Whitney Houston Biopic Stirs Up Emotions Among Fans
Whitney Houston, the legendary singer, actress, and producer who passed away in 2012, has been commemorated in a new biopic titled I Wanna Dance with Somebody. The film, which was released in theatres in 2022 and added to Netflix recently, chronicles Houston’s journey “from obscurity to musical super stardom.” Fans took to Twitter after streaming the biopic to share their impressions, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
The biopic follows Houston’s life story, beginning with her early days in New Jersey as a church choir singer, and through to her ascent to fame and struggles with addiction, lawsuits, and strained family relationships. While the biopic had the approval of the Houston estate, it did not shy away from delving into the singer’s complex life.
The biopic, which stars British actor Naomi Ackie as Houston, has been well-received by fans, earning an audience score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans have praised the film’s portrayal of Houston’s rise to fame and the honesty with which it tackled some of the darker moments in the singer’s life.
One of the aspects of the film that surprised viewers was the revelation of Houston’s romantic relationship with American author Robyn Crawford, before starting a relationship with Jermaine Jackson. Many fans were hit by the honesty of the performance, which explored Houston’s difficult relationship with drugs, lawsuits, and strained family relationships.
Some Twitter users shared emotional responses to the film, with some saying they were getting teary-eyed within the first few minutes of watching it. One user noted that Houston couldn’t be herself, and that “To be this star she had to be WHITNEY HOUSTON and not Whitney Elizabeth Houston.” Another viewer was surprised to learn of Houston’s lesbian relationship with Crawford, saying that “All she wanted to be was herself and she wasn’t allowed to be it.”
While Ackie played Houston in the film, Whitney’s own voice was used for 95% of the singing throughout. Many fans praised Ackie’s portrayal of the singer, with one user saying that Ackie did an outstanding job and that “It’s also ironic and trippy that she could easily pass as a sibling for one of Nippy’s greatest proteges.”
The Whitney Houston biopic, developed with endorsements from Houston’s camp and written by Anthony McCarten, is a poignant reminder of the singer’s incredible talent and the struggles she faced throughout her life. While Houston’s death was tragic, her legacy lives on through her music and through this moving biopic.
