inherited her mother's talent and dreams of becoming a singer herself, despite the difficulties she may face due to her race and body type.
Dreamgirls
If you’ve ever pondered what it might have been like to be one of the Supremes, Dreamgirls offers a hypothetical answer. Its storyline (adapted from the Tony Award-winning 1981 Broadway musical of the same name) is purely fictional. Nevertheless, this tale of three young singers from Detroit deliberately mirrors many aspects of the Supremes’ rise to superstardom.
It all begins at a Motor City talent show where a trio of late-teen girls known as the Dreamettes captures the attention of one Curtis Taylor Jr., a car salesman by day who aspires to music production by night. Taylor recognizes the girls’ obvious talent, especially that of their feisty, no-nonsense leader, Effie White. Under Taylor’s mentorship, Effie and fellow singers Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson are soon backing up R&B legend James “Thunder” Early while continuing to work on their own songs (written by Effie’s brother, C.C.).
Taylor is ruthlessly determined to see his girls succeed. And he’ll sacrifice anything and everything (or everyone) necessary to get to the top—including Effie. Though she has the strongest lungs, Effie lacks Deena’s and Lorrell’s looks. So Taylor maneuvers her offstage and moves the beautiful Deena into the spotlight, where she leads a new group known as the Dreams.
As Deena and the Dreams’ star skyrockets into the stratosphere in the years that follow, Effie struggles to make sense of her own cruelly shattered dreams while she raises her young daughter, Magic. But Deena and Lorrell discover that superstardom comes with its own price to pay as they struggle to live under Taylor’s increasingly tyrannical rule. Along the way, these young women meet a host of characters who obviously parallel real-life Motown Records stars from the ’60s and ’70s—and endure a season of tumultuous societal and racial upheaval as well.
The relationship between Effie and Magic is complicated, as Effie, having experienced the harsh realities of the industry, wants to protect her daughter from the same obstacles she faced. However, she also recognizes Magic's talent and supports her pursuit of a singing career. Effie White and her daughter Magic embody the struggles and triumphs of black women in the music industry, representing themes of identity, discrimination, and determination. Their stories shed light on the challenges faced by artists of color and inspire audiences with their resilience and talent..
Reviews for "Effie White's Daughter: The Next Generation of Magical Talent"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "Effie White Daughter Magic" as I had heard so many great things about it. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence, and the characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable. I found myself struggling to finish the book as it failed to hold my interest. Overall, it was a big letdown and not worth the hype.
2. Mark - 1 star
I couldn't get through "Effie White Daughter Magic". The writing was convoluted and the dialogue felt forced. The author tried to incorporate too many elements into the story, but they didn't mesh well together. It felt like a mishmash of different themes and ideas without a clear direction. I found myself constantly frustrated and confused, and ultimately gave up on finishing the book. It just wasn't for me.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Effie White Daughter Magic", but it fell short. The world-building was weak and lacked depth, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and confusing scenes. The characters were underdeveloped and their actions didn't always make sense. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.