Upcoming Whitney Houston Documentary Offers Unprecedented Look Inside Singer’s Private Life
Soon, Whitney Houston fans will be treated to an unprecedented look into the private life of the deceased pop icon. Four years following Houston’s tragic death, her estate has granted acclaimed Scottish director Kevin Macdonald permission to release his yet-untitled Whitney Houston project in 2017.
Macdonald’s prolific cinematography has garnered worldwide acclaim since his 1995 debut. When asked, Macdonald explained that Houston’s sublime, iconic voice and unrevealed personal side would take center-stage in the upcoming work. The following is per The Hollywood Reporter.
“The story that is never told about Whitney is just how brilliant she was as an artist; by many measures she had the greatest voice of the last 50 years. I want audiences to walk out of the cinema and feel positive about Whitney and her music … I want to reveal a woman that even her most die-hard fans never knew; and a woman those new to her life and music will never forget.”
Unfortunately, as stated, when recounting Houston’s life, her transcendent talents often become overshadowed by the manner in which she ultimately parted. On February 11, 2012, paramedics found an unresponsive Whitney Houston submerged inside her Beverly Hilton Suite bathtub. Following multiple resuscitation efforts, Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.
Undoubtedly, it was a tragic end to the most awarded female act of all-time. During an unparalleled 25-year career, Houston sold between 170-200 million albums worldwide. In addition to historic recording-artist success, the Newark, New Jersey, native garnered accolades as an actress, producer, and model.
Houston’s lead role in 1992’s blockbuster hit The Bodyguard catapulted Whitney to new heights of fame. The film’s soundtrack won a 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single, “I Will Always Love You,” became the best-selling single by a woman in music history.
In 2005, Brown and Houston starred in VH1’s hit reality show Being Bobby Brown. In 2007, an exhausted Whitney Houston filed for and received an expedited divorce from Brown. Shortly after dissolving her 15-year marriage, a candid Houston opened up to Oprah Winfrey regarding struggles with addiction during a groundbreaking 2009 interview. These struggles ultimately led to Houston’s downfall.
To compound upon the harrowing death of Whitney Houston, her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was found unresponsive in a bathtub nearly three years to the day of her mother’s passing. Ultimately, Bobbi Kristina Brown died on July 26, 2015.
While Macdonald will direct the story of Houston’s polarizing ascent and demise, Kevin Quinn will serve as producer. Among other highlights, the film is set to include interviews with Arista Records President Clive Davis, in addition to those closest to Houston. Macdonald also promises fans an unparalleled glimpse into the private life of Houston. The following is per Variety.
“We have access to never-before-seen footage of Whitney that charts her whole life from her beginnings singing in her Church’s gospel choir to the day of her tragic death at the age of 48, and three decades of her music including exclusive demo recordings, rare performances and audio archive. Although we won’t shy away from the darker parts of Whitney’s life — her descent into addiction — I want audiences to walk out of the cinema and feel positive about Whitney and her music.”
Though Whitney Houston’s final days were rife with pain and sadness, Macdonald’s upcoming documentary will cast a shining light on the unforgettable star simply known as “The Voice.”
[Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]
