We have our first look at Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston on the set of the upcoming biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Ackie was photographed in between scenes on set on Thursday, Aug. 11. Ackie looked a lot like the legendary singer during the late ’80s, wearing a retro purple-and-pink bathing suit with a coordinating cover-up. She also had a matching headband in her curls. Ackie previously appeared in the third season of “Master of None” and played Jannah in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
The movie, which also stars Ashton Sanders and Stanley Tucci, is set to hit theatres this December. The film is directed by Kasi Lemmons, who helmed 2019’s “Harriet,” and written by Anthony McCarten, who wrote 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Back in May 2021, Ackie reflected on what an honour and challenge it is to play Houston during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I am doing the work,” she said about preparing for the part. “I’m going to try my best because that woman – it sends shivers down my spine how much she means to me, the world, Black women, African American women – that I’m going to throw my everything into making sure she is represented properly.” The British actor added, “I just want to tell her story. And I think when I’m able to simplify it down to that, I’ll be able to handle the pressure.”
The movie reportedly completed principal photography in 2021, so it seems that the new photo is from reshoots. While we wait for more info about the film, read on for our first look at Ackie, the cast, and release date.
