Nafessa Williams to Star in New Whitney Houston Biopic
Nafessa Williams has been cast as Robyn Crawford in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. The film is slated for a December 2022 release.
Nafessa Williams will be replacing Moses Ingram in I Wanna Dance With Somebody, a film about the life of Whitney Houston, one of the greatest female R&B pop vocalists of all time. The biopic’s name comes from Houston’s smash hit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” a track from her second studio album, Whitney, released in 1987.
Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston YES EXACTLY pic.twitter.com/jqoq3WReJx
— ×_× (@ZaraArdis) December 16, 2020
Williams will star opposite Naomi Ackie, will portray the legendary singer. Williams’ role as Robyn Crawford is incredibly important, as she shared a bond with the late singer for over twenty years. The two met as teenagers at a community center in East Orange, New Jersey. Crawford tells The Guardian that there was “an instant connection.” The two remain close, with Crawford serving as Houston’s longtime assistant and creative director.
Just finished reading A Song For You by Robyn Crawford and it broke my heart so many times. My heart is aching with what Whitney could have been. Sigh. pic.twitter.com/rk3NqfLmQj
— Jen Sookfong Lee (@JenSookfongLee) December 31, 2019
Crawford published a memoir in 2019 titled, A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston. In the memoir, Crawford details her relationship with the singer, chronicling how their bond weathered the storms of addiction, fame, and secrecy. Despite the turbulent times, Crawford revealed to People, “I’d come to the point where I felt the need to stand up for our friendship. And I felt an urgency to stand up and share the woman behind the incredible talent.” The two shared not only a friendship, but a romantic, and professional relationship.
Whitney Houston & her bestie Robyn Crawford 🖤 pic.twitter.com/NI6hLB0kqi
— i don’t think of her ✨ (@thefuckingvoice) September 10, 2021
In addition to Ackie and Williams, Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie will be portraying John and Cissy Houston, the singer’s parents. Stanley Tucci has also been cast as the legendary record producer, Clive Davis. Other names attached to the film include Kasi Lemmons and Anthony McCarten. Lemmons will be directing and McCarten is penning the screenplay. I Wanna Dance With Somebody is backed by the Whitney Houston estate.
“Purely and simply, she is one of the, if not the, best singers of all time. She is up there with Aretha as influencing more young artists starting out than anyone else ever. She’s earned it and deserves it.” – Clive Davis on Whitney Houston’s Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame chances. pic.twitter.com/kwqeBht77D
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) October 23, 2019
Not sure I’ve ever seen a more perfect casting than Stanley Tucci portraying Clive Davis
— Christian R. (@nostalgicnoize) September 24, 2021
I Wanna Dance With Somebody will take their audience on an emotional journey through Houston’s life and career. Whitney Houston is the most awarded female music artist of all time, winning 6 Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, and 2 Emmy Awards. While we wait for the upcoming biopic, fans can watch Nafessa Williams in Black Lightning on Netflix.
Writer | Tweet me @court__giles
