The new unofficial Whitney Houston biopic, imaginatively-titled Whitney, has appeared online for the world to see, following its premiere on US TV.
The just-shy-of-90-minute made-for-TV-movie, directed by Angela Bassett, chronicles Whitney Houston’s rise to fame alongside the iconic artist’s turbulent relationship with husband Bobby Brown, up until her untimely death in February 2012.
Fortunately for Lifetime (who aired the biopic), the internet seemed to react warmer than the furore that amassed a similar-styled story regarding Aaliyah back in November (you can watch that here, if you dare)
, however Whitney Houston’s family have abruptly turned their back on the project.
Whitney’s sister-in-law Pat Houston issued a statement prior to the airing yesterday, warning that the film was made without full consent from the singer’s estate (of whom Pat Houston is the president). Check the full statement below; Whitney (the movie), follows just after:
Pat Houston Statement
I say this to all Whitney’s family, friends and fan base: If you watch this movie, watch it knowing that Lifetime is notorious for making bad biopics of deceased celebrities and brace yourself for the worst. You should not be surprised that someone decided to do a made for TV biopic. And, I might add, without the family’s blessing and despite her mother’s request to not do this movie. It happens every day. But misrepresenting the term friendship to advance an agenda is not only disrespectful and dishonest but a slap in the face to her true and loyal friends. You should expect people will always rise to the occasion for prominence and profit – not love, respect or honor. I question the morality of the making of this because of the lack of experience knowing Whitney’s life. Never would Whitney allow her story to be told by an inexperienced team and how naive of anyone to think otherwise, unless you’re caught up in illusions of grandeur that you can just do anything and people will accept it. This made for TV movie is certainly not a trailer to Whitney’s life story.
