Plot

A joyous, emotional, heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, one of the greatest female R&B pop vocalists of all time, tracking her journey from obscurity to musical super stardom.

An African American girl is a supremely talented singer and encouraged by her singer mother she reaches great heights where her songs become no1 in the music charts. She marries but her marriage doesn't work out well. Her career suffers and her relationship with her father also gets bitter due to financial issues. All this takes a toll on her personal life.—Madan Marwah

A cautionary tale about how suppressing who you really are will prove devastating, regardless of one's God-given talent or acquired wealth. The story of Whitney's rise to great fame and many accolades for that tremendous voice is dogged with struggles for approval from within her own family, and fears of what the public may accept. These struggles, in large part, lead down a road of self-doubt and a search to escape the pain that leads to her ultimate demise.

In 1983, 19-year-old Whitney Houston is being mentored by her mother, Cissy, a professional singer, as she performs with a New Jersey church choir. While Cissy pushes her to excel, Whitney finds comfort in her close friendship with Robyn Crawford, which eventually turns romantic. The two move in together, a situation that deeply concerns Cissy.

One evening, as Cissy and Whitney prepare to perform at Sweetwaters nightclub, Cissy pretends to be ill, prompting Whitney to take the stage alone. She performs "The Greatest Love of All," impressing music producer Clive Davis, who immediately signs her to Arista Records.

Whitney's career takes off with the release of her debut album, following her first major live performance on The Merv Griffin Show with "Home." She also establishes her own production company, Nippy Inc., which is run by her father, John, who takes on the role of her demanding manager. Whitney suggests Robyn become her personal assistant, but John refuses due to their romantic relationship, encouraging Whitney to date men instead.

After recording a love song with Jermaine Jackson, Whitney begins a sexual relationship with him, which strains her bond with Robyn. The two fight, and Whitney ends their romantic relationship but they remain close friends. In 1987, Whitney releases her second album, featuring the hit single "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)," which cements her crossover success. However, she faces criticism for not sounding "black enough," which she defends fiercely.

At the 1988 Soul Train Music Awards, Whitney faces protests and is booed when announced as a nominee for Best Music Video. She meets singer Bobby Brown, who soon proposes to her, and she accepts. Shortly after, Bobby reveals he has impregnated his ex-girlfriend, leading to a brief argument, but they reconcile quickly.

In the early 1990s, Whitney reaches the peak of her career, performing "The Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV, starring in The Bodyguard, and touring the world, including a memorable performance of "I Will Always Love You" in South Africa for Nelson Mandela's inauguration.

Following a miscarriage, Whitney marries Bobby and they have a daughter, Bobbi Kristina. However, their relationship deteriorates when Whitney finds Bobby missing with her credit card. After a heated argument, Whitney kicks him out and turns to cocaine to cope with the stress.

By 1998, Whitney has not released a new album in over eight years. Clive Davis meets with her to discuss her lack of new material, despite her success in other areas. After battling with her emotions over her tumultuous relationship with Bobby, Whitney records the ballad "Why Does It Hurt So Bad," a song she had rejected previously. She also confronts her father after discovering that he has spent much of her fortune without her consent and negotiated a $100 million contract with Arista behind her back.

As stress and insomnia take a toll on her, Whitney meets with Clive again, finding a new song she likes. She releases a new album, igniting hopes for a comeback. Despite Clive's warnings about the dangers of burning out, Whitney embarks on a grueling tour, which exacerbates her physical and mental decline. Her drug addiction becomes evident, and Clive urges her to seek rehab, but she refuses.

By the end of the tour, Robyn and Bobby have a confrontation, with Robyn urging Whitney to return home and end the tour. Whitney decides to continue, which leads to Robyn leaving her life. Before parting ways, Robyn informs Whitney that her father is dying in the hospital. Whitney is later confronted with a $100 million lawsuit from Nippy Inc., and she severs ties with her father, even refusing to attend his funeral. Cissy finds Whitney in a drug-induced haze and forces her into rehab under a police order. Whitney eventually gets sober, reconnects with her daughter, and divorces Bobby.

In 2009, Whitney attempts a second comeback with a new album and performs one of its tracks on The Oprah Winfrey Show. After the performance, Clive meets with Whitney, warning her not to rush into promoting the album. However, Whitney proceeds with her planned tour, which is disastrous, as her voice and stage presence falter, leading to walkouts.

In February 2012, Whitney arrives at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for a prey-Grammy party performance of "Home." Despite advice from her bassist, Rickey, to rest, she refuses. At the hotel bar, she reminisces with the bartender before retreating to her hotel room. There, tearfully preparing for a bath, Whitney privately uses drugs she had secretly obtained. As she sings "Home" to herself, reflecting on her life and career, she dies unexpectedly.

A flashback to the 1994 American Music Awards shows Whitney delivering a breathtaking medley of "I Loves You, Porgy," "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," and "I Have Nothing," receiving a standing ovation.