Before her untimely death on the weekend, Whitney Houston had completed her fourth and final feature film performance in the remake of 1976 film Sparkle. Sony Pictures is reportedly going to release the film on 17 August 2012 as planned.
Sparkle‘s producer Bishop T.D Jakes released a statement after learning of the tragic news: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of Whitney Houston, whom we were blessed to have just completed work with on the remake of the film ‘Sparkle.’ We ask the world to join us in lifting up Whitney’s family in prayer and ask God for their strength and comfort during this devastatingly difficult time. She will be sorely missed by us all.”
In addition to her starring role in the film, Houston served as a co-producer and was instrumental in getting the project up and running, having acquired the rights to the film more than a decade ago. Set in the 1960s Sparkle follows three sisters who form a successful singing group and the struggles that come with their fame – including addiction. No wonder Whitney felt so invested in telling the story.
Jordin Sparks stars as the title character with Houston playing her overbearing mother. And unlike a lot of her contemporaries who attempted to make the crossover from torch singer to actor (I’m looking at you Mariah “Glitter” Carey and Christina “Burlesque” Aguilera), Houston had real screen presence. If The Bodyguard didn’t convince you, watch her hold her own against Denzel Washington in The Preacher’s Wife or any one of her live television performances of the American national anthem at major sporting events. Caution: goosebumps ahead.
Via MTV and Hollywood Reporter
Title Image- Still from “The Bodyguard (1992)”
