The most crucial casting decision involved the role of Effie White, the emotional center of the story.

The central character of Effie White, like Florence Ballard, is criticized for being overweight, and is fired from the group.

In the beginning, Florence Ballard originally sang leads just as Effie White did in the musical.

Effie White reacted in a similar manner when Deena Jones was pushed forward as the star of the Dreams.

Both Florence Ballard and Effie White were fired from their groups because they missed performances, recording sessions, allegedly "faked" illnesses, and for gaining weight.

Roz Ryan took over as Effie White in June 1984.

Hudson went on to perform as "Effie White" in the 2006 film adaptation of the original production of Broadway musical, Dreamgirls.

She was an understudy for the character of Effie White in the original 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls.

In 1989, she played Effie White in the Hawaiian production of Dreamgirls at the Hawaii Theater.

Generally, the standout role in "Dream Girls" is that of Effie White, the overweight woman with an outsized voice.