EXCLUSIVE: Behind The Scenes of Lifetime's 'Whitney' with Director Angela Bassett and Star Yaya DaCosta
Behind the Scenes of Lifetime's 'Whitney'
‘SYTYCD’: Go Behind the Scenes of Season 17 (Exclusive)
Go Behind the Scenes of ’Top Gun: Maverick’ With Tom Cruise (Exc…
‘The Talk’ Hosts Go Camping: Go Behind the Scenes (Exclusive)
Daniel Lissing and Merritt Patterson Go Behind the Scenes of 'Ca…
'The Lost City': Go Behind the Scenes of Sandra Bullock's Charcu…
Go Behind the Scenes of ‘The Young and the Restless’ First-Ever …
Go Behind the Scenes of Lainey Wilson's 'Heart Like a Truck' Mus…
Go Behind the Scenes of ‘American Song Contest’ With Snoop Dogg …
Dua Lipa Shares How Her Signature Dance Moves Have 'Evolved Dras…
Toni Collette Reveals She Shot Most of ‘The Staircase’ Scenes in…
Harry Styles on Olivia Wilde Directing His First Sex Scenes
Joe Alwyn and Alison Oliver on Filming 'Conversations With Frien…
Adam Demos on 'Sex/Life' Season 2 and His Girlfriend's Reaction …
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly on 'Secret, Special Meaning' Beh…
'Father of the Bride': Watch the Official Trailer
'Avatar: The Way of Water' Official Teaser Trailer
Andrew Garfield Planning Acting Break After 'Under the Banner of…
Queen Elizabeth Misses the Opening of Parliament Due to Mobility…
The highs and lows of Whitney Houston's career take center stage in the Lifetime original movie Whitney, and only ET was on set for an exclusive behind the scenes look at the biopic.
Angela Bassett makes her directorial debut with the TV movie which is set at the height of Whitney's fame. But Bassett says the the movie handles her drug use and troubled marriage to Bobby Brown head on.
"We don't shy away from that," she tells ET. "We can't tell a story without that. We're being honest."
WATCH: Whitney Houston's Daughter Bobbi Kristina Wanted to Be Cast as Her Mother
"This is a love story," she adds. "It's a complicated life that she lived. Just she herself alone as an icon, as a singer, as an artist-- and [Bobby's career] as well and theirs combined-- but the most important aspect in life is love and I think they had it."
Former America's Next Top Model contestant Yaya DaCosta, who most recently co-starred opposite Forrest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey in Lee Daniel's The Butler, takes on the role of the legendary singer, and told ET she studied all of Whitney's videos to get her moves down right.
"We're focusing on a really beautiful time," the 32-year-old adds. "We're focusing on her rise and we want to celebrate her life and celebrate this wonderful woman."
WATCH: Yaya DaCosta Channels Whitney Houston In the Studio
The film has drawn controversy because the Houston family was not involved, but among the biggest challenges Bassett faced making the project come to fruition was recreating Whitney's iconic voice. There were problems getting the rights to use Whitney's actual vocals, so singer Deborah Cox is the real voice behind Yaya's portrayal.
"I just focused on the job at hand," Cox told ET. "Angela really wanted me to invoke the spirit of [Whitney] and make sure the songs we're going to be a great tribute to her."
As for her critics, Bassett admits she anticipated them "to come with bricks."
"I love when they talk trash and don't think they're going to get anything because we have an opportunity to really show you something."
NEWS: Whitney Houston's Mother Cissy Responds to Lifetime Biopic: 'Please Let Her Rest'
Feb. 11 will mark the third anniversary of Whitney Houston's death, which will not be portrayed in the Lifetime movie. The singer was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the day before the Grammy Awards. Houston's death was caused by accidental drowning, but heart disease and cocaine use were contributing factors, according to coroner's officials.
Watch the video for more behind the scenes of Whitney and to find out which scene gave Bassett chills while shooting.
Whitney premieres Jan. 17 on Lifetime.
Follow Denny on Twitter @DDirecto.
Related Gallery
