Who directed the 2015 Lifetime biographical film Whitney?

Angela Bassett directed the 2015 Lifetime biographical film Whitney.

The film dramatizes a period in Whitney Houston’s life, particularly her rise to global fame and her turbulent marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown. Yaya DaCosta plays Houston, while Arlen Escarpeta portrays Brown. It premiered on Lifetime in North America on January 17, 2015.

Whitney marked Bassett’s feature directing debut. She was already well known as an actor, including for her portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It, but this project placed her behind the camera. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews, with DaCosta’s performance and Bassett’s direction among the elements most often praised.

A common mix-up is confusing this Lifetime film with later documentaries or biographical projects about Houston. Deborah Cox provides the singing voice for DaCosta, including the film’s version of “I Will Always Love You”; DaCosta portrays Houston but does not perform those vocals.