It just caught [Whitney] at a really high moment or actually created a high moment for her. The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered: Am I good enough? She was only 48 years old. This story has been shared 107,476 times. ", Choking up at the end, he added: "Off you go Whitney, off you go. It was released after Houston's death in 2012. The Bodyguard is Whitney Houston's biggest movie, but it turns out that's not her on the poster. . It was easy for us to laugh," Costner said at Whitney's funeral. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. When she got the starring role in The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner, she was full of insecurity. Costner and Whitney remained close friends for years, and he even spoke at her funeral in 2012. I started [speaking] with the idea that sometimes what you think life will be, it wont be at all, and about what was real between Whitney and me, what we talked aboutbeing in church when we were little, both getting in trouble, about our not wanting to be preachers. Yellowstone star Kevin Costner once opened up about his unique relationship with singer Whitney Houston after her death. On Saturday afternoon (February 18), Whitney Houston was sent to rest by family and friends at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, during a stirring funeral dubbed her Home-Going. QUIZ: How well do you know Whitney Houston's song lyrics? He couldnt keep his eyes off her and went out of his way to make her comfortable in her first film role, a source spills. He continued, "We have a moment of her in that movie we'll never ever forget that and I think that when movies are working at their best, that's what can happen.". It also became Houston's signature song. In the years following The Bodyguard, Houston continued to act in films. ", Costner also took credit for choosing the final image itself, and that it was taken by his photographer friend Ben Glass:"I sent it to Warner Brothers and I go, 'Theres the poster.'". "When movies are working at their very best, they're about moments and images that you'll never ever forget," said Costner. . Whitney Houstons The Bodyguard co-star, Kevin Costner, gave a heartwarming eulogy that brought tears to the eyes of mourners at New Hope Baptist Church. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). "[It was a] very funny, acidic kind of relationship that was unique," he previously told Entertainment Weekly of the script. But Ross ended up turning down the project, and it disappeared again, until little-known Costner read the script. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The poster is also super recognizable, with Costner seemingly carrying Houston in his arms from one of the movies scenes. Costner then held up a mirror in front of Houston, to which she saw her makeup running down her face. Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, they dont have anything in common at all. Well, youd be wrong about that. Kevin Costner Whitney Houston Relationship Costner led Houston during the entire filming process. If God be for you, who can be against you? It sure looked like any fears Houston had about stepping into her first film were proven to be unfounded. While the public sees a finished product with new movies, its always thrilling to get an insider perspective on how the sausage gets made. You set the bar so high that professional singers, your own colleagues, they dont want to sing that little country song what would be the point? Despite being the perfect candidate, Costner was ultimately forced to pass on the role of Andy to shepherd Waterworld to completion," Far Out writes. But it was not a flop.". Her rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" became a huge hit. And so they sent me like five mockups where they put her head [on it] where shes looking [out]. Nobody ever said it out loud, but it was a fair question. I was your pretend bodyguard once not so long ago, and now youre gone too soon, leaving us with memories of a little girl who stepped bravely in front of this church, in front of the ones that loved you first, in front of the ones that loved you best and loved you the longest. Before everyone knew The Bodyguard was You werent just pretty you were as beautiful as a woman could be. It was clear I really had to think about this. And with so many people out there currently thinking about Whitney Houstons legacy and struggles thanks to her recent biopic, smart money says that the 1992 drama is going to be getting plenty of re-watches. The song I Will Always Love You almost wasnt. Writer Lawrence Kasdan wrote the first drafts in 1975, with Diana Ross and Steve McQueen on course to play the leads. ", Aware of the scrutiny she would get as a popstar becoming a Hollywood star, much like Madonna, she worried that "people would dog me before they gave me the opportunity to do the job.". Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly father. But Costner insisted her personal turmoil should not muddy her legacy. Yes, she confessed to Oprah about her searing battles. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. "He said: 'I promise you I will not let you fall. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, In the movie, they end up sizzling in bed. "The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered, 'Am I good enough? When the movie was being filmed, Houston was only 29 years old. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Julia Roberts Made The Biggest Mistake Of Her Career Rejecting An Oscar-Winning Role For A Commercial Flop, Kim Scott Mathers Is Slowly Putting Her Life Back Together After Personal Dramas With Eminem, Where Youve Seen The Cast Of Guillermo Del Toros Cabinet Of Curiosities, 8 Times Musicians Had To Perform Live With Each Other Against Their Will, What Happened Between Brittany Snow And Tyler Stanaland, What These Celebrities Thought Of Bill Burr's Controversial Grammy Speech, Ryan Gosling Stopped Mid-Scene In The Notebook And Asked The Director To Replace Rachel McAdams, 8 Stars Who Fly Commercial Instead Of On Lavish Private Jets, Jackie Chan Wanted To Leave Hollywood And Never Return After He Filmed Rush Hour. The chemistry between them was immediate and powerful.. As he shared: Later: They didnt like it at first because you couldnt see Whitneys face. Michael Ferguson/PHOTOlink.net Newscom/Mega Agency. Tom Cruise was another major name considered for the role. I said Guys, I think we had it the first time. That it was really, and that ended up being the poster. And as such, he was intimately involved in various aspects of its production, including that poster. And people didn't just like you Whitney, they loved you. Whitney Houston was laid to rest in her home state of New Jersey. Houston saw continued success with her third album and sang one of the best renditions of "The Star Spangled Banner" in history. Now the only ones who sing your songs are young girls like you who are dreaming of being you some day. I know many at this moment are thinking, Really? [Laughter from the audience.] At the time, he was already accused of an affair with London-based hat-check girl Sheri Stewart while shooting Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1990. Information about your device and internet connection, like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites and apps. Neither of us could believe the incredible worldwide explosion when it happened, and when she broke that record of seven consecutive number ones, we just felt utter disbelief. He offered his perspective at the time, saying: I picked that picture out because my friend Ben Glass took itI sent it to Warner Brothers and I go, Theres the poster. Because it was so evocative. Maybe some of them you know; maybe some of them you dont. "Whitney, if you could hear me now, I would tell you: You werent just good enough. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. Houston had applied her own makeup, the same thick makeup she wore for her music videos. The film was a huge box office success, with its power ballad-full soundtrack from Whitney selling millions of copies around the world, including her cover of 'I Will Always Love You'. Although A-list actors get the best scripts in Hollywood, this can make things that much more stressful, especially when it comes to choosing the right film. It was. Maybe somebody white. There was a grace that kept on carrying her. Also, actress Christine -Dennard claimed he was -bedding her during his -marriage to Cindy, as did a beautiful Boston public relations pro. It turns out that Kevin Costner and company actually got some pushback over the Bodyguard poster, namely because Whitney Houston wasnt visible. I wanted to impart a bit of the Whitney that I knew, and maybe people could think about her in a different way.. Then, boldly, you stepped into the white-hot light of the world stage, and what you did is the rarest of achievements. It turns out that Kevin Costner and company actually got some pushback over the Bodyguard poster, namely because Whitney Houston wasnt visible. After all, she was an insanely popular recording artist who had generations of fans at the time (and still does). As he shared: On top of starring as Frank Farmer, Kevin Costner was also a producer on The Bodyguard. It was important.. We've received your submission. According to Far Out Magazine, not only was the budget for the film increasing by the day, but the working conditions weren't safe either, as Costner, who was also a producer, was working 12-hour days, six days a week. Taking on Waterworld instead of The Shawshank Redemption wasn't Kevin Costner's best decision. We both grew up in the Baptist church. Paul Phear She asked him what had happened. Costner would help Houston through her fear and give her the encouragement she needed. Heres how it works. But thats actually not the case, as the Yellowstone actor explained to EW: That wasnt even Whitney actually. Yes, she admitted to crises in her life. "The latter film had its own somewhat troubled pre-production history at that point, so delaying the film to accommodate Costner was not an option. Although given how busy Houston presumably was with the movie and her music career, it does make logistical sense. And when you sing before Him, dont you worry youll be good enough. Her voice was unlike any other in popular music at the time. The movie starred Costner as ex Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, who is assigned to serve as a bodyguard for singer Rachel Marron, played by Whitney. Who Inherited Whitney Houston's $20 Million Fortune? . ", Related: What We Know About the Whitney Houston Biopic. The film would go on to gross more than $400 million at the worldwide box office, and the diamond-selling soundtrack spawned Houston's game-changing rendition of [article id="1679201"]"I Will Always Love You,"[/article] the best-selling single of all time. The actor had his own ideas for the film's script, which had been hanging around for nearly 20 years. It wasnt as big as this. Maybe a more experienced actress was the way to go. Tom Holland was guilty of passing on 1917, while Matthew McConaughey rejected Guardians of the Galaxy, in favor of a role he thought would become a franchise in itself with, The Dark Tower but we all know that didn't happen. By Ashley Nickell / March 1, 2022 8:35 am EST. This is how Houston overcame her fear and stepped into the most successful period of her career. Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner worked closely together on the set of The Bodyguard in 1992. . The action sci-fi film was one Kevin Costner took very seriously, and was a passion project for the actor. ", But he quickly realised that no one else could play the character Rachel, and was willing to wait a year for Whitney to accept the role: "I just thought she was that right.". So, when Costner walked into the church for the funeral service, he thought he knew how it would play out, but he revealed that the church was instead electric. Costner goes on to highlight the twos relationship, how they were more similar than many guessed. 670K views 10 years ago Whitney Houston talks about her love for the Lord and the struggles she dealt with in the world. Its almost surreal. The Bodyguard is currently available to rent in places like Amazon, and there was a remake in development. Currently writing and editing for The Things, specializing in TV, Movies Celeb Life, and Reality TV for both writing and editorial work on The Things. Restaurateur Cindys publicist and a waitress at her Pasadena eatery each claimed Kevin came on to them in the early 90s. "At the height of her fame as a singer, I asked her to be my co-star," Costner recalled on Saturday. Cindy flew to Hawaii [where he was shooting Waterworld] with their three children and confronted Kevin where he was carrying on ANOTHER affair with dancer Michelle Amaral, blabs the source. Houston's acting was praised by some reviewers and the film did very well at the box office. Georgia Slater is a writer/reporter on the Parents team at PEOPLE. Her second album included the worldwide hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and once again took Houston to the top of the charts. Houstons first film part had great expectations. "I can see her in my own mind running around here as a skinny little girl knowing everyone, everyone's business, knowing every inch of this place. So what I know about her is that she loved the Lord, and if there was a grace that carried her all the way through, it was the same grace that carried her home. What Happened Between Kevin Costner And Whitney Houston? Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The film forged a strong friendship between Houston and Costner, who attended and spoke at her funeral in 2012. Their 16-year marriage collapsed just two years after he fell for 28-year-old pop megastar Whitney on and off screen in the 1992 movie blockbuster. "The church was what we knew. And it turns out that her iconic poster with Kevin Costner doesnt actually feature Houstin. escorted by an army of angels to your Heavenly Father. At the time, 29-year-old Houston was a celebrated singer but not known for her acting. But another aspect of the film which was rather beautiful, was the close friendship that developed between co-stars Kevin and Whitney. 1pm - 4pm, Sweet Little Mystery As for Kevin Costner, he had a chance to appear in one of the greatest movies ever made. Written by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Mick Jackson, the romantic drama followed Frank Farmer, a Secret Service agent-turned-bodyguard tasked with protecting pop star Rachel Marron from a stalker. "Waterworld had turned from a passion project into a mess, and Costner was carrying most of the burden on his own shoulders," the magazine writes. Instead, her double stood in and got carried by Kevin Costner. This little drumbeat began: You need to say something.'. Double majored in theater and literature during undergrad. He said "Because you're the only one who can sing. When I first walked into that church, it was electric, man. "A lot of leading men could've played my part but you, Whitney, I truelybelieveyou were the only one who could've played Rachel Marron at that time. Download 'I'd Really Love To See You Tonight' on iTunes. Nearly three months after her death, Kevin Costner emotionally reveals their close relationship with an interview with Parade. I would ask her, Are you pinching yourself? And she would say, with wide open eyes, Im pinching myself.. Twenty years later, Houston was unfortunately found dead in her bathtub after drowning due to coronary artery disease and cocaine intoxication. "His own rhythm of language that I knew would create [sparks]. Meanwhile, womanizer Kevin who later called Whitney my one true love insists his marriage to college sweetheart Cindy was already in tatters when he signed on for the film. It wasnt special photography; it wasnt anything. Am I pretty enough? And though the actor knew he'd already all but given her the part, he submitted her to a screen test because he wanted to be "fair.". Watch PEOPLE & Entertainment Weekly Red Carpet Live: 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on PEOPLE.com, EW.com, PEOPLE and EW's YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as PeopleTV, beginning at 5:30 p.m.