See the Cast of ''I Wanna Dance with Somebody' ' Side-by-Side with the Real-Life People

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Emily Aragones/TRISTAR; Michael Zagaris/Getty

01of 07Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in “How Will I Know” Music VideoTRISTAR; Rtmatthews/Mediapunch/ShutterstockInthe trailer forWhitney Houston:I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Naomi Ackie can be seen donning a replica ofWhitney Houston’s memorable silver outfit from her “How Will I Know” music video, including that iconic silver lamé hair bow.Though most of the performances in the movie use Houston’s voice, Ackie told PEOPLE she put in “a lot of rehearsal” time to prepare for the role: “A lot of [Houston’s] music [was] on repeat in my house, especially the ones that I knew were going to be featured in the film.”

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Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in “How Will I Know” Music Video

TRISTAR; Rtmatthews/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Inthe trailer forWhitney Houston:I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Naomi Ackie can be seen donning a replica ofWhitney Houston’s memorable silver outfit from her “How Will I Know” music video, including that iconic silver lamé hair bow.

Though most of the performances in the movie use Houston’s voice, Ackie told PEOPLE she put in “a lot of rehearsal” time to prepare for the role: “A lot of [Houston’s] music [was] on repeat in my house, especially the ones that I knew were going to be featured in the film.”

02of 07Naomi Ackie and Stanley Tucci as Whitney Houston and Clive DavisTRISTAR; GettyAnother scene from the trailer shows the moment when a young Houston signed her contract with Arista Records at the Arista Studio in New York on April 10, 1983.Stanley Tucci portrays Clive Davis in the film, and he didn’t have to go far for inspiration: the legendary record producer alsoserves as one of the producersfor the movie.

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Naomi Ackie and Stanley Tucci as Whitney Houston and Clive Davis

TRISTAR; Getty

Another scene from the trailer shows the moment when a young Houston signed her contract with Arista Records at the Arista Studio in New York on April 10, 1983.

Stanley Tucci portrays Clive Davis in the film, and he didn’t have to go far for inspiration: the legendary record producer alsoserves as one of the producersfor the movie.

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Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in “So Emotional” Music Video

TRISTAR; SME

The poster for the filmportrays Ackie donning a white tank top, leather jacket and jeans, which Houston famously wore in her “So Emotional” music video as well as the cover art for the track.

04of 07Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her South Africa Concert SpecialEmily Aragones/TRISTAR; SMEPart of the film also recreatesWhitney: The Concert for a New South Africa, a concert special Houston filmed in South Africa to honor President Nelson Mandela in November 1994.The concert was released in December 1994 with all proceeds being donated to South African charities including two children’s museums, the President’s Trust Fund, the Kagiso Foundation and several orphanages.

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Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her South Africa Concert Special

Emily Aragones/TRISTAR; SME

Part of the film also recreatesWhitney: The Concert for a New South Africa, a concert special Houston filmed in South Africa to honor President Nelson Mandela in November 1994.

The concert was released in December 1994 with all proceeds being donated to South African charities including two children’s museums, the President’s Trust Fund, the Kagiso Foundation and several orphanages.

05of 07Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” PerformanceEmily Aragones/TRISTAR; SMEAckie dons a similar gold jacket to one Houston wore during theLive from the Arista Records 15th Anniversary Concert, in which she performed a showstopping rendition of her hit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

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Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” Performance

Ackie dons a similar gold jacket to one Houston wore during theLive from the Arista Records 15th Anniversary Concert, in which she performed a showstopping rendition of her hit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

06of 07Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her American Music Awards PerformanceEmily Aragones/TRISTAR; Mark J Terrill/AP/ShutterstockAckie bears a striking resemblance to Houston as she recreates her memorable 1994 performance at the American Music Awards, where she performed a medley of “I Loves You Porgy,” “I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and “I Have Nothing.”

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Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her American Music Awards Performance

Emily Aragones/TRISTAR; Mark J Terrill/AP/Shutterstock

Ackie bears a striking resemblance to Houston as she recreates her memorable 1994 performance at the American Music Awards, where she performed a medley of “I Loves You Porgy,” “I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and “I Have Nothing.”

07of 07Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her Super Bowl PerformanceEmily Aragones/TRISTAR; Michael Zagaris/GettyOne moment fans are eager to see recreated in the movie is Houston’s iconic performance of the National Anthem during the 1991 Super Bowl, where she donneda patriotic suit and headband on the field.Director Kasi Lemmons told PEOPLE that Houston’s Super Bowl performance and her concert in South Africa were among her favorite performances to recreate for the movie, noting that the latter was “very emotional” to film.“All of those moments were great to recreate,” she said. “It was a great fun. I had a great time shooting it.”

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Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston During Her Super Bowl Performance

Emily Aragones/TRISTAR; Michael Zagaris/Getty

One moment fans are eager to see recreated in the movie is Houston’s iconic performance of the National Anthem during the 1991 Super Bowl, where she donneda patriotic suit and headband on the field.

Director Kasi Lemmons told PEOPLE that Houston’s Super Bowl performance and her concert in South Africa were among her favorite performances to recreate for the movie, noting that the latter was “very emotional” to film.

“All of those moments were great to recreate,” she said. “It was a great fun. I had a great time shooting it.”

source: people.com