Deborah Cox just wanted to pay tribute to her late friend. While recently visiting Us Weekly’s NYC headquarters, the legendary multi-platinum singer opened up about participating in Lifetime’s controversial Whitney Houston biopic.
“There was a lot of mixed feelings. It is a sensitive thing, but it’s a very complex situation,” Cox, 40, told Us Weekly’s Entertainment Director Ian Drew. “I really just wanted to honor her and this was a way to do that. I’ve always loved her music so it was a great tribute.”
The “Things Just Ain’t the Same” singer re-recorded Houston’s vocals for Whitney, which starred Yaya DaCosta in the title role and was directed by Houston’s Waiting to Exhale costar Angela Bassett. The buzzed-about TV movie — which chronicled Houston’s volatile relationship with Bobby Brown and drug use — premiered in January and was slammed by the late star’s mom, Cissy Houston.
“I didn’t hear anything from the family. There was something between Lifetime and the family that was a bit awkward,” Cox told Us. “But all of us as a team wanted to make sure the music sounded authentic.”
The entertainer — who is set to release a new album titled Work of Art in late summer — collaborated with Houston in the 2000 R&B song “Same Script, Different Cast.” (Cox’s first single off her new album, “More Than I Knew,” dropped Tuesday.) She noted that she’s not close to Houston’s loved ones, but has been thinking of her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown. Houston and Brown’s daughter has been in a medically induced coma since late January after being found facedown and unconscious in her Atlanta bathtub.
“It’s very sad. I’ve said my prayers,” Cox said. “I hope for a miracle.”
Watch the video above.
