Beyoncé’s role as Deena Jones in the film Dreamgirls was inspired by the Broadway musical Dreamgirls.
Dreamgirls is a 2006 musical film directed by Bill Condon and adapted from the 1981 Broadway musical of the same name. Beyoncé plays Deena Jones, a member of the fictional girl group the Dreams. The story follows the group’s rise in the music business and the personal costs of commercial success.
The production is fictional, but its setting and themes draw on the history of American popular music and the experiences of Black vocal groups. Deena is often compared with Diana Ross because of the character’s position as the group’s lead singer, although Dreamgirls is not an official biography of the Supremes.
Beyoncé performed major songs for the film, including “Listen,” which was written specifically for the movie. Jennifer Hudson won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Effie White.