The song was on the soundtrack of the movie Bodyguard. There was a problem. "I don't know if those letters were ever read.". After all, she was an insanely popular recording artist who had generations of fans at the time (and still does). "I told everyone that I had taken notice that Whitney was Black," adding that he thought she was perfect for the kind of film they were trying to make. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site. The chemistry between them was immediate and powerful.. 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. I was writing [my eulogy] on the plane, in the limo, in bed. Tom Cruise was another major name considered for the role. The words provide the chemistry in a way., The Bodyguard: Watch Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner's electric chemistry in, Who is Robyn Crawford? It became the second highest-grossing film of 1992 and the 10th highest-grossing film of all time. Not only was the film a lengthy and stressful process for the actor, but it would also cause him to miss out on a notable role. "And he did.". Her rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" became a huge hit. You were great. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. It was the burden that made her great and the part that caused her to stumble in the end.". Both Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner grew up Baptist. 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. Its been almost 30 years The actor had his own ideas for the film's script, which had been hanging around for nearly 20 years. "She would always be close to me, she would always be somebody I appreciated. So what am I talking about? Before everyone knew The Bodyguard was "You werent just pretty. National ENQUIRER has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. You made the picture what it was. "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. I know many at this moment are thinking, Really? [Laughter from the audience.] It was our private bond," hesaid. . Whitney Houston Remembered By Kevin Costner As 'The Greatest' 'The Bodyguard' actor relives pop diva's first screen test in a poignant eulogy on Saturday at New He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his famous actors just not as he would have predicted as a kid. Whitney if you could hear me now I would tell you, you werent just good enough you were great. 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. As for Kevin Costner, he had a chance to appear in one of the greatest movies ever made. I said Guys, I think we had it the first time. That it was really, and that ended up being the poster. When you sing before him, don't you worry. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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While the public sees a finished product with new movies, its always thrilling to get an insider perspective on how the sausage gets made. By the early 1990s, Kevin Costner was cast as the lead in the film, and he quickly became heavily involved in the production's development. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Kerry Washington Shares Sneak Peek of Her SAG Awards Glam and the Big Reveal Gown Moment! Among the names to be considered, included Kevin Costner. Yellowstone Star Kevin Costner Emotionally Detailed Unique Relationship with Whitney Houston After Her Death. Maybe a more experienced actress was the way to go. In the eulogy, Kevin Costner also explained how he was aware of Houstons struggles, yet it didnt discredit her work. Taking on Waterworld instead of The Shawshank Redemption wasn't Kevin Costner's best decision. Paul Phear At the height of her fame as a singer, I asked her to be my co-star in a movie called The Bodyguard. I thought she was the perfect choice, but the red flags came out immediately. Kevin Costner starred opposite Whitney Houston in the 1992 film but revealed it was one of her doubles who he is carrying in the scene Kevin Costner has revealed that his famous The Bodyguard co-star Whitney Houston wasn't actually in the film's iconic poster. . escorted by an army of angels to your Heavenly Father. "Arguably the biggest pop star in the world didn't think she was good enough," he said, remembering the tears on set as Whitney questioned her voice. Will they like me?' "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. Houston famously battled substance abuse issues, in particular during her tumultuous 14-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown. Maybe a more experienced actress was the way to go. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. You sang the whole damn song without a band. . 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.". Forbes writes, "Waterworld remains a pretty good movie that couldnt carry the burden of its infamous budget. The Bodyguard was a huge hit, taking in $400million worldwide, and selling countless copies of its soundtrack. But thats actually not the case, as the Yellowstone actor explained to EW: That wasnt even Whitney actually. Not only was the film a lengthy and stressful process for the actor, but it would also cause him to miss out on a notable role. ", Related: What We Know About the Whitney Houston Biopic. Kevin Costner Believed Whitney Houston Was Perfect for The Bodyguard Despite Warnings Hindsight is always 20/20. "Whitney, if you could hear me now, I would tell you: You werent just good enough. The poster for 1992s The Bodyguard starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. He shared various anecdotes about the singer in his 20-minute speech. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is still in theaters now. Kevin Costner gave a loving eulogy at Whitney Houston's funeral Kevin gave a beautiful tribute to Whitney at her funeral. Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Kevin Costner currently resides in California at the age of 66. After all, Whitney Houston wasnt even present. So off you go, Whitney, off you go . And so to you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream and maybe thinking they arent good enough, I think Whitney would tell you: Guard your bodies, and guard the precious miracle of your own life, and then sing your hearts out knowing that theres a lady in heaven who is making God Himself wonder how he created something so perfect. You will receive a verification email shortly. Yellowstone star Kevin Costner once opened up about his unique relationship with singer Whitney Houston after her death. 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. In 1992, Houston made her film [article id="1679032"]debut in "The Bodyguard,"[/article] a star turn that paired her in the lead with Costner in the title role. ", He added, "The words provide the chemistry in a way.". Information about your device and internet connection, like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites and apps. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 14 weeks. The Bodyguard has one of the most iconic movie posters of all time, showing Kevin Costner carrying Whitney Houston in the rain. Rocco Papa is a writer and editor from New York City. 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. You weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. You werent just pretty you were as beautiful as a woman could be. And when you sing before him, don't you worry -- you'll be good enough.". However, he also told her not to get acting lessons. He continued, referencing Houston's chart-topping cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You": "I don't think we'll ever forget when that little song came out, that she just blew up. The Bodyguard has one of the most iconic movie posters of all time, showing Kevin Costner carrying Whitney Houston in the rain. The poster for the 1992 film sees Costners bodyguard carrying Whitney's pop star Rachel Marron out of a nightclub, after a riot breaks out at a show. However, it turns out thats not actually Whitney. '", Related: How Dolly Parton Made And Spent The Royalties From Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You'. ", Newly surfaced images of "innocent" 18-year-old Whitney Houston's first ever photoshoot, The Bodyguard: Watch Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner's electric chemistry in, Who is Robyn Crawford? Am I pretty enough? If God be for you, who can be against you? You sang the whole damn song without a band," he added. The same grace led her all the way to the top of the charts, sold all of these albums, and just done some amazing things and won some awards. "At the height of her fame as a singer, I asked her to be my co-star," Costner recalled on Saturday. Nearly three months after her death, Kevin Costner emotionally reveals their close relationship with an interview with Parade. At the time, 29-year-old Houston was a celebrated singer but not known for her acting. Will they like me?". Fun Facts About The Rock Star, These Female Artists Have Cited Madonna As An Influence, 8 Times Musicians Had To Perform Live With Each Other Against Their Will, What Happened Between Brittany Snow And Tyler Stanaland, Siegfried And Roy's Love Lives Were Extremely Private, Sparking Relationship Rumors, Jordan Peele's Wife Wouldn't Talk About Him In Public, Here's The Sad Reason Why, Robin Williams' Widow Susan Schneider Says The Actor Was Completely Different At Home, Harry Jowsey Is Dating Yet Another Reality TV Personality. 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. Your mother and I had a lot in common. 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. It sure looked like any fears Houston had about stepping into her first film were proven to be unfounded. [Laughs.]. Maybe somebody white. Download 'I'd Really Love To See You Tonight' on iTunes. Nobody ever said it out loud, but it was a fair question. Whitney Houston's career was soaring in the 1980s. Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston had a close bond and friendship that blossomed from their time working on the film "The Bodyguard" in 1992. I did. I can also see her in trouble, too, trying to use that beautiful smile, trying to talk her way out of it, and Cissy not having any of it . She was recently honored with a biopic titled Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (read the reviews here), but as far as movies go shes perhaps best known for her acclaimed performance in The Bodyguard. She had gone home and that was her double, and her head was buried into my shoulder, which was appropriate anyway. The Bodyguard is Whitney Houston's biggest movie, but it turns out that's not her on the poster. 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: You'll be good enough.". Double majored in theater and literature during undergrad. We could also think about another singer was a suggestion. Costner then held up a mirror in front of Houston, to which she saw her makeup running down her face. "Call it doubt, call it fear, I've had mine," Costner said of the internal struggles that come with fame. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Maybe some of them you know; maybe some of them you dont. While appearing on CNN in April that year, Costner opened up to Anderson Cooper about the letters he used to write to Whitney, in hopes that they would help get her the help she needed with battling her addictions. Costner said. "Off you go, Whitney, off you go," Costner continued tears, "Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly father. "I just wanted to look my best," she told Costner. "His own rhythm of language that I knew would create [sparks]. Shes a girl, youre a boy. However, her next project would bring Houston's career to even greater heights. In 1996, he fathered son Liam during a quick affair with socialite Bridget Rooney. However, the script was rejected 67 times before being accepted and then discarded. Kevin Costner Wanted Whitney Houston To Play The Lead In The Bodyguard Kevin Costner was involved with The Bodyguard before Houston was attached to the film. A private eye she hired confirmed his serial cheating after the gumshoe discovered Kevin was hitting on the beauties working for the restaurant. 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. "There are some people that really love Whitney, and a couple times during the last seven, eight years, they asked me, would I write her a letter?" Lets break it all down. The poster is also super recognizable, with Costner seemingly carrying Houston in his arms from one of the movies scenes. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. There would be a lot riding on this. She was a brilliant, street-smart girl.