Naomi Ackie took upon quite a challenge as she signed-on to play the late Whitney Houston in superstar’s first official biopic for the big-screen, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’.
The towering expectations from Houston’s sea of fans is enough to frighten young performers like Ackie, but the actress has shown that she did not hold back and thoroughly studied her subject in this Kasi Lemmons directorial – at least going by the clips and teasers released thus far.
As the film gears for theatrical release around Christmas next month, the makers have unveiled the first full-fledged clip of the reenactment of one of Houston’s most memorable performances.
In the new clip unveiled from the movie, Ackie as Houston sings the United States National Anthem – Star Spangled Banner, recreating one of the most iconic musical moments in television history, that was the late singer’s performance at the Super Bowl in 1991.
Dressed in the same identical white jump-suit and head-band, Naomi successfully recreates the moves, the movement of the jaw, the head-tilt and the expressions – and even the throwing of hands up in the air.
The clip also shows live reactions from those watching the performance from their television sets back then, including Whitney’s mother – Cissy Houston, ex-husband Bobby Brown and the army troops that were deployed in-service during the Persian gulf war.
The impact of this monumental performance cannot be summed-up in summary, but Naomi and Kasi have clearly exceeded all expectations.
Watch it below:
‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ is set for a theatrical release on 23 December 2022.