This article was last updated on October 21, 2023.
Whitney Houston’s career was soaring in the 1980s. Her debut album had a string of hit singles and won several awards. Her voice was unlike any other in popular music at the time. Her second album had massive hits, including the worldwide hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and once again took Houston to the top of the charts. Houston saw continued success with her third album and sang one of the best renditions of “The Star Spangled Banner” in history.
However, her next project would bring Houston’s career to even greater heights. When she got the starring role in The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner, she was full of insecurity. Costner would help Houston through her fear and give her the encouragement she needed.
The soundtrack would go on to be a huge success and Houston’s film career was only getting started. This is how Houston overcame her fear and stepped into the most successful period of her career.
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. During his eulogy at Houston’s funeral in 2012, Costner spoke about those who tried to talk him out of working with Houston.
“I was reminded that this would be her first acting role,” he said. “We could also think about another singer was a suggestion. Maybe somebody white. Nobody ever said it out loud, but it was a fair question. It was. There would be a lot riding on this. Maybe a more experienced actress was the way to go. It was clear I really had to think about this.”
However, Costner said that he didn’t believe Houston’s race should stand in her way of being in the film. “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. He did not want to be attached to the film without her.
Whitney Houston’s Nerves Show During Her First Screen Test With Kevin Costner
When they began working on the movie together, Houston’s insecurities were apparent to Costner. “The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered: Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?” Kevin recalled.
This fear was noticed by Costner during a screen test he did with Houston. The screen test was done to prove to everyone else that Houston was right for the role. Costner reassured her that he “would be with her every step of the way” and that everyone wanted her to succeed.
Houston asked for some time and showed up 20 minutes later. As per CNN, according to Costner, they had not said four lines before the lights were turned off. Houston was then escorted off the set by Costner. She asked him what had happened.
Costner then held up a mirror in front of Houston, to which she saw her makeup running down her face. Houston had applied her own makeup, the same thick makeup she wore for her music videos. That kind of makeup melted under the studio lights, but Houston didn’t like the way the lighter makeup made her look.
Houston would later tell Diane Sawyer of Costner’s reassuring words while they were working on the film. “I said ‘Why me?’ He said “Because you’re the only one who can sing.'”
Costner added more words of encouragement when speaking at Houston’s funeral twenty years after the film’s release. “You weren’t just pretty. You were as beautiful as a woman could be,” Costner said.
“Whitney, if you could hear me now, I would tell you: You weren’t just good enough. You were great. You sang the whole damn song without a band,” he added.
‘The Bodyguard’ Became On Of Whitney Houston’s Biggest Career Successes
When The Bodyguard was released, Houston’s star rose even higher. Her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became a huge hit. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 14 weeks. At the time, this set a record for the longest-running number one on the chart. It also became Houston’s signature song.
Houston’s acting was praised by some reviewers and the film did very well at the box office. It became the second highest-grossing film of 1992 and the 10th highest-grossing film of all time. It sure looked like any fears Houston had about stepping into her first film were proven to be unfounded.
In the years following The Bodyguard, Houston continued to act in films. In 1995, she starred in the film Waiting to Exhale, where she also took part in the film’s soundtrack, contributing three songs. In 1996, Houston landed another starring role in The Preacher’s Wife. Houston performed a lot of songs on that soundtrack as well, going back to her gospel roots.
Her last project was a remake of the remake of the 1976 film Sparkle. It was released after Houston’s death in 2012. It was a reminder that Houston pushed through and overcame the fears that plagued her twenty years earlier.