Did they want a Whit-wash?

Singer Whitney Houston performs during a concert that was taped for ABC's 'Good Morning America' show, in New York on December 8, 2002.

Singer Whitney Houston performs during a concert that was taped for ABC's 'Good Morning America' show, in New York on December 8, 2002.

Published Jan 20, 2015

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Fans of the late Whitney Houston are in uproar over the biopic about the singer’s tumultuous life.

They took to Twitter in droves to bash the film, simply titled Whitney, which was directed by actress Angela Bassett. Chief among their gripes where the excessive sex scenes and the portrayal of Whitney’s drug abuse.

The film focuses on a five-year period in Houston’s life, telling the story of her love affair with Bobby Brown and the birth of her daughter Bobbi Kristina.

On the eve of the film’s release on the Lifetime TV channel, the late singer’s family distanced themselves from the movie. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and president of the Whitney Houston estate, even went so far as to accuse Bassett of exploiting her close relationship with Whitney. The fans, it seems, concurred.

“This @lifetimetv movie doesn't do Whitney Houston's legacy any justice, so far it's only sex & Cocaine #Whitney #WhitneyHoustonMovie,” wrote one, while another added: “Did Lifetime get clearance for these sex scenes?!?!? My goodness.... #whitney #liteporn – watching Whitney Houston (sic)”.

Actress Yaya DaCosta played Whitney, while Arlen Escarpeta was cast as Bobby Brown and the sex scenes left very little to the imagination. Fans were also upset that the film seemed to portray Bobby as a victim of Whitney’s party lifestyle.

In one scene, while Whitney is consuming class-A drugs, Bobby is shown clutching a beer, saying: “I’ll stick to this”.

DaCosta performance as the singing legend received mixed reviews, with some accusing her of overacting. The former model claims she spent hours watching videos of Houston in an attempt to study all of her mannerisms.

“I'm not a singer. But even if I were, Whitney Houston was a very specific kind of singer.

“Beyond any mimicry, there was a certain essence that I challenged myself to capture on stage. It meant exuding a confidence that had to be real.” - Tonight Reporter

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