On Tuesday, the latter became the case for Lifetime’s upcoming biopic on Whitney Houston, as the late singer’s mother, Cissy Houston slammed the film, telling Entertainment Tonight that the network should “let her rest.”
“In the two years since Whitney’s death, many people have stepped forward to speak about their close relationship with her. I find it difficult to believe people who knew and supposedly loved her would participate in a movie about her done by folks who didn’t know her,” she told ET in a statement. “We are exhausted by the continuing misinformation and comments offered by people who did not know here. Please, please let her rest.”
Lifetime’s forthcoming film is set to feature Yaya DaCosta, who starred in Lee Daniel’s The Butler (2013), as the iconic singer. The film, which is being directed by Angela Bassett, has already begun shooting and is expected to focus on Houston’s relationship with Bobby Brown. While it’s unclear whether or not the film will actually feature Whitney’s catalog, the objection by the singer’s family is one that often casts a shadow over most films. That was the case for another planned Lifetime flick, which centers on Aaliyah, titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B (still a working title).