Detroit, the early 1960s. Curtis Taylor, Jr., a car salesman, breaks into
the music business with big dreams. He signs a trio of 18-year-olds, the
Dreamettes, gets them a job backing an R&B performer, James "Thunder"
Early, establishes his own record label and starts wheeling and dealing.
When Early flames out, Curtis makes the Dreamettes into headliners as the
Dreams, but not before demoting their hefty big-voiced lead singer, Effie
White, and putting the softer-voiced looker, Deena Jones, in front. Soon
after, he fires Effie, sends her into a life of proud poverty, and takes
Deena and the Dreams to the top. How long can Curtis stay there, and will
Effie ever get her due?
Based on the 1981 Broadway musical comes Dreamgirls, a story of greed,
tough hate, and romance. Three young women - Deena Jones, Effie White, and
Lorrell Robinson - desire to become pop stars and get their wish when
they're picked to be backup singers for the legendary James "Thunder"
Early. Then they're set free for leads, but Curtis Taylor and Effie's
brother C.C. decide for Deena to be lead which upsets Effie.