Former America's Next Top Model contestant Yaya Dacosta to play Whitney Houston in upcoming biopic
She will be portraying a woman who was cited by Guiness World Records to be the most awarded female act of all time and has one of the most iconic voices in modern music.
So it's safe to say Yaya Dacosta has some mighty big shoes to fill.
The 31-year-old star will be playing legendary diva Whitney Houston in an upcoming biopic about her life set for release in 2015.
Big shoes to fill: Yaya Dacosta, 31, (left) will be portraying legendary singer Whitney Houston (right) in an upcoming biopic about her life
The former America's Next Top Model contestant will play the lead role in the new Lifetime movie depicting the highs and lows of the late singer's life and career
Expected to be included in the film is the I Will Always Love You hitmaker's turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown.
Yaya does have acting experience outside of reality TV as she has previously landed recurring roles in series such as All My Children, Ugly Betty, and House.
Long way since reality TV: After competing in America's Next Top Model, Yaya had roles in House, Ugly Betty, The Kids Are All Right, and TRON: Legacy
Tumultuous times: The Lifetime movie will depict the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's career including her turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown
At the helm: Veteran actress Angela Bassett will be making her directorial debut for the TV film
Storied career: Whitney was the most awarded female act of all time before passing away in 2012
She has also has had credits in feature films The Kids Are All Right, TRON: Legacy, In Time, and The Messenger.
Veteran actress Angela Bassett, who starred alongside Whitney in 1995 comedy and drama Waiting to Exhale, will be making her directorial debut in the film.
While many fans are excited about the project, the Greatest Love Of All performer's family are none-to-pleased about the film.
According to TMZ, Whitney's family are 'p***ed' it is a made-for-television movie because they feel she deserves so much more.
Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law, told the gossip site: 'Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie. If Whitney were here today, this would not be happening.'
Whitney's estate has reportedly already informed Lifetime of their displeasure and is said to be threatening a lawsuit if the network refuses to cancel production.
The singer's loved ones are instead planning their own big screen movie in the style of Michael Jackson's 'This Is It', which they feel would be a more fitting tribute to the musical icon.
The Bodyguard actress accidentally drowned at the age of 48 in February 2012 in her Beverly Hilton hotel suite, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
Ride down memory lane: Whitney (left) and Angela (right) starred together in the 1995 comedy-drama Waiting to Exhale
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2651690/Former-Americas-Next-Top-Model-contestant-Yaya-Dacosta-play-Whitney-Houston-upcoming-biopic.html#ixzz34007QRMD
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