Did the actress in the Whitney movie sing? This is a question that has intrigued many fans of the biographical film. The movie, titled “Whitney,” revolves around the life and career of the iconic singer Whitney Houston. With such a powerful and influential figure at the center, it’s natural to wonder if the actress who portrayed her had the singing talent to do justice to the role.
The actress in question is Yaya DaCosta, who was cast as Whitney Houston in the biopic. Yaya DaCosta is a talented actress known for her performances in various television shows and films. However, her singing abilities were not widely known before her portrayal of Whitney Houston. So, did she sing in the movie?
To answer this question, we must delve into the production process of “Whitney.” The film’s director, Angela Bassett, was determined to capture the essence of Whitney Houston’s music and her voice. Yaya DaCosta, although not a professional singer, was chosen for her strong resemblance to Whitney and her ability to convey the emotional depth of the character.
In order to bring authenticity to the film, the producers worked closely with Yaya DaCosta to ensure that her singing was as convincing as possible. They employed a combination of techniques to achieve this goal. First, Yaya DaCosta received extensive vocal coaching to help her develop her singing skills. This training allowed her to learn Whitney Houston’s signature style and to sing some of her most famous songs, such as “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
Additionally, the film utilized a technique called “lip-syncing” to ensure that Yaya DaCosta’s facial expressions and movements matched those of Whitney Houston’s original performances. This involved recording Yaya DaCosta’s voice and then matching it to the lip movements of the actual Whitney Houston performances. This method was used for the majority of the songs in the film, giving the audience the illusion that Yaya DaCosta was singing live.
However, there were some scenes in which Yaya DaCosta did sing live. These moments were carefully chosen to showcase her growth as an actress and her dedication to the role. One such example is the film’s climactic performance of “I Will Always Love You,” where Yaya DaCosta’s voice is heard in the background, providing a powerful and emotional rendition of the song.
In conclusion, while Yaya DaCosta did not possess the same level of singing talent as Whitney Houston, she was able to deliver a compelling performance in the movie. Through vocal coaching, lip-syncing, and live singing in select scenes, she managed to capture the essence of Whitney Houston’s music and her captivating presence on stage. So, did the actress in the Whitney movie sing? The answer is yes, but with the help of various techniques to ensure the authenticity and emotional impact of the film.
