Diving deep into the undeniable bond shared between Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, we find a connection that extended far beyond the silver screen. Their relationship was a testament to mutual respect, admiration, and a genuine friendship that left an indelible mark on countless hearts.
“I just thought she was so beautiful, you know? I felt like, ‘Wow, this is the one for me.'”
“Yeah, not everyone saw it that way, but I did.”
In 1978, Kevin Costner tied the knot with Cindy Silva, embarking on a journey into fatherhood while carving out his path in entertainment. Meanwhile, Whitney Houston was ascending to superstardom, enchanting the world with her chart-topping hits. Like many, Kevin couldn’t help but be captivated. Reflecting on his initial encounter with Whitney, he shared with ABC News, “I just looked at her and thought, ‘Man, this girl really has it.'”
In the early ’90s, filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan presented Kevin with the script for ‘The Bodyguard,’ a story revolving around Rachel Maron, a famous pop star haunted by a relentless stalker. Enter Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service agent hired to protect her. Despite initial friction, their relationship evolves into something profound. Kevin not only assumed the role of Frank but also co-produced the film. The missing piece of the puzzle was casting the perfect actress to portray Rachel. With criteria demanding a powerhouse voice, innate elegance, and undeniable charisma, Whitney Houston was the obvious choice. Kevin reached out to her team, expressing his desire to cast her in the pivotal role.
Whitney shared with Rolling Stone magazine that upon reading the script, she found the story intriguing but felt Rachel’s character was a bit too forceful. She also felt the role might be too demanding for her at that time and expressed a preference for a smaller part to ease into it. Rolling Stone reported that she postponed the project for about two years, although Kevin recalled it being closer to one before she embarked on a tour. Kevin mentioned there was some apprehension among studio executives about the interracial storyline, given the societal norms of the early ’90s.
Nevertheless, Kevin was adamant that Whitney was the perfect fit for the role, dismissing any suggestions otherwise. He insisted, “You’re waiting a year for someone that doesn’t even know how to act. Anyone who lays eyes on Whitney Houston could easily fall in love with her.” He made it clear that while others could theoretically fill the role, none could compare to Whitney’s charisma.
Following her tour, Whitney’s hesitation persisted, prompting Kevin to apply significant pressure. Reflecting on this, Whitney admitted, “I think I took too long to decide for Kevin. I might have annoyed him.” Eventually, Kevin confronted her, asking for a definitive answer. Voicing her concerns about starring opposite Kevin Costner and fearing failure, she confided in him. In response, Kevin reassured her, promising his unwavering support: “I promise you I will not let you fail. I will help you.” And indeed, he did.
She had a longing to refine her acting skills through classes, but Kevin discouraged her, insisting, “Whitney, trust me, you don’t need that. It’s not about technique; it’s about your unique charm.” They set up an audition for her, and as she arrived, nerves consumed her. Later, Kevin let slip that regardless of how she performed, he had already decided to give her the role. “She could trip and start speaking gibberish, and I’d still see it as a stroke of genius,” he joked.
“That wouldn’t be fair to her,” she protested, but she decided to go through with the audition anyway. When they formally offered her the role, she accepted. Naturally, they also wanted to showcase Whitney’s powerful vocals on the soundtrack, so Kevin chose a song he believed would be perfect. “Trust me, Whitney, this song is made for you,” he assured her. After giving it a listen, she agreed wholeheartedly, saying, “You know what? You’re absolutely right. This is the one.”
The team had quite a few conversations about how the audience would perceive the interracial romance. Eventually, they decided collectively to steer clear of mentioning their races in the movie. For Kevin, he was just excited about the kissing scenes. “I kissed her once for everybody in America, and I kissed her once for myself,” he quipped. But, naturally, there were critics. “Some folks weren’t too happy that I chose Whitney Houston as my love interest and smooched her. But seriously, who wouldn’t want to kiss her?” Kevin shrugged off the negativity, recognizing Whitney’s incredible talent and beauty. To him, she was simply the perfect fit for the role.
As they spent countless hours rehearsing lines and sharing laughs, their bond grew deeper, evolving into a genuine friendship. “We really hit it off, and I know I’ve made a lifelong friend in Hollywood,” Whitney shared with ‘A Current Affair’, reminiscing about their instant connection. She described Kevin as sensitive, kind, and warm-hearted, highlighting his gentlemanly behavior on set. Whenever they had downtime, they’d grab their scripts and practice scenes together, often discussing their similar upbringings in the Baptist church and mutual passion for music.
Once filming wrapped, Whitney had to focus on her music career, leaving the movie set behind. For the iconic shot of Kevin carrying Rachel with her head buried in his shoulder, they had to bring in Whitney’s stunt double.
By that point, Kevin and Cindy’s marriage was hanging by a thread, while Whitney had her sights set on Bobby Brown. Rumors swirled about a possible connection between Kevin and Whitney during filming, but Whitney swiftly shut down any speculation after the cameras stopped rolling. Whitney and Bobby tied the knot in July 1992, coinciding with the release of the film and Whitney’s iconic rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You.’ ‘The Bodyguard’ raked in over $400 million worldwide, with its soundtrack earning numerous awards. During promotions, Kevin didn’t hold back in praising Whitney’s talent and beauty, while Whitney gracefully redirected any questions that could disrespect her new husband. Over the years, Kevin fondly reminisced about their time on set, more so than Whitney. And it wasn’t just Kevin who was captivated by her charm. He once shared a surprising encounter with Stephen Hawking, who arrived at his home with an entourage of ten people. It took some prodding from the renowned physicist before he revealed his true motive: he wanted to learn about Whitney Houston. Kevin’s response? ‘You’re not the only one, Steve,’ he quipped to Jimmy Kimmel.
As Kevin delved deeper into his filmmaking career, he watched Whitney’s ongoing struggle with addiction from afar. Despite being there to support her during the filming of ‘The Bodyguard,’ he couldn’t shake off the regret of not being able to guide her through her personal demons. When Whitney made her much-anticipated comeback with the release of ‘I Look to You’ in 2009, after a hiatus of seven years, Kevin couldn’t have been happier. Speaking to ABC News, he expressed his unwavering belief in her strength, intelligence, talent, and the profound love her fans held for her.
As time passed, Kevin found himself approached by people close to Whitney, seeking his help. He recounted to CBS News how he was asked to pen letters to her, hoping his words would serve as a beacon of encouragement. Despite sending two to three heartfelt letters, he never received a response. Even though he was informed that she had received them, Whitney remained elusive.
The devastating news of Whitney’s tragic passing on February 11, 2012, hit Kevin like a ton of bricks. He received the news while celebrating his son’s birthday, and in a moment of raw emotion, he confided in a friend who was videotaping the celebration. Pouring his heart out about Whitney, Kevin then composed himself and returned to the festivities, putting on a brave face for his son’s sake.
He openly admits that he’s clueless about where the footage is and confesses that he hasn’t watched it again since. For him, filming that moment was more about finding a release for his pent-up emotions than anything else. When news of Whitney’s passing made headlines, her family reached out to him, asking if he’d speak at her memorial service. Given the deep bond they shared, he didn’t hesitate for a moment, catching the first available transport to New Jersey, where the service was being held. Alongside him was his second wife, Christine Baumgartner.
In an interview with Parade Magazine, he revealed that he crafted the eulogy on the fly – on the plane, in the limo, even in bed. It was vital for him to express himself in just the right way.
“You weren’t just beautiful, Whitney. You were the epitome of beauty itself. And it wasn’t just admiration you garnered; it was pure, unadulterated love.”
Three years later, tragedy struck again when Whitney’s daughter, Bobby Christina, was found in a situation eerily reminiscent of her mother’s passing – unresponsive in a bathtub. Local medical responders managed to revive her at the scene before rushing her to a hospital in Roswell, Georgia.
Kevin offered his heartfelt sympathy to the family and acknowledged the immense pressure they were facing. He confessed that he hadn’t spoken to Bobby Christina in a while but expressed his sincere hope for her to find a way forward. Sadly, after being in a coma for nearly six months, she passed away on July 26, 2015, at the age of just 22.
In 2021, there was buzz about a remake of ‘The Bodyguard’ being in the pipeline. Screenwriter Matthew Lopez shared his vision of casting a Latina actress as Rachel. Initially, Variety magazine floated names like Cardi B and Tessa Thompson for the lead role, possibly opposite Channing Tatum or Chris Hemsworth as Frank Farmer. This sparked outrage among fans who felt the original film was a masterpiece and didn’t need tinkering with. Even Whitney’s ex-husband, Bobby, chimed in, calling the idea of a remake completely unnecessary. Sometimes, it’s best to let classics be.
Although the true depth of Kevin and Whitney’s friendship remains somewhat elusive, it’s clear they shared a special bond during their time together. While emotions can’t be quantified, Kevin’s consistent actions and words over the years speak volumes about his enduring love for her. It’s like they say, “There’s a lady in heaven who is making God himself wonder how he created something so perfect.”