Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston’s iconic movie ‘The Bodyguard’ was released in 1992. Their close friendship lasted for decades until Houston’s untimely death in 2012. Now, after almost 30 years, Costner is finally revealing the promise he made to Houston and how he kept it all these years.
A Special Bond on Set
During a recent appearance on the podcast ‘Armchair Expert’, Costner shared his memories of working with Houston on the set of ‘The Bodyguard’. The romantic drama, in which Houston played a famous singer with a stalker, and Costner played her bodyguard, was a box office hit, grossing over $410 million worldwide.
Costner revealed that he personally chose Houston for the role, even though the director initially had reservations. He had been captivated by Houston’s beauty ever since he saw Diana Ross on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ when he was just 10 years old. Costner knew that Houston was the perfect fit for the movie.
A Promise Kept
Costner and Houston’s bond extended beyond the film. Costner made a promise to Houston that he would guide her throughout the production and ensure that she delivered a great performance. He wanted her feature film debut to be a success.
“I had promised Whitney that she’d be good in it… We had this movie that worked and that was my promise to her. She’s always gonna love me in the song and I was always gonna keep my promise to her,” Costner shared.
A Touching Eulogy
Their friendship remained strong even after the movie wrapped up. When Houston passed away in 2012, Costner was asked to deliver a eulogy at her public memorial. Initially hesitant, he eventually agreed upon the urging of legendary singer Dionne Warwick.
Costner admitted feeling unqualified to speak at the funeral, especially with Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer in the crowd. However, he crafted a heartfelt speech that lasted 17 minutes.
“I thought I had said everything I needed to say,” Costner recalled. His speech touched on the significance of Houston’s hit song “I Will Always Love You” and urged everyone to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney.
Remembering Whitney Houston
The success of ‘The Bodyguard’ extended well beyond the film itself. The soundtrack, co-executively produced by Houston, featured six new songs by the singer. Her iconic cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became one of the best-selling singles of all time, winning Houston multiple Grammy Awards.
Costner continues to cherish his memories of Houston, describing her as a street-smart girl who knew her stuff. Their bond on and off-screen was special, and Costner fulfilled his promise to make Houston look great and be great in ‘The Bodyguard’.
Let’s remember Whitney Houston and the incredible friendship she shared with Kevin Costner. Share this heartwarming story with other fans who miss them both!
