Oprah Winfrey is obviously a legendary interviewer who has talked with many of the greats. But, we just learned something new about Oprah’s history with the late Whitney Houston. According to a new revelation from the game-changing TV personality, there was a time when she got an entire audience to keep a secret after the struggling pop star had a faux pas during a performance on her show in 2009.

Whitney Houston died at the age of 48 due to an accidental drowning in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton while she had drugs in her system. The singer behind one of the most iconic movie songs in Hollywood history and a ton of beloved hits struggled with drug addiction for 30 years, and apparently Winfrey and her audience once saw this firsthand. As the talk show host shared:

Winfrey revealed what happened while receiving the LionHeart Award at The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on Tuesday (via Variety). As she continued to say about the memorable interview:

During the in-depth sit down itself on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Whitney Houston spoke to Oprah about her drug addiction by getting honest about the ways in which substance abuse became a coping mechanism for her during her marriage with Bobby Brown. Houston also talked about how her own mother staged an intervention to get her to rehab. The singer ended up going to a 30-day program, but sadly the stint didn’t help reverse her decades of struggles.

While Winfrey says Houston was clean during the initial interview, when she came in to perform on the day of the show's taping with a live audience, she was reportedly under the influence again, and fell in front of everyone. As Winfrey added:

Looking back, it’s rather impressive that the audience stayed to their word and never let slip the incident. It perhaps speaks to the public's respect for both Oprah Winfrey and Whitney Houston. At the time, Houston was having a comeback moment with her album I Look To You, which ended up being her final record. In May 2011, she went back to rehab for drug and alcohol abuse before dying nine months later.

In 2022, Naomi Ackie portrayed Whitney Houston in the biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. It’s currently available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription. While The Oprah Winfrey Show may be long over, Winfrey continues to be a greatly decorated interviewer with her own podcast debuting new episodes every week.

There are plenty of celebrity fashion looks that have been immortalized on the big screen, but there are also plenty of other famous dresses that never hit a red carpet. Maybe they should have. We've compiled a list of some of the best gowns (and looks) from films that could totally have worked on a red carpet, if given the chance. Here are some of the coolest takes.

Lily James In Cinderella

When I think of a ball gown, to me the 2015 Cinderella look of Lily James is a great example of a dress that’s carpet ready. It’s somehow timeless and modern, it’s an indescribable blue color, and it brought an animated concept to life in just the perfect way. A top-notch stunner for any era.

Emma Watson In Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1

I know you thought I was going to bust out Hermione’s iconic Yule Ball gown look here, even though she’s said the scene was uncomfortable in the past. While it’s a sweet dress for a teenager, it’s the stunning red number Watson’s character wears to Bill and Fleur’s wedding I deem to be most red carpet-worthy.

Jennifer Lopez In Maid In Manhattan

Jennifer Lopez played a maid who borrowed a gown for a night out on the town in Maid in Manhattan. While the flick may not make anyone's list of best rom-coms, the dress is perfect for any best list. It was a peachy pink and very on trend in the early aughts, and its silhouette – and the iconic jewelry she paired it with – would very much still be on point on the carpet today.

Halle Berry In Die Another Day

Halle Berry may be more known for an iconic bikini scene in Die Another Day, but it's her purple dress that really stands out when she's playing Jinx. The color and silhouette are stunning years later, but this is one dress that's also even more brilliant once you see it from behind.

Julia Roberts In Pretty Woman

A far cry from the look we meet her in, Julia Roberts’ Vivian Ward dons a romantic red dress for a night out with Richard Gere’s Edward. The two end up entangling their lives in myriad ways, but the dress is still the most memorable moment from the movie for me.

Margot Robbie In The Wolf Of Wall Street

Black dresses will never go out of fashion, and Margot Robbie looks like a cool woman in a little black dress in Wolf of Wall Street. It's not the only fashionable moment in Scorsese's film, but it's the look I would choose if I were having to go to a fun event. The earrings amp the look up considerably, too. Her whole vibe has me rethinking my wardrobe.

Aubrey Hepburn In Sabrina

One of the most iconic ball gowns of all time, Hepburn’s famous Sabrina dress may never have happened if she hadn’t pushed and befriended designer Givenchy. They made movie history together, and red carpet history in other cases. This dress would not have been out of place there.

Natalie Portman In Black Swan

Black Swan may be one of the best psychological films, but the costume design is also superb, from outfits worn on the stage to everdaywear. The white gown Portman’s character wears from Rodarte has one of the coolest backs I’ve ever seen. Nearly 15 years later, I wish she or someone would bust it out again.

Lady Mary In Downton Abbey

Lady Mary was a bit of a fashionista across the entirety of the Downton Abbey series and its two subsequent movies, but this lush sapphire blue Prussian gown from 2019’s Downton movie stands out as a favorite and also the one that’s most red carpet worthy. Maybe in this day and age I’d drop the gloves, though (even if celebs like Taylor Swift and JLo are bringing gloves back).

Billy Porter In Cinderella (2021)

The Cinderella cast all had amazing outfits, but Billy Porter's fabulous godmother (Fab G) dress in the 2021 Cinderella is all bold colors and lush satin. It's very much a Porter-perfect look that still stands out years later.

Keira Knightley In Atonement

Keira Knightley’s green dress in Atonement is very much a dress of the era it is portraying, but it’s also the sort of classic look in the perfect color and fabric that could be worn by anyone, in any formal situation, in any time period. If I had to choose a dress to rock to a movie premiere or a wedding or pretty much any occasion, this look from the 2007 (but period) movie would be it.

Charlize Theron Snow White And The Huntsman

Hear me out: Charlize Theron looks so extra in Snow White and the Huntsman but she never looks more extra than when she’s wearing the dress with the extravagant shoulders. Puff sleeves come in and out, but I’m really ready for some avante garde looks to hit the red carpet and this is a great take on a totally unique style.

Kate Hudson In How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

The early aughts were a prominent time for formalwear gowns dominating movie posters, and the Kate Hudson rom-com era was no exception. The good news is the gold dress she sported opposite Matthew McConaughey still holds up more than 20 years later and is a color she should continue to sport on the red carpet.

Grace Kelly In Rear Window

Grace Kelly had a lot of iconic dresses in a lot of movies that could have fit the criteria of this list, but my favorite has to be her tulle look from Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. It's no wonder the ballet-inspired look has come back in 10 Things I Hate About You and other movies.

Jennifer Lawrence In Catching Fire

The Hunger Games has some solid fashion design, particularly when it comes to characters like Snow, Effie and others living in the capital. But if you really want to make a statement, how about a dress that catches fire and turns into a second fashion statement? Tell me you wouldn’t like to see this on the red carpet!

Kate Winslet In Titanic

When Jack and Rose meet in Titanic, she’s dressed for dinner in a gorgeous red and black beaded dress that would stand out in any crowd. It’s a good thing she catches Jack’s eye in this dress, or Titanic would have been a different movie.

Angela Bassett In Jumping The Broom

Listen: Paula Patton’s character has a lovely wedding dress in Jumping The Broom (not to mention a really cute purple plaid dress at the beginning of the movie), but Angela Bassett is the actress to keep your eye on. As the matriarch in a wealthy family, Bassett’s character is the one with the polished, structured looks I’d feel most confident in on the red carpet.

Rita Hayworth In Gilda

I’m not sure how many people revisit Rita Hayworth’s Gilda these days, but when I think of old Hollywood glamor, her satin gown and matching gloves always come to mind. This was the role that made Hayworth a household name and that dress would still have a moment if it debuted today.

Sonoya Mizuno In Crazy Rich Asians

There's a lot of just epic fashion in 2018's Crazy Rich Asians, but the stellar standout moment is Araminta's wedding, which just has so many great looks from the main cast. At the end of the day, despite the gorgeous setting and shiny, happy people, it's the dress that's to die for.

Vivien Leigh In Gone With The Wind

Leigh gets the opportunity to wear a lot of lovely fabrics in 1939’s Gone with the Wind but none seem as carpet worthy (somewhat ironically) as the dress made out of curtains. It's a memorable color combo and an all-time great movie look.

Hilary Duff In A Cinderella Story

While allegedly Sam is wearing an "old" wedding dress when she shows up in this gorgeous white number, the tulle look is a classic one. Hilary Duff wore the dress with pink Chuck Taylors on the cover for the film, and casualizing a dress with sneakers has become a popular trend in the time since.

Emma Watson In Beauty And The Beast

A Disney ballgown that really hits the mark, Emma Watson’s yellow Belle dress does the animated character justice while fitting the actress like a glove. The color might not work on everyone, but it’s such a perfect fit.

Whitney Houston In The Bodyguard

I think Whitney Houston’s Queen of the Night costume is probably the one we all think about first when we think about The Bodyguard, but it’s her simple black halter dress and beaded hair and bracelet accessories that would really stand out on a red carpet and give something a little special.

Aubrey Hepburn In My Fair Lady

Eliza may have made a bet with Professor Higgins to help her sound like a lady, but it's not hard to believe Audrey Hepburn at least looks like a lady in this dress. The thick, sparkling necklace gives it an additional upgrade. Beautiful.

Ariana DeBose In West Side Story

Ariana DeBose's yellow dress in Spielberg's West Side Story is a direct nod to the 1961 movie musical, but it's an updated take on the look. Originally, Rita Moreno wore a famous lavender dress, but DeBose's is an upgraded color and has a little more swish in it. It's gorgeous and the type of look I hope is popularized again.

Marilyn Monroe In How To Marry A Millionaire

Marilyn Monroe rocked lots of iconic gowns over the years, but the thing I like about this satin dress is the one shoulder strap. It's fitted like a glove and the pink color is fabulous. It's hard to pick one thing about this dress that is most successful. It's just perfect.

Barbara Bach In The Spy Who Loved Me

Plenty of Bond girls have had great outfits over the course of more than 50 years, but when Bond meets Anya Amasova, her navy gown really pops thanks to the Swarovski crystal trim. I love that it's not a flat color, and the leg slit adds a sweet extra touch.

Lana Condor In To All The Boys I've Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You

Lana Condor has a lot of beautiful clothing in the To All The Boys movies. Of all her sweet looks, my favorite is the one in the sequel that Stormy lends her from her impeccable collection. It's vintage perfect, and a lovely color to boot.

Lori Singer In Footloose

Lori Singer’s Ariel dress looks great on her, and it fits the character well. Despite the movie coming out in the eighties, the off-shoulder style comes in and out, and its simple silhouette would be perfect for a low-key movie premiere. As vintage is making a big comeback, perhaps it’s a style we’ll see back on the carpet in coming years.

Rachel Leigh Cook In She’s All That

Laney’s red makeover dress is on-trend now the ‘90s and early aughts are making a comeback. Its spaghetti straps and slim silhouette are simple, but would still really would turn heads on the red carpet today. I love the matching red pumps she pairs the look with as well.

Margaret Avery In The Color Purple

Shug Avery's bright looks in The Color Purple stand out. It may be more of a show dress, but if I had to kick it on the red carpet, I'd want something just as sequiny. Maybe I'd throw in some pearls to boot.

Anne Hathaway In The Idea Of You

A lot of people would say Ms. Hathaway's iconic fashion movies are either The Princess Diaries or The Devil Wears Prada, and while neither are wrong choices, my pick has to go to her character in The Idea of You. When Solene meets Hayes in her beautifully tailored, creamy Fendi number, his head was turned, but so was mine.

Luckily, we're likely to see many more red carpet-worthy looks on the big screen for years to come!

Every once in a while, the folks at Studio 8H book an SNL host who's note an actor and ends up nailing it and many of these examples include people who make music for a living. On other occasions, the artist serving as that night’s musical guest may make an appearance in a sketch or two to show the world that they can be funny, too. The following are some of our favorite examples of famous musicians we usually love to sing along to, but had as laughing along with them in a great SNL bit.

Single Ladies Video Shoot (Beyoncé)

In this fictionalized behind-the-scenes look at the legendary “Single Ladies” video, Beyoncé is shocked and annoyed by the director (host Paul Rudd) and his decision to make her back-up dancers three grown men who turn out to be his stepsons. This Season 34 favorite is actually a twofer that ended up happening because, as MTV News recalls, the former N*SYNCer convinced Queen B to participate in the sketch by showing up at her Studio 8H dressing room in the very leotard he wears alongside Andy Samberg and Bobby Moynihan.

SNL Digital Short: Jack Sparrow (Michael Bolton)

The music video for the fourth track off The Lonely Island’s sophomore album, Turtleneck & Chain, starts off as an unusually earnest effort for the trio. That is until their guest singer, Grammy-winner Michael Bolton, starts throwing in references to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and later, other cinematic favorites like Forrest Gump and Scarface. For its masterful handling of a truly random idea and irresistibly catchy hook, “Jack Sparrow” is easily one of The Lonely Island’s best music videos and perhaps, some of Bolton’s all-time best work.

Africa Tourism (Adele)

For reasons that are never quite clear — perhaps Kate McKinnon’s accent or the sensuous ways she says “tribesman” — host Adele could not stop laughing while performing in a fake ad for African tourism. Nonetheless, the Oscar-winning,  impeccable James Bond theme song (“Skyfall”) singer’s gigglish reaction — complete with a priceless cross-eyed gaze — is just what makes this Season 46 sketch so memorable.

The Old West (Elton John)

When Elton John hosted SNL during Season 36, he appeared as himself for most of the night, except for in one sketch that proved he can be as much a maestro with comedy as he can be with the keys. The Grammy-winner pokes fun at himself, too, by playing a flamboyantly dressed cowboy, who rides into a small western saloon on a unicorn.

Please Don't Destroy: Three Sad Virgins (Taylor Swift)

In one of Please Don’t Destroy’s most popular SNL bits, the guys are, at first, excited to collaborate with Pete Davidson until their music video becomes a roast at the trio’s expense. “Three Sad Virgins” only gets more “humiliating” when they reach the slowed-down bridge, courtesy of Taylor Swift, whom PDD never imagined would agree to star in the video in the first place.

Mick is Pointing, Pointing, Pointing at Himself (Mick Jagger)

In the early 2000s, when The Rolling Stones returned as musical guest, lead singer Mick Jagger starred in a sketch as himself opposite Jimmy Fallon as the artist’s reflection. The future Tonight Show host’s impersonation of the legendary rock star sitting across from him is so hilariously convincing that even Jagger can’t help but crack a smile.

Pippa Visits the Queen (Katy Perry)

It's surprising that Katy Perry hasn't hosted SNL more often — let alone acted in more things outside the Smurfs movies — given how well she demonstrated her comedic skills on the show in 2011. The grandest highlight is when she dons a Cockney accent to play Pippa Middleton in a sketch poking fun at the Royal Family.

Pandora Radio (Bruno Mars)

Admittedly, the concept of this sketch — in which a Pandora radio employee (played by host Bruno Mars) must sing like artists such as Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson when the website crashes — doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. But who cares? Watching the Grammy-winning hitmaker kill it with his spot-on musical impersonations is stunning.

Hotel Ad (Billie Eilish)

Both Billie Eilish — someone we’d love to see return to SNL as both host and musical guest — and her brother and bandmate, Finneas, star in this funny fake ad for a hotel that is a little too open about the alarming activity that takes place there. The Grammy and Oscar winner is very funny in the sketch but cannot stifle her laughter, which is understandable when Kate McKinnon is your scene partner.

The Barry Gibb Talk Show (Justin Timberlake)

We could not have picked a sketch featuring pop sensation-turned-master thespian Justin Timberlake — already one of the all-time greatest SNL hosts — without making sure Jimmy Fallon was also involved with it. Thus, it was easy to pick “The Barry Gibb Talk Show,” in which Fallon, as The Bee Gees’ lead vocalist, hosts a political discussion program featuring his most silent brother, Robin (Timberlake). 

Stevie Wonder Impersonator (Stevie Wonder)

After demonstrating his own wonderful impersonation of Stevie Wonder, Eddie Murphy shared the stage with the musical genius himself in a classic sketch from 1983. The future Academy Award-nominated SNL star plays an expert in impersonations, who is asked to help improve the Stevie Wonder impression of a man played by Wonder himself.

Judge Barry (Chance The Rapper)

Having only appeared on SNL four times — twice as a host and twice as a musical guest, each for different episodes — Chance the Rapper has already proven himself to be worthy of the hosting hall of fame, especially with this courtroom sketch. Before Jason Momoa rips open his shirt and steals the show, the hip-hop artist is fantastic as a judge who bases his rulings only on first impressions.

Parole Board (Blake Shelton)

When appearing as host and musical guest during SNL’s 40th season, country music superstar Blake Shelton demonstrated surprisingly impressive acting chops. He was in a sketch that initially seems to recreate a classic scene from the great Stephen King movie The Shawshank Redemption. However, a parole board member played by the former Voice coach bluntly reveals that Kenan Thompson’s prisoner has committed an unforgivable offense that leaves him with very little chance of freedom.

Blizzard Man (Ludacris)

To give his new album an extra boost, Ludacris (as himself) brings in a fabled hip-hop artist known as the Blizzard Man (Andy Samberg), who, as it turns out, cannot rap and does not even bother to rhyme his aggressively lame lyrics. The veteran of the Fast and Furious movies later appears alongside T-Pain in another edition of this sketch that is only made funnier by the fact that Samberg is totally capable of dropping some sick rhymes.

Parents Call (Halsey)

In host and musical guest Halsey’s monologue for her Season 44 episode, she described herself as an SNL fanatic, and her performance throughout the show really proves it. The Sing 2 cast member’s admiration for the show is especially evident when she dons a comically exaggerated New Jersey accent as a woman having an awkward, revealing phone call with her son (played by Mikey Day) in this sketch.

SNL Digital Short: Shy Ronnie (Rihanna)

In SNL’s 35th season, musical guest Rihanna teamed up with The Lonely Island for the first time on a Digital Short starring Andy Samberg as the title character. The comic plays a man who is too nervous to rap… as long as the “Umbrella” singer is in the room. It garnered a sequel called, “Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde,” featuring Rihanna and Samberg dressed as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway’s titular roles from 1967’s Bonne and Clyde.

Bond Casino Showdown (Tim McGraw)

We knew Tim McGraw could act from his roles in movies like The Blind Side and Country Strong, but never realized just how funny he could be when he hosted in Season 34. The hilarious peak of the 1883 cast member’s episode is a James Bond movies parody in which a vacationing redneck (McGraw) participates in a poker tournament with 007 (Bill Hader) and Le Chiffre (Fred Armisen).

SNL Digital Short: I'm On A Boat (T-Pain)

When Andy Samberg finds a winning ticket a boat ride for three in his cereal box, he invites fellow Lonely Islander Akiva Shaffer but skips over Jorma Taccone to select T-Pain. The rapper, famous for his use of auto-tune, is key to making the other ridiculous “I’m on a Boat” video a celebrated anthem for taking it easy while cruising through water.

The Train Poet (Johnny Cash)

One of the first musical artists to try their hand at acting as an SNL host was Johnny Cash, who actually only starred in three sketches from his Season 7 episode (two of which he never speaks in). Yet when the legendary “Man in Black” stars as a train passenger expressing his fond memories of his commute in a rhyming monologue, he really gives it all.

Rap Roundtable (Questlove) 

In one of Questlove’s most notable cameos, The Roots drummer participates in a panel of hip-hop artists also including Queen Latifah (Pinkie Johnson) and two up-and-comers (Pete Davidson and Timothée Chalamet), who clearly don’t know anything about the genre. What really helps ease this almost terrible SNL sketch to something amazing is when the Academy Award-winning director of Summer of Soul puts an end to the young “rapper’s” mindless ramblings by striking them with his hair pick.

Wayne's World: Aerosmith (Aerosmith)

Many would agree that Wayne Campbell from “Wayne’s World” — which inspired one of the funniest SNL movies — is still one of Mike Myers’ best characters. But deciding on the recurring sketch’s peak moment is a bit trickier. Ultimately, we have to go with the time Aerosmith — with help from their roadie and Garth’s (Dana Carvey) cousin, Barry (one of Tom Hanks’ best SNL characters) — appeared on the no-budget cable access program and performed their own rendition of the theme song.

Punk Band Reunion At The Wedding (Dave Grohl)

Dave Grohl appears in a sketch or two nearly every time he and the Foo Fighters perform, but, arguably, his best SNL bit comes from when he played with Them Crooked Vultures — a supergroup he formed with Josh Homme and John Paul Jones. The former Nirvana drummer became a part of another band that night consisting of Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and host Ashton Kutcher in a sketch that sees aging punk rockers bring the house down at a wedding reception.

Spider-Man Kiss (Chris Martin) 

In one of the most popular sketches on SNL’s YouTube Channel, a dramatized inside-look at the making of 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 reveals that then-real-life-couple Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone (both playing themselves) had some trouble shooting their climactic kissing scene. The solution: bringing in Chris Martin — frontman of the night’s musical guest, Coldplay — to don a blonde wig and take Stone’s place.

Hamm & Bublé (Michael Bublé)

This SNL sketch prominently featuring the A-list host, Jon Hamm, is framed as an ad for a new eatery co-owned by the Mad Men cast member and musical guest, Michael Bublé, called Hamm and Bublé (pronounced “bubbly” by Hamm). However, as the Canadian crooner reveals in song, he thinks the restaurant’s concept — serving ham with champagne — is ridiculous and is being forced into the business against his will.

SNL Digital Short: Boombox (Julian Casablancas)

One of The Lonely Island’s most unique collaborations saw Julian Casablancas — lead singer of Manhattan-based rock band The Strokes — provide vocals for the hip-hop trio’s 2010 song, “Boombox.” The video, which premiered on SNL in Season 35, sees Andy Samberg and Casablancas attempting to rescue strangers from mundane scenarios with the power of music, only for us to discover by the ending that is was a “cautionary tale” all along.

Spelling Bee (Tenacious D)

In a sketch that was partially mprovised and conceived by SNL star Will Forte, a young spelling bee contestant’s attempt to spell the word “business” results in an astonishing failure — consisting of an innumerable amount of random letters spouted for more than a minute. Suddenly, host Jack Black appears with his Tenacious D bandmate, Kyle Gass, to perform a song revealing that the bit was inspired by an embarrassing moment from the School of Rock star’s childhood (which is not true, by the way).

Little Drummer Boy (Whitney Houston)

In one of Molly Shannon’s most iconic appearances as Mary Katherine Gallagher, the overly ambitious Catholic school student struggles to out-sing her rival choir member, who happens to be played by the night’s uber-talented musical guest, Whitney Houston. Shannon recalled to Howard Stern (via YouTube) how she was actually able to convince the initially reluctant Houston to appear in the bit by telling her she just had to act “snotty.”

Garth Brooks Backstage With Tracy (Garth Brooks)

The second time Garth Brooks hosted SNL, the musical guest was his own rock star alter ego, Chris Gaines — a bizarre concept that earned mixed reactions in the late ‘90s. The country singer showed he had sense of humor about it all by participating in a sketch taking place backstage with Tracy Morgan, who criticizes Gaines in front of Brooks, unaware that they are the same person.

Waking Up With Kimye: Apple Genius (Lady Gaga)

When Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were still married, SNL had a recurring sketch that starred Jay Pharaoh and Nasim Pedrad as the celebrity couple hosting their own morning talk show. One edition featured host Lady Gaga as an Apple Store employee who makes a cleverly self-effacing comment about the true intentions of people who “try too hard with their outfits.”

Wayne's World (Madonna)

In one of many of Wayne Campbell’s (Mike Myers) iconic interactions with famous musicians, the cable access program host recalls the time he shared a romantic encounter with none other than Madonna. Garth (Dana Carvey) gets to experience the memory first-hand in the pre-taped bit, which also features a random cameo by the late Prince.

Orchestra (Lizzo)

Lizzo is famous for three unique talents: playing the flute, twerking, and performing both acts at the same time. That simultaneous mastery is demonstrated beautifully in a sketch from her Season 47 episode in which she plays an orchestra hopeful who is unable to play the flout without twerking.

Gangnam Style (Psy)

In SNL’s Season 38 premiere, host Seth MacFarlane starred in a sketch as a Lids clerk who tries to cheer up his co-worker (played by Kenan Thompson) by summoning Psy to perform “Gangnam Style” at the push of a button. Bobby Moynihan plays the viral K-pop sensation for most of the segment until the man himself appears in a surprise cameo at the very end.

A great way for musicians to show that their talents stray behind song and dance is by acting on SNL, as seen in these sketches.

Music and the movies are two worlds that cross over often, and to great effect. Sometimes the greatest overlap between those segments of entertainment comes from performances through figures we primarily know for carrying a tune over a scene. But believe it or not, these 32 movies featuring professional musicians are noteworthy for providing talent that can do both. 

Janelle Monáe - Hidden Figures

Playing Mary Jackson, an African-American mathematician crucial to the early days of NASA’s space race, Janelle Monáe showed off her dramatic chops in the historical drama Hidden Figures. One of the earliest cinematic roles in her career, Monáe would go on to become a more prolific actor and singer, adding films like Glass Onion: a Knives Out mystery to her resume along the way. 

David Bowie - The Prestige

As he continues to build amazing ensemble casts to carry out his cinematic visions, director Christopher Nolan has a knack for choosing talent. Which leads to that time Nolan begged David Bowie to be in The Prestige, as the helmer felt that the actor/singer would be a perfect Nicola Tesla. That instinct was as well played as the film it served to bolster.

Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born

Lady Gaga is such a natural entertainer that when she was announced as a lead in Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born remake, it didn’t feel like that much of a surprise. With previous films and shows to her acting credit, this role could be considered her cinematic breakout, as it landed her many raves, awards and nominations during the 2018-2019 awards cycle.

Frank Sinatra - The Manchurian Candidate

By the time Frank Sinatra made The Manchurian Candidate, his career had seen him make musicals, comedies, and intense dramas alike. The 1962 neo-noir thriller became one of his best received films, as Sinatra’s Captain Bennett Marco and his quest to prevent a clandestine assassination attempt distinguished itself as a contemporary hit, as well as an all-time classic. 

Queen Latifah - Set It Off

A landmark ‘90s drama that’s still fondly remembered to this day, Set It Off told a story of four women looking to live better lives through thievery. Queen Latifah’s Cleo Sims made up a part of that team, offering a complex performance that was both tragic and empowering. 

Gene Simmons - Runaway

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons knew what it was like to surprise the world when he and his bandmates took off their makeup for a period between the ‘80s and ‘90s. That was as good a time as any for Simmons to break into acting, as the villainous Dr. Charles Luther in Michael Crichton’s Runaway. 

Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard

If The Bodyguard had been made when it was first written, we might have seen Ryan O’Neal and Diana Ross playing the leads. But, as anyone in Hollywood could tell you, delays can sometimes gum up the works. Which is how, by time the ‘90s rolled around, Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston landed the iconic leads in this romantic-drama; with Houston making her historic cinematic debut.

Tim McGraw - The Blind Side

A year after Tim McGraw starred in Four Christmases, the country singer experienced two life changing moments. Not only did McGraw’s weight loss journey start to take off, but his acting career saw him co-starring with Sandra Bullock in the sports drama The Blind Side.

Beyoncé - Dreamgirls

2006 was a banner year for Beyoncé’s film acting resume, thanks to Deena Jones, part of the central trio in the musical drama Dreamgirls. The Renaissance woman helped boost director Bill Condon’s musical to awards glory, alongside co-stars Anika Noni Rose and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. 

Lenny Kravitz - The Hunger Games

Lenny Kravitz jumped into the acting game in a pretty big way, after playing himself in several film appearances. Perhaps his most iconic role yet is that of portrayal of Cinna, stylist to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games. Inspiring everyone’s favorite tribute into subtle acts of rebellion, Kravitz’s warmth helps solidify the guidance that helped turn Katniss into a hero for the ages. 

Cher - Moonstruck

“Snap out of it!” With four words, Cher became a romantic-comedy legend, as she tried to deal with Nicolas Cage’s amorous advances in Moonstruck. Not only did that impress audiences overall, it landed her the award for Best Actress at 1988’s Academy Awards as well.

Flea - The Big Lebowski

If you thought “Nihilist #2” in The Coen Bros’ legendary comedy The Big Lebowski looked or sounded familiar, you have a good ear. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Flea is the actor credited for that role, providing some comedic menace in Jeff Bridges’ neo-noir classic about blackmail, death, and bowling. 

Dolly Parton - 9 To 5

With a balance of commanding wisdom and unlimited sweetness, Dolly Parton is a country star that will always be an icon. However, watching 9 to 5 just might shock you, as the dark comedy shows her teaming with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda to teach Dabney Coleman how to treat a woman in the workplace. Let’s just say that lesson goes beyond a catchy theme song.

Dean Martin - The Sons Of Katie Elder

Rat Pack icon of cool Dean Martin is mostly known for either his comedies alongside musical pals Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., or his long running partnership with Jerry Lewis. But outside of either of those canons is Martin’s parts in westerns like The Sons of Katie Elder, which saw the crooner playing brother to genre legend John Wayne. So you can see how this was a pretty big deal back in 1965. 

Madonna - A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own's Mae Mordabito is quite possibly Madonna's most memorable part. As center fielder for the Rockland Peaches, she plays the entire cast with comedic precision with her free spirited character. 

Eminem - 8 Mile

Playing a fictionalized version of your own experiences isn’t a guaranteed success. And yet, Eminem took 8 Mile’s aspiring rapper Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith and made believers of fans and critics with his acting abilities. It was enough of a success that, decades after he has yet to take on another major film role, people are still curious if Marshall Mathers will ever lose himself in a movie again. 

Mandy Moore - A Walk To Remember

Pro-tip: if you’re a pop star that wants to become an actor, a Nicholas Sparks movie just might be the surest way to test those waters. Mandy Moore can attest to that fact, as her role in 2002’s A Walk To Remember was probably a good warm up for her future success as part of NBC’s drama series This Is Us. If you’re a fan of that meteoric network hit, and you haven’t watched this movie, you owe yourself a moment to correct that. 

Isaac Hayes - Escape From New York

A certain generation of Isaac Hayes fans will know him best as a soulful singer, while others would recall his velvety pipes from the romantically obscene Chef from South Park. And right in between those groups are the die hard fans of the best action movies ever who would remember Hayes as the menacing Duke in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. 

Brandy - Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Everyone has their favorite Cinderella, and for Disney growing up in the ‘90s, Brandy is a prime candidate for those honors. Which is totally valid, as the singer’s leading portrayal in Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a magical glass slipper that ties the entire cast of notables together. To imagine this movie without her is, quite frankly, impossible.

Sammy Davis Jr. - The Cannonball Run

The entire Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. were all actors, as well as singers, at the height of their powers. One of Davis’ best gigs, besides the original Ocean’s 11, came out of The Cannonball Run, which reunited him with fellow pally Martin for two films of vehicular madness. 

Janet Jackson - Poetic Justice

Writer/director John Singleton’s Poetic Justice could very easily be counted as an acting win for either Tupac Shakur or Janet Jackson. However, Ms. Jackson wins out no question, as her dynamic performance as Justice anchors both the dramatic, and the romantic halves of this picture. Not to mention, this project marking Janet’s debut as a feature film actor is still a powerful statement felt by her fans.

Andre Benjamin - Four Brothers

While Four Brothers isn’t an exact, on-brand remake of the western The Sons of Katie Elder, it’s pretty close. The similarities between the two Paramount movies are even eerier when you think about how Dean Martin’s acting career was enriched by the 1965 western, and Andre “3000” Benjamin saw the same sort of fortune come from his part in the 2005 action-drama.

Diana Ross - Lady Sings The Blues

Upon its release in 1972, Lady Sings The Blues sparked critical debate over how good of a biopic it really was. What wasn’t up for question was the excellence of Diana Ross’ performance as Billie Holiday; a feat that not only won her raves from critics, but also scored her a Best Actress nomination at 1973’s Academy Awards.

Usher - Light It Up

Not long after Usher made his movie debut in Robert Rodriguez's The Faculty, he graduated to being a lead player in the ensemble for writer/director Craig Bolotin's Light It Up. Going back to high school with Rosario Dawson and Sara Gilbert as classmates, Usher took part in a teenage rebellion with a cause more serious than any alien invasion.

Alicia Keys - Smokin’ Aces

The words “professional assassin” aren’t exactly what come to mind when talking about singer/songwriter Alicia Keys. That perception is part of how 2006’s Smokin’ Aces was such an explosive surprise upon its initial theatrical release. Keys and Taraji P. Henson’s double act as hired killers with a job to do helped keep this ensemble action dramedy spinning with chemistry to spare.

John Legend - La La Land

Is John Legend’s La La Land character a villain? It depends on who you ask, with his part in splitting up Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s on-screen romance acting as a defining factor. Unsurprisingly, the piano man’s charm and musical prowess added some extra star power to Damian Chazelle’s colorful musical.

Mariah Carey - Precious

People like Mariah Carey and Charlize Theron “deglamming” for performances in powerful dramas only helped amplify their performances. In Theron’s case, that led to her first Academy Award nomination in Monster. Meanwhile for Carey, director Lee Daniels’ heartbreaker provided her with a credit that wowed the critics to an impressive degree.

Alice Cooper - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Decades before Across the Universe turned the Beatles songbook into a jukebox musical, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band used that premise to a campier extent. This is, after all, the movie where you can see Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees “fighting” villains like Aerosmith and Steve Martin. And a part of that collection of baddies is an equally creepy and intriguing Alice Cooper, playing the role of cult leader Father Sun. 

Björk - Dancer In The Dark

Writer/director Lars Von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark was only singer Bjòrk’s second motion picture. You’d never know it, as this beautiful but tragic mashup of drama and music saw the Icelandic singer-songwriter land a heartbreaking blow with her character Selma. Trust us, you need the right headspace, and a lot of tissues, to take on this experience.

Common - Run All Night

While Common eventually got to hunt down Keanu Reeves’ titular assassin in John Wick: Chapter 2, he practiced his killer skills with another action vet: Liam Neeson. Run All Night pitted the rapping/acting talent against Mr. Neeson, and the war waged between the two men is something truly impressive to behold. 

Britney Spears - Crossroads

Not a girl, not yet a woman, and because of Britney Spears’ intense “method acting” in Crossroads, there was one more thing she wasn’t at the time: an actor. Though she’d eventually play a couple other roles here and there, preparing to star in this teenage drama road trip was enough to make Spears question how much she really wanted to act. 

Prince - Purple Rain

The world knows the many sides of Prince through his mythic career as a guitar god and musical boundary pusher. Purple Rain made that image all the stronger, as the man is basically playing himself, with some dramatic and comedic embellishment. The result is a movie that was a white hot success, and a powerful calling card in Prince's future endeavors on both sides of this fence.

While it’s not for everyone, actor/musician crossovers are always interesting to keep an eye out for. Both commanding successes and curious one-off scenarios are equally intriguing, as one never knows where the next success story will come from. Aspiring singers and actors alike take note: these cases we’ve just discussed are good studies to keep in mind when plotting your own course to stardom! 

When it comes to Hollywood, plenty of actresses, singers, and more have taken the world by storm. It could be from their legendary acting, brilliant singing, or even how they walk the runway, but one way or another, they become Hollywood it girls, the ones that everyone looks up to and wants to be. Today, we'll review more than 30 Hollywood It girls, their time in the spotlight, and where they are now. 

Audrey Hepburn

We need to mention Audrey Hepburn if we're talking about Hollywood it girls. The actress became a major it girl in 1960s for her roles in iconic films like Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, My Fair Lady, and several other classic films. She won an Academy Award for acting in Roman Holiday alongside Gregory Peck and is considered one of the most iconic faces in Hollywood history. The actress passed away in January 1993 at 63. 

Angelina Jolie 

Angelina Jolie really started building a name for herself in the '90s, then gained fame for her role in Girl, Interrupted earlier in the 2000s, and only continued to grow in popularity. Her starring roles in movies such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Wanted, Salt, and more in the early to mid-2000s garnered her the coveted Hollywood it girl status. She also won an Academy Award for Girl, Interrupted. There are so many great Angelina Jolie movies to watch. 

Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno danced onto the scene as a Hollywood it girl 1962 with her starring role in the classic movie musical West Side Story, where she won an Academy Award for playing Anita. She continued to star in various films after in the 1960s and '70s. In recent years, she played Valentina in the new Steven Spielberg reboot of West Side Story and appeared in other films like 80 for Brady, Fast X, and more. 

Elizabeth Taylor 

Elizabeth Taylor became a Hollywood it girl around the time Cleopatra released in the 1960s. She would also star in films such as Father of Bride, A Place in the Sun, Ivanhoe, and many more. She also won the Academy Award for Butterfield 8, and starred in several films with her on-again-off-again husband, Richard Burton. Taylor passed away in 2011 at the age of 79. 

Drew Barrymore

Though she's been acting since childhood, Drew Barrymore was the Hollywood it girl in the 1990s, especially from her part in The Wedding Singer. Her small role in the Scream franchise was another big moment during the decade. Aside from that, she appeared in films like Charlie's Angels, Boys on the Side, Batman Forever, and more. In recent years, she became a host of her own syndicated talk show called The Drew Barrymore Show. 

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews' best movies exemplify how she became a Hollywood it girl. Andrews is primarily known for two of her roles in the 1960s that shot her up to It girl stardom – The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins (for which she won an Academy Award), two highly iconic musical films where she showed off her acting talent and brilliant pipes. She continues to act to this day and often leads her iconic voices to several franchises. 

Dolly Parton 

When I think of Hollywood it girls, I often think of Dolly Parton. This country star has become a staple in the world of music and shot up to Hollywood it girl status in the 1980s, with a combination of her iconic music and her roles in films like 9 to 5 and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Diana Ross 

Diana Ross is an incredible singer who became a Hollywood it girl as the lead vocalist from the Motown girl group, The Supremes, back in the 1960s. But from there, she had a solo career that expanded decades. To this day, Ross continues to perform and make music. She also won several awards for her role in Lady Sings the Blues. 

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin was another iconic voice from the late 1960s and became an even bigger star in the latter half of the decade, becoming one of the biggest Hollywood it girls out there. Some of her songs that you might recognize include "Respect," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "I Say A Little Prayer" and more. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 76.  

Brooke Shields

Back in the early 1980s, all anyone could talk about was Brooke Shields. The actress became big at a young age for her modeling, and then began to star in films such as The Blue Lagoon, Endless Love, and more, which truly cemented her status. She played Van in Holiday Harmony in 2022. 

Judy Garland 

You can't get more Hollywood it girl than Judy Garland, someone who starred in one of the most iconic movies ever, The Wizard of Oz, and became a well-known Hollywood it girl from the 1930s onward. Garland primarily became known for her role as Dorothy, but she did star in several other movies (such as Easter Parade, Summer Stock, A Star Is Born) and more before she died in 1969 when she was 47. 

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald was the Hollywood it girl in the mid-1980s, appearing in several major coming-of-age teen films that I'm sure most of us know today. Some of these that really cemented her status as a Hollywood it girl were The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and more. Ringwald still acts, both on TV and in movies. For a few years she played Archie's mother in the hit CW show Riverdale. 

Cher

Cher is a singer who became known for her deep voice and style, and also her acting. Cher has been around since the 1960s, and has been a Hollywood it girl for several decades. The late '80s was where we got several songs synonymous with Cher today that really cemented her place in the music industry, like "I Found Someone" and "If I Could Turn Back Time." Today, Cher still works on music. 

Barbra Streisand

Barbara Streisand is a singer who also became a prominent voice of the late 1960s. Specifically, her role in Funny Girl made her stand out even more, a part that she won an Academy Award for, and from there she only grew in stardom and it-girl status.  Streisand still works on music and has achieved EGOT status over her time in Hollywood. 

Goldie Hawn 

Goldie Hawn gained fame for her role in the sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-On but blew up even more after her time in the 1960s film Cactus Flower, which really cemented her status as a Hollywood it girl. She appeared in several other movies, such as Shampoo, The Sugarland Express, Private Benjamin, and more. She's been the partner of Kurt Russell for many years and even appeared alongside him in Overboard, and more recently, The Christmas Chronicles 2. 

Tina Turner

Tina Turner is a legend in the world of music, becoming super famous in the early 1970s, especially with her release of "What's Love Got To Do With It." The singer is known as the "Queen of Rock and Roll" and has released such well-known tunes as "Better Be Good To Me," "The Best" and many more. Tina Turner unfortunately passed in 2023 at the age of 83. 

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts’ best movies are mainly from the 1980s and 1990s, making her the Hollywood it girl of the time. Pretty Woman was one of Roberts' best movies that cemented her status as an it-girl, but she appeared in several films throughout the 1990s, like My Best Friend's Wedding, Notting Hill, Runaway Bride, and more, and even won an Academy Award for Erin Brockovich in 2000. She appeared in Ticket to Paradise in 2022. 

Liza Minnelli

The daughter of Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, is known for her work as an actor, singer, and dancer, and for also achieving EGOT status. Minnelli's status as it girl really started to appear in her part in Cabaret in 1972, but she also starred in other movies like Arthur and Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, as well as many others. The actress most recently had a cameo appearance in Halston in 2021. 

Carly Simon 

The iconic Carly Simon has worked in music for many years and became a major it girl in the early 1970s. She released songs such as "Haven't Got Time For Pain," "You're So Vain," "Mockingbird," and more. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. 

Donna Summer (1975) 

Donna Summer, a disco legend, released music such as "Love to Love You Baby" and "I Feel Love," among many other iconic music from that time in the mid-1970s. Both songs were huge hits among the rest of her discography. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 63. 

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet primarily gained fame from her role on The Cosby Show in the 1980s, which she reprised in the college-set spinoff A Different World. Aside from that, she also starred in movies like Angel Heart, which further cemented her status as a leading lady. She held a recurring role in Ray Donavan in 2016. 

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton is known for numerous roles, going back to 1970s, and was a great Hollywood it girl, specifically beginning from her time in The Godfather movies. She also appeared in films such as Play It Again, Sam, Sleep, Love and Death, and Annie Hall, which won her an Academy Award. Keaton was in Book Club: The Next Chapter in 2023. 

Olivia Newton-John

You couldn't go anywhere in the 1970s without hearing about Olivia Newton-John. Not only was the actress known for her role in Grease in 1978, but she also had an excellent singing career, releasing hits like "I Honestly Love You" and "Physical," which only further showed just how much of an it girl she was. Newton-John passed away in 2022. 

Pam Grier

Pam Grier has appeared in several memorable action films. Coffy in 1973 was really what brought her to stardom, but she continued to shine in films like Foxy Brown, The Big Doll House, Women in Cages, The Big Bird Cage, The Arena, Sheba Baby, and many more. Years later, she also starred in Jackie Brown, one of Quentin Tarantino's films. She appeared in Pet Sematary: Bloodlines in 2023. 

Meryl Streep 

While I will always consider Streep an it girl all the time, she became well-known at the end of the 1970s and '80s for her starring roles in movies like Kramer vs. Kramer (which won her an Academy Award), The Deer Hunter, and Sophie's Choice. In 2023, held a recurring role on the great Hulu TV series Only Murders in the Building. 

Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett was an actress known not only for her beautiful and luxurious hair, but for her acting in the series Charlie's Angels from 1976 to 1981. She also appeared in Harry O and The Six Million Dollar Man. She unfortunately passed away in 2009 at the age of 62. 

Jennifer Beals

Jennifer Beals rose to fame from her role in Flashdance in 1983 and continued appearing in other significant movies, including Vampire's Kiss, Devil in Blue Dress, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Cycle, and more. Today, she still acts and appeared in the 2022 film Luckiest Girl Alive and was a part of the guest cast of the Disney+ Star Wars series, The Book of Boba Fett. 

Winona Ryder

While many people remember her well for her role in Beetlejuice, she began to appear in several films in the late 1980s and 1990s. Her biggest one in my opinion was Edward Scissorhands in 1990, which really showed off her acting prowess and made her an it girl, but she also appeared in films such as Heathers, Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Age of Innocence, and Little Women, among others. She has a starring role in the hit Netflix binge-able series Stranger Things.

Janet Jackson

While Michael Jackson was a Hollywood it guy, his sister Janet was undoubtedly a Hollywood it girl. Janet Jackson is a legendary voice in the music genre and released hits during the 1980s like "Nasty" and "Rhythm Nation," among others. In 2019, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Naomi Campbell 

Naomi Campbell was a massive influence in the modern-day fashion industry, becoming the first-ever Black woman to headline the covers of both Vogue France and Time in the late 1980s. Aside from modeling, Campbell also worked in acting and music. She more recently appeared in Black is King in 2020 and was a part of the docu-series The Super Models. 

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston rose to fame in the late 1980s for her songs like "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "Greatest Love of All," but later starred in The Bodyguard in 1992, which included several hit songs on its soundtrack, including her iconic version of "I Will Always Love You." She also starred in several other films like The Preacher's Wife and Waiting to Exhale, further showing her Hollywood it girl status. Houston passed away in 2012. 

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon gained a lot of fame for her roles in movies in the late 1990s, such as Cruel Intentions and Election, but became huge with her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde in 2001, which is genuinely one of Reese Witherspoon's best movies, and has since appeared in several other films. She even won an Academy Award for her co-starring role in Walk the Line. She has a co-starring role in the Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show, alongside Jennifer Anniston. 

There are so many amazing Hollywood it girls out there that we could talk about, but these are just some that have taken the world by storm. Who knows who is going to end up becoming the next Hollywood star that tops this list? 

How to Watch Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Watch Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody: preview

Chase your blues away with this infectious celebration of the legendary Whitney Houston. Arriving exclusively to stream on Netflix in the US, Naomi Ackie delivers an awards-nominated performance in this rousing biopic about the life and music of the global superstar and R&B queen. And all you need to watch Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody online now is a Netflix subscription.

Dubbed “The Voice” for her soulful, searing vocals, the film follows Houston’s discovery by record-producer Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci, The Devil Wears Prada). She soon becomes a pop sensation, the only artist to have seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like “How Will I Know” and the infectiously upbeat “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”.

The singer goes supernova in the early 90s: invited to perform “Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl and starring in the hit box-office movie The Bodyguard (1992), recording the soundtrack and bagging a Grammy award for its spine-tingling lead ballad, “I Will Always Love You”.

But Houston’s explosive success is accompanied by growing media scrutiny, including coverage of her rocky marriage to singer Bobby Brown (played by Ashton Sanders, Moonlight) and her struggles with substance abuse. Meanwhile, the interference of her overbearing father John (Clarke Peters) piles even more drama onto her personal life.

Also starring Nafessa Williams (2015 TV movie Whitney) and Tamara Tunie (Better Call Saul), you can watch this rollercoaster account of the singer’s life with our guide below, explaining how to watch Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody online, so you can re-live the electrifying vocals and stage performances that she was loved for.

Can I watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody on Netflix?

Whoo! You can now watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody on Netflix in the US. The streamer has all the stuff that you want, thanks to a first window deal with Sony Pictures, which means the company's movies head straight to Netflix around four months after their theatrical run. 

The Whitney Houston biopic is available on Netflix India too, but it doesn’t seem as if the film will arrive in territories like the UK and Canada on Netflix for a few more years.

However, it is possible to purchase the movie through Amazon Prime Video, to buy or to rent, in most other locations.

How to watch Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody from anywhere

If you're an American citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody just as you would at home with your Netflix subscription.

While Netflix libraries differ from country to country, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN which can change your IP address to make it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.

For example, American citizens in the UK can subscribe to a VPN, join a server based in America and access their usual American Netflix library from anywhere in the world.

Step-by-step of using a VPN to unblock:

1. Choose a VPN and install it - our go-to recommendation is NordVPN.

2. Connect to a server - for US Netflix, for example, you'll want to connect to a server based in the USA.

3. Go to the live stream you wish to access - for I Wanna Dance with Somebody, head to Netflix.

Watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody online in the US

Run to Netflix, because its about to be home to sensational music biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody from Saturday, April 22. If you don’t already have a Netflix subscription, you can purchase one from as little as $6.99 a month (Basic with Ads).

Watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody online in the UK

There’s currently no service in the UK that has this Whitney Houston drama as part of its streaming library. 

However, viewers in the UK can purchase the movie on Amazon Prime Video to either rent or buy as a digital download. You don’t need a membership. Just pay a one-off fee – from £3.49 to rent or from £9.99 to buy outright.

And if you’re unable to access your American Netflix subscription due to travelling abroad? Simply purchase a VPN to access the same content library you’d have access to back home.

Can I watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody online in Canada?

While I Wanna Dance with Somebody isn’t on a Canadian streaming platform yet, it is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video. It will cost from CA$4.99 to watch the movie in SD quality, or you can buy it to watch as much as you want for CA$19.99.

However, if you’re from the US and find yourself up north, you won’t be able to locate the Whitney Houston biopic on your Netflix account due to regional restrictions. In this case, simply download a VPN, which will let you alter your IP address so you can view the content made available to America-based members.

Watch I Wanna Dance with Somebody online in Australia

As with Canada and the UK, you’ll only find I Wanna Dance with Somebody to buy or rent and on a service like Amazon Prime Video. Rent it here from AH$4.99 and enjoy it within 48 hours of pressing play, or buy it for AU$19.99 in HD quality and watch it whenever.

Again, if you’re a US-citizen currently spending time abroad, you’ll want to download a VPN like NordVPN. You’ll need to do this to stream I Wanna Dance with Somebody as part of your Netflix subscription so that you can access the content library you’re paying for no matter where you are.

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody trailer

The late Whitney Houston has a legacy for her catalogue of beloved music, in addition to her career as an actress. She was recently honored with a biopic titled Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (read the reviews here), but as far as movies go she’s perhaps best known for her acclaimed performance in The Bodyguard. And it turns out that her iconic poster with Kevin Costner doesn’t actually feature Houstin. Let’s break it all down.

Mick Jackson’s The Bodyguard was released back in 1992, and both Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner’s performances (plus the soundtrack) still remain an iconic part of pop culture to this day. The poster is also super recognizable, with Costner seemingly carrying Houston in his arms from one of the movie’s scenes. But that’s actually not the case, as the Yellowstone actor explained to EW:

Well, my mind is blown. While Whitney Houston’s voice and performance is all over The Bodyguard, it turns out that the poster wasn’t actually her. Instead, her double stood in and got carried by Kevin Costner. It kind of brings a new meaning to the movie’s title, no? Although given how busy Houston presumably was with the movie and her music career, it does make logistical sense.

Kevin Costner’s revelation about The Bodyguard’s poster comes after the movie recently celebrated its whopping 30th anniversary. And with so many people out there currently thinking about Whitney Houston’s legacy and struggles thanks to her recent biopic, smart money says that the 1992 drama is going to be getting plenty of re-watches.

Later in that same interview, Kevin Costner explained why the poster for The Bodyguard stood out to him so much. After all, Whitney Houston wasn’t even present. He offered his perspective at the time, saying:

It turns out that Kevin Costner and company actually got some pushback over the Bodyguard poster, namely because Whitney Houston wasn’t visible. After all, she was an insanely popular recording artist who had generations of fans at the time (and still does). As he shared:

While the public sees a finished product with new movies, it’s always thrilling to get an insider perspective on how the sausage gets made. On top of starring as Frank Farmer, Kevin Costner was also a producer on The Bodyguard. And as such, he was intimately involved in various aspects of its production, including that poster.

The Bodyguard is currently available to rent in places like Amazon, and there was a remake in development. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is still in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s hard to believe that it has been over a decade since the world lost the legendary singer and actress Whitney Houston. The late eight-time Grammy-winning artist’s life has recently gotten the biopic treatment in Kasi Lemmons’ I Wanna Dance With Somebody, bringing attention to the singer’s life and struggles. Houston’s producer, Clive Davis (who discovered Houston at 19), has opened up in a recent interview about not seeing the star's battle with addiction at first.

Prolific music producer (and at one time, Whitney Houston's manager) Clive Davis recently sat down with CNN to discuss Houston’s career and the new movie release about the singer which he produced. Davis said he saw the “highs” and “lows” of Houston’s career, but admitted he became aware of the performer’s battles later than some because her loyalty and devotion blinded him. He explained: 

The music mogul said Houston was always prepared, so he didn’t realize the depths of her addiction. However, the singer’s performance at Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary special at Madison Square Garden in 2001 made it glaringly apparent to everyone that something wasn’t right with The Bodyguard star. Davis continued: 

The two-decades-old performance is admittedly still hard to watch–maybe more so, given what we know about what happened to Houston. The singer took the Madison Square stage looking deathly thin. Davis said her emaciated appearance terrified him so badly he took it upon himself to write her a letter. He said: 

Houston’s longtime manager said he wrote the singer a heartfelt letter telling her she had a problem, and that if she didn’t get it under control, it would consume her. He pressed on her the life-and-death seriousness of her situation, but sadly, the singer didn’t heed his words. David said: 

In the documentary about his life and music career, Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives (which you can watch with a Netflix subscription), Davis’ relationship with Houston takes up 25 minutes of the two-hour run time, and he goes into much more detail about the heartbreaking letter that Whitney Houston never responded to. 

Clive Davis clearly cared a lot about the late singer, and he continues to support her legacy. According to the young actress Naomi Ackie, her interactions with those close to Houston, like Davis, were vital to her while preparing for the role of Houston in I Wanna Dance With Somebody. The actress said speaking with instrumental players in Houston’s life helped her understand the human behind the mythic star.

Fans can see for themselves if Davis and Ackie do Whitney Houston’s legacy justice by checking out I Wanna Dance With Somebody at their local cineplex. Our readers might also be interested in watching notable biopics about iconic Black musicians or perhaps they would like to watch some of Houston’s movies.

The Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody is riddled with incredible recreations of the singer’s performances throughout her lifetime. From the moment that would land her a contract in the early ‘80s to her iconic rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1991 Super Bowl, Naomi Ackie clearly had a lot of work to do behind the scenes to become “The Voice,” but there’s one scene in particular that took just a few months short of a year for her to prepare for. 

When CinemaBlend spoke to Naomi Ackie about her latest movie, we discussed the finale of I Wanna Dance With Somebody. It had the actress recreating Whitney Houston’s 1994 AMA performance, which was a medley of three songs ("I Loves You, Porgy," "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I Have Nothing") performed on the same night Houston took home eight awards, including “Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist”. Ackie said this of nailing that scene: 

In the ten-minute sequence that caps off I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the 2022 movie release focuses on Whitney Houston’s talent completely before the credits roll with one last number. Check out a comparison of a portion of the medley on YouTube: 

Naomi Ackie really went for every moment in the medley! When CinemaBlend also spoke to I Wanna Dance With Somebody’s director Kasi Lemmons, who previously helmed the biopic for Harriet Tubman called Harriet, she shared the importance of that scene as its filmmaker, saying this: 

I Wanna Dance With Somebody was penned by Anthony McCarten, who previously wrote Bohemian Rhapsody, among other biopics. And much like his movie about Queen, this movie decided to end the script with a sequence recreating a major stage performance for Whitney Houston. The sequence comes following the movie covering three decades of Houston’s career (something that Naomi Ackie was concerned about doing). And with the scene, it ends Houston’s memory as one of tribute rather than the tragedy that befell her when she died at the age of 48 back in 2012 after being found unconscious at her Beverly Hilton suite. 

As Lemmons shares, she really feels like the finale sequence captures the relationship Houston had with her audience, along with her family and friends, the whole movie seeks to depict; among them being a same-sex relationship with Robyn Crawford early in her life, as well as her working relationship with record producer Clive Davis, played by Stanley Tucci in the film.  

The new biopic centering on a Black musician has been met with mixed reviews by critics. You can decide for yourself how Naomi Ackie and I Wanna Dance With Somebody as a whole does with tributing Whitney Houston in theaters now. 

Whitney Houston, one of the most iconic and successful musical artists of all time, passed away at the age of 48 in February 2012, leaving behind a music, film, and TV legacy like none other. Ten years after her tragic death, the late singer is getting the biographical drama treatment with Kasi Lemmon’s star-studded I Wanna Dance with Somebody, which charts Houston’s life and career, as well as the highest of highs and lowest of lows in a film that is receiving a mixed response from critics.

If you have watched the latest Hollywood biopic, or are planning to do so over the holidays, you will probably want to know who is appearing in the I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast and why the actors, specifically Naomi Ackie, look so familiar. Well, you’ve come to the right place, because we’re about to break down the 2022 movie’s cast right now.

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston)

Leading the I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast is Naomi Ackie, who portrays Whtiney Houston at various stages in her career, which includes replicating all those iconic looks.

The Whitney Houston biopic continues a long line of high-profile roles portrayed by Ackie, who has popped up in massive blockbusters like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and TV shows like The End of the F***ing World and Steve McQueen’s Amazon anthology series Small Axe. Ackie landed one of her biggest roles yet in the third season of Aziz Ansari’s Netflix dramedy series Master of None, which carried the subtitle Moments in Love in 2021. And just like every other British actor and actress who later came to prominence, Ackie also appeared on Doctor Who at one point very early in her career, taking on the role of Jen in a 2015 episode titled “Face the Raven.” 

Stanley Tucci (Clive Davis)

Stanley Tucci takes on the role of record producer Clive Davis in  I Wanna Dance with Somebody, a performance the actor told Entertainment Tonight was made little easier thanks to input from the man who discovered Whitney Houston. 

Tucci, who has more amazing movie performances than just about anyone, has done a little bit of everything over the years. From playing a dimwitted henchman in Beethoven to lovable side characters next to Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada and Julia & Julia, it’s hard to avoid the two-time Golden Globe winner (Winchell and Conspiracy). Tucci, who is also something of a chef himself, has also had memorable roles in films like Big Night, Lucky Number Slevin, and Spotlight, as well as massive blockbusters like Captain America: The First Avenger, The Hunger Games franchise, and various Transformers movies. 

Ashton Sanders (Bobby Brown) 

It would be impossible to tell the Whitney Houston story without including her former husband and one of the pioneers of new jack swing, Bobby Brown, but luckily we don’t have to worry about that because Ashton Sanders portrays the New Edition founder in the I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast.

Although not his first role, Sanders rose to prominence in 2016 with his portrayal of the teenage version of Chiron in Barry Jenkins’ Academy Award-winning coming-of-age drama Moonlight. In the years since then, Sanders has appeared in movies like Native Son, Captive State, and Judas and the Black Messiah. And Bobby Brown isn’t the first legendary music figure Sanders has portrayed, as he plays RZA on the Hulu original series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. 

Tamara Tunie (Cissy Houston)

The I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast also includes Tamara Tunie, who takes on the role of Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, a notable and extremely talented singer who performed with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley throughout her career.

Fans of crime procedurals like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and NYPD Blue, will recognize Tunie from roles like Dr. Melinda Warner and Lillian Fancy, respectively. Over the years, Tunie has also appeared on episodes of Chicago Fire, Blue Bloods, Better Call Saul, See, and the long-running soap opera, As the World Turns, on which she portrayed Jessica Griffin for more than 20 years.

Prior to appearing in I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Tunie’s film credits included movies like Wall Street, The Peacemaker, Snake Eyes, and the 2012 Denzel Washington drama Flight, to name only a few. 

Nafessa Williams (Robyn Crawford)

Appearing in I Wanna Dance with Somebody as Whitney Houston’s longtime best friend Robyn Crawford is Nafessa Williams, who recently touched upon the careful way she depicted Crawford and her intimate relationship with Houston in an interview with CinemaBlend.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time Williams has appeared in a Whitney Houston biopic, as she portrayed a different character in the Angela Bassett-directed Whitney, which premiered on Lifetime in January 2015. Williams has previously appeared on shows like Black Lightning, Code Black, The Bold and the Beautiful, and the 2017 Twin Peaks revival on the small screen. Her film appearances include True to the Game, Brotherly Love, Black and Blue, and The Man in 3B. 

Clarke Peters (John Houston) 

Last, but certainly not least for the I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast is Clarke Peters, who takes on the role of Whitney Houston’s father, John Houston.

To some, Peters is best known for his time on The Wire, on which he portrayed Lester Freamon, aka one of the best characters on David Simon’s sprawling Baltimore-based crime saga. Peters would also work with Simon again on Treme a couple of years after The Wire came to an end. Since then, Peters has appeared in movies like Da 5 Bloods, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, as well as shows like His Dark Materials, Love Is, Foundation, and the 2022 small-screen adaptation of The Man Who Fell to Earth. 

Hopefully, this helps you make sense of the I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast and figure out why the actors look so familiar in the latest music-based biographical drama. 

Upon landing the role of legendary singer Whitney Houston, Naomi Ackie knew she had work to do to become the late star. Not having Houston as a resource could’ve served as quite the hurdle for the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker star. However, the actress found alternative means to learn more about the “How Will I Know” singer, including speaking with those who were close to the singer.

Playing the late pop music icon was a massive undertaking for The Score star. Given Houston passed away in 2012, Ackie couldn’t speak with the entertainer. She opened up about getting closer to understanding the late singer’s personality while being interviewed on the Jemele Hill is Unbothered podcast. She recalled reading memoirs from Houston’s close friend Robyn Crawford and mother Cissy Houston to understand the popstar better. Despite reading both books, she admitted to not speaking with either woman during her preparation process. Although, things were different once she started filming the musical biopic as Ackie came across numerous individuals who knew the “I Will Always Love You” singer personally.

Hearing firsthand accounts from those who encountered Houston was a perfect resource for the Master of None star. She got to know Houston personally despite not being able to speak with the late entertainer. Ackie was handling her portrayal of Houston with care, just like the movie’s depiction of her relationship with Crawford in the musical biopic. That seemed important to the up-and-coming star after landing the high-profile role.

Boston locals weren’t the only ones Ackie connected with as she crossed paths with those who played a role in Houston’s decades-long career. The 33-year-old actress mentioned interacting with key figures like Houston's mentor Clive Davis and musical director Rickey Minor, on and off set, saying:

Speaking with instrumental players in Houston’s legacy helped the film and TV actress understand the human behind the star. Doing so seemed to calm her concern over playing the singer-actress throughout her short lifetime.

Fans will finally get to see Naomi Ackie’s take on Whitney Houston when I Wanna Dance With Somebody arrives in theaters on December 23. Before watching the musical biopic, check out some notable biopics about iconic Black musicians, including What’s Love Got to Do With It and Ray. You can also watch some of Houston's movies in the meantime. 

The new Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, promises a dazzling tribute to the late pop star. Naomi Ackie is making her breakthrough performance as Houston in an earnest and heartfelt performance. Along with Ackie’s casting, the film also cast Moonlight’s Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown and Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis. In addition, Harriet helmer Kasi Lemmons is the director behind the project, who was determined to approach Houston’s story with grace. The trailer excited audiences with some of the iconic moments the film would showcase, and showed Ackie in action. Now early reviews are out prior to the film’s release on Friday, and the critics have some mixed opinions. 

The Oscars race is already crowded, but I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a music biopic looking to make a last minute splash. The film follows Houston's career throughout major moments of her life, including the release of the titular song, singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl and making the movie The Bodyguard. The film also touches on some of the complicated elements of her life, like her drug addiction and complex romantic relationships. Critics are split on what to think about the film, because while some are praising the film’s larger-than-life approach, others are tired of the classic biopic format. 

One of the champions of the film is David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter, who lauded Ackie for her performance of the infamous pop-star. While Ackie didn’t do her own singing in the film, she captured Houston’s essence and what made her so special to her fans. Rooney said: 

Owen Gleiberman for Variety was also a fan of the film and praised it for transporting an audience into Houston’s world. He thought the film had a lot of heart and was enough to sweep viewers off their feet. He explained:

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw also thought I Wanna Dance With Somebody was a solid, watchable and exciting film. While in the full review, he pointed out the problems the film had, he thought the piece as a whole was fulfilling and praised Ackie in the process. He also noted the other creative forces behind the project, saying:

However, not everyone was onboard with the cinematic conventions that this film took in telling Houston’s story. Indiewire’s David Ehrlich thought I Wanna Dance With Somebody was too busy trying to hit all of her life's beats without finding an emotional core. He detailed:

Brian Truitt for USA Today also wasn’t too keen on the film, and felt similarly to Ehrlich. He wasn’t distracted by the film’s dazzling musical moments, and was more interested in some of the darker elements of Houston’s history, which he didn’t feel like was properly examined. Truitt explained:

Overall, based on critic reviews, fans looking for a dark gritty rendition of Whitney Houston’s story likely won’t be satisfied. However, the film has enough nostalgic musical moments to appeal to fans and offers a career-making performance by Naomi Ackie. There is a lot of Houston’s story to be explored, and you will have to see for yourself if the film delivers.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody will hit theaters on December 23. Also make sure to check out where to watch some of Whitney Houston’s movies if you want to revisit her life and career before the film’s release. For more information on other films hitting theaters and streaming before the New Year, make sure to check out our 2022 movie release schedule.

Whitney Houston’s life in the spotlight had the singer finding great success for her incredible vocal skills and hit music, while also being in the headlines for a tumultuous relationship with Bobby Brown and her battle with substance abuse. An aspect of the record-breaking musician that is often overlooked is her longtime friendship with creative director Robyn Crawford. As Crawford disclosed in her 2019 memoir, Houston and her were in a romantic relationship early in their lives. The biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody explores this. 

When CinemaBlend spoke with I Wanna Dance With Somebody star Nafessa Williams about depicting Robyn Crawford, the Black Lightning actress spoke to portraying the queer relationship between Naomi Ackie’s Whitney Houston and Robyn Crawford for the 2022 movie release. In her words: 

Robyn Crawford broke her silence on her relationship with Whitney Houston in A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston, where she shared that the pair had a queer relationship with one another ahead of the singer becoming a cultural icon. They lived together as a couple at one point and were sexually intimate, but as Houston found fame, signing her first contract at 19 with Clive Davis, played by Stanley Tucci in I Wanna Dance With Somebody, their romance fizzled out into friendship. 

The latest Whitney Houston movie contextualizes how important Robyn Crawford was to the singer’s life as she became a major star and even got married to Bobby Brown and had children with him. As Crawford previously recalled in her book (via The Guardian), in a scene that inspires one in I Wanna Dance With Somebody, following Houston being signed, she handed Crawford a Bible and told her they’d need to quit having sex “because it would make our journey even more difficult” and told her “if they found out – because her career was taking off – they’d use it against us”.

Their friendship would still go on to last decades, with Robyn Crawford as a part of Houston’s team as her creative director. As Nafessa Williams shared during our interview, she and Ackie, the latter of whom portrays Whitney Houston over thirty years of her career for this biopic, took great “care” in depicting the relationship as a complicated one over years that dealt with a lot of struggles. Ultimately, Williams imagines Crawford and Houston as “soulmates” due to the loyalty they had for each other over the years. 

When it came to Nafessa Williams’ time researching for the role of Robyn Crawford, she told us she found it “really tough” to find footage of the creative director. Williams said she really respected and admired that she “played her part” and didn’t fawn for the spotlight. Williams calls Crawford’s book her “saving grace” for understanding the role.

Check out the Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody trailer here on CinemaBlend ahead of the new biopic about the Black musician hitting theaters on December 23.  

Since the behemoth success of 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, there’s been an uptick in movies about musicians such as Elton John’s Rocketman, Aretha Franklin’s Respect and Elvis Presley’s Elvis. This Christmas the trend continues with the biopic about the iconic Black musician, Whitney Houston, who stunned the world with her incredible vocals and a ton of massive hits. Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker actor Naomi Ackie took on the role, and while speaking to CinemaBlend shared one thing about playing the singer that she found particularly challenging. 

Ackie portrays Whitney Houston across her thirty-year career in I Wanna Dance With Somebody. When I asked if she got to film in order in any way, she said they didn’t along with these words: 

Across two and a half hours of the 2022 movie release, Naomi Ackie portrays the late Whitney Houston, who was signed to work with record producer Clive Davis, played by The Hunger Games’ Stanley Tucci, at the age of 19 and quickly found fame with hits like “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” During our interview, Ackie shared what helped her get into character the most on set: 

Oscar-winner Rami Malek also famously said that his fake teeth for Freddie Mercury helped him channel the Queen frontman for Bohemian Rhapsody. Ackie had a similar experience with her own fake teeth for Whitney Houston, along with really marking time as the singer with various wigs. The actress recreates numerous iconic moments in the career of “The Voice,” including one of Whitney Houston’s movies, The Bodyguard, her singing at the Super Bowl as well as numerous music videos and live performances. 

Check out the trailer for Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody here on CinemaBlend ahead of the new music biopic hitting theaters on Friday, December 23. 

The life of late legendary recording artist Whitney Houston was one of both amazing success and devastating setbacks. An unforgettable talent, she will always be known for her powerhouse vocals and iconic music video looks. Both take center stage in the upcoming movie I Wanna Dance With Somebody, as the story of Houston’s rise and fall is finally getting the biopic treatment.

Written by Bohemian Rhapsody’s Anthony McCarten and directed by Harriet’s Kasi Lemmons, the latest musical biopic to hit the scene stars Naomi Ackie, last seen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, as the late great Whitney Houston. This first trailer, released by Sony to support their upcoming picture, shows brief glimpses of Houston’s life and looks, as we see her go from choir singer to full blown pop star. 

Along the way, we’re shown peeks at landmarks in Whitney Houston’s career.  I Wanna Dance With Somebody looks to be quite comprehensive. We even get see Ackie dressed in looks from the music videos to songs like the titular smash hit, as well as “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay.” The showstopping moment of the trailer is the recreation of the singer’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV; a performance so iconic, it was sold as a musical single and VHS. 

So far, Naomi Ackie looks to be sinking into the role of Whitney Houston. I Wanna Dance With Somebody’s star owns every second of screen time, especially when inhabiting those classic Whitney moments. That alone leads to the question of how much of Houston's acting career will be shown in the story. As some of Whitney Houston’s best movies like The Bodyguard and The Preacher’s Wife could be used to further tell her life story, we may see memorable moments from those films brought to life.

Another point that stands is how far I Wanna Dance With Somebody will dive into Whitney Houston’s personal troubles, or her tragic death in 2012. Neither seem to be hinted at in this first footage, and the involvement of a key player from Bohemian Rhapsody might worry some audience members about how, or if, those points will be handled.

Though it was an Academy Award winning smash hit, the 2018 biopic has been criticized as overly sanitized Freddie Mercury’s personal story; a claim that even actor Rami Malek could understand. So much so that when one of that film’s producers attached themselves to an in-development Michael Jackson biopic, there was an explicit promise to avoid a “sanitized rendering.”

I Wanna Dance With Somebody may not be as wild as other 2022 musical biopics, such as the predictably bonkers work of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, but it doesn't look like it'll be afraid to break some hearts. There’s still some time for the world to speculate about what exactly we'll get from this movie, as it's set to open in theaters on December 21st.

Saturday Night Live has welcomed a number of iconic celebrities over the years, some of which have even left the show's cast starstruck. Series alum Molly Shannon spoke about some them in her memoir, Hello, Molly!, and revealed her favorite guests during her stint as a cast member in the '90s. Shannon's list includes names like Jim Carrey, Alec Baldwin, Jennifer Aniston, and Gwyneth Paltrow. But one of the most notable is late Grammy Award-winner Whitney Houston, who displayed her acting and singing chops during one particular episode. Shannon is now revealing how she convinced Houston to appear on the show.

In 1996, Whitney Houston was already an accomplished actress, having co-led The Preacher’s Wife with Denzel Washington that same year and starred in The Bodyguard years earlier. And on top of her big roles, she also had her singing career. So you'd have to wonder when and how she would have the time to make an appearance on SNL. Well, Molly Shannon shared on The Howard Stern Show that she appealed to the celebrated Cinderella star by giving her flexibility:

The sketch saw Rosie O’Donnell (the episode’s host) and Penny Marshall portray nuns trying to prepare their students for a choir competition. Whitney Houston played “the perfect Jennifer,” who gracefully sang Christmas songs like “Little Drummer Boy” and “Sleigh Ride” only for Molly Shannon’s Mary Katherine Gallagher to out-sing her. The White Lotus star went on to recall how things got somewhat stressful ahead of showtime:

That actually wasn’t the first time that the SNL alum had to be persuasive while on the show. She tried to make a hard sell to get her character, Jeannie Darcy, on the hit comedy series. The actress' perseverance is commendable, and we should all be grateful since it resulted in that character and the sweet Whitney Houston sketch.

It's great that Molly Shannon, who has a few upcoming films in the can, has taken some time to like back on some of her favorite SNL guest stars. Hearing her reflect on such stories is refreshing and, in this case, it's a nice way to pay tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston. You can check out the pair's classic holiday sketch by streaming that Saturday Night Live episode with a Peacock Premium subscription.

There are only so many movies that fall under the category of “musical,” but most movies do have a musical element to them that lends much to their timelessness. I am not specifically talking about film scores here, but of the catchy and powerful pop hits that have accompanied some of cinema’s iconic moments - most of which were written specifically for the movie and helped launch its popularity, and vice versa. The stories behind how these iconic movie songs came to be (and other intriguing relative facts) are almost as fascinating as the films they appear in.

"Writing's On The Wall" - Sam Smith (Spectre)

While co-writing "Writing's on the Wall" -- from 2015's Spectre -- brought him great success -- including the Best Original Song Oscar -- Sam Smith does not enjoy singing his James Bond theme. Before singing the song for an audience for the first time on The Graham Norton Show, the Grammy winner revealed that he was "dreading" that very performance because it requires him to hit such a painfully high note. He then joked he would have to "grab [his] balls" to achieve the right pitch. 

“Danger Zone” - Kenny Loggins (Top Gun)

The secret as to why the opening scene of Top Gun - the highest grossing film of 1986 - is so unforgettable is the accompaniment of the infectious rock hit “Danger Zone,” which was composed and produced by Giogio Moroder with lyrics from Tom Whitlock. Vocalist Kenny Loggins recalled to MovieWeb that the film’s director, the late Tony Scott, also helmed the song’s music video, which was rare for a major Hollywood filmmaker to do at the time.

“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” - B.J. Thomas (Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid)

Of the four Academy Awards that the seminal western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid earned in 1970, one of them was for its equally seminal original song, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head.” While the iconic track was memorably sung by B.J. Thomas, the late singer revealed in an interview for The Tennessean that co-writer Burt Bacharach approached folk legend Bob Dylan about singing the vocals. 

“Moon River” - Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast At Tiffany’s)

Composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics from Johnny Mercer, “Moon River” became a unique standout after its appearance in the classic romantic-comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s as sung by its star, Audrey Hepburn, who was not known as a singer at the time. According to The Telegraph (via Southern Living), that is why Paramount Pictures’ then-president, Barney Balaban, wanted to remove the song from the 1961 adaptation of Truman Capote’s novel, but Hepburn said that would only happen over her dead body.

“Lose Yourself” - Eminem (8 Mile)

Seventeen years after it won the Oscar for Best Original Song for its appearance in 8 Mile, Eminem took the stage at the 2020 Academy Awards for a surprise performance of his powerful track, “Lose Yourself.” Co-writer Jeff Bass told Billboard in 2017 that it took roughly a year to complete the song, partly because it was not until after receiving Scott Silver’s script that the rapper (born Marshall Mathers) began developing the autobiographical lyrics.

“Theme From Shaft” - Isaac Hayes (Shaft)

Isaac Hayes became the first Black man to ever win a music Oscar for the theme song of the 1971 Blaxploitation classic, Shaft. In 2000, the late musician-turned actor told NPR that, after he was hired to score the film, he requested to audition for the title role before it went to Richard Roundtree.

“Fight The Power” - Public Enemy (Do The Right Thing)

One of the most striking hits in the history of rap music is Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” which got a lot of exposure in writer, director, and star Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. According to an oral history by Rolling Stone, Lee wanted the “anthem” for his influential, and still socially relevant, 1989 classic to be a hip-hop rendition of the iconic hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as performed by the rap group, until co-writer Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad suggested making something new that would “resonate on the street level.”

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” - Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)

According to a Guardian article written by lead singer Jim Kerr, Simple Minds initially turned down the offer to perform “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” for John Hughes’ influential teen dramedy, The Breakfast Club until the song’s writer, Keith Forsey, spent some time with the band and they hit it off. Kerr also improvised the “la, la-la-la-la” at the end and planned to incorporate real lyrics later, but Forsey insisted it should stay.

“Mrs. Robinson” - Simon & Garfunkel (The Graduate)

In an interview for The Game 365, Paul Simon recalled a time he happened to spot Joe DiMaggio - who is mentioned in the Grammy-winning song from The Graduate - at a restaurant, approached him, and was questioned why the song asks where the baseball legend has gone. The singer-songwriter explained that the namedrop in “Mrs. Robinson” was a nod to a seeming absence of great American heroes at the time, which DiMaggio was then flattered by.

“St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)” - John Parr (St. Elmo’s Fire)

The ultimate film from the “Brat Pack” era would have to be director Joel Schumacher’s star-studded 1985 drama, St. Elmo’s Fire, for which John Parr wrote and performed the theme song. When speaking to NPR, the British musician revealed the unlikely source for the lyrics to “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion),” which has little to do with the actual plot of the film, but with the inspirational story of a wheelchair-using Olympian from Canada named Rick Hansen.

“See You Again” - Wiz Khalifa Feat. Charlie Puth (Furious 7)

Charlie Puth told Entertainment Weekly that he wrote the chorus for the Oscar-nominated “See You Again” in 10 minutes while thinking of a friend of his who had passed in a similar way to Paul Walker. The actor’s untimely death in 2013, caused by a car crash, inspired Universal to approach Puth to pen a song for the end of Furious 7, which pays tribute to Walker.

“Shallow” - Lady Gaga And Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)

While having a more romantic meaning in the context of the story from 2018’s A Star is Born, Lady Gaga told Variety that she believes the popularity of “Shallow” stems from a more serious real-world topic. She said that, in the wake of the #MeToo movement, the content of the Oscar-winning hit’s lyrics being a conversation between a man and a woman who are connecting and openly listening to each other is “why people cry when they hear it.”

“(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” - Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes (Dirty Dancing)

The Dirty Dancing cast played writer Franke Previte’s original demo of “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” while filming the iconic ending performance, which was also the first scene they shot. Previte told American Songwriter that star Patrick Swayze later thanked him at the Oscars for the on-set camaraderie that the demo provided them.

“Eye Of The Tiger” - Survivor (Rocky III)

Survivor guitarist and “Eye of the Tiger” co-writer, Jim Peterik, revealed to Songfacts that Sylvester Stallone initially wanted to use “Another One Bites the Dust” in the montage where the song appears in Rocky III. When he could not get Queen’s permission, he hired the ‘80s rock outfit, who originally thought to call the Oscar-nominated power ballad “Survival,” which would have been the last word of the chorus to rhyme with the lyric “rising up to the challenge of our rival.”

“Ghostbusters” - Ray Parker Jr. (Ghostbusters)

With only a few days given to complete the Ghostbusters theme song (the film itself was conceived, shot, and released within a year), Ray Parker Jr. struggled with the lyrics, especially with figuring how to incorporate the title, as he recalled on an episode of Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us. His breakthrough came when the titular paranormal exterminators’ TV ad in the film reminded him of bug exterminator commercials and inspired him to lead into the famous “Ghostbusters!” shout with the equally iconic phrase “Who you gonna call?”

“Stayin’ Alive” - Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever)

According to ProCPR.org, a study proved that CPR trainees can maintain the technique at the recommended momentum of 100-120 compressions per minute even more effectively while listening (or singing aloud) to the Bee Gees hit which opens the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. How fitting that a song called “Stayin’ Alive” really can help save lives.

“Purple Rain” - Prince And The Revolution (Purple Rain)

The title song from the soundtrack for Purple Rain was originally recorded by Prince and The Revolution during their live performance of it in the movie’s final scene, which was also the first time the band ever played it on stage. Alan Light, who wrote a book about the making of the 1984 film called Let’s Go Crazy, assured NPR that only minimal editing was applied to the track as it appears on the album, such as the omission of a verse and few notes in Prince’s guitar solo.

“9 To 5” - Dolly Parton (9 To 5)

According to Biography, Dolly Parton agreed to star in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5 on the condition that she could also write the theme song. The country music legend came up with its baseline (which resembles the sound of a typewriter) on the set while strumming her acrylic fingernails in between takes, which is why “Nails by Dolly” can be found in the soundtrack credits.

“Kiss From A Rose” - Seal (Batman Forever)

While it is impossible to separate “Kiss From a Rose” from Batman Forever, the song was not originally written for the superhero film and, in fact, Seal wrote it in 1987 - years before he was even signed to a label, according to People. In response to Joel Schumacher’s passing in 2020, Seal posted an Instagram video recalling how the director’s inclusion of the song in the 1995 blockbuster turned the romantic ballad - previously a flop - into the defining hit of the artist’s career.

“Footloose” - Kenny Loggins (Footloose)

When speaking to Bart Herbison of Nashville Songwriters Association International for an interview published by The Tennessean, Kenny Loggins made a “confession” about the title song from the 1984 Kevin Bacon-led hit Footloose. The lines “Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees” and then “Jack, get back. Come on before we crack” were inspired by a similar lyrical device Paul Simon used for “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” specifically when Simon sings, “Slip out the back, Jack / Make a new plan, Stan,” etc.

“My Heart Will Go On” - Celine Dion (Titanic)

Penned by James Horner, the love theme from Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On,” won the hearts of many - including those at the Academy Awards - but, initially, not its vocalist, Celine Dion, who told Billboard, “When I recorded it, I didn’t think about a movie; I didn’t think about radio. I thought, Sing the song, then get the heck out of there.” Additionally, director James Cameron was, at first, against the idea of adding a pop song to the end of his historical tragedy, but after a push from the studio and some convincing from Horner, he conceded and came to really admire the ballad’s resonance to the film’s romantic plot.

“I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard)

Whitney Houston’s career-defining song, “I Will Always Love You,” was recorded specifically for her 1992 romantic thriller The Bodyguard, but it is actually a cover of a Dolly Parton classic. Curiously enough, according to an oral history by EW, producer David Foster actually based his arrangement of the song on a previous cover by Linda Ronstadt, which was the only version he could find at the time.

“Gangsta’s Paradise” - Coolio Feat. L.V. (Dangerous Minds)

As Coolio revealed to Rolling Stone, Stevie Wonder had a few conditions that had to be met before he and L.V.’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” - the de facto theme for 1995’s Michelle Pfeiffer-led drama Dangerous Minds - could be released, because it samples his 1976 song “Pastime Paradise.” Ironically, the rapper himself was not happy with “Weird Al” Yankovic’s parody, “Amish Paradise,” and would not make peace with it until years later.

“A Whole New World” - Alan Menken, Tim Rice (Aladdin)

Alan Menken has won several awards for iconic, sweeping songs from some of the best animated Disney movies, including “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. The composer revealed in an interview with Jake Hamilton (co-host of the ReelBlend podcast) that the original title he had in mind was “The World At My Feet” until lyricist, Tim Rice, suggested that “the word ‘feet’ would be better not in the title of a Disney love song.”

“Goldfinger” - Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger)

We all know that the title track from Goldfinger (one of the all-time greatest Bond movie theme songs) is sung brilliantly by Welsh songstress Shirley Bassey, but less people are aware that a young Jimmy Page played guitar in the orchestra. The future Led Zeppelin founder recalled to GQ how Bassey performed the session in one take and, after holding the huge final note, ran out of breath and collapsed on the floor.

“The Power Of Love” - Huey Lewis & The News (Back To The Future)

Huey Lewis & The News wrote and performed two songs for 1985’s masterful time travel adventure, Back to the Future - most famously the Oscar nominated hit, “The Power of Love.” As Lewis recalled in a video for Rolling Stone, the musician makes a funny, uncredited cameo as a Battle of Bands judge who believes the rendition of the song that Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his band perform for their audition is “too darn loud.”

“That Thing You Do!” - The Wonders (That Thing You Do!)

The titular, Oscar-nominated 1960s-style pop song from Tom Hanks’ 1996 directorial debut, That Thing You Do!, was actually written by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger, who went on to compose Howard Stern’s theme music, became the musical director for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and other notable works. When he passed away from Covid-19 in 2020, the members of the fictional band from the film, The Wonders, reunited over Zoom for a livestream as a pandemic relief benefit.

“Rainbow Connection” - Jim Henson (The Muppet Movie)

One of the most celebrated achievements of prolific songwriter Paul Williams is “Rainbow Connection,” which Kermit the Frog (voiced by Jim Henson) performs in The Muppet Movie from 1979. In a video interview shot for The Tennessean in 2016, Williams told Bart Herbison that he and and co-writer Kenneth Asher wanted to give Kermit a song as heartwarming and “spiritual” as Jiminy Cricket’s “When You Wish Upon A Star” from 1940’s animated Disney classic Pinocchio, which served as a jumping-off point for the Oscar-nominated ballad.

There really is nothing like dropping the needle on your favorite movie soundtrack and reminiscing about the scenes in which each killer song appears. Now you have many more stories to associate them with.

When it comes to the '90s, there are so many iconic movies that I’m sure every single one of you has seen reading this article. But with these iconic movies comes iconic film roles, and these actresses were some of the best in the business. Here are several actresses with some truly iconic film roles in '90s movies. 

Kate Winslet (Titanic)

Considering Titanic was once the biggest film in the world, it’s not surprising the first pick here is Kate Winslet, who played Rose DeWitt Bukater. It’s certainly one of Winslet’s best films so far, and put her on the fast track to become the famous actor she is today.  

Gwyneth Paltrow (Se7en)

While Gwyneth Paltrow known amazingly well now from her variety of film performances, her role of Tracy Mills in Se7en is certainly an iconic one, with her character playing an essential role throughout the story. It wasn’t that long after she would star in Shakespeare in Love and win an Academy Award for her acting. 

Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct)

Yes, this is Sharon Stone from that controversial scene in Basic Instinct. But no one can deny that her performance in this film was great, and she acted her butt off in this erotic thriller. Every single scene she was in, she stole the show.

Jodie Foster (The Silence Of The Lambs)

The '90s were filled to the brim with iconic horror films like The Silence of the Lambs, and was only the third film in history to win the Big Five at the Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress and Best Actor. Best Actress went to Jodie Foster for her amazing portrayal of Clarice Starling. 

Sandra Bullock (Speed)

While Sandra Bullock is currently busy in 2022 with her film, The Lost City, one of her first big roles ever was starring alongside Keanu Reeves in the action film, Speed, portraying Annie Porter, the main love interest of the film and a total badass. 

Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands)

This is definitely one of Winona Ryder’s best movies. Playing Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands, Ryder perfectly captured what true kindness is meant to look like, and her love story with Edward is one for the history books that anyone would adore to witness.  

Rachel Leigh Cook (She’s All That)

While the reboot, He’s All That, made plenty of references to the original film, She’s All That just can’t be beaten, and that includes Rachel Leigh Cook’s iconic performance as Laney Boggs. I mean, who could forget that memorable “Kiss Me” scene? It’s the epitome of teen movie makeovers. You have to love it. 

Meryl Streep (The Bridges Of Madison County)

Meryl Streep has been around for many years in the movie industry and has some amazing films under her belt. And while she did plenty of movies in the '90s, my personal favorite performance of hers was in The Bridges of Madison County, where she played Francesca Johnson, a married mother who has a steamy four-day love affair with a photojournalist. Her chemistry with Clint Eastwood is second to none. 

Meg Ryan (Sleepless In Seattle, You’ve Got Mail)

A legendary queen of romantic comedies, you could not stop Meg Ryan in the '90s. Not only was she in two iconic roles in romantic comedies, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, both of those films were alongside Tom Hanks and showed just how amazing their chemistry is. 

Demi Moore (Ghost)

That damn pottery scene has been recreated by so many people - I mean, even Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart recreated it! - but no one can quite beat Demi Moore's performance. She shined in her leading role of Molly Jensen alongside Patrick Swayze. I think all of us have wished at least once we were in her shoes. 

Sarah Michelle Gellar (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

While plenty of folks know Sarah Michelle Gellar for her portrayal of Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gellar starred in another horror hit that same year portraying Helen Shivers in I Know What You Did Last Summer, giving a masterclass in chase scenes in horror movies. 

Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, Ghost)

Whoopi Goldberg is certainly an iconic name that I am sure you’ve heard of plenty of times before, and she had not one but two iconic roles in the '90s. To me, my favorite is her lead role in Sister Act, starring as Deloris Van Cartier and bringing some soul into religion, but I can’t not mention her Academy Award-nominated performance as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost. 

Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman)

It’s one of Julia Roberts' best movies. Pretty Woman has some pretty iconic scenes, but none of them could have been accomplished if not for the charming performance that Roberts delivered as Vivian. I’m pretty sure every time I’ve watched that movie, all I want is to be in that bathtub. That looks so damn nice.

Drew Barrymore (Scream) 

Drew Barrymore was only in the first twelve minutes of the first Scream movie, and yet her scene has become iconic in every sense of the word. You go up to a horror movie fan and ask “do you like scary movies?” and they’ll know exactly what film its from as well as what scene - and Drew Barrymore is the star of it. 

Neve Campbell (Scream)

Even if Drew Barrymore was the star of the first twelve minutes, it was Neve Campbell that became the star of the Scream franchise, reprising her role in every single new film since, showing just how badass she is as the ultimate final girl. 

Reese Witherspoon (Cruel Intentions)

Witherspoon has been in many movies and some great TV shows, but back in the '90s, she was still just starting out, and Cruel Intentions was a breakthrough role for her. She played Annette Hargrove, a young woman who was the target of the two main characters of the film. In this '90s movie, she showed just how talented she is at acting. 

Alicia Silverstone (Clueless)

Ugh, as if! Alicia Silverstone truly stole the screen when she played Cher in Clueless, a story about a teenage girl who ends up befriending a new student and decides to give her a makeover. I mean, those outfits alone are definitely iconic enough for her to be on this list.  

Laura Dern (Jurassic Park)

Raise your hand if you’re excited to see Laura Dern back in Jurassic World: Dominion. *Raises hand* Regardless, Laura Dern in the original Jurassic Park was freaking amazing, and Dr. Ellie Sattler was a badass that I looked up to, and I can’t wait to see what she’s been up to after all these years. 

Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You)

Ugh, 10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorites, and it’s legit because of the chemistry that Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger have in this film. They are my all-time favorite romantic couple and Julia Stiles rocks it as Kat. 

Halle Berry (Jungle Fever)

While Halle Berry has been in plenty of badass roles over the last two decades, there was a time where she was just getting started in Hollywood. One of the first films that she had a supporting role in was Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, where she played Vivian. While she's gone on to play more prominent roles since then, it was one of the movies that broke her out onto the scene and paved the way for bigger things down the line, like X-Men and Monster’s Ball. 

Natalie Portman (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)

Padme Amidala, known as the Queen/Senator of Naboo and Anakin Skywalker's lover (later wife) was a Star Wars character that made her debut in 1999, and was a badass in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Natalie Portman portrayed the legendary Star Wars character for the prequel trilogy, and inspired young girls everywhere - but we don’t need to talk about how her character ends in Revenge of the Sith. 

Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction)

While my personal all-time favorite Uma Thurman performance is her role in Kill Bill, one of her biggest roles prior to this was portraying Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction, earning her a nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. I mean, she was the literal character featured on the poster for this film, and honestly, I can see why. She has such star appeal. She has plenty of great performances but this is one of her best. 

Mena Suvari (American Beauty)

This 1999 film, American Beauty, told a captivating story about a man having a midlife crisis, but the main star to me of this was Mena Suvari as Angela Hayes, the object of affection for the main character, Lester Burnham. Even if the film didn’t age too well, I think we call agree Suvari was phenomenal in it. 

Robin Wright (Forrest Gump)

If you’re not saying “Jenny” by the end of Forrest Gump in a Southern drawl, I don’t think we were watching the same film. This Academy Award-winning film starring Tom Hanks told the story of Forrest Gump and his legendary life, often times where he would think of his young love, Jenny, played by Robin Wright. Their love story is a tumultuous one, but a memorable one as well. 

Kirsten Dunst (Interview With The Vampire)

Kirsten Dunst in Interview with the Vampire is iconic for many reasons, showing how amazingly talented she was as an actress at the tender age of eleven. She later went on to star in films like Bring it On and Spider-Man, but no one can quite forget her character, Claudia.

Salma Hayek (Desperado)

Salma Hayek has been in many different kinds of films, such as being a part of the Grown Ups cast or starring in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, but Desperado was one of the early films that made her the star she is today. Starring alongside Antonio Banderas as Carolina, Hayek was badass and her character was just as amazing. It’s definitely one of her best movies, and I would watch another film with both her and Banderas.  

Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got To Do With It, Waiting To Exhale) 

Angela Bassett is a master-class actress, and has shown just how amazingly talented she is in any role. I mean, there are so many movie parts that she should have been nominated for an Oscar, However, one of her most iconic roles from the '90s did indeed earn her nominations - her portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It. And another great role for Bassett in the '90s was Bernadine Harris in Waiting to Exhale. Both of these movies were great showcases of her acting prowess. 

Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard)

“And I will always love you.” 

You know the song, I know you do. It’s one of the most iconic songs of all time and has been performed by so many people. Even though it was originally written by Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston sang this iconic song for the soundtrack for The Bodyguard, where she played Rachel Marron, a famous singer who falls for the bodyguard tasked with protecting her. 

Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies)

Last but not least, we have Michelle Yeoh in Tomorrow Never Dies. While she’s been in plenty of amazing movies such as Crazy Rich Asians and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, one of my personal favorites of hers is her role as Wai Lin, a Chinese spy and an ally to James Bond. 

Yeoh is a bloody badass. This James Bond alum truly defined the term “kick ass and take names” because she was one of the best Bond girls ever, in my opinion. I would gladly see her return to the franchise alongside Pierce Brosnan, but I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon, so I’ll just re-watch this movie over and over. 

There are truly so many other iconic roles, but these are some of the best that you should check out again next time you want to watch a great movie. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to re-watch Jurassic Park again before the latest sequel.  

Will Smith has always been a family-oriented person. Whether it's his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, his successful offspring or others, Smith has always worked to make sure they have the best. But there’s one family member who had his heart before anyone else, his mother, Caroline. Smith has spoken multiple times about his love and admiration for his mother. And as a recent show of love for the Smith matriarch, the King Richard star celebrated her 85th birthday with an adorable mother and son dance to a notable Whitney Houston hit.

Of course, the Emancipation star decided to share the sweet moment on Instagram. The mother and son have been through a lot over the years and, due to that, they share a special bond some may (or may not) understand. So it's no surprise that the Oscar-nominated actor would celebrate his mom in such a nice way. Watch the duo cut a rug during her birthday lunch in the post down below:

Whitney Houston’s megahit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” was more than fitting for the special occasion. The love between Will Smith and his mom could be felt as they did a cute two-step to the song. What made the adorable moment even more heartwarming was Smith serenading his mother while they danced. The Bad Boys for Life star seemed overjoyed to be on the dance floor with the family matriarch. I mean, let's be honest, for many men, their mother is their first love.

The actor has discussed his parents and his upbringing in Philadelphia quite frequently as of late. He recently shared multiple memories involving his mother in his best-selling memoir, Will. He became very protective of his mom after his troubled childhood. This unfortunately stems in great part from his troubled relationship with his late father. Smith has spoken candidly about him as well, including a particularly serious moment he once had with him.

Over the years, Will Smith has also recalled more lighthearted, if not incredibly awkward family memories. One of these took place around the time he and his wife were first starting to date and humorously involved his grandmother. Now, as a parent, the Suicide Squad star and his wife get candid about their relationship, to the point that some people think they share too much. But personal reveals asidde, Smith seems to be enjoying his family and work more after quitting the Hollywood rat race.

The I, Robot star is still one of Hollywood’s biggest draws, though it will be a while before moviegoers see his next effort, Emancipation. But in the meantime, Smith is just living in the Oscar buzz surrounding his performance in King Richard. And should he finally earn a golden statue, I can see him and his more doing a bit more dancing to celebrate.

Hollywood has been chock full of remakes over the past several years, and a number of them have been new takes on incredibly beloved films. 2021 alone has already given us a She’s All That remake and will soon mark the release of a new take on West Side Story, which admittedly looks amazing. Many probably don’t remember but, years ago, it was reported that Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner’s The Bodyguard is also going to be remade. Updates on the project have been few and far between, but it seems the movie has now taken a step forward.

The Bodyguard remake has reportedly found its screenwriter. Variety reports that Warner Bros. has recruited Matthew López to pen the script. According to the trade, the new movie is being billed as a reimagining of the original film. Lawrence Kasdan, who penned the script and co-produced the 1992 movie, will produce under his Kasdan Pictures banner alongside Rideback’s Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich. In addition, Nick Reynolds, also of Rideback, is on board as executive producer.

Matthew López is probably best known for writing The Inheritance, a play inspired by E. M. Forster’s novel, Howards End. The scribe has earned a few accolades for his work on the play, and the Broadway production is currently nominated for multiple Tony Awards. He also served as a staff writer for HBO’s broadcast journalism drama The Newsroom. Given his prior credits, López should be able to bring something fresh to The Bodyguard.

Reports of a potential remake first began to surface in 2011. Jeremiah Friedman and Nick Palmer, known for their unproduced blacklist script, Family Getaway, were originally set to write the screenplay for Warner Bros. And while a pair of stars haven’t been officially attached to the project, many have been speculating on the possibilities for a while now.

Directed by L.A. Story’s Mick Jackson, The Bodyguard centered on a Secret Service agent-turned-bodyguard (Kevin Costner) who’s hired to protect a Hollywood starlet (Whitney Houston) from a stalker. During their time together, the two, despite their differing backgrounds, become incredibly close, and a romance gradually blossoms. While it received relatively lukewarm reviews, the film did strike a chord with audiences. The movie would become a hit at the box office, finishing its theatrical run with a $411 million against its $25 million budget.

Of course, you can’t talk about the movie without mentioning its perfect soundtrack, which features numerous songs from the late Whitney Houston, along with additional music by the likes of Kenny G and The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. Ultimately, it would go on to become the best-selling soundtrack album of all time.

It’s probably safe to assume it’ll be a while before the new version of The Bodyguard gets an official release date, seeing as it’s still in the early days of development. Redoing the classic drama won’t be easy but, hopefully, the film can somehow recapture at least some of the magic that first enchanted audiences back in the ‘90s.

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Tug at my 1990s heartstrings, why don't you? It doesn’t get much better than the 1997 TV movie adaptation of the iconic Rodger & Hammerstein musical Cinderella being introduced to new viewers, or reintroduced to the old heads. Prior to the film's arrival on Disney+ tonight, a virtually-reunited cast shared memories about the late (and great) Whitney Houston and Natalie Desselle-Reid.

Sitting down at the virtual cast reunion moderated by Entertainment Weekly, everyone from Brandy to Jason Alexander recalled nothing but fond and special memories of Whitney Houston, who died in 2012, and Natalie Desselle-Reid, who passed away last year. The cast shared what it was like collaborating with Houston, who executive produced the film and starred as the Fairy Godmother, as well as meeting and working with Desselle-Reid at the time. Brandy, who played Cinderella herself, had particular memories of working with Whitney Houston, who she called “my idol, my angel.” Brandy continued:

Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, who played Lionel in the film, remembered the dynamic between Whitney Houston and Brandy. He even shared that during rehearsal, Houston was surprised by Brandy fangirling over her vocals in the studio, saying Houston “really didn't know it owned.”

In the film, actress Veanne Cox and co-star Natalie Desselle-Reid nailed their kooky and jealous stepsister personas with exaggerated pomp. The two ended up developing a close bond. Cox reflected:

Jason Alexander chimed in how Bernadette Peters, Veanne Cox and Natalie Desselle-Reid as the stepmother and two stepsisters were a force to be reckoned with. He stated that the actresses were a “great little comic trio” with “very natural chemistry.”

At the time 1997's Cinderella was released, critics were divided on the film for it’s over-the-top costumes, sets and acting. This didn't stop the film from receiving a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction. Eventually, the film garnered a cult following that lasts to this day.

The film survived obscurity directly because of Whitney Houston believing in the project so much. Her mentorship to Brandy on set is magical to still see and hear, and the color-blind casting set the trend for countless Victorian remakes and historical series today. From Roger & Hammerstein's Cinderella – eat your heart out, Bridgerton.

The cast of Cinderella gave their flowers to Whitney Houston and Natalie Desselle-Reid, and now fans alike can give the film it's proper due. Cinderella begins streaming at midnight on Disney+, which you can sign up for with this link.

Following Bohemian Rhapsody’s world box office tour leading the movie to sing the rare harmony of both major Oscar attention and box office smash success, a ton of music icons are getting the biopic treatment, including Timothée Chalamet portraying Bob Dylan, Zendaya signing on to play Ronnie Spector and Jennifer Hudson’s Aretha Franklin coming in the near future. Sony has also been working on a Whitney Houston movie for some time called I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and it’s found its match in a galaxy far, far away.

28-year-old Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actress Naomi Ackie has been cast as Whitney Houston in the film, which is expected to be released over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2022. The breakout Brit played Jannah in 2019’s conclusion of the Skywalker Saga, was also a regular on the second season of Netflix’s The End of the F*ing World and has a role in Amazon’s upcoming Small Axe film Education. Ackie is in “final negotiations” with Sony, per Variety.

The Whitney Houston movie will be directed by Stella Meghie, who previously directed rom-coms such as Everything, Everything with Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson and The Photograph with Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield. Upon the announcement, she had this to say about the decision to cast Naomi Ackie:

Of course, the most difficult part of making a Whitney Houston movie is casting the role of a legend, who many have idolized and memorized every register in her voice. It’s not an easy task, by any means. Still, it sounds like the filmmakers really put a lot of tender love and care into finding the actress to front I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and Ackie really impressed. One producer on the film, Clive Davis, who has also worked on a previous Whitney Houston project, 2012's We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute to Whitney Houston, said this:

These are seriously some exciting words to hear alongside the casting announcement. It sounds like, for the most part, Naomi Ackie will be lip-syncing to Whitney Houston’s vocals for the film, but she’ll be focusing on embodying the star with her acting chops. Ackie is still quite new to Hollywood, with Star Wars only giving her a small role that left fans wanting more. So with that in mind, there’s still a lot we’ve yet to see from her.

This is a huge role for Naomi Ackie to take on, and it's exciting to see her take on such an iconic talent who's still deeply missed following her untimely death in 2012. I Wanna Dance With Somebody is slated for a late 2022 release, so we’ll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend as the movie continues to develop.

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A little more than eight years after Whitney Houston's life came to a tragic end, the late singer will soon be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with several of 2020 inductees. And as we look forward to what will surely be a touching tribute to the star's life and career, we can't help but look back on the various movie roles Houston took on throughout her life. With everything from 1992 drama The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston's pairing with Kevin Costner to the 2018 documentary Whitney which detailed the Grammy Award-winning artist's rise to fame unlike anything before, there's quite a bit to watch.

And while not everything that Whitney Houston starred in is available to stream or rent right now, some of her biggest and most culturally significant film appearances can be enjoyed with with a simple click…

The Bodyguard (1992)

Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner were already megastars by the time they appeared alongside one another as Rachel Marron and Frank Farmer in 1992 romantic drama The Bodyguard. In the movie, Houston's Rachel is an Oscar-nominated actress and music superstar who is on the receiving end of some unwanted and alarming attention by a mysterious stalker. Costner's Frank, a former Secret Service agent, is brought in to protect the superstar, and after a contentious start of the relationship, the two form an extremely close bond.

Throughout the movie it's clear that even though Whitney Houston lacked expertise as an actress, she more than made up for it with her unparalleled vocal range and dynamic presence on the screen. It's no wonder that the hit song from The Bodyguard's soundtrack, a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" remains the most popular part of the movie 28 years after the film's release. Still, the movie was a massive hit ($411 million a the global box office) and helped propel Houston's star power higher than ever before.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

Rent it here.

Waiting To Exhale (1995)

Whitney Houston followed up her success in The Bodyguard with the 1995 drama Waiting to Exhale, which not only saw her take on a leading role, but also gave the award-winning singer another number-one hit song, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," that netted the singer (and producer Babyface) several awards following the song and soundtrack's release. The movie centers around four lifelong friends portrayed by Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, and Loretta Devine, who turn to each other in times of need and whenever they're having issues in the love department. Over the course of Waiting to Exhale, each of the four central characters learn something about their closest friends, the men they think they love, and most of all, themselves.

There had long been talks of making a sequel for Waiting to Exhale, but the idea of having a followup movie without Whitney Houston as Savannah "Hannah" Jackson just seems like it could never work out.

Rent it here.

The Preacher's Wife (1996)

Whitney Houston followed up her performance in Waiting to Exhale with Penny Marshall's 1996 supernatural and religious comedy The Preacher's Wife in which the actress-singer portrays Julia Bigg, the oftentimes neglected wife of Courtney B. Vance's Reverend Henry Biggs. With their marriage, and Henry's church in jeopardy, the preacher calls on God for a miracle, and he receives one in the form of Denzel Washington's Dudley, a literal angel sent from the heavens.

Although the movie falls into the trappings of a romantic comedy with a lack of communication by a married couple, prying eyes and gossip mongers, and a predictable ending, the chemistry shared by Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington makes The Preacher's Wife worth revisiting. And like the previous two movies starring Houston, this 1996 holiday season release gave the acclaimed singer even more to work with on the chart-topping soundtrack.

Rent it here.

Sparkle (2012)

Whitney Houston spent years trying to secure the rights and release a remake of the 1976 musical drama Sparkle, which was inspired by the Motown group The Supremes, and she finally got her wish in 2012. Houston would never get to see the finished product or Jordan Sparks' inspirational performance as Sparkle Anderson as the film was released six months after the iconic singer's February 2012 death. In the film, which was dedicated to the memory of the late artist, Houston plays Emma Anderson, Sparkle's overbearing mother who turned to her church after her own musical career fizzled out.

And even though Sparkle may not be remembered for being the best movie of its kind, it does feature some outstanding performances by Whitney Houston, Jordan Sparks, and the rest of the star-studded and extremely talented cast of actors and singers. Loaded with plenty of drama and even more musical numbers, Sparkle has enough to make it be remembered for more than just being Houston's final on-screen appearance.

Stream it on Starz here.

Rent it here.

Whitney (2018)

In the years following the 2012 death of Whitney Houston, there were countless documentaries and television specials about the late singer's life and career, but few go into as great of detail as Kevin Macdonald's 2018 documentary film Whitney, which premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Filled with shocking revelations about Houston's upbringing, including shocking allegations that the acclaimed singer was molested as a child, the documentary doesn't hold back in its portrayal of those surrounding her in her rise and subsequent fall from grace in her later years. Houston's family members would later come out saying that the claims were false and found the inclusion of the incident to be dishonest on the filmmakers' part.

Other sections of the 2018 documentary touch on Whitney Houston's marriage to Bobby Brown and how the relationship affected the late singer's music career, the relationship with her parents, and her rise to fame as a chart-topping singer in 1980s.

Rent it here.

Those are all the Whitney Houston movies you can stream or rent right now. Houston's appearance in the made-for-television adaptation of Cinderella would have been included in this list, but unfortunately, the 1997 ABC and Disney production is not available to rent or stream at this time. This is a shame considering the cast, which including Houston, Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander, and several other stars of the era. Maybe it will eventually pop up randomly on Disney+.

Whitney Houston is remembered as one of the most talented and dynamic performers of all time, and Showtime and the BBC celebrated her life with a documentary called Whitney: Can I Be Me that aired back in 2017. Although the documentary was received well by audiences, Houston's former husband Bobby Brown wasn't too happy about it, and he's now suing both Showtime and the BBC.

According a lawsuit filed by attorneys for Bobby Brown and the estate of Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney: Can I Be Me violated their rights with the use of footage without permission. Bobby Brown and his late daughter with Whitney Houston were both featured in the documentary for more than half an hour via footage from Being Bobby Brown.

Being Bobby Brown was a reality show that aired for one season on Bravo back in 2005, showcasing Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, and their daughter. Variety reports that Brown claims he never agreed for footage from the show of him or his daughter to be featured in the Showtime/BBC documentary.

One might think that releases signed for the production of Being Bobby Brown would entitle outside parties to use the footage without the explicit permission of the subjects, but the lawsuit claims that this is not the case. The lawsuit is looking for $2 million from Showtime, the BBC, and a number of other defendants. Interestingly, Whitney: Can I Be Me co-directors Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal are not listed among the defendants.

The suit states that the company that helped create Being Bobby Brown, called B2, was actually dissolved following the show's airing on Bravo, meaning that certain of the defendants had no rights to the footage and therefore could not have licensed it to Showtime and BBC for the purposes of the documentary.

The co-directors did reach out to Bobby Brown back in 2016 in the hopes of bringing him in front of a camera for a new interview to be included in Whitney: Can I Be Me. That did not happen, despite Nick Broomfield's assurances that the interview was "an opportunity for him to tell his story from the heart," as the goal was to create "a positive piece that explains the life of Whitney in a loving and enlightening way."

Whitney: Can I Be Me debuted back in April 2017 with a premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. While that may have seemed like a natural time to release a documentary that was bound the generate buzz, the lawsuit alleges that the April premiere at Tribeca happened because the defendants wanted to generate positive buzz months before the Showtime debut in August and before Bobby Brown's attorneys could protest.

We'll have to wait and see if Bobby Brown's lawsuit is successful. Whitney: Can I Be Me is far from the only Whitney Houston-based documentary produced in the wake of her death back in 2012, and a documentary released earlier in 2018 alleged that Houston was molested as a child, although the sister of the accused molester doesn't believe the allegations. Only time will tell what comes next with regard to the legacy of Whitney Houston.

Past the hour mark in Kevin Macdonald's acclaimed documentary Whitney, released earlier this summer, a bombshell drops. At that moment in the film, several family and friends of the late singer Whitney Houston reveal that she was allegedly molested by Dee Dee Warnick, her cousin, as a child. It is a heartbreaking confession, and one that proves to be among the documentary's most revealing and devastating moments. It is also, unquestionably, the moment that has drawn the most controversy since the movie first made its official premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Dee Dee Warwick passed away in 2008, which makes it impossible to hear her side of the story. But Dionne Warwick believes these allegations made against her sister are not only incorrect, but "evil." In a recent interview, Dionne claims that these allegations are basically slander, and she believes that the documentary is promoting falsehoods against her sibling. Here's what Dionne Warwick said about the allegations presented against her late sister.

Dionne Warwick's perspective was presented in an interview she provided with Larry King Now. In the conversation, Dionne admits to being "shocked" by the accusations found in the documentary. She went as far as to say that she'd "never, ever forgive those who perpetuate this insanity." Whitney was made in cooperation with the Houston family, and the allegations made in the film were presented by Mary Jones, Whitney Houston's long-time assistant, and Whitney's brother Gary Garland-Houston, who both tearfully claim the late musician confided this information in secret before her untimely death. Garland-Houston, meanwhile, also claimed he was molested by a female member of the family during this segment in the movie.

Whitney Houston never spoke publicly about this alleged incident, but Mary Jones claims that it had long-term consequences for her friend. The assistant suggests this moment early in Houston's life caused the musician to question her sexuality, and that it might've contributed to Whitney's troubled history with drug and alcohol abuse. It is a heartbreaking moment that provides a new perspective on Whitney Houston's already-tragic life, but Dionne Warwick doesn't believe these allegations hold any credibility, and she believes it's dishonest for the filmmakers to make these allegations.

You can hear Dionne Warwick's comments on Larry King Now below.

Whitney is still playing in limited theaters. Whitney Houston passed away on February 11th, 2012 in the Beverly Hills Hotel. The cause of death was ruled to be an accidental drowning in the bathtub. Houston's history of heart disease and drug use might've contributed to her early death. She was 48 years old, and she is far from forgotten.

This weekend, Whitney Houston's tragically short life with be celebrated, commemorated and explored in the intimate new documentary Whitney. The documentary offers no shortage of revealing and heartbreaking details, but it also allows audiences around the world to remember -- or, perhaps, be introduced -- Houston's great, unprecedented musical legacy. In the spirit of celebrating Whitney Houston, Jada Pinkett Smith offered throwback photos to her social media followers. Along with a heartfelt message commemorating the undeniable singing talent, Smith offered another glimpse of Whitney Houston's private life. Take a look at these previously never-before-seen Whitney Houston/Jada Pinkett Smith photos.

As Jada Pinkett Smith admits in the caption for these photos, which she claims were taken during Jaden Smith's baby shower decades earlier, Whitney Houston had a natural candor, and Jada Pinkett Smith celebrated the world-renowned musician for being so present in the moment. There weren't many people like Whitney Houston in the world -- famous or otherwise -- and Jada Pinkett Smith admits that she was taken by Whitney Houston's ability to be so open and accepting and real during that brief time they were together in their lives. While Jada Pinkett Smith doesn't have too many memories with Whitney Houston, at least she has these photos with the music legend.

In recent months, Jada Pinkett Smith has become more forthcoming about herself, her celebrity status and her life thanks to her Facebook talk show series, Red Table Talk. Jada recently opened up, for example, about her struggles with hair loss in recent years. She has also allowed guests to be forthcoming about themselves as well. In a recent episode, Jada Pinkett Smith had special guest Tiffany Haddish on, and the fellow Girls Trip star discussed the time she got stood up by Drake, which cost her a whole lot of money. How much money? She says around $100,000. Yikes.

Meanwhile, Kevin Macdonald's documentary Whitney, arriving in theaters starting tomorrow, is also earning attention for a shocking revelation it makes about Whitney Houston's early life, with the film making allegations that Houston was molested as a child. The powerful documentary is not with some other revelations about Houston's life, from her childhood to her rising career status to her devastating death in the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 11th, 2012 at the age of 48 when she drowned in a bathtub. Houston was also recently in the news thanks to Pusha-T's controversial album cover for his latest studio album, Daytona, which featured a once-private photo of Whitney Houston's disheveled bathroom. Kanye West reportedly spent $85,000 for the photo, which was a last-minute decision for the famous and controversial album producer.

Whitney plays in theaters across the country this weekend. We'll keep you posted on more developments right here at CinemaBlend.

Whitney Houston left us too soon at the age of 48. The chart-topping musician left behind a legion of adoring fans and a legacy that won't soon be topped. The wide-range singer also left behind something personal: her own bible, which is now currently on sale for a hefty price. Indeed, if you're looking to read the good book owned by the musician herself during her short life, you can acquire it for $95,000.

The personalized bible is being put on sale by Moments in Time, according to TMZ. Its authenticity can be traced to Whitney Houston's personal handwriting, which is found throughout the holy book. Photo evidence proves the book belonged to The Bodyguard actress, as it contained personalized life events documented. For instance, under marriage, Whitney Houston jotted down her name as well as Robert B. Brown, a.k.a. Bobby Brown, on July 18th, 1992. Under births, it also lists the late Bobbi K. Kristina and her birthday, March 4th, 1993. These dates match up with Whitney Houston's life.

The book was left in Whitney Houston's home from 2009 to 2011, the year before she left this world. The bible was found in a box alongside some clothes and CDs by the trash after she evacuated the house. The landlord found these miscellaneous items and he previously signed an NDA. He also contacted the agent of the late musician as well, before he was eventually told he could keep the various households products, if he so wished.

While the landlord ultimately decided to throw away most of Whitney Houston's discarded memorabilia, he kept the bible because he thought it was "interesting." Eventually, if he makes nearly a million dollars from it, it'll make him a pretty penny too. The house was sold in 2012, meanwhile. It was a Newport Beach luxury rental.

This landlord's decision to sell off the personalized bible comes at any interesting time for Whitney Houston's legacy. A new documentary about the musician, entitled Whitney, recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last month. It's scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on July 7th. The new film from director Kevin Macdonald earned controversy for claiming that the singer was molested as a child. Additionally, Whitney Houston was recently in the news when Pusha-T recently his newest studio album, Daytona, produced by Kanye West, which featured a snapshot of Whitney Houston's disorganized bathroom. It should be noted that the bathroom in this once-private photo reportedly was found in a different household than the one mentioned above. Kanye West reportedly spent $85,000 for that photo. Evidently, that's less than what this landlord wants for Whitney Houston's very own bible. If you have enough money and want to buy it for yourself, you can place your bid in the link above.

Kanye West is no stranger to controversy, especially these days on social media. In the midst of voicing his not-necessarily-popular thoughts on Twitter, West is putting together a bunch of music too, including Pusha T's newest studio album Daytona--__which came out today. Pusha T's latest collection of music is unfortunately earning more notice for his cover art than its tracks, as the album cover is a picture of Whitney Houston's messy bathroom from a 2006 drug binge. Kanye West reportedly spent upwards of $85,000 for the photo to be used and displayed. Naturally, as you'd expect, it's certainly earning a reaction online. First, here's a picture of the new cover art, released (of course) on Kanye West's Twitter page.

The new album -- which, as Kanye West notes above, is one of several that the popular rapper is working on right now -- wasn't originally going to have this photo at the forefront. It was apparently at Kanye's insistence that the image of Whitney Houston's bathroom was used. As Pusha-T told Entertainment Weekly, this new, controversial decision "definitely does match the energy of my new album," although it wasn't what they originally had in mind. Pusha-T admits it was a last-minute change by Kanye West, who felt the original art work didn't fit what they were going for with this newest work. And by last minute, I truly mean last minute; the change happened at 1 AM on Tuesday.

Clearl Kanye West's mind is never at rest-- he's seemingly always tinkering a bit. In any case, Pusha-T described the Whitney Houston picture that is framed in front of his newest album, and why he feels it accurately represents what he hopes to achieve with this newest collection of music.

The picture was reportedly taken by one of Whitney Houston's family members, and it was published in the National Enquirer in 2006, as Whitney Houston continued to struggle with her drug addiction. Meanwhile, Whitney Houston is also in the news again for the recently-premiered documentary Whitney, which made its official debut at the Cannes Film Festival last week. It's earning attention, in large part, because the movie claims the famous singer was reportedly molested as a young child. The documentary, directed by Kevin Macdonald, is scheduled to be released on July 7th. Whitney Houston was 48 years old when she passed away on February 11th, 2012.

Six years have passed since Whitney Houston left this world at 48 years old, but she is far from forgotten. The late musician is remembered in Kevin Macdonald's upcoming documentary, Whitney, which made its official premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this morning. It is earning acclaim as a tribute and fine portrait of the chart-topping musical superstar who was tragically taken from us far too soon, but it also reportedly reveals some devastating discoveries about Whitney Houston's upbringing. As it is disclosed in the new film, according to early reports from audience members who saw it today during its much-anticipated debut, Whitney Houston was allegedly molested as a child by her cousin, Dee Dee Warnick.

This heartbreaking discovery is disclosed by friends and family members of Whitney Houston. According to Page Six, Whitney -- which was made in cooperation with the Houston family -- presents these allegations three-quarters into the new documentary, and that it gives the entire film a different perspective. Mary Jones, Houston's long-time assistant, claims the late singer told her this information before she passed away. Moreover, Jones believes this moment early in Whitney's life caused Houston to question her own sexuality, and it might've lead or contributed to Whitney's troubled history with drug abuse later in life. Additionally, Whitney Houston's brother, Gary Garland-Houston, also claims he was molested by a female member of the family, and he says his sister was abused too. Dee Dee Warnick, a fellow singer, passed away in 2008. She was 18 years older than Whitney, and Houston never spoke publicly about this alleged incident.

Producer Simon Chinn told Page Six that he believes it's important to reveal this information to the public through his film, and that the movie is crucial to understanding who Whitney Houston was as a person before she left us so soon.

Whitney Houston passed away in the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 11th, 2012. The cause of death was ruled to be an accidental drowning in a bathtub. Houston's history of heart disease and drug use were also ruled as contributing factors in her untimely demise. Houston is best known and remember for her iconic single "I Will Always Love You," which was featured prominently in her own film, The Bodyguard, from 1993. It is the fifth highest-selling single in world history. Whitney Houston was remembered by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who also tragically passed away in 2015. She was also found unresponsive in a bath tub and died in a coma six months later.

Whitney is scheduled to enter theaters on July 7th. In addition to this summer documentary, Whitney Houston's life was immortalized in a 2015 Lifetime biopic, also called Whitney, which was directed by Angela Bassett -- Whitney Houston's co-star in 1995's popular adaptation of Waiting to Exhale -- in the actress's directorial debut.

Director Lawrence Kasdan's The Bodyguard was a legitimate smash hit when it was released back in 1992, not only making a stunning $411 million worldwide, but also getting Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" drilled into the minds of pretty much everyone on the planet. That was a full 25 years ago, but the folks over at Lionsgate are betting on you remembering -- as you can see from this new poster for the upcoming comedy The Hitman's Bodyguard.

If that blue-tinted image looks somewhat familiar, it's because the new R-rated comedy from director Patrick Hughes is taking advantage of its familiar title and directly parodying the marketing art for The Bodyguard in its new poster -- replacing Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston with stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. It's actually an incredibly detailed send-up, as the Hitman's Bodyguard actually went as far as to use the exact same background and font, changing only a pronoun in the tagline featured on the left side. Be as surprised as we were by the fidelity by checking them out side by side:

But it doesn't stop there, as this actually isn't the first time that The Hitman's Bodyguard has directly parodied The Bodyguard... and I say that recognizing that the marketing campaign for the new movie has been around for less than a full week. A few days ago the internet got its first look at the Samuel L. Jackson/Ryan Reynolds two-hander in the form of a red band trailer, and what did the footage feature on the soundtrack? If you guessed Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," then you're goddamn right.

The ridiculous, F-bomb heavy trailer for The Hitman's Bodyguard is embedded below for your reviewing pleasure.

The Hitman's Bodyguard, which is based on a script by Tom O'Conner and has actually been in development for quite a long time, features Ryan Reynolds as an elite bodyguard who finds himself with a very strange new assignment. One of the world's greatest hitmen (Samuel L. Jackson) is set to testify in front of the International Court of Justice, but has been himself targeted for assassination. As you would expect, their personalities clash, but they wind up needing each other to stay alive. Salma Hayek, Elodie Yung, Gary Oldman and Joaquim de Almeida co-star, and the action-comedy is set to be out in theaters on August 18th. Prepare for a lot more Bodyguard parodies between now and then.

Over the last few years, hologram technology has allowed artists to spice up performances on the stage by seemingly bringing people back to life. Michael Jackson appeared in hologram form at the Billboard musical awards. Tupac made an impromptu appearance at Coachella. Recently, we learned that NBC’s The Voice had a special hologram appearance featuring Whitney Houston planned, but unfortunately, we won’t get to see what a Whitney hologram might look like on the small screen. Reports this weekend indicate Houston’s family ultimately decided to cut the hologram due to concerns about its quality. More below.

Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston were reportedly set to sing a medley of the late singer’s hits, but Whitney’s family eventually put the kibosh on the whole deal because the hologram wasn’t up to snuff. In fact, her family is saying the hologram simply looked nothing like Whitney Houston and thus did not earn their stamp of approval, meaning this had nothing to do with the performance itself. Telling NBC to shove off? That’s some real power.

If you've been keeping tabs on the series, rumors over the past few days had been swirling regarding a proposed duet between Whitney Houston and The Voice’s judge Christina Aguilera. Aguilera’s performed on the NBC singing competition numerous times during its run, so that’s old hat, but throwing in a hologram of a deceased diva singer meant The Voice had our attention. Unfortunately, TMZ is now confirming the rumors that a hologram performance was planned on the NBC series, but unfortunately, we won’t actually get to see it.

The “surprise” was set for this Monday’s finale of The Voice, meaning I bet there are some creative types scrambling to figure out what else to do to make the Season 10 finale a little more special than the average episode. I don’t know how long it takes to achieve the hologram effects, but theoretically, there are a lot of dead singers that would be awesome to see Christina Aguilera duet with should their families wish to see said artists live on in that sort of capacity. I'm guessing this might be a gimmick we may need to wait until at least next season for, however.

The Voice finale airs Monday night at 8 p.m. ET, only on NBC. Don't fret though, the veteran series has already been renewed for Season 11, and Miley Cyrus will feature prominently as a judge. Whether or whether not a hologram will make an appearance remains to be seen.

For now, if you want to find out what the networks have coming up this summer after all our regular programs have ended, you can check out our summer TV premiere schedule.

Hollywood professionals can take inspiration from a variety of sources, be they cartoons, consumer products, or even real life figures, there's always something to keep the creative wheels turning. Actors especially need inspiration, as it can help them turn a good performance into a great one. Just ask Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who recently admitted there are two things he likes to use when it comes to developing character, one of which is key to any good actor's toolbox: the music that makes him cry.

In a recent New York Times interview, Johnson admitted that when he needs to work up a good cry in a somber scene, there's one piece of music that really brings out the water wroks, Whitney Houston's "Didn't We Almost Have It All?" 

Music apparenlty breaks down the savage beast within Johnson, and when the San Andreas star hears Houston's 1987 ballad, it breaks something loose inside. Now, bear with us, as we haven't heard it in a while – and we're guessing you haven't either. That in mind, let's take a listen to a nostalgic piece of '80's romance, shall we?

Yeah... we definitely have to say that we can't blame Dwayne Johnson for reacting the way he does to that one. In fact, the interviewer further commented on how Johnson's face "crumpled into sadness at the end of the sentence," which either means that Johnson is a huge Whitney fan or he's got some particularly somber memories attached to that song. Either way, the man known as "franchise viagra" is going to have to bring some A-game if he's going to overcome the slump he suffered after last year's Hercules bombed at the domestic box office. Otherwise, those tears just might be a little easier to come by outside of a role in a Fast And Furious movie.

For as tough and bad-ass an image as Johnson puts out to the world, he's always just as eager to show how much of a kind-hearted softy he can be when the mood strikes. After all, it's not easy to be the baddest man in the room, and to maintain the killer edge Dwayne Johnson lives so easily upon, sometimes you need to let it all out in the privacy of your own bubble bath listening to your iPod. Although this kind of makes us wonder, what does The Rock listen to when he wants to get pumped up to bust down the doors and pick a fight? Guess we'll have to wait until the Central Intelligence press rounds to find out the answer to that one.

San Andreas hits theaters in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D screenings on Friday, May 30th.

Lifetime premiered another of its made-for-TV movies this weekend. This time it was a flick focusing on diva singer Whitney Houston during her marriage to R&B star Bobby Brown. The Yaya DeCosta and Arlen Escapeta starrer took some criticism before it aired, but that may have only helped the ratings for Whitney. In fact, 4.5 million total viewers tuned in to watch the soapy Lifetime movie on Saturday night.

It helped that there were a few big names involved with Whitney. While Yaya DeCosta is hardly a household name at this point, Houston’s Waiting to Exhale co-star Angela Bassett actually directed the TV movie, which earned the flick some brownie points. This morning, Lifetime reported that the movie also earned 2.2 million total viewers in the 25-54 demographic. In fact, the telecast was so successful, it nabbed the biggest audience Lifetime has achieved since Flowers in the Attic aired a year ago.

Lifetime has done well putting together soapy original programs based on the lives of famous celebrities, including Aaliyah, Brittany Murphy and the upcoming Marilyn Monroe. Houston’s family was noticeably upset about the unauthorized biography, but that didn’t stop people from tuning in for Whitney. Nor did it stop them from sticking around for Bobby Brown: Remembering Whitney and Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances, which also aired on Lifetime that same night.

Whether or not Whitney ended up exceeding the expectations of its fans, there’s no doubt that Lifetime has been able to maintain its reputation as a viable ratings bringer through event programming like the Whitney Houston biopic. While some of these programs—e.g. Whitney—have clearly done better than others—e.g. The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Story— the general idea behind these unauthorized stories is working for the network. Whether or not the families of the stars like it, the female-centric network will likely continue to tell these types of stories in the coming months.

In fact, Lifetime has a miniseries following the relationship between Marilyn Monroe and baseball player Joe DiMaggio in the works. Marilyn will follow the 9-month marriage between the athlete and actress and is expected to hit the schedule in 2015. I’m not sure the Marilyn Monroe story will be able to top Whitney in popularity, but Lifetime is certainly ready to try.

As a TV-viewing world, we’re all aware that a lot of things happening on the idiot box that are purported to be real are, in fact, just a bunch of malarkey. The channel Reelz, which isn’t exactly known for its journalistic integrity, airs a series called Autopsy: The Last Hours of…, which focuses on non-natural deaths of celebrities and features “experts” and other people involved with the celebs. One episode involved the death of Whitney Houston, but allegedly the person the show said was Whitney’s drug dealer was only an actor manufacturing a story at the behest of producers. Is nothing real in the world?!? Not even this suspicious looking drug dealer?!?

This might not come as a surprise to anyone, as the world of reality TV has had more than a few of its secrets revealed over the years. But still, this guy was presented as the person who gave her the drugs that assumedly led to her death. There’s a certain amount of “non-bullshit” that needs to be involved with such a thing, but Adam Carolla and his Adam Carolla Show podcast squad talked to the actor himself, named Brian, who alleges that his entire involvement was a sham that he improvised the details for. And he claims this isn’t even the first time he’s done it. Here’s part of Brian’s resume, when he’s not acting in porn videos.

That’s right, in the very same episode, Brian also did a phone interview as the pop singer’s limo driver. Brian described to Carolla his part in the “documentary,” including the manner in which he supposedly got the drugs to Houston, which involved an elaborate autograph ruse. Here’s how he responded when asked who came up with that story.

It almost was a movie, really. These kinds of series are often exploitative, but knowing that there’s something of a cottage industry for fake drug dealers is rather disconcerting. To make matters even seedier, Brian alleges the production company that hired him didn't let Brian's interviewers in on the fact that they were talking to an actor.

Brian's interviewers may not have been clued in by their bosses, but Brian claims he was given pretty specific acting advice like "be heartless," and urged to behave in a way that made him seem like a complete asshole. Brian apparently behaved that way towards everyone, since he wasn't even sure which interviewers were in on it or not.

Brian says that even though he came up with a lot of the fake facts used in the "documentary" he didn't get a writing credit, and didn't get paid for the job, which there's probably a union for.

Check out more of what Carolla and Brian talked about in the podcast here. The first chunk is mostly devoted to that Reelz episode, but it’s around the seven-minute mark when they actually get into the falsities.

And now take a peek at the Reelz preview for the "not for Reelz" episode below.

Here’s hoping Lifetime’s upcoming Whitney Houston biopic is a little more up front about when it’s trying to swindle our belief systems.

Angela Bassett isn’t the first person we might expect to see directing a TV movie. Nonetheless, her Whitney Houston biopic seems to really be getting off the ground, with Yaya DaCosta in the lead role. This week, Lifetime premiered the first picture of DaCosta glammed out like Whitney Houston, and the similarities are pretty striking.

Whitney Houston is set to follow the height of Whitney Houston’s singing fame during the time of her well-chronicled and tumultuous relationship with singer Bobby Brown. The couple were married for fifteen years, in a relationship that saw them both exhibit increasingly bizarre behaviors in public. Drug use was also a prominent portion of their relationship before the couple’s eventual divorce in 2007.

Whitney Houston was found dead of an overdose in a hotel bathroom just a few short years later, in 2012. Despite her troubled romance and the tragic nature of her death, Houston left behind a legacy that includes such hits as “I Will Always Love You,” “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” From the looks of the first photograph from Bassett’s new movie, all spotlights will be on DaCosta as she plays a shining star, rather than a glimmering one.

According to EW, the biopic has just started filming, but producers were able to get DaCosta into a room to recreate the cover of Houston’s iconic 1987 album, in which big hair and bold lips reign supreme.

The former America’s Next Top Model contestant is very sharp-looking in the recent photograph, but she lacks some of the joy de vivre Whitney Houston effortlessly exhibited in photographs. Still, her smile is nearly a dead ringer, and she seems capable of pulling off Houston in the role. Whitney Houston should bring plenty of eyeballs over to Lifetime when it is released. Fans of the singer still abound, and her romance with Bobby Brown is legendary. The movie is not expected to debut until 2015, with DaCosta playing Houston, Arlen Escarpeta playing Bobby Brown and Yolanda Ross playing the singer’s longtime friend Robyn Crawford.

When it does see the air, it's likely to be consumed by quite a few people. Houston's fans are as passionate as ever, and given how larger than life and double take crazy her relationship with Brown often was, it should be a very entertaining few hours. We’ll let you know as soon as Lifetime announces an official premiere date. Until then, put on your favorite Whitney Houston track and remember the good old days when everyone thought she would be the biggest star in the world for decades.

Angela Bassett's certainly better known as an actor than she is as a director, but it looks like she'll be taking some time out from in front of the camera to helm a TV movie based on the life of Whitney Houston. Lifetime announced plans today for an original movie, tentatively titled Whitney Houston, which will be directed by Houston's Waiting to Exhale co-star Angela Bassett.

Whitney Houston is set up to tell the love story of the late singing icon Whitney Houston and her husband Bobby Brown. Lifetime has the film set for a 2015 world premiere. The story will focus on Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's relationship from the first time they met, at the very height of their celebrity, to their courtship and tumultuous marriage. And it sounds like the movie will emphasize both the rewards and the consequences that came with their success and fame achieved by Houston, who was not only a singer, but also an actress, a producer and model.

“I have such regard for both Whitney’s and Bobby’s amazing talents and accomplishments; and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story,” said Bassett. “Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I’m beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world.”

Given the controversy surrounding Brown and Houston's relationship over the years, not to mention the tragic death of Houston in 2012, there's sure to be an audience for a dramatization of Whitney Houston's story. It'll be especially interesting to see how Bassett approaches the subject matter. Not only did Bassett star alongside Houston in Waiting to Exhale, but she also has some notable experience with biopics related to controversial celebrities. Bassett played the role of Michael Jackson's mother Katherine Jackson in the TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream, and she played Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It.

At Lifetime, Bassett's biopic experience is a lot more recent, as she starred alongside Mary J. Blige in last year's original movie Betty & Coretta, in which Bassett and Blige played Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, wives of Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. It's actually Betty & Coretta scribe Shem Bitterman who's penning the script for Whitney Houston

On the directorial side, the only thing listed among Bassett's credits is a movie called Book of the Year, about a novelist trying to deal with fame. The status on that isn't listed, however, so the Whitney Houston Lifetime movie may be the first opportunity we get to see how Bassett works behind the camera.

We'll be especially interested to see who's cast in the roles of Whitney and Bobby. Will the movie aim for newcomers, or will they seek some more seasoned actors to play the role of the to artists? We'll be sure to keep you posted once more updates emerge. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Whitney Houston, which is slated for a 2015 debut.

Celebrity gossip fans and Whitney Houston supporters may collectively still be a little uncomfortable with the idea of Nippy’s daughter dating Nick Gordon on account of them kinda sorta being raised as brother and sister, but Bobbi Kristina Brown herself is as on board with the decision as ever. In fact, she and Gordon recently decided to put some legal bells on their relationship by taking the biggest step toward serious town possible. No, they didn’t have a kid. So, I guess they took the second biggest step toward serious town possible. They got married.

Exactly when and where the union happened aren’t exactly clear. According to E! Online, Brown made an off-handed reference to her hubby back in November and then today, she tweeted this snazzy picture of some rings embedded below…

In case if you’re not sold on that ring picture, the couple’s publicist officially confirmed the secret wedding in a more conventional statement to various outlets. Unfortunately, exactly zero details were given as part of that confirmation; so, fans are left to guess exactly how long these two have officially been husband and wife. For their sake, I hope it’s quite awhile. After all, couples who can get through their first few months drama free are more likely to stay together, according to common sense assumptions I’m willing to make.

Contrary to what Bobbi and Nick would have you believe, this relationship is weird. Dating someone who moved into your house before you both hit puberty is weird whether your mother formally adopted him or not, but odd doesn’t necessarily equate with foolish or wrong or stupid. In fact, following Whitney’s tragic death, Gordon was supposedly the one who really helped the grieving daughter get over some of her issues. So, at least in some ways, he’s exactly the man she needs.

You know that moment at trainwreck weddings in which you secretly hope either the bride or the groom doesn’t say “I Do” and instead walks out? Well, that moment is gone. These two walked down the aisle; so, now, the best thing to do is to be supportive and hope for the very best. So, in keeping with that, Pop Blend’s sincerest well-wishes go out to the happy couple. Here’s to hoping they stay together for the rest of their lives.

A little more than two years ago, Whitney Houston passed on at the age of forty-eight. Her death was an unexpected tragedy, and in her wake, she left a sea of potential and a teenage girl who really needed her mother. In the time since, her fans have grieved, wondered what-if and at times, gotten mad at Whitney herself for never completely kicking the habit that almost killed her. For one single day, however, is worth putting aside all that frustration and focusing on what actually was.

Whitney Houston’s voice was an incredible gift. For more than twenty years, she thrilled fans with her unique talent and her captivating stage presence. She hit notes no one else could, and she opened our hearts like few performers are capable of doing. She was also a talented actress and one of the greatest reality television personalities of all time. She could have done anything she set her mind too. Thank God she mostly settled on singing because the catalog she left behind, while not expansive enough, still offers more than its share of thrills, shudders and “how did she’s…”.

Today, Whitney would have been fifty years old. In her honor, we’ve decided to embed five of her classic videos below. You may not have time to listen to all of them right now, but do yourself a favor and fire up at least one. It will brighten your day and momentarily honor a woman who brought a lot of smiles to a lot of faces.

“I Will Always Love You”…

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”…

“How Will I Know”…

“Star Spangled Banner”…

“I Look To You”…

Last year, Whitney Houston was the scheduled entertainer at renowned music mogul Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party. Unfortunately, she passed away just hours before she was scheduled to perform, shocking not only her friends and family members but also music fans around the world. This year, Davis is once again moving forward with his pre-Grammy party, though his guest list doesn’t exactly sit well with Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston.

According to Access Hollywood, Cissy got an invitation in the mail for Davis’ party earlier this year, and she is furious about it. Calling his thought process “obscene”, the still-grieving mother recently went public with her complaints. Here’s a portion of her statement…

It’s easy to see why Cissy is so pissed off. She’s not really friends with Davis. She wouldn’t ordinarily get invited to his party; so, from her perspective, the invitation is just one deranged reminder of the circumstances of her daughter’s death. On the other hand, it’s easy to see where Clive is coming from. Whitney died right before his party last year, and he decided to continue the tradition. He probably wants to think of this year as being in honor of Whitney, and what better way to do that than to invite her mom?

What do you think? Was inviting Cissy poor form? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…

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From Whitney Houston to Kurt Cobain, a large number of very influential musicians have died young. Fans and experts have been discussing, analyzing and sometimes even glorifying the premature demises for decades, but thanks to a comprehensive new study published in the British Medical Journal, we now know it’s far stranger that Cobain perished young than Houston.

According to the BBC, the chances of a popular solo artist dying prematurely are more than twice as high as the chances of a member of a popular band. Examining the careers of 1,400 musicians who achieved high levels of success between 1956 and 2006, the study found one out of every ten European and one in five American solo artists passed well before their time from a variety of factors including drug use and heart disease likely brought on by heavy partying and/ or the rigors of touring.

In addition to the mortality rates, the study also looked into the childhoods of those who died. More than half publically reported being abused as a child, witnessing domestic violence, having a close relative with mental illness or some other indicator of an unhappy childhood. For those who died of drug or alcohol abuse, the percentage was more than four out of every five. To the authors of the study, that indicates a healthy percentage of musicians may choose music as a way to escape the difficulty of their upbringings.

A settlement between Bobbi Kristina Brown and Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy and sister-in-law Pat has reportedly been struck as to how the eighteen-year-old will receive the inheritance from her mother. The original schedule called for Nippy’s daughter to net approximately two million dollars on her twenty-first birthday, four million on her twenty-fifth birthday and the rest of the twenty million dollar estate at age thirty, but thanks to her much publicized personal problems, will executors Cissy and Pat Houston filed a motion trying to get a judge to alter the schedule.

According to TMZ, the specifics of the settlement haven’t been made public, but sources close to the situation are saying not much has changed. Whether Cissy and Pat didn’t think they could win a court battle or whether Bobbi Kristina promised to be sensible is unclear, but either way, the court proceedings won’t be moving forward, which is a bit odd considering the other rumors floating around.

Last week, the new Houston Family reality show debuted, and what was expected to be a family ensemble largely turned into an examination of Bobbi Kristina’s personal problems. The eighteen-year-old was shown drinking against her family’s wishes and announcing an engagement to a boy she was raised in the same house with. Sources close to the show have said the drinking has gotten worse since production wrapped.

Pop Blend’s sincerest thoughts go out to the entire Houston clan as they try to get over Whitney’s loss. Here’s to hoping Bobbi Kristina makes wise choices whenever she gets the money.

After years of watching Whitney Houston’s many battles in the public eye, people learned to expect pretty much anything from the deceased pop star and her ex-husband Bobby Brown, but even with that experience, I’m not sure anyone was ready for what was revealed on last night’s debut episode of Houstons: On Our Own. The reality show featuring the late singer’s surviving family members turned into an essay on daughter Bobbi Kristina’s many problems. The nineteen-year-old was shown drinking, ignoring family orders and announcing her engagement to Nick Gordon, who other family members consider Bobbi’s brother.

Given the nature of reality television, a case could be made that some of these concerns were played up for ratings, but if TMZ is to be believed, there’s nothing fake about Bobbi’s drinking problem. She’s allegedly surrounded herself with many of the same enablers who did nothing while Whitney plunged further into the abyss, and in the months since season one stopped filming, the mess has reportedly gotten even worse. The Houston family is mulling over possible options as far as getting Krissy the help they think she needs, but at this point, nothing has been decided for sure.

With a brilliant voice and amazing charisma, Whitney overflowed with talent, and her death was not only a great loss to her family but to society as a whole. It would be a real tragedy if Bobbi wandered too far down that same path before she was able to find out what she has to offer. Here’s to hoping any problems that may be present clear themselves up soon.

Just six months after his famous ex-wife died with drugs in her system, pop star Bobby Brown has checked into rehab. The forty-three-year-old seemingly had his longtime battle with drugs and alcohol under control until about a month and a half after Whitney’s death when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in the middle of the afternoon. Clearly, that traffic stop was indicative of a larger problem.

According to Radar Online, his stay was announced by his wife and manager Alicia Etheredge who says her husband is responding very well to the treatment for his alcoholism. If all goes well, Brown should be able to get back on the road with his buddies from New Edition in just a few short months. Rumor has it they were instrumental in getting him to check into the facility; so, his progress must be especially comforting to them.

With one parent already gone far too soon, Bobbi Kristina Brown deserves a father who is around for as long as possible. There’s no reason why Bobby can’t accomplish as much, but in order to do so, he needs to get on the straight and narrow and start making healthy choices.

Here’s to hoping this stay in rehab is exactly what Brown needs to kick the demons to the curb once and for all. There’s no greater high than making people smile, and with his voice, Brown can cheer up thousands at once.

Looking for a special way to honor her late mother, Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobbi Kristina decided to get a little ink. The nineteen-year-old and her adopted brother/ boyfriend Nick Gordon hit up the Inksomnia Tattoo parlor in Alpharetta, Georgia last night to get matching tributes etched on their wrists, and if the resulting Twitter photo is any indication, the two are more than pleased with their decision.

Featuring Whitney’s initials surrounded by four doves and two small crosses, the artwork is a bit aggressive, but it’s still relatively classy. You can take a look at both tattoos below, courtesy of Bobbi Kristina’s instagram…

According to The New York Daily News, the excursion to the tattoo shop was filmed for the couple’s upcoming reality show The Houston Chronicles. Whether the artwork was Nick and Bobbi’s idea or the producers is unknown, but either way, the results should serve as nice reminders of the woman they both loved so much.

It’s been almost six months since Whitney passed, but the singer remains as popular as ever. Her music is still selling very well, and the last movie she filmed, Sparkle, will hit theaters on August 17th. The Houston family will be there, and with so many devoted fans looking for ways to remember the legend, it seems likely a whole lot of other people will be there too.

Fourteen years ago, Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy wrote a memoir entitled How Sweet The Sound. With her daughter now gone and so much more to say, she’s decided to pen another book, this one focused on Whitney’s life, legacy and struggles. The work is still untitled, but Harper Collins has already agreed to publish it, aiming for a February release.

According to The New York Daily News, no one is publicly talking about how much the deal might net Cissy herself, but rumors are flying she’ll likely receive more than a million dollars. That’s good money for a year’s worth of work, and if the memoir sells well, there’s another group beyond Harper Collins that will benefit too. Some of the profits will reportedly go to the New Hope Baptist Church. Cissy has run the children’s choir there for decades, and Whitney was raised singing inside its walls.

Here’s a look at what Cissy had to say about the upcoming work…

The quality of a memoir is always directly related to how honest the writer is willing to be. Houston’s personal struggles have been well documented. If Cissy is able to be candid about those in addition to celebrating her daughter’s many wonderful achievements, the resulting book should be an engaging read. If it evolves into a fluff piece about a perfect child, it’s unlikely the world will take notice. We shall see once excerpts start being released early next year.

Whitney Houston’s family might have attended the Billboard Music Awards last night to pay tribute to the departed singer, but apparently, they spent a good portion of the evening causing drama. At least that’s what is being alleged by several people who were there and supposedly watched Pat Houston try to have Ray J arrested.

It’s no secret certain members of the Houston family don’t think Ray J was the best influence on Whitney. The singer had drugs in her system when she died, and given she spent loads of time with Ray J the last few months of her life, some have decided he must have been an enabler. There’s no hard evidence to support that claim, but alas, the grudge reportedly exists and reared its head last night after they were all seated together.

According to E! Online, the Houston family wanted Ray J to change seats prior to the Whitney tribute. He supposedly refused, prompting the family to try and have security remove him. TMZ claims Pat Houston was told that could lead to an altercation caught on tape, at which point, she supposedly calmed down and decided to move forward without incident.

A publicist for the Houston family has already denied any confrontation happened. Whether that’s true or not, this whole thing would seem to confirm there is bad blood between the two parties. Regardless, Whitney got her tribute without any fisticuffs, and that’s probably all that matters.

Following Whitney Houston’s death, the singer’s ex-husband Bobby Brown made his own share of headlines. He angrily stormed out of her funeral over unfair seating arrangements, and a little more than a month ago, he was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence. To some, his behavior was seen as further evidence he was the one who corrupted his talented and beautiful former wife, but in a new sitdown interview with Matt Lauer scheduled to run Wednesday on Today, Brown emphatically denies being the reason Houston passed on far too early.

For decades, there’s been a perception that Whitney was largely a straight shooter until she met Bobby and married him in 1992. A daughter followed a year later, as did reality shows, stints in rehab and more brushes with police, but Brown is adamant his ex-wife had her problems before the two even met at the Soul Train Awards in ’89. Here’s what he told Lauer…

Regardless of where each of their problems began, the couple spent years abusing drugs at the same time, but it ultimately took viewings of their own reality show for each to realize how far their marriage had crumbled. They later divorced in 2007 but occasionally still spoke afterwards. Brown claims Houston looked great the last time he saw her and had no idea she may have been still secretly struggling with addiction.

To watch the full interview, you can check out Today when you wake up tomorrow. In the meantime, if you’d like to read more quotes from the interview, you can hop on over to MSNBC.

Newark, New Jersey residents may have loved hometown girl gone big Whitney Houston, but that doesn’t mean all of them are excited about footing the bill for her funeral. The pop star’s ceremony reportedly ran up a bill of $187,000, mostly in police overtime. Given the fiscal situation of most cities, that figure isn’t exactly something to be laughed about, especially considering how the families of other deceased celebrities chose to handle their high profile funerals.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Michael Jackson’s funeral was paid for in advance by his estate. The executor wrote a check to the city of Glendale for $150,000 to arrange for officers to work overtime. In addition, AEG paid for the singer’s memorial service in Los Angeles at a cost of more than a million dollars and handed out almost eighteen thousand tickets for fans to attend for free. That disparity in payments, coupled with Houston’s supporters not being allowed to even be on the same block, has not surprisingly irked many residents who are uninterested in their tax dollars supporting private citizens burying a loved one.

Given that the city already agreed to foot the cost, there’s really not much that can be done to rectify the situation. By most accounts, Houston wasn’t exactly rolling in money at the time of her death, and unless her family decides to pay up, the citizens of New Jersey and more specifically Newark will be on the hook for the total amount. Something tells me whenever Bobby Brown passes, his memorial will be handled a bit differently.

What initially looked like a not-particularly-necessary remake of a not-particularly-classic film has taken on new, tragic significance, now that the upcoming Sparkle remake is officially Whitney Houston's final screen performance. Just after the legendary singer died in February the film's producers got out there raving about her performance, which seemed pretty opportunistic. Now the film has a trailer out there so we can see for ourselves, though if you were hoping to see a lot of Whitney, you'll be disappointed. The title character is played by former American Idol contestant Jordin Sparks, after all. Take a look at the action in the trailer below.

Alright, so there is a good bit of Whitney near the end there where she starts crooning, and she does seem to have a fairly meaty role as the mother of an aspiring girl group. But this clearly reads a supporting role, and was clearly going to be intended as such until Houston died, making her presence by far the most marketable thing about the movie. Maybe Jordin Sparks really does establish herself as a star worth watching with her role here, but watching this trailer it's hard not to just think she's getting int he way of the real star.

Sparkle, despite some rumors of a bumped-up release date, is still scheduled to come to theaters in August, and surely by then there will still be plenty of people eager to see Houston's last role. Though the movie itself looks like a slightly sub-Dreamgirls drama, the promise of music, glitz and starpower is pretty hard to resist. Even without Houston's draw, this one might wind up being worth catching.

Whitney Houston’s daughter is trying out a career in acting, and she will start with a role in Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse on TBS. Bobbi Kristina Brown, who recently talked to Oprah Winfrey about her mother’s death and her plans to continue in her footsteps as an entertainer, has been cast in a recurring role on the series.

People reports that Brown will join the cast of For Better or Worse in the series’ second season. It will be her first acting gig; she has only appeared as herself on television in the past, in the documentary Being Bobby Brown and in her recent Oprah interview. The death of Whitney Houston last month put a spotlight on Bobbi, her only child from a troubled marriage to Bobby Brown. I have to wonder how much of that spotlight and the public curiosity about Bobbi Kristina led to the decision to cast her. Certainly it will bring in some viewers who want to see whether she has her mother’s gifts.

There is no word on what role she will play on the series yet, but the family comedy’s second season will premiere in July, so there are only a few more months to wait. Bobbi Kristina has also expressed an interest in a singing career, but apparently she will be taking on acting first. Tyler Perry was a friend of Whitney Houston, and one of the speakers at her funeral, so his casting of her daughter is no surprise. Let’s just hope he isn’t throwing her into the fire.