‘Whitney’ Cast Defends Lifetime Movie, Hopes Family Will See ‘Beautiful’ Film

The family of Whitney Houston has, from the onset, been opposed to Lifetime’s choice to make a TV movie about the late diva’s life. With the film scheduled to air next week, the production’s stars and director are ever mindful of the family’s objection.

“I do feel like it’s a really beautiful film. It’s a way to pay homage, it’s a story that focuses on love and I hope they enjoy it, I really do,” Yaya DaCosta, who stars as Houston, told Access Hollywood at Tuesday night’s “Whitney” premiere in Hollywood.

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DaCosta’s sensitivity was heightened by the death of her own brother who passed away two years ago.

“I understand where they’re coming from completely,” the actress added. “It’s tough with a superstar that big. She was, she belonged to the world in a sense and it’s something that, um, is difficult I’m sure for any family member to deal with.”

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Angela Bassett, who worked with Whitney on the 1995 film “Waiting to Exhale” and directed the new “Whitney” film, feels the family may form a more positive outlook should they choose to view the film.

“I hope this journey of this film would be a tribute to her humanity, her legacy and her dignity.” Bassett told Access. “I hope that they’ll know it was done from a position of love and hope that they’ll feel that and sense that and know that.”

For the director, the project is much more than a means to capitalize on the pop superstar’s tragic death, adding, “This is for our entertainment but she was their daughter, she was his wife, she was, is, her mother. It’s personal and I took it personal.”

Actress Suzzanne Douglas, who plays the singer’s mother Cissy, is also eager for the real-life Cissy to view the movie.

WATCH: Lifetime’s ‘Whitney’ – Preview

“It’s my desire that she see the film and understand that we were just trying to capture a small part of her essence as an amazing young woman,” Douglas told Access.

“Whitney” airs at 8 PM January 17 on Lifetime.

— Buddy Singer

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