Whitney Houston fans react emotionally after biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody hits Netflix

Fans have shared their emotional reactions online to the Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody biopic, which was added to Netflix on Saturday.

The movie, following Houston’s journey ‘from obscurity to musical super stardom’, was released in theatres in 2022, starring British actor Naomi Ackie as Houston.

It soon shot up the rankings to become the most-watched feature film in the United States, earning positive feedback from fans and bringing back teary responses.

Fans took to Twitter after streaming it over the weekend to share their impressions and surprise at revelations made through the film. 

Users were surprised that the biopic – approved by the estate makers but looking to set the record straight – explored Houston’s romantic relationship with American author Robyn Crawford, before starting a relationship with Jermaine Jackson.

Many were also hit by the honesty of the performance, which explored Houston’s difficult relationship with drugs, lawsuits and strained family relationships.

Actor Naomi Ackie, starring as Houston in a scene from ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’

Whitney Houston sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV on 27 January 1991

Whitney Houston sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV on 27 January 1991

Despite the $45mn movie initially only taking £60mn at the box office and managing 44% positive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it has proven a hit since.

With an audience score of 92%, fans have praised the film’s telling of Whitney Houston’s rise to fame, her difficulties with addiction and her relationships.

Houston died in February 2012, found unconscious in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office later reported the death was caused by drowning and the effects of heart disease and cocaine use, though toxicology reports found a number of drugs in the singer’s system.

Four films have since tried to do Houston’s complex story justice.

The 2022 version was developed with endorsements from Houston’s estate, though does not shy away from the singer’s difficult periods.

Writer Anthony McCarten said: ‘I’m not doing this to flatter anybody. The public can smell a rat if it’s a puff piece.’ 

Over the last few days, the public has responded with teary reviews.

Twitter user Shoshana said it took her 20 minutes before she was ‘getting teary eyed’ watching the film. 

Melvin J Cox wrote similarly that the movie was ‘so damn good’, adding ‘why I wanna cry already?’

Tanna Marie said she was 'bawling her eyes out' at the film after it was added to Netflix

Tanna Marie said she was ‘bawling her eyes out’ at the film after it was added to Netflix

Twitter user Shoshana said it took only 20 minutes before the film left her 'teary eyed'

Twitter user Shoshana said it took only 20 minutes before the film left her ‘teary eyed’

Twitter users were quick to praise the film after it was released on Netflix on Saturday

Twitter users were quick to praise the film after it was released on Netflix on Saturday

Users responded to the film’s coverage of some of the darker moments in the singer’s career.

Early into the film, Houston – a church choir singer in New Jersey – embarks upon a  romantic relationship with her friend Robyn Crawford.

The lesbian affair offends Houston’s mother, and the pair move in together.

Twitter user ‘CB’ wrote that the movie had ‘a haunting feel to it’.

They added: ‘She couldn’t love who she wanted to love[,] look how she wanted to look. To be this star she had to [be] WHITNEY HOUSTON and not Whitney Elizabeth Houston. 

Others were surprised by the revelation Houston had engaged in a relationship with Crawford.

Jerry James Stone wrote: ‘I’m watching the Whitney Houston movie on Netflix.

‘I did not know that Whitney Houston was in a lesbian relationship at one point.’ 

Prettycan4 said: ‘All she wanted to be was herself and she wasn’t allowed to be it.

‘They didn’t dig into it all the way but it was probably worse than what we know.’ 

Users commented on the film's portrayal of the singer's relationship with Robyn Crawford

Users commented on the film’s portrayal of the singer’s relationship with Robyn Crawford

The film surprised some users in its exploration of Houston's relationship with Crawford

The film surprised some users in its exploration of Houston’s relationship with Crawford

Users commented on how the movie tapped into Houston's relationships and identity

Users commented on how the movie tapped into Houston’s relationships and identity

Other users praised the film for its portrayal of Houston.

User mmhkaee said the movie was ‘done beautifully’, ‘glorifying all of her talent and reality without exposing so much of the abuse’.

They added: ‘Thank you for that.’

User catboyzee said, ‘[In my humble opinion] Naomi Ackie did an outstanding job in her portrayal as Whitney Houston.

‘Its [sic] also ironic and trippy that she could easily pass as a sibling for one of Nippy’s greatest proteges, @4everBrandy’

While Ackie played Houston in the film, Whitney’s own voice was used for 95% of the singing throughout.

Users praised the film's handling of Houston's story. The film was endorsed by her estate

Users praised the film’s handling of Houston’s story. The film was endorsed by her estate

Users praised Naomi Ackie, the British actor who played Houston in the 2022 movie

Users praised Naomi Ackie, the British actor who played Houston in the 2022 movie



***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk