As “Whitney” began airing on Lifetime on Saturday night, celebrities including Kathy Griffin, Sherri Shepherd and leading Democrat Donna Brazile weighed in on the anticipated and controversial biopic.
Not surprisingly, the reviews were mixed.
“Look here’s the deal America, I will always love her #nonjudgment,” tweeted comedian Kathy Griffin.
Democratic National Committee vice-chairman Brazile was a fan, telling viewers to “tune in.”
The movie’s director,
“‘Jesus Loves Me’ was the last song she sang in public and the one she always used for her vocal warm ups,” she tweeted.
The made-for-TV movie, stars Yaya DaCosta, who was most recently seen in “Lee Daniels‘ The Butler.” The New York native got her start in showbiz as a finalist on Cycle 3 of “America’s Next Top Model.”
Here are some of the reactions:
Look here's the deal America, I will always love her. #Nojudgment #Whitney
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/kaykokane/status/556622021460000769
Good move on @ImAngelaBassett’s part to focus on the love story of @KingBobbyBrown & #WhitneyHouston – kudos to @Deborah_Cox for the vocals
— Sherri Shepherd (@sherrieshepherd) January 18, 2015
I'm slow. Is smoking crack and freebasing the same thing??? #Whitney
— KASANDRA TURNER (@MSK39) January 18, 2015
Who knew heroin was the downer for cocaine? #Whitney #RememberingWhitney #BobbyBrownInterview
— Kimba Fuzz (@kimbafuzz) January 18, 2015
#Whitney on @lifetimetv. If you're home, tune in. The music is already off the charts.
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) January 18, 2015
This #Whitney biopic is soooo much better than that #Aaliyah comedy Lifetime made.
— SoulBounce (@SoulBounce) January 18, 2015
Actor Arlen Escarpeta, who played Bobby Brown, was the target of some harsh criticism.
This Faux Eddie Murphy is almost as smarmy as the real one, #whitney
— The Backlot (@TheBacklot) January 18, 2015
Nah I ain't down with that Eddie Murphy character #Whitney
— ReadyT for R9 💽 (@Rihlax) January 18, 2015
they are making bobby a saint almost. didn't see that coming. #whitney
— niki. (@nikimcgloster) January 18, 2015
First time director, Angela Bassett, also chimed in, explaining to viewers her movie-making decisions.
#Whitney and Bobby IMPACTED each other greatly. I wanted to show that their LOVE was stronger than either of them knew it could be…
— Angela Bassett (@ImAngelaBassett) January 18, 2015
I added that "hamburger & fries" line because to was one of #Whitney's favorites… @lifetimetv
— Angela Bassett (@ImAngelaBassett) January 18, 2015
On Friday, Whitney Houston‘s sister-in-law Pat Houston issued a blistering statement ahead of the movie’s premiere.
Pat, the president of Whitney’s estate, took to her official website to share key thoughts on the filmmaking process, the family’s previous comments against the film and their enduring hope for the icon’s legacy.
“Why wasn’t there a call to myself, Gary, Cissy or even her daughter? Why deny selected members of the family an advanced copy of the film? As we once again enter a season of bereavement and the strategic timing so close to the anniversary of Whitney’s death, this is a disappointment that any of us who loved her could do without,” Pat wrote.