Kasi Lemmons mentioned she “fought” for the inclusion of Whitney Houston’s early relationship with childhood pal and former inventive director Robyn Crawford to be featured within the late singer’s biopic I Wanna Dance With Anyone.

Whether or not the movie — produced with the backing of Houston’s household and property in addition to music producer Clive Davis — would function the romance between the duo was a topic of near-continuous hypothesis main as much as its launch. Throughout its premiere, Davis confirmed to The truestarz that it might “inform you about her sexuality,” later sharing with Further that the film would set the document straight and depict that “they did have a teenage, one-year affair.”

“There have been so many articles which have … tried to hint her dependancy to being a annoyed lesbian or by no means dated a person earlier than Bobby, all of which was completely inaccurate,” he added.

It was a relationship I Wanna Dance With Anyone director Kasi Lemmons just lately advised The Los Angeles Occasions — in an interview that additionally options stars Naomi Ackie and Nafessa Williams — she needed to sensitively navigate whereas working with the property. That meant she didn’t attain out to Crawford immediately and as an alternative relied on accounts from those that knew each ladies, in addition to Crawford’s A Tune for You: My Life With Whitney Houston, to depict the “profound and necessary” connection.

“I needed to, however I didn’t,” Lemmons mentioned, telling the outlet she knew Crawford had a tough relationship with the property. “As a result of I used to be working with the property, I used to be cautious. Folks’s emotions needed to be thought of.”

In her 2019 memoir, Crawford confirmed her relationship with Houston, writing that regardless of them wanting to be collectively, “She mentioned we shouldn’t be bodily anymore, as a result of it might make our journey much more tough.”

It was a relationship that goes past the framing of a romance, exploring the duo’s teen friendship and eventual skilled work in its depiction. It was one thing the Houston property had already agreed to incorporate previous to Lemmons’ becoming a member of the challenge, initially helmed by govt producer Stella Meghie who departed because the director.

However Lemmons says the kiss itself that takes place between the 2 required additional negotiation. “I mentioned, ‘Nicely, presumably they kissed. We actually can surmise that there was a romance there,’” she defined. “I believe everyone knows that at one level it was past simply friendship.”

“It’s the sweetest kiss. It’s like a primary kiss, very romantic,” Lemmons added concerning the movie’s final inclusion of the bodily affection between each ladies. “And I fought for it.”

Whereas Lemmons needed to battle for that second in I Wanna Dance With Anyone, the celebs who depicted each ladies — Ackie as Houston, Williams as Crawford — didn’t wish to put a label on what the 2 had.

“Somebody requested me about labels, and I don’t really feel comfy answering that query for both of them as a result of they didn’t put labels on it,” Williams advised the L.A. Occasions. “I believe they had been soulmates.”

“I believe it’s fairly fascinating that we generally have the urge to place labels on the whole lot, even when the people who find themselves concerned within the relationship don’t do it themselves,” Ackie added. “That has all the time been the vitality, like there’s no phrases for the love that we now have for one another. And that was a pleasure to create.”