Naomi Ackie opens up about the pressure of playing music legend Whitney Houston in new biopic I Wanna Dance With Someboy. In an interview on December 12 “Live with Kelly and Ryan” Presenter Kelly Ripa asked the British actor what the hardest thing about playing the icon was. She replied, “I think that was it, knowing that so many people love Whitney and didn’t want to disappoint anyone and were trying to portray the best parts of her and the most complicated parts of her, so it took a long time.” She added : “It was about eight months of preparation before we even started filming and I’m just so happy. It’s been about two years since I got the role.”
Sony released a new trailer for the film on November 9th. In the footage, Houston fights back against those who would try to control her, including her father. The trailer also gives glimpses of some of her most iconic performances, including her earth-changing rendition of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl. It also features footage of the re-creations of her wedding and the birth of her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Sony released the first trailer for the film in September.
The film, which also stars Ashton Sanders and Stanley Tucci, is slated to hit theaters December 23. The film is directed by Kasi Lemmons, who directed 2019’s Harriet, and written by Anthony McCarten, who wrote 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Back in May 2021, during an interview with , Ackie reflected on her preparation for the film entertainment tonight. “I do the work,” she said of preparing for the role. “I’m going to do my best because this woman — it sends chills down my spine how much she means to me, to the world, to black women, to African American women — that I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure she represents it right.” Actor added, “I just want to tell her story. And I think if I’m able to boil it down to that, I’ll be able to handle the pressure.”
Read on to watch the trailer and learn more about the cast and release date.