As you all know I'm a huge Whitney Houston fan. I was one of those people who cried my eyes out the day she passed away. She was my childhood hero, so her death was in many ways the death of a childhood dream. So, needless to say I'd love for her legacy to live on in all of the positive ways that it can, and it very well should.
We know that after icons die, the entertainment world rushes to document their life in film. This time around, one of the greatest (arguably THE greatest) voices of all time is getting a made for TV film produced by the incredible Angela Bassett. Whitney's family has publicly made statements against the film. Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina took to her twitter page to blast Director Angela Bassett for not casting her to play her mother. The inappropriate tweets were later deleted from her account (if there is a such thing as deleting anything from social media).
Angela spoke with Entertainment Tonight in this exclusive/ Behind the Scenes look at the film and explained that she loves Bobbi, and understands her frustration. Angela admitted that she knows Bobbi loves her mom, and that she lost her mom recently so she can identify with that love even more now. ET also spoke with Deborah Cox whose voice is being used for the music in the film creating another point of disconnect for many fans and family members.
America's Top Model finalist turned actress Yaya DaCosta was among the biggest surprises of the film- she was casted to play the lead role. She says she's tuned out social media while in production as to not be distracted by the naysayers, and boy are there many. Whitney's mom Cissy and manager/sister in law Pat sent statements to ET explaining their frustrations:
"Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie and if she were here today, this would not be happening,"- Pat Houston
“Lifetime has chosen to go ahead with the movie about Whitney in spite of my family’s objections. No one connected with this movie knew Whitney or anything about her relationship with Bobby. In the two years since Whitney’s death, many people have stepped forward to speak about their close relationship with her. I find it difficult to believe people who knew and supposedly loved her would participate in a movie about her done by folks who didn’t know her.”- Ms. Cissy Houston
That's huge. I think it's always best to have the family's blessing in these kinds of films. I also know that's not always possible. I definitely want Whitney honored in some way by a film, and I do believe Angela Bassett has great intentions. I wish it were being made for the big screen, but there are so many different aspects that people have to consider when looking at films like that. Whitney died young, many of the people in her life are still alive and would most likely object to a more indepth biopic. I'm sure years down the line someone will do one. I just hope this made for TV film is done with grace and that it tells us the story of a voice that will live forever. Rest in Love Whitney.
What do you guys think about all of this?
great write up kayki. i was wondering when u would say something about this. as usual i agree with u 100 percent. whitney houston is a legend and her story deserve legendary treatment. and u should never go forward with a film without the family blessing. look at the aaliyah film same thing. i love angela bassett, but i just think its the wrong time.
ReplyDeleteI can't see the video for some reason on my phone, but based off of what you wrote I see it from all sides. Like you said hopefully they do her some justice.
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