Whitney Houston Biopic: Angela Bassett Defends Decision to Direct Upcoming Movie
During a recent interview with Huff Post Live, actress Angela Bassett defended her decision to direct and move forward with the upcoming Lifetime biopic about Whitney Houston, despite the backlash she's received from Whitney's family.
Back in July, Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, expressed her objection toward the biopic to Entertainment Tonight.
Cissy Houston released a statement at that time explaining that "no one connected with this movie knew Whitney or anything about her relationship with Bobby," and therefore, should not continue with the production of the film.
"I find it difficult to believe people who knew and supposedly loved her would participate in a movie about her done by folks who didn't know her," she said. "We are exhausted by the continuing misinformation and comments offered by people who did not know her. Please please let her rest."
Entertainment Tonight also noted that Whitney's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was another person in the family who openly objected the film and slammed Bassett via Twitter for not casting her to play the role of her mother.
Though Whitney's family claims those involved in the biopic have no knowledge of Whitney's personal life, Bassett argued that knowing Whitney personally is not a significant factor needed to create the upcoming Lifetime film.
Bassett explained to Huff Post Live that her knowledge of being in actress in Hollywood is sufficient enough to help her direct the movie.
"I know about being a woman, about being a black woman that came up in a little hometown. ... And yet you are able to become a success because of this God-given gift or talent. So I know a little bit about what it might have been like," she said.
Bassett also recalled the "little time" she did spend with the music legend while they starred together in the 1995 film adaptation of Terry McMillan's novel "Waiting to Exhale."
The Houston family has yet to comment on Bassett's response to the biopic.
Lifetime's Whitney Houston biopic will star Yaya DaCosta as Whitney Houston.
Entertainment Tonight reports that the biopic will feature Whitney's music but not her voice. Instead, Deborah Cox will provide the vocals for Whitney's staple songs.
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