by Adrian Ryan

It's been a year since a photo spread of Frenchie Davis was discovered on an adult website, awakening dormant delicate sensibilities at Fox, which booted Frenchie from the show, robbing her of a shot at the title. But she would really rather talk about something else, if you don't mind.

Fortune has smiled on Frenchie in the 12 months since the Idol debacle, blessing her with opportunities that far outmatch the winnings of any trumped-up Star Search knock-off--including a highly regarded Broadway debut in the musical Rent (with rumors of another big Broadway gig in the works), a record contract with Warner Bros., and--her latest and largest coup--a major role as much-wronged Effie White in the new three-city West Coast revival of Dreamgirls.

"Dreamgirls is based loosely on the story of the Supremes," Frenchie explained recently as she was beginning rehearsals for the Motown-inspired rhythm and blues opus, coming to the 5th Avenue Theatre. "My character, Effie, is based on Florence Ballard."

Miss Ballard--like Effie--was heaved aside to make way for a more conventionally attractive and more marketable (but not necessarily more talented) performer (AKA Diana Ross).

"I feel for Effie--she's treated very unfairly and I can relate to that. Show business is rough when you're not thin, or you don't fit people's expectations," Frenchie says. "It's hard for a woman who doesn't look like a Barbie doll. I think I understand what Effie goes through."

Ironically, Frenchie has always had a special corner of her heart reserved for Dreamgirls... in fact, it was Effie's ball-busting ballad "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls that Frenchie sang when she auditioned for American Idol.

"I've always loved Dreamgirls," she says. "And I love Effie. I hope I can do her justice."