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Whitney Houston was a musical icon whose influence extended far beyond radio airwaves and MTV music videos. On top of arguably being the most iconic female singer of all time, the accomplished performer was also an occasional actress. Through starring in the The Bodyguard to Waiting to Exhale, Houston left behind a legacy of talked-about movies, in addition to now-classic singles that were the staples of their respective soundtracks.
In fact, before her untimely death, Houston had begun shooting another movie due out at the end of this year, Sparkle (pictured above), which follows a successful singing group of three sisters dealing with the fallout of fame and drugs, also starring Jordin Sparks. It would've been her comeback film. While the world replays her records in memory of her powerful voice and contemplates what more she could've done if not for her demons, we're celebrating the greatness of her life by popping in the films that proved how multitalented Houston really was.
Written by Tara Aquino (@t_akino)
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The Bodyguard 1992
The Bodyguard (1992)
In retrospect, a movie marketed as a "romantic-thriller" in which Kevin Costner plays a former C.I.A. agent hired to work as a bodyguard for a music superstar (Whitney Houston) to protect her from a dangerous stalker should've gone straight to TBS. But regardless of its failings, including a Razzie nomination for "Worst Picture," the film provided the platform for Whitney's signature hit, "I Will Always Love You," which eventually led to its soundtrack of the same name winning the Grammy for "Album of the Year."
Waiting to Exhale 1995
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Director Forest Whitaker's romantic chick flick followed four best friends—their backstories ranging from a struggling single mother to an unsettled high-powered career woman—navigating their way through the challenges of their relationships with men and one another. Amongst the all-star cast that included Loretta Divine, Robin Stokes, and Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston held her own. As Savannah Jackson, Houston played a successful television producer clinging onto the hope that the man she is having an affair with will leave his wife for her.
The Preacher's Wife 1996
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
In the family dramedy, Whitney Houston starred opposite Denzel Washington as the titular character. As Julia Biggs, Houston plays the lonely wife of Reverend Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance), who becomes so distracted by his work restoring their underprivileged neighborhood that she begins feeling neglected. Enter Denzel Washington as Dudley, the angel sent by God to serve as the reverend's personal Clarence, who helps Biggs refocus on his family yet inadvertently charms his wife. Ultimately, Dudley must reevaluate his own purpose and attempt to detach himself from Julia Briggs, the woman he had been falling in love with.
Cinderella 1997
Cinderella (1997)
We knew not to expect a masterpiece when we learned that the animated feature Cinderella was re-imagined in live-action as a TV movie with Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg as the King and Queen and parents of a prince played by Filipino actor Paolo Montalban. Fortunately, the musical telefilm was redeemed with Whitney Houston as the eccentric, singing fairy godmother who enchants Cinderella (Brandy) and, of course, dresses her in the glass slipper that eventually changes her entire life.