Whitney Houston Biopic Finds Their Lead, Naomi Ackie

Filmmakers for the highly anticipated Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody have officially cast their lead. 

According to Deadline, Naomi Ackie, 28, will play the music legend in the upcoming film, reportedly releasing Thanksgiving 2022. 

“We spent the better part of the last year in an exhaustive search for an actress who could embody Whitney Houston,” said director of the movie Stella Meghie, in a statement.”Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process. I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life.”

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Houston’s sister-in-law and former manager, Pat Houston, spoke highly of the British actress and said, “Naomi Ackie was selected based on her quality performances and her deep commitment to emerging into the woman that we all loved. We look forward to taking this journey with her.” 

Producer Clive Davis also shared his sentiments of Ackie’s ability to take on a strong role. 

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“Naomi Ackie’s screen test was so powerful, it sent shivers up my spine,” Davis said. “Although Whitney’s incomparable vocals are used for all the songs, Naomi’s extraordinary acting range enables her to masterfully capture Whitney’s unique charm, star power, and, of course, her personal struggles. Naomi is the real deal and I can’t imagine a better choice for this iconic role.”

Some of Naomi Ackie’s most noteworthy film credits include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Corrupted, Yardie and Lady Macbeth.  She recently won a BAFTA Award earlier this year for her role as a supporting actress in The End of the F***ing World.