Naomi Ackie: “It was essential that ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ be directed by a woman”

The Voice shines again ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ will be released in theaters on December 21st, the biopic of one of the most important icons of contemporary music. A feature film that delves into the life and work of the most awarded female artist of all time (according to the Guinness Book of Records); as well as the singer who made history by being the first to win seven consecutive number ones on the Billboard Hot 100. Also regarded as one of the pop icons of the 80s and 90s. “It’s an honor for me to play one of the greatest”says Naomi Ackie.

The feature film is aimed the singer’s life since producer Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) discovered her at a mother’s concert, Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie), at Mikell’s New York club in 1983. The film focuses on her rise to stardom with her debut album, released in 1985; as her success was then consolidated with her second album, with which she managed to have seven consecutive number ones on the Billboard Hot 100. A promotion with which it reached its peak with the premiere of ‘The Bodyguard’ in 1992making the film’s soundtrack a best seller.

A successful path also marked by her family’s refusal to be in a romantic relationship with her best friend, Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams); as well as the stormy marriage that she had with Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders), which ended up dragging him into a spiral of self-destruction, full of alcohol, drugs and addictions that ended up taking the legendary singer on February 11, 2012, when She was found drowned in the bathtub of her hotel room, due to taking drugs.

“I feel extremely privileged to play Whitney Houston. It’s such an honor. It’s been two years since I was told the role was for me. It’s been a long journey, I’m still processing it”, explains Naomi Ackie in an interview with eCartelerawho does not hesitate to confess that he has come to hear “Vertigo” in front of such an iconic character. “The day after they told me that, I was hallucinating. I felt terrified. People around me were telling me it was normal, that the weird thing would be if it didn’t have that effect on me. But I managed to calm down to face this challenge”shares the actress.

“I’m optimistic about the future of Hollywood”

The biopic is directed by Kasi Lemmons, one of the leading African-American directors on the current Hollywood scene. The director is in no doubt that change within the industry is not just happening, but is on the rise, given this women-led projects have gained a lot of traction and there are several professionals who are gaining a greater presence in projects with greater commercial ambitions.

“I am optimistic. That’s why I keep saying things are changing. We are living in a beautiful moment. We’re having some great years, in terms of directors and underrepresented directors. It was a magnificent period that made me look to the future with emotion”says the director. “I have no doubt that a woman must have directed the Whitney Houston film. Also, a non-Caucasian African American female, whose perspective and approach will be very different. I felt very accompanied by Kasi [Lemmons]“Ackie adds.

“Yes I see it there are more and more female directors and more stories are being told by them. I feel very honored when a woman directs me, but there is still a lot to work on. But they’re catching on, there’s a change and I’m excited to see it.”adds Nafessa Williams. “It Was Time”shares Stanley Tucci.

‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ is directed by Kasi Lemmons and written by Anthony McCarten. Starring Naomi Ackie, full cast Stanley Tucci, Nafessa Williams, Tamara Tunie, Ashton Sanders and Clarke Peters. Produced by McCarten, Pat Houston, Clive Davis, Larry Mestel, Denis O’Sullivan, Jeff Kalligheri, Matt Jackson, Train Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill, Matt Salloway and Christina Papagijka. A TriStar Pictures, Compelling Pictures, Black Label Media, Primary Wave Entertainment, Muse of Fire Productions, West Madison Entertainment and TSG Entertainment II production. Available in theaters from this December 21, by the hand of Sony Pictures Spain.