Robyn Crawford has worn many career hats, including as a producer and creative director with a few credits. Crawford is known for work in some notable ’80s and ’90s movies such as The Tale of Ruby Rose (1987), The Bodyguard (1992), and Waiting to Exhale (1995). She has since left the movie industry to focus on other career interests. Crawford made appearances on podcasts as a guest in 2019 following the release of her New York Times bestselling book A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston. While she earned success in her own right, Robyn Crawford gained international...
- 2/4/2024
- by Banks Onuoha
- TVovermind.com
Whitney Houston had “the Voice.” It was trained, expressive, and clear. She didn’t write the songs she sang, but interpreted them, capturing the imagination of a generation. The first triple RIAA Diamond-certified-selling Black artist, Houston broke records set by the Beatles, Elvis, and Sinatra, which had nothing to do with racial divides. Now streaming on Netflix, I Wanna Dance with Somebody stars British actress Naomi Ackie, who plays Houston as a harried artist, only taking her time during performance, but rushed on and off the stage.
Directed by Kasi Lemmons and written by Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody), the musical biopic captures the melody of Houston’s life but also speeds the beat. It misses the rests between notes. Most of the erroneous materials come from narrative streamlining. For instance, Houston wasn’t discovered because her mother, the ever-professional Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie), showed up at a club like Sweetwaters pretending to have laryngitis.
Directed by Kasi Lemmons and written by Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody), the musical biopic captures the melody of Houston’s life but also speeds the beat. It misses the rests between notes. Most of the erroneous materials come from narrative streamlining. For instance, Houston wasn’t discovered because her mother, the ever-professional Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie), showed up at a club like Sweetwaters pretending to have laryngitis.
- 4/26/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
In 1978, the Kinks sang: “He just spends his life, living in a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy; He just spends his life, living on the edge of reality.” This mid-1970s sentiment of California dreamin’ foregrounds a young woman with that same impossible, crazy and ultimately disenchanting dream — singer, songwriter, flame-haired trainwreck Daisy Jones played by the perfectly cast firecracker Riley Keough, Elvis’ granddaughter, in Amazon Prime Video’s “Daisy Jones & the Six.”
It’s part the familiar saga of the rise and splatter of a band like “Fleetwood Mac,” circa the album “Rumours:” the drugs, the demons and the outsized desires of its members. And then, driven by a spectacular performance by Keough, it’s about the power of finding one’s voice and hoping the journey liberates rather than destroys the seeker.
Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s New York Times bestseller, a chick lit book beloved by...
It’s part the familiar saga of the rise and splatter of a band like “Fleetwood Mac,” circa the album “Rumours:” the drugs, the demons and the outsized desires of its members. And then, driven by a spectacular performance by Keough, it’s about the power of finding one’s voice and hoping the journey liberates rather than destroys the seeker.
Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s New York Times bestseller, a chick lit book beloved by...
- 3/1/2023
- by Thelma Adams
- The Wrap
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a movie directed by Kasi Lemmons starring Naomi Ackie.
Today we saw this biopic about the always great Whitney Houston… according to some, the singer deserved something better than this; and for others… a good chance to remember her always.
A tribute to the singer born in Newark.
About the Movie Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Another biopic? Unfortunately, yes. This genre calls for more respect for the biography than a more developed introspection of the characters and frequently settles for composing works that revolve around more or less famous fragments and lose out (almost always) in the general balance, forcing respecto ver creation.
Many are born as failures.
With all our respects (totally) for the singer, we are of the opinion that this is a movie that although it is faithful to the biography, does not manage to transmit...
Today we saw this biopic about the always great Whitney Houston… according to some, the singer deserved something better than this; and for others… a good chance to remember her always.
A tribute to the singer born in Newark.
About the Movie Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Another biopic? Unfortunately, yes. This genre calls for more respect for the biography than a more developed introspection of the characters and frequently settles for composing works that revolve around more or less famous fragments and lose out (almost always) in the general balance, forcing respecto ver creation.
Many are born as failures.
With all our respects (totally) for the singer, we are of the opinion that this is a movie that although it is faithful to the biography, does not manage to transmit...
- 2/7/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
“Music was a part of her life from the time she was a very young child,” says Tamara Tunie while discussing her portrayal of Cissy Houston in the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Cissy is a Grammy-winning gospel music legend, Whitney’s mother and the aunt of Dionne Warwick. “Her family was steeped in music. The family organically learned that this was a very talented group of siblings that then became quite famous gospel singers.”
See Naomi Ackie (‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’) on becoming Whitney Houston: It ‘feels like you’re playing a superhuman’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
Tunie describes Cissy’s relationship with her daughter as “deeply loving.” She adds,”I was able to find some video footage of Cissy and Whitney that was in a hotel room after or before a concert. They were just being themselves. It was footage that Robyn Crawford had shot. What that really showed me,...
See Naomi Ackie (‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’) on becoming Whitney Houston: It ‘feels like you’re playing a superhuman’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
Tunie describes Cissy’s relationship with her daughter as “deeply loving.” She adds,”I was able to find some video footage of Cissy and Whitney that was in a hotel room after or before a concert. They were just being themselves. It was footage that Robyn Crawford had shot. What that really showed me,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
“We all know about her and her trials and travails, but she was a really down-to-earth person who got overwhelmed with the struggle of fame,” says Gerald Sullivan while talking about late music legend Whitney Houston. Sullivan is the production designer for her biopic titled “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” starring Naomi Ackie and directed by Kasi Lemmons. Watch our video interview above.
See Naomi Ackie (‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’) on becoming Whitney Houston: It ‘feels like you’re playing a superhuman’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
“That’s sort of like contemporary archaeology,” he explains while discussing his re-creation of the iconic “How Will I Know” music video. “You do the research. You look at the video. We shot it from the fourth wall, where we’re actually seeing the producers and the directors. From the beginning, we tried to decipher the plan of this set by watching the video over and over...
See Naomi Ackie (‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’) on becoming Whitney Houston: It ‘feels like you’re playing a superhuman’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
“That’s sort of like contemporary archaeology,” he explains while discussing his re-creation of the iconic “How Will I Know” music video. “You do the research. You look at the video. We shot it from the fourth wall, where we’re actually seeing the producers and the directors. From the beginning, we tried to decipher the plan of this set by watching the video over and over...
- 12/27/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Click here to read the full article.
Kasi Lemmons said she “fought” for the inclusion of Whitney Houston’s early relationship with childhood friend and former creative director Robyn Crawford to be featured in the late singer’s biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Whether the film — produced with the backing of Houston’s family and estate as well as music producer Clive Davis — would feature the romance between the duo was a subject of near-continuous speculation leading up to its release. During its premiere, Davis confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that it would “tell you about her sexuality,” later sharing with Extra that the movie would set the record straight and depict that “they did have a teenage, one-year affair.”
“There have been so many articles that have…attempted to trace her addiction to being a frustrated lesbian or never dated a man before Bobby, all of which was totally inaccurate,...
Kasi Lemmons said she “fought” for the inclusion of Whitney Houston’s early relationship with childhood friend and former creative director Robyn Crawford to be featured in the late singer’s biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Whether the film — produced with the backing of Houston’s family and estate as well as music producer Clive Davis — would feature the romance between the duo was a subject of near-continuous speculation leading up to its release. During its premiere, Davis confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that it would “tell you about her sexuality,” later sharing with Extra that the movie would set the record straight and depict that “they did have a teenage, one-year affair.”
“There have been so many articles that have…attempted to trace her addiction to being a frustrated lesbian or never dated a man before Bobby, all of which was totally inaccurate,...
- 12/25/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
No one will accuse Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody of glossing over the turbulent life of Whitney Houston. In its two-plus hours, the movie, which was authorized by Houston’s family and was co-produced by her music mentor Clive Davis, features a multi-layered performance by British actress Naomi Ackie, whose lip-synching to Houston’s vocals is incredibly convincing. The movie doesn’t skimp on scenes of Houston in the possession of drugs, kissing and frolicking with her close companion (and future creative director) Robyn Crawford, going into rehab,...
- 12/24/2022
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
The holidays started early in Tinseltown (and elsewhere), beginning with James Cameron missing his own “Avatar: The Way of Water” Hollywood premiere, knocked down with a bout of Covid and moving on to New York’s first look at “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Santa turned up at Christina Moore and John Ducey’s “I Believe in Santa” Netflix premiere and there was even a Christmas Con! Meanwhile, Damien Chazelle brought a much less family-friendly flick, “Babylon,” to the City of Angels in another splashy premiere.
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
Stars Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington attend the U.S. premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in Hollywood. (Courtesy 20th Century Studios)
It was well worth the wait! Disney transported fans into Pandora for the “Avatar: The Way of Water premiere” at the Dolby Theatre. Stepping inside, it was as...
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
Stars Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington attend the U.S. premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in Hollywood. (Courtesy 20th Century Studios)
It was well worth the wait! Disney transported fans into Pandora for the “Avatar: The Way of Water premiere” at the Dolby Theatre. Stepping inside, it was as...
- 12/23/2022
- by Jenny Peters
- The Wrap
Whitney Houston’s new biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” will answer a lot of rumours about the star’s career and personal life, according to one of the film’s producers and long-time friend and collaborator Clive Davis.
The 90-year-old music legend was a long-time and close collaborator with the late songstress, helping to create some of her biggest hits.
“Knowing all the questions people wanted to know about Whitney, I decided it’s only right to do a film and answer all the questions, whether it’s about her sexuality, her marriage, her dependence on drugs at a certain part of her career, how she and I worked together,” says Davis, who’s played by Stanley Tucci in the movie. “Then — big time — the music. How do you celebrate the music? All those great copyrights. We clearly decided it would have to be Whitney’s voice.”
Read More:...
The 90-year-old music legend was a long-time and close collaborator with the late songstress, helping to create some of her biggest hits.
“Knowing all the questions people wanted to know about Whitney, I decided it’s only right to do a film and answer all the questions, whether it’s about her sexuality, her marriage, her dependence on drugs at a certain part of her career, how she and I worked together,” says Davis, who’s played by Stanley Tucci in the movie. “Then — big time — the music. How do you celebrate the music? All those great copyrights. We clearly decided it would have to be Whitney’s voice.”
Read More:...
- 12/22/2022
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Plot: The life of Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie), from her early days as an up-and-comer to her eventual run as a superstar and drug-fuelled decline.
Review: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a mixed bag as far as music biopics go. While it follows the familiar beats and doesn’t shy away from the darker side of Houston’s life and career, the film is perhaps too devoted to Houston’s music to work as a compelling drama. Of the 144-minute running time, conservatively, forty (or more) minutes are devoted to lengthy restagings of Houston’s live performances. Given that Houston’s real vocals were used, that means star Noami Ackie is given little to do but mime to these performances. While Houston’s once-in-a-generation voice obviously can’t be imitated, it leaves Ackie too little time to inhabit the part effectively.
Ackie’s performance suffers partly because Houston is...
Review: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a mixed bag as far as music biopics go. While it follows the familiar beats and doesn’t shy away from the darker side of Houston’s life and career, the film is perhaps too devoted to Houston’s music to work as a compelling drama. Of the 144-minute running time, conservatively, forty (or more) minutes are devoted to lengthy restagings of Houston’s live performances. Given that Houston’s real vocals were used, that means star Noami Ackie is given little to do but mime to these performances. While Houston’s once-in-a-generation voice obviously can’t be imitated, it leaves Ackie too little time to inhabit the part effectively.
Ackie’s performance suffers partly because Houston is...
- 12/22/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Kasi Lemmons had quite a few reservations prior to boarding the biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody. For starters, she’d run in similar circles to the iconic musician in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, back when Lemmons was acting in films like School Daze and The Silence of the Lambs. After transitioning to filmmaking with her remarkable debut Eve’s Bayou, she met with Whitney to pitch a screenplay she’d written for her about the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, a trailblazing all-women swing and jazz group in the ‘30s and ‘40s,...
- 12/22/2022
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
I Wanna Dance with Somebody review: The first authorised biopic turns Whitney Houston into a product
When Whitney Houston died in 2012, in a drug-related accidental drowning at age 48, the search for an explanation took on a desperate edge. Tell-all memoirs were published by her inner circle. Documentaries – 2017’s Whitney: Can I Be Me and 2018’s Whitney among them – functioned more like space probes. A Lifetime series directed by Houston’s Waiting to Exhale co-star, Angela Bassett, came across as earnest but slight. Most of these positioned Houston as an Icarus plummeting back down to Earth, with an outsized focus on her latter years of addiction, her fading vocal range, and her tabloid domination.
She’d become one of the many, cautionary tales that haunt pop culture’s margins, all at the expense of that miraculous talent that once earned her the nickname “The Voice”. So, it’s hard to fault Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the first biopic authorised by her estate, for its attempt to recentre her legacy.
She’d become one of the many, cautionary tales that haunt pop culture’s margins, all at the expense of that miraculous talent that once earned her the nickname “The Voice”. So, it’s hard to fault Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the first biopic authorised by her estate, for its attempt to recentre her legacy.
- 12/21/2022
- by Clarisse Loughrey
- The Independent - Film
‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ Review: A Basic Whitney Houston Biopic Sets Her Wikipedia Page to Song
A music biopic so broad and hacky it makes “Jersey Boys” seem like “All that Jazz,” Kasi Lemmons’ well-acted but laughably trite “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is an anonymous portrait of a singular artist — a by-the-numbers “Behind the Music” episode that needs 146 minutes to say almost nothing about a once-in-a-lifetime voice. Not even “Bohemian Rhapsody” was so obviously written by the guy who wrote “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as Anthony McCarten’s algorithmic script
Here’s young Whitney as a choir soloist at the New Jersey church where she discovers her love for music. There she is at Arista Records’ HQ listening to the demo track for her future hit single, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”. Once her career takes off, the rest of her life is reduced to a diminishingly unsophisticated series of reactions to whatever happened in the previous scene, which doesn’t express Houston’s struggle...
Here’s young Whitney as a choir soloist at the New Jersey church where she discovers her love for music. There she is at Arista Records’ HQ listening to the demo track for her future hit single, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”. Once her career takes off, the rest of her life is reduced to a diminishingly unsophisticated series of reactions to whatever happened in the previous scene, which doesn’t express Houston’s struggle...
- 12/21/2022
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Naomi Ackie is excellent in the title role and the film delivers all the singer’s big hits, but it swerves the difficult questions
Whitney Houston has already been the subject of two startling and effectively competing documentaries: Nick Broomfield’s Whitney: Can I Be Me? from 2017 and Kevin Macdonald’s Whitney, which was released a year later. Each in its own way was hamstrung by legal issues and family pressure, although Broomfield’s was perhaps the more judicious and insightful. Now here is a music biopic on very traditional lines from screenwriter Anthony McCarten and director Kasi Lemmons: a smoothly watchable and well performed piece of work. It is almost a 144-minute narrative montage, and very avoidant on key issues – seemingly deferring to everyone who is still alive and suing.
British actor Naomi Ackie is very strong in the role of Houston (though with Whitney’s original singing...
Whitney Houston has already been the subject of two startling and effectively competing documentaries: Nick Broomfield’s Whitney: Can I Be Me? from 2017 and Kevin Macdonald’s Whitney, which was released a year later. Each in its own way was hamstrung by legal issues and family pressure, although Broomfield’s was perhaps the more judicious and insightful. Now here is a music biopic on very traditional lines from screenwriter Anthony McCarten and director Kasi Lemmons: a smoothly watchable and well performed piece of work. It is almost a 144-minute narrative montage, and very avoidant on key issues – seemingly deferring to everyone who is still alive and suing.
British actor Naomi Ackie is very strong in the role of Houston (though with Whitney’s original singing...
- 12/21/2022
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Hollywood pop-music biopics tend to be about artists who go back a long way. “Bohemian Rhapsody” felt rooted in a fresher, less done-to-death-by-biopics era — though when the Freddie Mercury drama came out, its title song was already 43 years old. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” which tells the exultant and tragic story of Whitney Houston, feels different. Houston’s first album was released in 1985, and maybe because her triumphs and travails were chronicled, right as they were happening, by a newly emerging entertainment-media-gossip complex, the film feels like it’s telling a story that never went away. Yet as you watch, you may realize how much there is to the story you didn’t know, and how transporting it is. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is the kind of lavishly impassioned all-stops-out biopic you either give into or you don’t — and if you do, you may find yourself getting so emotional,...
- 12/21/2022
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Take a look at new footage from the upcoming musical drama feature "I Wanna Dance with Somebody", directed by Kasi Lemmons, based on the life of singer, actress Whitney Houston, (Naomi Ackie), opening in theaters December 21, 2022:
Cast also includes Ashton Sanders as ‘Bobby Brown’, Stanley Tucci as ‘Clive Davis’, Nafessa Williams as ‘Robyn Crawford’, Clarke Peters as ‘John Houston’ and Tamara Tunie as ‘Cissy Houston’.
Click the images to enlarge…...
Cast also includes Ashton Sanders as ‘Bobby Brown’, Stanley Tucci as ‘Clive Davis’, Nafessa Williams as ‘Robyn Crawford’, Clarke Peters as ‘John Houston’ and Tamara Tunie as ‘Cissy Houston’.
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 11/25/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is the new Sony Pictures musical drama feature, directed by Kasi Lemmons, based on the life of singer, actress Whitney Houston, starring Naomi Ackie, opening in theaters December 21, 2022:
Cast also includes Ashton Sanders as ‘Bobby Brown’, Stanley Tucci as ‘Clive Davis’, Nafessa Williams as ‘Robyn Crawford’, Clarke Peters as ‘John Houston’ and Tamara Tunie as ‘Cissy Houston’.
Click the images to enlarge…...
Cast also includes Ashton Sanders as ‘Bobby Brown’, Stanley Tucci as ‘Clive Davis’, Nafessa Williams as ‘Robyn Crawford’, Clarke Peters as ‘John Houston’ and Tamara Tunie as ‘Cissy Houston’.
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 11/10/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The second trailer for the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," dropped today, and we've already got goosebumps. Directed by the brilliant Kasi Lemmons, this celebration of one of the greatest vocalists to ever walk the earth is the latest biopic from the producers who created the Academy Award-winning film about Freddie Mercury, "Bohemian Rhapsody." Whitney Houston's life has been at the center of public speculation for decades, and her untimely death only exacerbated tabloid obsessions. Fortunately, based on everything we know about "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," Lemmons' film starring Naomi Ackie is an empathetic look at the woman remembered as "The Voice."
The new trailer intercuts footage from the film against the sound of Whitney Houston belting out "I Will Always Love You," a surefire way to pull on the emotional heartstrings of anyone watching. There are shots of crowds cheering her name, Oprah Winfrey introducing her to an audience,...
The new trailer intercuts footage from the film against the sound of Whitney Houston belting out "I Will Always Love You," a surefire way to pull on the emotional heartstrings of anyone watching. There are shots of crowds cheering her name, Oprah Winfrey introducing her to an audience,...
- 11/9/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
It's still hard to imagine how musical biopics can exist in a post "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" world, but the last few years have been bursting with big-budget biopics centered on some of the most iconic performers in music history. Jennifer Hudson belted her face off as Aretha Franklin in "Respect," Taron Egerton was downright dazzling as Elton John in "Rocketman," Austin Butler may be looking at an Oscar nomination for his turn in "Elvis," following a trend set by Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody." Now, the queen of R&b is getting a high-profile film of her own, with Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston.
The upcoming film "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" comes from "Bohemian Rhapsody" screenwriter Anthony McCarten and groundbreaking director Kasi Lemmons, with Ackie lip-syncing to Houston's unbelievable voice while embodying the remarkably talented woman the world lost too soon. The...
The upcoming film "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" comes from "Bohemian Rhapsody" screenwriter Anthony McCarten and groundbreaking director Kasi Lemmons, with Ackie lip-syncing to Houston's unbelievable voice while embodying the remarkably talented woman the world lost too soon. The...
- 9/15/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” the official biopic of music icon Whitney Houston, is set to be released on December 21, 2022 according to Sony Pictures. London native Naomi Ackie will portray the legendary diva from Newark, New Jersey. The BAFTA-winning actress can now be seen as “The Voice” for the first time in a new trailer released September 15.
Kasi Lemmons directs the biographical musical based on the life of one of the world’s biggest superstars. Lemmons’ previous directing credits include 2019’s “Harriet” starring Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo and 1997’s cult classic “Eve’s Bayou” starring Lynn Whitfield and Samuel L. Jackson. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is written by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, whose previous screenplay credits include “The Theory of Everything” (2014), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) and “The Two Popes” (2019).
The trailer begins by showing the night Arista Records founder Clive Davis (played by Stanley Tucci) discovers the young singer performing in...
Kasi Lemmons directs the biographical musical based on the life of one of the world’s biggest superstars. Lemmons’ previous directing credits include 2019’s “Harriet” starring Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo and 1997’s cult classic “Eve’s Bayou” starring Lynn Whitfield and Samuel L. Jackson. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is written by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, whose previous screenplay credits include “The Theory of Everything” (2014), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) and “The Two Popes” (2019).
The trailer begins by showing the night Arista Records founder Clive Davis (played by Stanley Tucci) discovers the young singer performing in...
- 9/15/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
A 25th anniversary celebration of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella will air with a news special cast reunion and presentation of the original film as part of Disney Princess Week.
The package, Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20, airs on ABC-tv on Tuesday, Aug. 23 stating at 8 Pm Et/Pt and will stream the next day on Hulu.
The reunion will feature Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, and Veanne Cox. Following the news special, The Wonderful World of Disney will aira presentation of the original film from 9-11 Pm Et/Pt. (9:00-11:00 p.m). It will also be available to stream on Disney+.
The Disney live-action film marked a groundbreaking moment in television history, introducing America’s first Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston). The ABC News Studios reunion special explores how the made-for-television musical expanded society’s view of the term “princess,...
The package, Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20, airs on ABC-tv on Tuesday, Aug. 23 stating at 8 Pm Et/Pt and will stream the next day on Hulu.
The reunion will feature Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, and Veanne Cox. Following the news special, The Wonderful World of Disney will aira presentation of the original film from 9-11 Pm Et/Pt. (9:00-11:00 p.m). It will also be available to stream on Disney+.
The Disney live-action film marked a groundbreaking moment in television history, introducing America’s first Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston). The ABC News Studios reunion special explores how the made-for-television musical expanded society’s view of the term “princess,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The Lena Waithe-penned film about a young singer on the brink of stardom hiding a relationship with her best friend stumbles with too many wrong notes
Beauty, a coming-of-age music drama written by Lena Waithe and directed by Andrew Dosunmu, purports to tell the story of a fictional young singer in early 1980s New Jersey on the brink of stardom. She is tall, willowy and black, frequently clad in shoulder pads and bright colors, first seen smoking a joint in her bedroom that her older brother warns will damage her voice – a voice which, we’re told, is once in a generation, though we never hear it. Beauty (Gracie Marie Bradley), as she’s oddly called, frequently sings, but the film layers background music or silence over her voice, keeping it at a remove. It’s a central void emblematic of a hollow film which has little to say about anyone or anything,...
Beauty, a coming-of-age music drama written by Lena Waithe and directed by Andrew Dosunmu, purports to tell the story of a fictional young singer in early 1980s New Jersey on the brink of stardom. She is tall, willowy and black, frequently clad in shoulder pads and bright colors, first seen smoking a joint in her bedroom that her older brother warns will damage her voice – a voice which, we’re told, is once in a generation, though we never hear it. Beauty (Gracie Marie Bradley), as she’s oddly called, frequently sings, but the film layers background music or silence over her voice, keeping it at a remove. It’s a central void emblematic of a hollow film which has little to say about anyone or anything,...
- 6/29/2022
- by Adrian Horton
- The Guardian - Film News
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” the official biopic of music icon Whitney Houston, is set to be released on December 21, 2022 according to Sony Pictures. London native Naomi Ackie will portray the legendary diva from Newark, New Jersey. The BAFTA-winning actress’ previous credits include “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker,” “Master of None” and “The End of the F***ing World.” The first movie poster for “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” was recently revealed on Houston’s official website.
Kasi Lemmons directs the biographical musical based on the life of one of the world’s biggest superstars. Lemmons’ previous directing credits include 2019’s “Harriet” starring Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo and 1997’s cult classic “Eve’s Bayou” starring Lynn Whitfield and Samuel L. Jackson. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is written by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, whose previous screenplay credits include “The Theory of Everything” (2014), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) and “The Two Popes...
Kasi Lemmons directs the biographical musical based on the life of one of the world’s biggest superstars. Lemmons’ previous directing credits include 2019’s “Harriet” starring Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo and 1997’s cult classic “Eve’s Bayou” starring Lynn Whitfield and Samuel L. Jackson. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is written by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, whose previous screenplay credits include “The Theory of Everything” (2014), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) and “The Two Popes...
- 4/27/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is the new Sony Picturess musical drama feature, based on the life of singer, actress Whitney Houston, directed by Kasi Lemmons, starring Naomi Ackie, opening in theatres December 21, 2022:
Cast also includes Ashton Sanders as ‘Bobby Brown’, Stanley Tucci as ‘Clive Davis’, Nafessa Williams as ‘Robyn Crawford’, Clarke Peters as ‘John Houston’ and Tamara Tunie as ‘Cissy Houston’.
Click the images to enlarge…...
Cast also includes Ashton Sanders as ‘Bobby Brown’, Stanley Tucci as ‘Clive Davis’, Nafessa Williams as ‘Robyn Crawford’, Clarke Peters as ‘John Houston’ and Tamara Tunie as ‘Cissy Houston’.
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 4/26/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Nafessa Williams has been tapped to play Robyn Crawford in the biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the upcoming feature about the late musical icon Whitney Houston. Williams steps in for Moses Ingram. who recently parted ways with the role.
Also joining the cast are Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie, who will play John and Cissy Houston. Naomi Ackie will play Whitney Houston in the musical biopic that is being directed by Kasi Lemmons. The screenplay will be penned by Anthony McCarten, and will take audiences on an emotional, energetic journey through Houston’s career and music.
Crawford was Houston’s longtime assistant who would later become Houston’s creative director while also remaining one of her closest friends.
Alongside McCarten’s Muse of Fire Productions, the film is being produced by Pat Houston on behalf of the Houston Estate; Grammy-winning music producer Clive Davis; Larry Mestel on behalf...
Also joining the cast are Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie, who will play John and Cissy Houston. Naomi Ackie will play Whitney Houston in the musical biopic that is being directed by Kasi Lemmons. The screenplay will be penned by Anthony McCarten, and will take audiences on an emotional, energetic journey through Houston’s career and music.
Crawford was Houston’s longtime assistant who would later become Houston’s creative director while also remaining one of her closest friends.
Alongside McCarten’s Muse of Fire Productions, the film is being produced by Pat Houston on behalf of the Houston Estate; Grammy-winning music producer Clive Davis; Larry Mestel on behalf...
- 10/4/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Moses Ingram is set play Whitney Houston’s longtime assistant Robyn Crawford opposite BAFTA-winning actress Naomi Ackie in Sony Pictures and TriStar Pictures’ musical biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, based on the epic life and music of iconic singer. Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten is writing the script and Stella Meghie is directing.
Crawford later become Houston’s creative director while also remaining one of her closest friends.
Besides McCarten’s Muse of Fire Productions, the film is being produced by Pat Houston on behalf of the Houston Estate; Grammy-winning music producer Clive Davis; Larry Mestel on behalf of Primary Wave Music; and Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri, who are also financing via Compelling Pictures.
Primary Wave is a partner of the Houston estate. Nicole Brown, Shary Shirazi and Brittany Morrissey will oversee the project for TriStar. The film will be released at Thanksgiving 2022.
Houston is the most awarded...
Crawford later become Houston’s creative director while also remaining one of her closest friends.
Besides McCarten’s Muse of Fire Productions, the film is being produced by Pat Houston on behalf of the Houston Estate; Grammy-winning music producer Clive Davis; Larry Mestel on behalf of Primary Wave Music; and Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri, who are also financing via Compelling Pictures.
Primary Wave is a partner of the Houston estate. Nicole Brown, Shary Shirazi and Brittany Morrissey will oversee the project for TriStar. The film will be released at Thanksgiving 2022.
Houston is the most awarded...
- 6/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
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There’s really nothing like a good music documentary. Rivaled only by maybe true crime and movie documentaries, music-based films are great because they show the story behind the stories of our favorite artists, songs, bands, and record labels.
When you love documentaries the best place to find them all together is a streaming platform. Netflix reigns supreme, but there are a lot of other options out there at a cheaper price. From Hulu to Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Showtime, and Paramount+, you can enjoy tens of thousands of movies and TV series from your TV, phone, and other streaming devices for under $20 a month. Hulu is the most affordable option out of...
There’s really nothing like a good music documentary. Rivaled only by maybe true crime and movie documentaries, music-based films are great because they show the story behind the stories of our favorite artists, songs, bands, and record labels.
When you love documentaries the best place to find them all together is a streaming platform. Netflix reigns supreme, but there are a lot of other options out there at a cheaper price. From Hulu to Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Showtime, and Paramount+, you can enjoy tens of thousands of movies and TV series from your TV, phone, and other streaming devices for under $20 a month. Hulu is the most affordable option out of...
- 4/1/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s star-studded Cinderella starring Brandy in the title role will be available to stream on Disney+ starting at midnight on February 12.
The 1997 reimagining of the beloved fairytale touts a loaded cast with Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters and the late Whitney Houston as Fairy Godmother.
Directed by Robert Iscove, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella featured a number of memorable original tunes from the renown songwriting duo including “Impossible,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “A Lovely Night.” In addition to receiving praise for its diverse casting and musical numbers, Cinderella received seven Emmy nominations in 1998 and took home the outstanding art direction for a variety or music program prize.
Garber, Natalie Desselle Reid, Paolo Montalban, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox also star in the fairytale flick. Rodgers & Hammerstien’s Cinderella was executive produced by Houston, Debra Martin Chase, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Chris Montan produced with Robyn Crawford as associate producer.
The 1997 reimagining of the beloved fairytale touts a loaded cast with Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters and the late Whitney Houston as Fairy Godmother.
Directed by Robert Iscove, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella featured a number of memorable original tunes from the renown songwriting duo including “Impossible,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “A Lovely Night.” In addition to receiving praise for its diverse casting and musical numbers, Cinderella received seven Emmy nominations in 1998 and took home the outstanding art direction for a variety or music program prize.
Garber, Natalie Desselle Reid, Paolo Montalban, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox also star in the fairytale flick. Rodgers & Hammerstien’s Cinderella was executive produced by Houston, Debra Martin Chase, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Chris Montan produced with Robyn Crawford as associate producer.
- 2/4/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
No longer impossible: “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” starring Brandy Norwood will finally be available on Disney+ beginning Feb. 12.
Along with Brandy as the title princess herself, the beloved “Wonderful World of Disney” movie stars Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother, along with Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber, Natalie Desselle Reid, Bernadette Peters, Paolo Montalban, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox.
The-made-for-tv version of “Cinderella,” which premiered Nov. 2, 1997 on ABC to 60 million viewers, follows the classic tale of Cinderella, who gets some unexpected help from her Fairy Godmother after her cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” was nominated for seven Emmys and well-received by critics and audiences alike for the diverse cast in the musical fairy tale, including Brandy as Cinderella, Filipino-American actor Montalban as Prince Charming, and Goldberg as his mother.
The movie is also remembered fondly by fans for its songbook, of course, including...
Along with Brandy as the title princess herself, the beloved “Wonderful World of Disney” movie stars Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother, along with Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber, Natalie Desselle Reid, Bernadette Peters, Paolo Montalban, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox.
The-made-for-tv version of “Cinderella,” which premiered Nov. 2, 1997 on ABC to 60 million viewers, follows the classic tale of Cinderella, who gets some unexpected help from her Fairy Godmother after her cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” was nominated for seven Emmys and well-received by critics and audiences alike for the diverse cast in the musical fairy tale, including Brandy as Cinderella, Filipino-American actor Montalban as Prince Charming, and Goldberg as his mother.
The movie is also remembered fondly by fans for its songbook, of course, including...
- 2/4/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Over the years, fans of singer and actor Brandy have learned to “never say never” or believe that something’s “impossible” — and their patience and perseverance has been rewarded. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” the 1997 TV movie that stars Brandy and Whitney Houston, is officially coming to Disney Plus.
Disney announced Thursday that the beloved musical movie will launch on the streaming service “at the stroke of midnight” on Feb. 12.
The movie’s streaming debut has been long-awaited by fans, and Brandy herself, who urged the streamer to pick up the rights to the project last summer, while promoting her latest album, B7. “Disney can come on up and scoop up Cinderella. That would be awesome,” she said. Well, consider your wish granted.
Thursday morning, Brandy reunited with Goldberg, appearing on ABC’s “The View” to announce the news:
“It’s pretty remarkable that people have been begging for ‘Cinderella’ to be re-released for almost 24 years.
Disney announced Thursday that the beloved musical movie will launch on the streaming service “at the stroke of midnight” on Feb. 12.
The movie’s streaming debut has been long-awaited by fans, and Brandy herself, who urged the streamer to pick up the rights to the project last summer, while promoting her latest album, B7. “Disney can come on up and scoop up Cinderella. That would be awesome,” she said. Well, consider your wish granted.
Thursday morning, Brandy reunited with Goldberg, appearing on ABC’s “The View” to announce the news:
“It’s pretty remarkable that people have been begging for ‘Cinderella’ to be re-released for almost 24 years.
- 2/4/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The romance rumors stop here! Wendy Williams wants to clear up some rumors once and for all. The recently divorced talk show host has been spending time with her friend Robyn Crawford. Robyn has been in the entertainment scene for many years and was most notably in the news for revealing the details of her intimate relationship with late singer Whitney Houston. When Wendy caught wind of an article in Radar Online insinuating a romantic relationship between herself and Robyn, she decided to shut it down immediately. "In between commercials I go on the googler-schmoogler and I go to Radar Online—speaking of how you doing—and I see that Rob Shuter, Norman, did you see that? He's insinuating...
- 11/26/2019
- E! Online
Robyn Crawford is still remembering Whitney Houston.
Crawford, 58, opened up about her relationship with Houston on Monday’s episode of Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk. During the emotional interview, she told host Jada Pinkett Smith that despite Houston’s death in 2012 she still feels close to the singer.
“I loved that girl like yesterday,” Crawford said. “She’s with me all the time.”
When Pinkett Smith asked Crawford what she would want to say to Houston if she were there, the author said, “I would want to say, ‘You know I love you and I got you. I will represent.
Crawford, 58, opened up about her relationship with Houston on Monday’s episode of Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk. During the emotional interview, she told host Jada Pinkett Smith that despite Houston’s death in 2012 she still feels close to the singer.
“I loved that girl like yesterday,” Crawford said. “She’s with me all the time.”
When Pinkett Smith asked Crawford what she would want to say to Houston if she were there, the author said, “I would want to say, ‘You know I love you and I got you. I will represent.
- 11/18/2019
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
Whitney Houston’s longtime girlfriend Robyn Crawford says that she and the legendary singer had a secret romance. On November 12, Crawford will appear as a guest on TV show, Dateline, where she will talk about how she and Houston were far more than friends. “We were intimate on many levels and all I can say […]
The post Whitney Houston’s Girlfriend, Robyn Crawford, Opens Up About Secret Romance With Singer: ‘It Was Physical’ appeared first on uInterview.
The post Whitney Houston’s Girlfriend, Robyn Crawford, Opens Up About Secret Romance With Singer: ‘It Was Physical’ appeared first on uInterview.
- 11/7/2019
- by Sofia Shengelia
- Uinterview
Long before Bobby Brown was in Whitney Houston's life, there was Robyn Crawford. More than seven years since the untimely death of the iconic songstress, her longtime best friend is opening up about the extent of their relationship. While a romantic relationship between the two had been rumored for years, Crawford has newly confirmed the claims herself ahead of the release of her new book, A Song for You: My Life With Whitney Houston. Sitting down with Craig Melvin on Today, Crawford addressed the question of "Why now?" "I never envisioned speaking publicly about my life and then I asked myself the question, 'What would Whitney want? Would she understand you...
- 11/7/2019
- E! Online
Will Smith has something so important to tell his family — not even his wife Jada Pinkett Smith knows what it could be.
On Monday’s upcoming episode of Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk, the popular talk show, hosted by Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield Norris, an “emergency red table” was called, which Pinkett Smith shared, “is a first.”
“Will has called an emergency red table, he called the executive producer himself, brought production together to have a mandatory meeting with his family,” she says in an exclusive teaser for the episode.
The Aladdin actor, 50, yells out to his kids,...
On Monday’s upcoming episode of Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk, the popular talk show, hosted by Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield Norris, an “emergency red table” was called, which Pinkett Smith shared, “is a first.”
“Will has called an emergency red table, he called the executive producer himself, brought production together to have a mandatory meeting with his family,” she says in an exclusive teaser for the episode.
The Aladdin actor, 50, yells out to his kids,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Georgia Slater
- PEOPLE.com
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix announced the premiere date for Arsenio Hall’s comedy special and a “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” duo (among others) will guest star on “Elena of Avalor.”
Casting
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” stars Rachel Brosnahan and Tony Shalhoub, as well as Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), John Leguizamo (“When They See Us”), Taye Diggs (“All American”), Eugenio Derbez (“Overboard”) and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”) have lent their voices to Season 3 of the animated“Elena of Avalor,” which premieres Oct. 7 on Disney Junior. Diggs and Derbez guest star in a dia de los Muertos-themed episode in October, while Sigler portrays a princess visiting from a Latino Jewish kingdom in an episode airing in December. A royal coronation special will also air next year.
Programming
DirecTV announced the service will air 4K Hdr versions of select “Thursday Night Football” games on Fox starting with the Sept. 26 Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers game.
Casting
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” stars Rachel Brosnahan and Tony Shalhoub, as well as Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), John Leguizamo (“When They See Us”), Taye Diggs (“All American”), Eugenio Derbez (“Overboard”) and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”) have lent their voices to Season 3 of the animated“Elena of Avalor,” which premieres Oct. 7 on Disney Junior. Diggs and Derbez guest star in a dia de los Muertos-themed episode in October, while Sigler portrays a princess visiting from a Latino Jewish kingdom in an episode airing in December. A royal coronation special will also air next year.
Programming
DirecTV announced the service will air 4K Hdr versions of select “Thursday Night Football” games on Fox starting with the Sept. 26 Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers game.
- 9/17/2019
- by Lorraine Wheat
- Variety Film + TV
Whitney Houston had a close friend and confidante in Robyn Crawford. Long before she found fame with her music, Houston worked as a model and an entertainer, and Robyn was there along the way. The two became friends when they were just teenagers and Whitney really looked up to Robyn. However, some people close to Houston believed that more was going on between her and Robyn than first met the eye. Even though Whitney Houston lived a life where she had no problem going public with relationships that involved men, her friends suspected that Robyn and Whitney had a hidden romance […]
The post Who was Whitney Houston’s friend Robyn Crawford? appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
The post Who was Whitney Houston’s friend Robyn Crawford? appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
- 9/5/2018
- by Mary Jane
- Monsters and Critics
The BBC is looking to commission more Whitney: Can I Be Me-style feature documentaries as it looks to compete against global digital giants such as Netflix and Amazon.
This comes as the British public broadcaster lines up a feature doc about boyband Bros, which is premiering at next month’s London Film Festival.
Alison Kirkham, Controller of Factual Commissioning at the BBC, urged producers to bring it more large-scale feature docs in a webinar organized by British producers’ association Pact.
“We did Whitney [Can I Be Me] and in fact that’s something we’d like to do more of,” she said. “I’d like to be pitched more feature docs, in truth, we’re not pitched enough of them. The bar is really high but they deliver a sense of event.”
Whitney: Can I Be Me, directed by Kurt & Courtney director Nick Broomfield, was produced for BBC Two and Showtime and aired in...
This comes as the British public broadcaster lines up a feature doc about boyband Bros, which is premiering at next month’s London Film Festival.
Alison Kirkham, Controller of Factual Commissioning at the BBC, urged producers to bring it more large-scale feature docs in a webinar organized by British producers’ association Pact.
“We did Whitney [Can I Be Me] and in fact that’s something we’d like to do more of,” she said. “I’d like to be pitched more feature docs, in truth, we’re not pitched enough of them. The bar is really high but they deliver a sense of event.”
Whitney: Can I Be Me, directed by Kurt & Courtney director Nick Broomfield, was produced for BBC Two and Showtime and aired in...
- 9/5/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Both in life and in the new documentary Whitney, Bobby Brown plays a key role in the story of superstar Whitney Houston.
The R&B star, who was married to Houston from 1992 to 2007, was one of more than 60 people interviewed by the film’s director Kevin Macdonald. Though he opened up about their romance, Brown refused to discuss on camera the darker periods in his and Whitney’s relationship, including their long history of drug abuse during their marriage.
In this week’s issue, Houston’s family and friends open up about the ups and downs of the rocky marriage.
The R&B star, who was married to Houston from 1992 to 2007, was one of more than 60 people interviewed by the film’s director Kevin Macdonald. Though he opened up about their romance, Brown refused to discuss on camera the darker periods in his and Whitney’s relationship, including their long history of drug abuse during their marriage.
In this week’s issue, Houston’s family and friends open up about the ups and downs of the rocky marriage.
- 7/17/2018
- by Janine Rubenstein
- PEOPLE.com
“It’s about more than the music.” This is what one of the talking heads in Kevin Macdonald’s Whitney insists—that the story of legendary pop vocalist Whitney Houston is about more than her music. Houston’s grisly descent into drugs and addiction certainly has a steeper dramatic arc than the rise-rise, slow fade-and-fall trajectory of her celebrated voice, which was severely damaged by the time she was found face down in a hotel bathtub at the age of 48 in February of 2012.Except, the music is a big part of Houston’s story. Daughter of soul singer Cissy Houston, cousin of Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, goddaughter to Darlene Love and unofficial niece to Aretha ‘Auntie Ree’ Franklin, she was born into family of singers. An instantly recognisable mezzo-soprano with a powerful, clean, goosebump-inducing belt, her emotional range could reach celestial highs, buoyed by her trademark melismas and stemming...
- 7/13/2018
- MUBI
Who was the real Whitney Houston and what was it that haunted her so very deeply?
In the six years since the superstar’s untimely death at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 11, 2012, questions continue to swirl about how the beloved once-in-a-generation singer with the heavenly voice found herself so entrenched in addiction that it killed her.
With the new documentary Whitney, Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald set out to answer these questions, interviewing over 60 of Whitney’s closest friends and family members. But the final theory the film presents — that as a child Whitney and older brother Gary were both...
In the six years since the superstar’s untimely death at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 11, 2012, questions continue to swirl about how the beloved once-in-a-generation singer with the heavenly voice found herself so entrenched in addiction that it killed her.
With the new documentary Whitney, Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald set out to answer these questions, interviewing over 60 of Whitney’s closest friends and family members. But the final theory the film presents — that as a child Whitney and older brother Gary were both...
- 7/11/2018
- by Janine Rubenstein
- PEOPLE.com
There was something uniquely American about Whitney Houston’s career. Through her non-threatening music and pristine persona, she occupied a place in the country’s consciousness few other black figures had reached before her.
The white mainstream was eager to embrace her, while African Americans concurrently doubted her understanding of their struggles. Yet she often acted as a bridge between the two, as was beautifully exemplified in her emblematic rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1991 Super Bowl.
Such is one of many conflicting notions that plagued her unparalleled rise to stardom, her troubled private life, and ultimately her untimely death on Feb. 11, 2012. Serving as both a tribute to her privileged voice — for which she’s been dubbed the “best American singer in the last 50 years” — and a thorough examination of the many intimate battles she fought as a result of overwhelming fame and substance abuse, Kevin Macdonald’s documentary...
The white mainstream was eager to embrace her, while African Americans concurrently doubted her understanding of their struggles. Yet she often acted as a bridge between the two, as was beautifully exemplified in her emblematic rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1991 Super Bowl.
Such is one of many conflicting notions that plagued her unparalleled rise to stardom, her troubled private life, and ultimately her untimely death on Feb. 11, 2012. Serving as both a tribute to her privileged voice — for which she’s been dubbed the “best American singer in the last 50 years” — and a thorough examination of the many intimate battles she fought as a result of overwhelming fame and substance abuse, Kevin Macdonald’s documentary...
- 7/6/2018
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
In a Summer of superheroes and rampaging dinosaurs, a documentary has somehow broken through the noise. The Fall and Winter is the usual release time for serious, somber fare like “docs”, but this quiet film, about a man known for being quiet, has gotten critical raves and has been embraced by film goers. I’m talking about the film about Fred Rogers, Won’T You Be My Neighbor?. It’s part of a “sub-genre” of feature docs, one we’ll call the “show biz personality” film profile. There have been several entries in that category exploring the lives of musical performers. And when a career is cut short by tragedy, it gives the film makers a “dramatic hook” to reel in audiences. That was the case three years ago with the compelling feature documentary about jazz/soul songstress Amy Winehouse titled simply Amy. Now comes a look at a life perhaps even more tragic,...
- 7/6/2018
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
News of the shocking revelations in “Whitney” quickly went viral early Thursday morning, once the first Cannes Film Festival screening of Kevin Macdonald’s wide-ranging bio-documentary about Whitney Houston let out. The film, made with the full authorization of her family, revealed that the departed singer had been victim of childhood sexual abuse at the hand of her cousin, the late vocalist Dee Dee Warwick.
And yet watching Macdonald’s broad-view documentary at the first press screening on Thursday morning, knowing the bombshells in store, actually made for somewhat richer and more engaging experience. Because we aren’t sideswiped by the late-in-film reveal, we’re better able to recognize the different ways Macdonald alludes to it, pointing towards it at different points in time.
While that’s an impressive fact to keep in mind, especially because the director himself was only able to land that bombshell confirmation fairly late in the editing process,...
And yet watching Macdonald’s broad-view documentary at the first press screening on Thursday morning, knowing the bombshells in store, actually made for somewhat richer and more engaging experience. Because we aren’t sideswiped by the late-in-film reveal, we’re better able to recognize the different ways Macdonald alludes to it, pointing towards it at different points in time.
While that’s an impressive fact to keep in mind, especially because the director himself was only able to land that bombshell confirmation fairly late in the editing process,...
- 5/17/2018
- by Ben Croll
- The Wrap
“Whitney” is the second documentary about the life and death of Whitney Houston to come along in a year, and it’s also the second one that’s entrancingly well-done. Here’s the thing about Whitney Houston: She was so incandescent that if you sat through nine documentaries about her, you’d probably experience, each time, what I did during the early scenes of “Whitney” — the hope that somehow, this time, the beautiful enraptured young singer in front of you will find a way to defeat her demons, that they won’t drag her down, that the story will turn out different.
Because surely, it’s one of the most tragic — and, its way, inexplicable — downfalls in the history of American show business. Cocaine addiction, of course, is an insidious monster, but Houston, even after rehab, kept returning to it, as if she wanted to destroy herself. To see her life story is always,...
Because surely, it’s one of the most tragic — and, its way, inexplicable — downfalls in the history of American show business. Cocaine addiction, of course, is an insidious monster, but Houston, even after rehab, kept returning to it, as if she wanted to destroy herself. To see her life story is always,...
- 5/17/2018
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Scottish filmmaker Kevin Macdonald was nearly finished conducting interviews for “Whitney,” his explosive new documentary about the late Whitney Houston, when he came across a revelation: Houston’s brother, Gary Houston, told the director that his cousin, late soul musician Dee Dee Warwick, sexually abused Gary as a child. Additionally, Gary added, he believed that Warwick also abused his sister as a child.
“Whitney,” which premiered at midnight at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, confirms that charge with multiple sources who were close to Whitney Houston prior to her death from drowning in a bathtub in 2012. The information arrives near the end of an involving documentary about the singer’s bumpy life, from the dissolution of her family to her tabloid marriage to Bobby Brown. Similar to 2015’s Oscar-winning documentary “Amy,” which detailed the behind-the-scenes struggles of Amy Winehouse as she developed her public profile, “Whitney” is at once a celebration...
“Whitney,” which premiered at midnight at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, confirms that charge with multiple sources who were close to Whitney Houston prior to her death from drowning in a bathtub in 2012. The information arrives near the end of an involving documentary about the singer’s bumpy life, from the dissolution of her family to her tabloid marriage to Bobby Brown. Similar to 2015’s Oscar-winning documentary “Amy,” which detailed the behind-the-scenes struggles of Amy Winehouse as she developed her public profile, “Whitney” is at once a celebration...
- 5/17/2018
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
The face, the smile, the voice: Whitney Houston was an American treasure who ended in American tragedy. A new documentary by Kevin Macdonald promises to ask hard questions of those who knew her best, but we will have to wait and see how balanced “Whitney” will be. Access has its advantages, however, and the film description teases never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive demo recordings, and rare performances from the iconic diva.
A new trailer includes sit-down interviews with Houston’s controversial ex-husband Bobby Brown, soul singer mother Cissy Houston, as well as many other friends and family. The subject of Houston’s former best friend and rumored lover Robyn Crawford does come up, although Crawford does not appear to be involved in the film. An earlier film, “Whitney. Can I Be Me,” released in 2017, strongly suggested Crawford and Houston were in love.
With the family’s blessing, “Whitney” may not delve...
A new trailer includes sit-down interviews with Houston’s controversial ex-husband Bobby Brown, soul singer mother Cissy Houston, as well as many other friends and family. The subject of Houston’s former best friend and rumored lover Robyn Crawford does come up, although Crawford does not appear to be involved in the film. An earlier film, “Whitney. Can I Be Me,” released in 2017, strongly suggested Crawford and Houston were in love.
With the family’s blessing, “Whitney” may not delve...
- 5/16/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
A new documentary about legendary vocalist Whitney Houston, which billed itself as an “unflinching” look at the singer’s rise and fall, released its first trailer on Wednesday and is walking its talk.
From director Kevin Macdonald (“Marley”), the doc was executive produced by Houston’s family and does not shy from the tragic carnival of drug abuse, emotional woe and the dizzying highs of Houston’s journey.
“There were always a lot of secrets,” one Houston pal says in the new trailer. “If you don’t resolve and deal with things, they never go away.”
Also Read: 5 Memorable Whitney Houston Performances (Video)
Footage teases revelations about Houston’s longtime friend and assistant Robyn Crawford and the nature of their relationship, as well as the depths Houston traveled to “lift up” her longtime partner, singer Bobby Brown.
Interviews with her champion and A&R rep Clive Davis and former Epic Records...
From director Kevin Macdonald (“Marley”), the doc was executive produced by Houston’s family and does not shy from the tragic carnival of drug abuse, emotional woe and the dizzying highs of Houston’s journey.
“There were always a lot of secrets,” one Houston pal says in the new trailer. “If you don’t resolve and deal with things, they never go away.”
Also Read: 5 Memorable Whitney Houston Performances (Video)
Footage teases revelations about Houston’s longtime friend and assistant Robyn Crawford and the nature of their relationship, as well as the depths Houston traveled to “lift up” her longtime partner, singer Bobby Brown.
Interviews with her champion and A&R rep Clive Davis and former Epic Records...
- 5/16/2018
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Since her tragic death on Feb. 11, 2012, two questions have persisted: Who was the real Whitney Houston? And who, if anyone, could have saved her? It’s these two queries that the controversial new documentary Whitney: Can I Be Me sets out to answer.
The film, by documentarians Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal (the latter documented the superstar throughout her legendary career), premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday night.
Complete with never-before-seen backstage footage and revealing new interviews with family, friends and entourage-members, it portrays Houston to be as endlessly troubled as she was talented, asserting that her personal battles with image,...
The film, by documentarians Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal (the latter documented the superstar throughout her legendary career), premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday night.
Complete with never-before-seen backstage footage and revealing new interviews with family, friends and entourage-members, it portrays Houston to be as endlessly troubled as she was talented, asserting that her personal battles with image,...
- 8/25/2017
- by Janine Rubenstein
- PEOPLE.com
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