Jennifer - the actress - paved a new path in her career when TV producer David E. Kelley saw her on the Rosie O'Donnell show and gave her a call about making a guest appearance on "Ally McBeal," the Fox TV series that starred Calista Flockhart. The response to her version of Randy Newman's "Short People" was so overwhelming that Kelley wrote her character, Lisa Knowles, into the series as a regular. As the outspoken, quirky choir director and lead soloist at McBeal's church, Jennifer's character appeared on the series for five seasons. Over the years, she has also appeared on other TV series such as "Touched By An Angel," "Hang Time," "Happily Ever After," "The Love Boat" and "Ellen."
Holliday continues to perform all over the world with leading symphonies such as the Boston Pops, The National Symphony Orchestra,The San Diego Symphony and The Cincinnati Pops Symphony. She's performed at The White House for four U.S. Presidents (Reagan, G.H.W.Bush ,Clinton and Bush). In 2000 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee College of Music for her work on behalf of mental health awareness, depression and suicide prevention. Jennifer continues to believe that music has a healing power and she also strongly believes that her music and her story are her gift to her audiences.
Lately, Jennifer has been finishing work on two CD projects - her first full-length CDs in 20 years. She's tweaking an album of Classic Jazz Standards entitled "Love Me By Name" that will feature evergreen love songs.
In May 2012, Jennifer got the break of a life-time and a second wind for her career when she performed for the 11th American Idol Season Finale with teen sensation Jessica Sanchez. Once again, Jennifer performed her hit song "And I'm Telling You!" as a duet with Jessica and together they both made history while over 15 Million people witnessed before their eyes a new star being born in Little Jessica and the rebirth of a broadway icon for Jennifer Holliday,"The Original Dream Girl"!