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AS THE WORLD TURNS

ATWT’s Tamara Tunie on Playing Whitney Houston’s Mother

Get ready to see a daytime alum on the big screen! AS THE WORLD TURNS star Tamara Tunie (Jessica)  starring as Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, in the new biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, premiering in theaters on Friday, Dec. 23!

The new film tells the life story of the late Whitney Houston, played by Naomi Ackie, and Tunie portrays her mother, Cissy, who helped shape her daughter’s incredible career. And bringing the real-life Grammy Award-winning soul and gospel singer to the screen was a challenge for the actress.

“It was a huge responsibility,” Tunie admitted during an appearance on GOOD MORNING AMERICA. “We all approached it as a huge responsibility to honor Whitney, her legacy, what she gave to the world. And personally, as I approached the role, I felt very responsible in representing Cissy in a multi-dimensional way. Cissy was known as tough. But ultimately, Cissy loved Whitney with her complete soul.”

Tamara Tunie Whitney Houston
“Cissy was known as overbearing at times,” said Tunie.YouTube

Because the film is an authorized biopic, Tunie had plenty of support from Houston’s family in helping shape her portrayal and bring Cissy to life on the big screen. And she is looking forward to fans of the late singer watching and enjoying I Wanna Dance With Somebody over the holiday season.

“Being given this opportunity to participate in this film that I hope will be the ultimate portrayal of Whitney,” Tunie mused. “I hope this film will be a classic and live on because I think it really shares with the audience not just the icon, but the human being.”

Check out Tunie in the trailer below and then get your tickets to see Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody in theaters! 

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