Dream Girls (band)

Dreamgirls was a fictional female singing group central to the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (1981) and the subsequent film adaptation (2006). While not a real musical group in the traditional sense, the characters and their narrative were loosely inspired by the real-life story of The Supremes.

The fictional group, initially known as "The Dreamettes," consisted of three African-American singers: Deena Jones, Effie White, and Lorrell Robinson. Curtis Taylor, Jr., an ambitious car salesman, discovers them at a talent competition and becomes their manager. He manipulates their sound and image to appeal to a wider audience, eventually changing their name to "The Dreams" and strategically promoting Deena Jones as the lead singer, due to her more conventionally attractive appearance.

The core storyline of Dreamgirls revolves around the group's rise to fame, the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of success, and the inherent conflicts arising from changing artistic direction and interpersonal relationships, particularly the love triangle between Curtis, Effie, and Deena. Effie's dismissal from the group is a pivotal point in the narrative, highlighting themes of betrayal, exploitation, and the pressures of the music industry.

The musical and film feature iconic songs like "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "Listen," and "One Night Only," which have become associated with the themes of ambition, heartbreak, and self-empowerment. Although a fictional entity, "Dreamgirls" has had a significant cultural impact, inspiring discussions about race, gender, and the complexities of the entertainment industry. The different actresses who have portrayed the members of the group, both on stage and screen, have contributed to the ongoing legacy of the fictional band.