(Updated 12/15/2022)
Portraying a real person on film is always a task laden with unique challenges for an actor. When it comes to playing someone who was a global superstar with legions of fans whose work touched millions of people, there’s no question that the task is more difficult than usual.
That’s what Naomi Ackie faced as she played Whitney Houston in the biopic WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Capturing Houston’s essence is an even more challenging acting proposition than most. It’s easy to focus on certain aspects of her life: her strong well, her musical range, and her tumultuous personal life that ended with an untimely death at age 48 in 2012. Those are all important aspects of Houston’s life, but they don’t capture the core of who she was as a person.
With Naomi Ackie's impeccable performance driving the movie, WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY might open the door into Houston’s inner life. Watch the trailer and learn more below.
When Can You See Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody?
WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY will open exclusively in movie theatres on December 23.
Watch The New Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody Trailer
While the first trailer for WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY presented a quick overview of Houston's hits and career, this second trailer dives deeper into some of the difficult parts of her life. So while we're reminded of some of the artist's major successes, we also see how she faced pressure to conform to expectations, and that there were problems in her personal and family life — which, we know, turned out to be insurmountable.
Who Sings In Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody?
With a movie like this, one big question is always whether or not the star will perform songs in their own voice. For WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY, music producer Clive Davis has said that Whitney Houston's voice will be used. Indeed, what we hear in the latest trailer sounds like Houston herself — and with a voice as well-known, distinct, and capable as Houston's, it makes sense to use her vocal tracks.
The Cast Of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
We've already talked about Naomi Ackie playing Whitney Houston, and she is obviously the star of the show. Clive Davis, the record producer mentioned above, who is credited with discovering Houston and facilitating her ascent to stardom, is played by Stanley Tucci. The actor wears quite a lot of makeup and even seemingly some prosthetics for the role, but he does look like Davis!
Additionally, Ashton Sanders plays singer Bobby Brown, who became Houston's husband, and Tamara Tunie and Clarke Peters play parents Cissy and John Houston, who each had an important role not only in the singer's upbringing but in the evolution and direction of her career.
Nafessa Williams plays Houston's assistant Robyn Crawford, while Bria Danielle Singleton plays Bobbi Kristina Brown, Houston's daughter.
The Filmmakers Behind The Whitney Houston Movie
WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY has been in development for a while thanks to writer/producer Anthony McCarten (BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING), who secured the rights to Houston's life and music, and wrote the script before setting up a deal with a studio. Eventually, Kasi Lemmons (EVE'S BAYOU) came on board to direct and the cast was quickly lined up.
Clive Davis was also deeply involved with the creation of the movie — which might help explain why so much work was put into making Stanley Tucci look just like him!
WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY opens on December 23.
All images courtesy of Sony Pictures.