I saw Stephanie on Broadway in the role of Dorothy. She should have gotten the role in the movie...she was a perfect match. Diana was terribly miscast on several levels!
Super huge talent. Stephanie didnt feel attractive until she got her nose job and lost weight. Patty Labelle got her nose job after Stephanie told her it made her feel better about herself.
"Ugly" back then meant she didn't have that white attractiveness that helped make Diana a star. Pathetic. Stephanie would have made a much stronger and honest Dorothy.
Of course I have to agree on all points about Stephanie being the dorothy in the movie. When I look back now to the first time I saw it, it did seem odd for her to be playing a young girl... even as a kid I thought.....damn she looks old. But the one saving grace I'll give to Diana Ross is this: If not for her, Maybe MJ would not be the scarecrow, because she did get him the role, and it's the best part in the movie. Stephanie is the obvious choice, but who knows who would be scarecrow.
There are a lot of people saying that Stephanie mills sings this way better then Diana Ross and some people saying the opposite. They are both equally great versions but Stephanie Mills has more soul throughout and Diana Ross' is more elegant and then branches to some degree of soul
@anatnominuk I don't know why they would change the begining of the play for the movie. I think that it would have made sense to keep it for a child like setting as to oppose changing it to make the character into adult. Diana Ross looked real dumb to me to be a grown ass woman chasing a dog in the snow...and acting like a big ass goofy kid. She really should have thought about the role before she begged for it. She was what mid 30's when she did the movie? One word for that...OLD(for that movie
@Joeinps I read some where that when they was talking about makin The Wiz that Stephanie Mills was suppose to play the part of Dorothy, but Diana Ross had a hissy fit to play the roll. And of course the age thing came up, but Diana didn't care, she wanted the part, so that's why when they did the movie, they changed the begining and made Diana out to be a school teacher to make her fit the part. Diana really took her part of being a Supreme too damn far. I never liked Diana Ross no way.
@SupaHead1977 Even if Stephanie was cast in the film, the beginning still had to be changed. The flim has an urban setting. The funniest thing about the film is that Dorothy lives in Harlem yet never notices that OZ is NYC.
I like both singers but feel that Stephanie would have been the better choice.
@SupaHead1977 Even if Stephanie was cast in the film, the beginning still had to be changed. The flim has an urban setting. The funniest thing about the film is that Dorothy lives in Harlem yet never notices that OZ is NYC.
I like both singers but feel that Stephanie would have been the better choice.
Ms. Ross was way too old to play this roll , it was quite a joke , along the line of Streisand playing Yentle , or the thought that she could play Mama Rose in Gypsy . Granted she's amazing and earned her right to be the Icon she is , but some rolls are just not right for her ! That would be like Cher playing Madame Butterfly . . . come on get real !
Ms. Mills is iconic but Ms. ROSS also tore this song up stephanie will always be praised and respected for this performance she is magnificent
But growing up Ms. ROSS always pulled me in her performance tears and all even in mahogany, Billie Holiday so please dont say Ms. ROSS shouldn't have played Dorothy there both beautiful and deserved praise
@HiltonlifeTV Right on Hiltonlife! I can't believe the negativity being given to Ms Ross. We are talking about DIANA ROSS, MS. DIANA ROSS RIGHT? Her voice is soooo beautiful, she can saaaang. Both Ross and Mills have strong, unique, gifted, beautiful voices. I love both of them! I constantly listen to both of them. Ms. Ross has EARNED her permanent mark in the industry. I'm STUNNED at these other commentors, DIANA ROSS! Next thing well be hearing is that Michael Jackson cant dance!
Actually Diana Ross had the popularity at the time because she had made her mark as an actress in Lady Sings The Blues and then Mahogany. Though Miss Ross acted when she was with the Supremes on television in Tarzan and other televison and variety shows, just as beYAWNcy has these day. The difference between Miss Ross and beYAWNcy, Diana was nominated for an Oscar and would have one had it not been politically driven that Liza Minelli was in the running.
Stephanie Mills actually did play Dorothy in The Wiz when it came to New Orleans in the late 80's...She was awesome! Not a dry eye in the house. Men too. She does that to people.No artists in this time can make me cry, well they do, but not in the same way.
OMG. Is that Chita Rivera? And Sammy Davis Jr., Lisa Minelli... when legends like that run out and "slap" you you know you got it goin' on. LOL Great clip. Thank You.
@Runningprof nope.Even Michael who played the scarecrow,and who loved Dian Ross dearly,thought that Stephanie(His Girlfriend at the time),should have gotten more fame and recognizance for her role as the ORIGINAL The Wiz' Dorothy.
what's so funny about youtube is how they take out some comments but leave others. Thier are people replying to a comment I made but when I go to see what I blogged they have taken off my comment. What gives :(
While I really love the more professionally done video for this song Stephanie has on her official web site, I am still partial to the more "Broadway" style way the song is sung here. Wish the actual video quality was better. LOVE this song so much! This little girl (lovely lady now) can blow you right out of your seat with her magnificient voice!
So many hate comment on Diana Ross. They'll both good singer. Sure Diana was too old for the role of Dorthy, but she singing was good. When she sung Home there some emotion in it. Stephanie did sung a good cover.
@Neoguest it wasn't a cover. Stephanie Mills sang the original for the broadway musical "the wiz". The movie would be the result of how well stephanie came across on stage. If it wasn't for good writing, good music, and great acting/talented singers to start with, would've never known about "the wiz".
@Neoguest you are right diana did have very good emotion however, diana was the one that performed the cover. Stephanie was the original Dorothy in the wiz (Play that is)
She's one of my favorite vocalists! And her performance in The Wiz is a great stage homage to Judy Garland's vocal performance in The Wizard of Oz. Both young women were great for the Dorothy roles. (You see Liza out there too!)
I saw her sing this when she was 16 years old. Here I thing she was in her early eary 20's. She was and still is a spectacular singer. I've seen her recently and she does not look like she is in her late 40's.
@ychisolm Nah this was during her years as Dorothy in the Broadway version of the Wiz.
When Stephanie was in her 20's she was an Top recording artist and her nose wasnt as big(She had an nose job) which made her nose smaller than what u see in this video. This is back in the early to mid 70's.
@mrknowitalllt1 So many Diana Ross haters on you tube, rarely does the broadway star do the film in addition she was proven boxoffice, but I wonder can we all appreciate the doors she opened for black artists in films and the doors that were opened for her. Stephanie was the bomb is the bomb, will always be the bomb. I appreciate them all Aretha, Chaka, Diana, Gladys, Dionne, Dinah, Natalie and many others all talented.
@mrknowitalllt1 Yeah, Diane's reign of screwing people over (literally) spanned many decades ... from her beginning years with the unparalleled Supremes to her time as a solo artist. That hoe didn't give a damn about anyone but herself. I guess in the end she got her just dessert ... 40 years in the game and not a single Grammy to her name??? Sucks to be her. Paybacks a bitch. Sing your heart out Miss Stephanie Mills!
@Neno8403 you are absolutely right how she screwed over ppl during her career. she and barry gordy screwed the hell out florence ballard who they said was a much better singer and better looking than diana but, damn, i didn't know she was grammyless that kinda makes me feel good.
how the hell do you go from this beautiful innocent looking little girl who fits the part perfectly of dorthy in the wiz to diana ross who looked she just finished a fifth of jack daniels, oh yeah i forgot, because stephanie wasn't screwing berry gordy.
The first time I heard this was at the gay bar. The dj would play this when the bar was closing. You should have seen all the drag queens flock on stage being Miss Mills. I miss the good old days. This was back in '82 and the only song I had ever heard from the Wiz was "Ease on down the road", which I didn't like. I love Stephanie and her beautiful performance but that outfits gotta go.
Her voice is out of this world. To me, her version will always be the best. Just right Not too heavy and not too light.
Don't give me a thumbs down for this, but could you have imagined if her and MJ had of stayed together and produced a family? My God. Their voices and their looks combined. Those kids would had been a force to be reckoned with whether they chose to sing or not.
I think that planet earth would have exploded for real if they got together and created a child. The child would say start to sing and the earth's crust would fall apart and...ya know...blow up! LOL!!
Unfortunately, we didn't even get 1 duet with them.
OMG she cant be 16 are u serious?I would say 20 maybe.I dont know what 2 say um she sounds the exact same as now.People keep sayin Whit is the voice but i think its Stephanie!!LOVE U STEPH!!!
Stephanie would have been 17. The Wiz had its world premiere out of town in October, 1974, then opened on Broadway January 5, 1975. Stephanie turned 18 on March 22, 1975.
@Crp75 Thanks for the clarity. I remember seeing her sing "Be A Lion" on the children's show "Wonderama" and I'm pretty sure God touched me when I heard her voice. Then seeing her several times in the show just changed my whole life.
She is an amazing talent and what a performance she put on in the "Wiz". The voice that comes from this petite, beautiful Lady is incredible to say the least. After "the Wiz" she made a great impact on the world of R&B, pop, jazz and gospel. Some people were destined to be stars and Stephanie Mills is one of those people.
Listen PPL especially (hwyitagesu) - Don't knock Stephanie for being Stephanie... Her expressions are just that HER'S. NO ONE can deny that this woman is talented beyond measure and anyone who would find something as small as her facial expressions 'annoying' is obviously an immature and silly soul, but haters are needed. So, please STAY ON YOUR JOB!!! And as far as my IQ goes... Well, I majored in Psychology and I was not a C,D, or F student sweetheart.
I have just realized that the Wiz was not a good movie and it's because of Diana Ross and Barry Gordy. I use to like it as a kid, but I can't stand it now. Stephanie should have been Dorothy.
@86pimp3 that was a ridiculous decision to cast diana ross as dorothy in the wiz.. of all the film projects Ross could have taken at that time why would they cast her in the role of dorothy? Ross was huge in 78 and glamorous... she turned down the movie the Body Guard" (whitney houston wasn't that stupid) and chose the Wiz? Stephanie Mills should have played Dorothy end of story. & because she didn't the move tanked.
@yurherenow I agree with you 100%...Diana Ross, always got her way. She wanted to be in the "Wiz" Berry Gordy, felt it was a very bad idea for her to be that film but Ross would not take no for an answer...She, was even told that she was too old to play Dorothy... So instead they mad "Dorothy" a 33 year old school teacher. Not a good idea at all.
You are so right, except they made Dorothy 24 and Diana was 33 in real life. Bad casting, Stephanie and Michael would have made that movie the hit it should have been.
she does the same thing Diana Ross does with her mouth when she sings. I find it real annoying. Its funny Michael Jackson never mentioned having dated her and she says that he was an amazing kisser. Damn its a long ass song and Sammy and Liza look pressed to congratulate her. Thats how the famous are...they only want u when ur "it"
obviously you are going back and forth and as a youtube viewer you have no professional experience to make comments about the music industry ways. Now don't worry about what my mother teaches me and worry about why ur IQ is the size of a pea. Now remind me again when u became Stephanie Mills right arm cause i'm here to watch her and not to learn your like or dislikes.
oh how sweet of you to stalk my page. not only are u close minded but u have no life. Unlike you, i am open minded to all types of music. now do yourself a favor and get a life.
In other news, Ashanti totally studied this performance and tried to copy it...but of course it wasn't as good. Not that it was bad either. It wasn't bad, just not Stephanie.
My favorite is done by 11 year old Jazmine Sullivan, though.
when i first heard SM perform this i loved her performance like i couldn't stop listening to it so much heart and soul went in that perf. i heard others cover it as well but IMO STEPHANIE OWNED HER VERSION
...You know what I bet Stephanie could get back in shape put on some young looking make up and play dorothy in a contemporary screen version again and win an oscar.
I like Stephanie Mills, but I don't think she could look young enough to be Dorothy. While she would sound great, it's almost as bad as Diana Ross when she was 50 trying to be 20 for Dorothy in the original movie.
Let's give some younger people a chance. I think Stephanie would like that too.
I concur, except I don't get what you mean by Diana Ross was "Dorothy in the original movie," considering the movie came AFTER the play. Stephanie would have been an ideal choice for the movie when they began filming in 1977, since she was only 20 and still playing Dorothy in the original stage show at the time.
...because Diana played the original movie. I know that Stephanie was the original Dorothy and the comment was not said in any disrespect to her at all. I like both.
Jazmine Sullivan does my favorite rendition of Home though, and I would LOVE to see her do "Dorothy" in "The Wiz" movie.
Stephanie Mills was the original choice to play Dorothy in the motion picture as well. However, once Ms. Ross got wind that the play was being turned into a movie she jumped at the chance to play Dorothy and to give producers a little more incentive to cast her in the lead role she assured them that she could get Barry Gordy to bankroll the film which he did and the rest is, as they say, history.
Stephanie renders this song in a beautiful, whimsical and even magical way; this performance just makes you smile!! She also seemed to be so carefree during this performance, and her her eyes are shining bright. She's awesome.
The studios would often pick a better known, already proven person. As talented as Ms Mills was Diana had already been succesful with Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany. This often happenes in hollywood with remakes from the stage even if the original is better and more talented. Look at Julie andrews: she was discovered in the broadway production of My Fair Lady but not cast in the Film,the bankable and popular Audrey Hepburn was cast and could'nt even sing, they had to dub a singer.....
Bought her way into the movie? LOL?! How exactly did she do this, and who did she pay. If I'm not mistaken, Universal PAID HER a big fat 1 million big ones. At the time, there were only 2 other actresses bringing down those kinds of paydays: Streisand and I forget the other one, possibly Minelli.
If this knowledge is so widespread, DorkTownHero, would you be kind enough to direct me to a link where this aspect of Miss Ross paying her way into the movie is discussed and outlined? I would very much like to "read" my "history". LMAO!
Diana was 33 y.o. playing Dorothy as a 24 y.o. neither I would call middle aged. I do believe that SM should have been cast in the film as Dorothy. But Diana's star power allowed her to convince the studio that she would be the better choice.
if you read her wikipedia it says the director didn't want diana to play dorothy because she was too old and he didn't think fans would go for it(which they didn't it bombed unfortunately) stephanie was originally cast but as we all know diana doesn't take no for an answer lol
Correct! That's why I said (My comment was mysteriously erased from this site) the reason STephanie didn't get the part is because Diana threw a tantrum when they went after the young Diva. In Retrospect the choice to cast Diana was a terrible mistake. Look at the screen charm Micheal has as the scarecrow. Just imagine STEPHANIE MILLS as his Dorothy. Mike made everything work and if I could change time this movie would be a great one not the dud it was at the box office.
Thank you for sharing your insights into that "ish". I remember the casting drama as it it occurred yesterday. I've always been fond Diana Ross but the decision to cast her in the screen version was just wrong on several levels.
Diana's acting was cringe-worthy and her whining through the songs was annoying.
Welcome. Thanks for have a producers mind. i wish I was back there to change the cast...Like Stephanie sings...I wish I was home i wish was back there.
True Talent True Beauty True Gift are a few terms I like to put in the same sentence when talking about Ms. Mills and as a min you can't say a a word that has anything to do with Stephanie and leave any of those phrases out she has it and its a shame that the industry today turns its back on the legendary females that are the reason that labels have ladies signed today with out Ms.Mill with out Gladys Knight without Chaka Khan without Teena Marie there would be no Whitney Mariah Toni or Beyonce
Oops I forgot to add Patti Labelle's name Phyllis Hyman's name or Jennifer Holiday's name they orignal "Anything" if you will is always the "Leg Up For Who or What comes ahead" like Jennifer Hudson getting that doory opened for her role as Effie White or now with Ashanti taking on the lead role in the remake or "The Wiz"
She KILLS with that last note. She lets the lyric and melody speak without screaming into the mic or oversinging. this song doesn't need all that noise. she's brilliant!
I always thought she was pretty! And love her voice.
johninitaly 3 weeks ago
This song touches me on so many levels. Casting Miss Ross was a money decision solely, not an artistic one.
Stagebear05 1 month ago
@Stagebear05 And that's why it flopped when it was initially released. :)
jlly16 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
Amazing. Love her.
Jim1971a 1 month ago
I saw Stephanie on Broadway in the role of Dorothy. She should have gotten the role in the movie...she was a perfect match. Diana was terribly miscast on several levels!
cj2122821244 2 months ago
She is sooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!
KavikaShon 2 months ago
She would make a brilliant Elphaba
LollyJPrior 2 months ago
That nose got her Michael Jackson
damianoday 2 months ago
According to IMDB the other woman with stephanie and liza at the end is indeed chita rivera.
beesnhammers 3 months ago
@beesnhammers Oh, you know about the Internet Movie Database also! Cool. Are you in the entertainment industry?
SolidRockTelevision 2 months ago
Super huge talent. Stephanie didnt feel attractive until she got her nose job and lost weight. Patty Labelle got her nose job after Stephanie told her it made her feel better about herself.
Nanadsyl 3 months ago
"Ugly" back then meant she didn't have that white attractiveness that helped make Diana a star. Pathetic. Stephanie would have made a much stronger and honest Dorothy.
ultraablue 3 months ago 5
well said and very true.
pdddddp1 6 days ago
Wow!
Dmarie2233 4 months ago
AMAZING
404WINTER 4 months ago 2
Of course I have to agree on all points about Stephanie being the dorothy in the movie. When I look back now to the first time I saw it, it did seem odd for her to be playing a young girl... even as a kid I thought.....damn she looks old. But the one saving grace I'll give to Diana Ross is this: If not for her, Maybe MJ would not be the scarecrow, because she did get him the role, and it's the best part in the movie. Stephanie is the obvious choice, but who knows who would be scarecrow.
jwalk31 6 months ago
I caught the deathstare! LOL
sugashack74 6 months ago
There are a lot of people saying that Stephanie mills sings this way better then Diana Ross and some people saying the opposite. They are both equally great versions but Stephanie Mills has more soul throughout and Diana Ross' is more elegant and then branches to some degree of soul
Faban235 8 months ago 2
never saw her close up when she was this young
HERBLANDZ 8 months ago
This is an amazing performance...and I love this version.
DonQuixote342 9 months ago
@anatnominuk I don't know why they would change the begining of the play for the movie. I think that it would have made sense to keep it for a child like setting as to oppose changing it to make the character into adult. Diana Ross looked real dumb to me to be a grown ass woman chasing a dog in the snow...and acting like a big ass goofy kid. She really should have thought about the role before she begged for it. She was what mid 30's when she did the movie? One word for that...OLD(for that movie
SupaHead1977 9 months ago
@Joeinps I read some where that when they was talking about makin The Wiz that Stephanie Mills was suppose to play the part of Dorothy, but Diana Ross had a hissy fit to play the roll. And of course the age thing came up, but Diana didn't care, she wanted the part, so that's why when they did the movie, they changed the begining and made Diana out to be a school teacher to make her fit the part. Diana really took her part of being a Supreme too damn far. I never liked Diana Ross no way.
SupaHead1977 9 months ago
@SupaHead1977 Even if Stephanie was cast in the film, the beginning still had to be changed. The flim has an urban setting. The funniest thing about the film is that Dorothy lives in Harlem yet never notices that OZ is NYC.
I like both singers but feel that Stephanie would have been the better choice.
anatnominuk 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@SupaHead1977 Even if Stephanie was cast in the film, the beginning still had to be changed. The flim has an urban setting. The funniest thing about the film is that Dorothy lives in Harlem yet never notices that OZ is NYC.
I like both singers but feel that Stephanie would have been the better choice.
anatnominuk 9 months ago
did the band mess up the tune or something @1:40??? you see how she turns around and looked at the band?
SupaHead1977 9 months ago
The band is HORRENDOUS!!!!
teamforeveryoung 10 months ago
@teamforeveryoung Did you catch the death stare she gave band.
kevseb66 9 months ago
Ms. Ross was way too old to play this roll , it was quite a joke , along the line of Streisand playing Yentle , or the thought that she could play Mama Rose in Gypsy . Granted she's amazing and earned her right to be the Icon she is , but some rolls are just not right for her ! That would be like Cher playing Madame Butterfly . . . come on get real !
Joeinps 10 months ago 2
there will never be a better version by anyone then this...
skip925 11 months ago
@skip925 I worked with Stephanie years ago when she was in the Wiz . She was the sweetest person that ever came into the Salon .
Joeinps 10 months ago
1:35 her face!! PRICELESS. She's like what are you playing...
icarrus4u 11 months ago
Ms. Mills is iconic but Ms. ROSS also tore this song up stephanie will always be praised and respected for this performance she is magnificent
But growing up Ms. ROSS always pulled me in her performance tears and all even in mahogany, Billie Holiday so please dont say Ms. ROSS shouldn't have played Dorothy there both beautiful and deserved praise
DIANA MADE THAT MOVIE besids michael
HiltonlifeTV 1 year ago
@HiltonlifeTV Right on Hiltonlife! I can't believe the negativity being given to Ms Ross. We are talking about DIANA ROSS, MS. DIANA ROSS RIGHT? Her voice is soooo beautiful, she can saaaang. Both Ross and Mills have strong, unique, gifted, beautiful voices. I love both of them! I constantly listen to both of them. Ms. Ross has EARNED her permanent mark in the industry. I'm STUNNED at these other commentors, DIANA ROSS! Next thing well be hearing is that Michael Jackson cant dance!
mdoranda 11 months ago
Actually Diana Ross had the popularity at the time because she had made her mark as an actress in Lady Sings The Blues and then Mahogany. Though Miss Ross acted when she was with the Supremes on television in Tarzan and other televison and variety shows, just as beYAWNcy has these day. The difference between Miss Ross and beYAWNcy, Diana was nominated for an Oscar and would have one had it not been politically driven that Liza Minelli was in the running.
broke2471 1 year ago
Stephanie Mills actually did play Dorothy in The Wiz when it came to New Orleans in the late 80's...She was awesome! Not a dry eye in the house. Men too. She does that to people.No artists in this time can make me cry, well they do, but not in the same way.
NOPinupGirl 1 year ago 2
OMG. Is that Chita Rivera? And Sammy Davis Jr., Lisa Minelli... when legends like that run out and "slap" you you know you got it goin' on. LOL Great clip. Thank You.
Loumademe 1 year ago
Diana Ross was fucking the right people. Simple as that.
Runningprof 1 year ago
@Runningprof nope.Even Michael who played the scarecrow,and who loved Dian Ross dearly,thought that Stephanie(His Girlfriend at the time),should have gotten more fame and recognizance for her role as the ORIGINAL The Wiz' Dorothy.
ilovemusicalot07 1 year ago
@Runningprof THIS.TRUTH.
1814Brandan 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Runningprof THIS.TRUTH.
1814Brandan 5 months ago
So cute
MrNewtcummer 1 year ago
what's so funny about youtube is how they take out some comments but leave others. Thier are people replying to a comment I made but when I go to see what I blogged they have taken off my comment. What gives :(
MrNewtcummer 1 year ago
can you imagine Step and Michael together in the movie?? that could have been an even better movie
SuperstarRichardG 1 year ago
I think she should have sung this song i the Wiz. I have to say Dianna Ross did a nice job but the song was OUT OF HER REANGE....
alahnaamoah 1 year ago
While I really love the more professionally done video for this song Stephanie has on her official web site, I am still partial to the more "Broadway" style way the song is sung here. Wish the actual video quality was better. LOVE this song so much! This little girl (lovely lady now) can blow you right out of your seat with her magnificient voice!
phredyeats 1 year ago
beautiful. i come back to this video now and again. love the emotion in her voice. why didn't they have her play dorothy in the movie??
peechyq 1 year ago
Stephani Mills is an icon, and "The Wiz" is the best score to a Broadway show! Thank you Charlie Smalls for writing this show. "The Wiz" is a "Wow!"
chriscolumbianyc 1 year ago
Perfect phrasing!
sonson226 1 year ago
Lol at 1:37, she outs the horn player off key....hilarious!
sonson226 1 year ago
Gosh I'd forgotten how much I love this song. Especially with Stephanie singing it. Soo amazing gives me chills every time.
chynahblue 1 year ago
So many hate comment on Diana Ross. They'll both good singer. Sure Diana was too old for the role of Dorthy, but she singing was good. When she sung Home there some emotion in it. Stephanie did sung a good cover.
Neoguest 1 year ago
@Neoguest it wasn't a cover. Stephanie Mills sang the original for the broadway musical "the wiz". The movie would be the result of how well stephanie came across on stage. If it wasn't for good writing, good music, and great acting/talented singers to start with, would've never known about "the wiz".
Funnypandalonies 1 year ago
@Funnypandalonies Got got it mix up. Forgotten that Wiz started as play, but both verison of the song are good.
Neoguest 1 year ago
@Neoguest you are right diana did have very good emotion however, diana was the one that performed the cover. Stephanie was the original Dorothy in the wiz (Play that is)
ht8082001us 1 year ago
@ht8082001us I did mention the mistake on a reply..
Neoguest 1 year ago
You betta sang Stephanie. I got goose bumps from this performance!!! Wow!!!
ASU19992006 1 year ago
Wow! what a send off from Sammy and Liza at end, but who was the the other woman?
halaluja101 1 year ago
before her nose job.
veeseee128 1 year ago
She's one of my favorite vocalists! And her performance in The Wiz is a great stage homage to Judy Garland's vocal performance in The Wizard of Oz. Both young women were great for the Dorothy roles. (You see Liza out there too!)
SiaMaat 1 year ago
wow is all I can say...
italo36 1 year ago
I saw her sing this when she was 16 years old. Here I thing she was in her early eary 20's. She was and still is a spectacular singer. I've seen her recently and she does not look like she is in her late 40's.
ychisolm 1 year ago
@ychisolm Nah this was during her years as Dorothy in the Broadway version of the Wiz.
When Stephanie was in her 20's she was an Top recording artist and her nose wasnt as big(She had an nose job) which made her nose smaller than what u see in this video. This is back in the early to mid 70's.
WORKOUT66 1 year ago
Dang, just listening and looking at her sing makes this so amazing that a woman can make a song sound and look so good singing it. Love her smile.
byronls1 1 year ago
@mrknowitalllt1 So many Diana Ross haters on you tube, rarely does the broadway star do the film in addition she was proven boxoffice, but I wonder can we all appreciate the doors she opened for black artists in films and the doors that were opened for her. Stephanie was the bomb is the bomb, will always be the bomb. I appreciate them all Aretha, Chaka, Diana, Gladys, Dionne, Dinah, Natalie and many others all talented.
charles7441 1 year ago
@charles7441 After this movie bombed, Hollywood shied away from films with all-black casts for a few years until A Soldier's Story.
1814Brandan 5 months ago
Click if you wish Stephanie played Dorthy instead of Diana R.
byronls1 1 year ago 152
Comment removed
byronls1 1 year ago
@mrknowitalllt1 Yeah, Diane's reign of screwing people over (literally) spanned many decades ... from her beginning years with the unparalleled Supremes to her time as a solo artist. That hoe didn't give a damn about anyone but herself. I guess in the end she got her just dessert ... 40 years in the game and not a single Grammy to her name??? Sucks to be her. Paybacks a bitch. Sing your heart out Miss Stephanie Mills!
Neno8403 1 year ago
@Neno8403 you are absolutely right how she screwed over ppl during her career. she and barry gordy screwed the hell out florence ballard who they said was a much better singer and better looking than diana but, damn, i didn't know she was grammyless that kinda makes me feel good.
mrknowitalllt1 1 year ago
how the hell do you go from this beautiful innocent looking little girl who fits the part perfectly of dorthy in the wiz to diana ross who looked she just finished a fifth of jack daniels, oh yeah i forgot, because stephanie wasn't screwing berry gordy.
mrknowitalllt1 1 year ago 7
@mrknowitalllt1 and they thought she was ugly.
Vitaluv 4 months ago
@Vitaluv stephanie mills is the truth. if she's ugly then biz markie is the new heartthrob of the ghetto.
mrknowitalllt1 4 months ago
She was and is a lovely woman. She was particularly a lovely woman back then---in '75. I miss those days.
Christlessgrave 1 year ago
she is soooooooooooooooo confident with her voice...
BigPoppaNinoBrown 1 year ago
i heard alotta great women sing this song...whit...di...jen...THIS IS STEPH'S SONG...PERIOD!!!!
morphillyous 1 year ago 3
so original, and classic......love her voice!!
Cydena 1 year ago
Wonderful!
CT164 1 year ago
Ok so Im confused! Was she suppose to originally play dorothy in the wiz but was replaced with diana ross?
JordinSparksFan08 1 year ago
@JordinSparksFan08 No she was Dorothy in the original play and they made a film based on the play.
RachelKris 1 year ago
@RachelKris Ohhh!! Thanks for clearing that up for me because I was always confused about that. Thanks :)
JordinSparksFan08 1 year ago
@JordinSparksFan08 she was the original dorothy in the stage production of the wiz, which came out before the movie.
Imachi1124 1 year ago
@Imachi1124 Yea I know that now...thanks tho.
JordinSparksFan08 1 year ago
brings tears to my ears each time I hear this song.. Love it
Twotonetmw 1 year ago
This is her song and even whitney houston can't touch her on this one.
yurherenow 1 year ago
I love the story mywish46, I can just see the drag queens singing this!
dwarner207 1 year ago
WOW
vivalavieboheme14 1 year ago
The first time I heard this was at the gay bar. The dj would play this when the bar was closing. You should have seen all the drag queens flock on stage being Miss Mills. I miss the good old days. This was back in '82 and the only song I had ever heard from the Wiz was "Ease on down the road", which I didn't like. I love Stephanie and her beautiful performance but that outfits gotta go.
mywish46 1 year ago
sounds alot like fantasia barrino wow
jamesloves2sing 2 years ago
@jamesloves2sing You mean Fantasia sounds a lot like Stephanie since Stephanie came before Fantasia. Both are fabulous singers.
boirlesnow 2 years ago
You mean Fantasia sounds a lot like Stephanie! LOL
I love both of those ladies. They can both sing their asses off!
TheBigBlackNewsBlog2 1 year ago
Her voice is out of this world. To me, her version will always be the best. Just right Not too heavy and not too light.
Don't give me a thumbs down for this, but could you have imagined if her and MJ had of stayed together and produced a family? My God. Their voices and their looks combined. Those kids would had been a force to be reckoned with whether they chose to sing or not.
...Bur we can dream, right?
TheVariedEdbanger 2 years ago 5
@TheVariedEdbanger Right! :)
I think that planet earth would have exploded for real if they got together and created a child. The child would say start to sing and the earth's crust would fall apart and...ya know...blow up! LOL!!
Unfortunately, we didn't even get 1 duet with them.
boirlesnow 2 years ago 2
Yeah, the world probably couldn't of handled it. LOL! The world could hardly handle Mike all by himself.
TheVariedEdbanger 2 years ago 2
We can ALWAYS Dream...and I LOVE your dream!
miamisteele 2 years ago
I recognize Liza and Sammy but who is the other person at the end? Loretta Lynn?
hilljayne 2 years ago
OMG she cant be 16 are u serious?I would say 20 maybe.I dont know what 2 say um she sounds the exact same as now.People keep sayin Whit is the voice but i think its Stephanie!!LOVE U STEPH!!!
iluvrachellef 2 years ago
@iluvrachellef The Wiz premiered in 1975. She was born in 1957, so she was 18 years old when she started in the show.
boirlesnow 2 years ago
@boirlesnow
Stephanie would have been 17. The Wiz had its world premiere out of town in October, 1974, then opened on Broadway January 5, 1975. Stephanie turned 18 on March 22, 1975.
Crp75 2 years ago
@Crp75 Thanks for the clarity. I remember seeing her sing "Be A Lion" on the children's show "Wonderama" and I'm pretty sure God touched me when I heard her voice. Then seeing her several times in the show just changed my whole life.
boirlesnow 2 years ago
16 years old guyz...16..Amazin' : ) Love u Steph!
Karamel2233 2 years ago
omg...nobody else can sing this song like she does. Go stephanie! got me in tears
chmeltonjr 2 years ago
just awesome
sluppyt 2 years ago
Wow...I love Ms Mills...she was gr8 as a kid and even gr8er now...she's AMAZIN...
EgYpTgIrL22 2 years ago
She is an amazing talent and what a performance she put on in the "Wiz". The voice that comes from this petite, beautiful Lady is incredible to say the least. After "the Wiz" she made a great impact on the world of R&B, pop, jazz and gospel. Some people were destined to be stars and Stephanie Mills is one of those people.
eagleswing44 2 years ago
beautiful song and a great singer mills makes you listen very carefully and enjoy the song.
renearona 2 years ago 2
YOU GO GIRL, YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerzee529 2 years ago
i see this song like a connection to god wow stephanie mills
azucar29 2 years ago 2
lol @ 1:38
grednert 2 years ago
@grednert LOL U STUPID HAHAHA i had to go back n catch it , she sung the shit out this song !!!!
imhailing 2 years ago
lol yeah why did she do that??
bluchicdotnet 2 years ago
WTF! Why are you hatin' on Steph?! This song is a classic! I'm just now dry'in my eyes, and that's real. Peace!
lxolxo7 2 years ago
Listen PPL especially (hwyitagesu) - Don't knock Stephanie for being Stephanie... Her expressions are just that HER'S. NO ONE can deny that this woman is talented beyond measure and anyone who would find something as small as her facial expressions 'annoying' is obviously an immature and silly soul, but haters are needed. So, please STAY ON YOUR JOB!!! And as far as my IQ goes... Well, I majored in Psychology and I was not a C,D, or F student sweetheart.
JNicety 2 years ago 15
I have just realized that the Wiz was not a good movie and it's because of Diana Ross and Barry Gordy. I use to like it as a kid, but I can't stand it now. Stephanie should have been Dorothy.
86pimp3 2 years ago 37
@86pimp3 that was a ridiculous decision to cast diana ross as dorothy in the wiz.. of all the film projects Ross could have taken at that time why would they cast her in the role of dorothy? Ross was huge in 78 and glamorous... she turned down the movie the Body Guard" (whitney houston wasn't that stupid) and chose the Wiz? Stephanie Mills should have played Dorothy end of story. & because she didn't the move tanked.
yurherenow 1 year ago 6
@yurherenow I agree with you 100%...Diana Ross, always got her way. She wanted to be in the "Wiz" Berry Gordy, felt it was a very bad idea for her to be that film but Ross would not take no for an answer...She, was even told that she was too old to play Dorothy... So instead they mad "Dorothy" a 33 year old school teacher. Not a good idea at all.
Koolson1 5 months ago
@Koolson1
You are so right, except they made Dorothy 24 and Diana was 33 in real life. Bad casting, Stephanie and Michael would have made that movie the hit it should have been.
jtyre25 4 months ago
@86pimp3 You are so right, But that is how Diana Ross has always been. She got what she wanted and had stepped on many toes.
Koolson1 1 year ago
@86pimp3 Even Michael couldn't stand it!!!(he was the movie's scarecrow)
ilovemusicalot07 1 year ago
she does the same thing Diana Ross does with her mouth when she sings. I find it real annoying. Its funny Michael Jackson never mentioned having dated her and she says that he was an amazing kisser. Damn its a long ass song and Sammy and Liza look pressed to congratulate her. Thats how the famous are...they only want u when ur "it"
hwyitagesu 2 years ago
Comment removed
JNicety 2 years ago
many singer do it too smarty!! but they don't look like they're making faces at the camera. why don't you sit back and take notes.
hwyitagesu 2 years ago
Comment removed
JNicety 2 years ago
obviously you are going back and forth and as a youtube viewer you have no professional experience to make comments about the music industry ways. Now don't worry about what my mother teaches me and worry about why ur IQ is the size of a pea. Now remind me again when u became Stephanie Mills right arm cause i'm here to watch her and not to learn your like or dislikes.
hwyitagesu 2 years ago
Comment removed
JNicety 2 years ago
oh how sweet of you to stalk my page. not only are u close minded but u have no life. Unlike you, i am open minded to all types of music. now do yourself a favor and get a life.
hwyitagesu 2 years ago
whats the date when this was filmed?
greenemerald152 2 years ago
1975. In fact, her hairstyle is the same as it is in the picture of her in the original Broadway souvenir program from The Wiz.
Crp75 2 years ago
SWEET!
Janfan76 2 years ago
Stephanie Mills is a LEGEND.
timmy841212 2 years ago 3
As ALways - PERFECTION!!!
rbtasweet 2 years ago
this was before the nose-job.
minnelli21 2 years ago
@minnelli21 I like the nose. Her tone was much purer then....
philburrell 2 years ago
Stephanie is rocking the Janet Jackson's Penny hair style from the tv show Good Times.
kimbaptise 2 years ago 7
Yes Yes Yes. I like your name lets be friends.
newtcummer1 2 years ago
In other news, Ashanti totally studied this performance and tried to copy it...but of course it wasn't as good. Not that it was bad either. It wasn't bad, just not Stephanie.
My favorite is done by 11 year old Jazmine Sullivan, though.
dbfergus 2 years ago 3
Ashanti fails whenever she gets near the mic, she can't sing.
AtlantaAngel84 2 years ago 3
when i first heard SM perform this i loved her performance like i couldn't stop listening to it so much heart and soul went in that perf. i heard others cover it as well but IMO STEPHANIE OWNED HER VERSION
scabby05 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Shes effin ugly...bleh =0. MJ baby!!
lAaronl1989 2 years ago
...You know what I bet Stephanie could get back in shape put on some young looking make up and play dorothy in a contemporary screen version again and win an oscar.
newtcummer1 2 years ago 35
I like Stephanie Mills, but I don't think she could look young enough to be Dorothy. While she would sound great, it's almost as bad as Diana Ross when she was 50 trying to be 20 for Dorothy in the original movie.
Let's give some younger people a chance. I think Stephanie would like that too.
dbfergus 2 years ago
Stephanie could pull it off. Correction Hollywood and their makeup artist could and would pull it off.
newtcummer1 2 years ago 3
I concur, except I don't get what you mean by Diana Ross was "Dorothy in the original movie," considering the movie came AFTER the play. Stephanie would have been an ideal choice for the movie when they began filming in 1977, since she was only 20 and still playing Dorothy in the original stage show at the time.
Crp75 2 years ago
...because Diana played the original movie. I know that Stephanie was the original Dorothy and the comment was not said in any disrespect to her at all. I like both.
Jazmine Sullivan does my favorite rendition of Home though, and I would LOVE to see her do "Dorothy" in "The Wiz" movie.
dbfergus 2 years ago
Stephanie Mills was the original choice to play Dorothy in the motion picture as well. However, once Ms. Ross got wind that the play was being turned into a movie she jumped at the chance to play Dorothy and to give producers a little more incentive to cast her in the lead role she assured them that she could get Barry Gordy to bankroll the film which he did and the rest is, as they say, history.
smarttogetout 2 years ago
@newtcummer1 She was Just on The Monique show about a month ago and she looked like she was in shape
JordinSparksFan08 1 year ago
@newtcummer1 I agree!
msscott73 1 year ago
Stephanie renders this song in a beautiful, whimsical and even magical way; this performance just makes you smile!! She also seemed to be so carefree during this performance, and her her eyes are shining bright. She's awesome.
moonbeam2484 2 years ago
thank you for this vid
harlemheat143 2 years ago
The studios would often pick a better known, already proven person. As talented as Ms Mills was Diana had already been succesful with Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany. This often happenes in hollywood with remakes from the stage even if the original is better and more talented. Look at Julie andrews: she was discovered in the broadway production of My Fair Lady but not cast in the Film,the bankable and popular Audrey Hepburn was cast and could'nt even sing, they had to dub a singer.....
thesp467 2 years ago
who is the other woman, It's Sammy, Liza, Stephanie and ....Is that Chita Rivera?
thesp467 2 years ago
Maybe Rita Moreno ?
anatnominuk 2 years ago
I love Stephanie Mills and the song Home. Thanks for sharing the video :)
Agile3040 2 years ago
she favors chili from tlc on this video
JLAW34 2 years ago
Bought her way into the movie? LOL?! How exactly did she do this, and who did she pay. If I'm not mistaken, Universal PAID HER a big fat 1 million big ones. At the time, there were only 2 other actresses bringing down those kinds of paydays: Streisand and I forget the other one, possibly Minelli.
divalish 2 years ago
She was rejected first. Read your history. She did pay her way into the movie and everyone knows. How else would Dorthy go from minor to middle age??
DorkTownHero 2 years ago
If this knowledge is so widespread, DorkTownHero, would you be kind enough to direct me to a link where this aspect of Miss Ross paying her way into the movie is discussed and outlined? I would very much like to "read" my "history". LMAO!
divalish 2 years ago
Diana was 33 y.o. playing Dorothy as a 24 y.o. neither I would call middle aged. I do believe that SM should have been cast in the film as Dorothy. But Diana's star power allowed her to convince the studio that she would be the better choice.
anatnominuk 2 years ago
if you read her wikipedia it says the director didn't want diana to play dorothy because she was too old and he didn't think fans would go for it(which they didn't it bombed unfortunately) stephanie was originally cast but as we all know diana doesn't take no for an answer lol
JERRiCKKABaBy 2 years ago 2
Correct! That's why I said (My comment was mysteriously erased from this site) the reason STephanie didn't get the part is because Diana threw a tantrum when they went after the young Diva. In Retrospect the choice to cast Diana was a terrible mistake. Look at the screen charm Micheal has as the scarecrow. Just imagine STEPHANIE MILLS as his Dorothy. Mike made everything work and if I could change time this movie would be a great one not the dud it was at the box office.
newtcummer1 2 years ago 3
i agree
JERRiCKKABaBy 2 years ago
bravo bravo
newtcummer1 2 years ago
hey baby gurl, you are a cutie pie yourself holla!
newtcummer1 2 years ago
Thank you for sharing your insights into that "ish". I remember the casting drama as it it occurred yesterday. I've always been fond Diana Ross but the decision to cast her in the screen version was just wrong on several levels.
Diana's acting was cringe-worthy and her whining through the songs was annoying.
snrbaires 2 years ago 4
Welcome. Thanks for have a producers mind. i wish I was back there to change the cast...Like Stephanie sings...I wish I was home i wish was back there.
newtcummer1 2 years ago
True Talent True Beauty True Gift are a few terms I like to put in the same sentence when talking about Ms. Mills and as a min you can't say a a word that has anything to do with Stephanie and leave any of those phrases out she has it and its a shame that the industry today turns its back on the legendary females that are the reason that labels have ladies signed today with out Ms.Mill with out Gladys Knight without Chaka Khan without Teena Marie there would be no Whitney Mariah Toni or Beyonce
ifusuckilltellu 2 years ago
Oops I forgot to add Patti Labelle's name Phyllis Hyman's name or Jennifer Holiday's name they orignal "Anything" if you will is always the "Leg Up For Who or What comes ahead" like Jennifer Hudson getting that doory opened for her role as Effie White or now with Ashanti taking on the lead role in the remake or "The Wiz"
ifusuckilltellu 2 years ago
She KILLS with that last note. She lets the lyric and melody speak without screaming into the mic or oversinging. this song doesn't need all that noise. she's brilliant!
rellenoz 2 years ago
she's got such an interestingly beautiful face. she's amazing.
rellenoz 2 years ago 2
God , I so remember when she use to come into the Salon ( Louis M ) . You just knew you were looking at an amazing tallent . A what a sweatheart !!!
Joeinps 2 years ago
GREAT JOB STEP...my first time seeing this...this is vintage!
1choirmasta08 2 years ago