Naomi Ackie captivated audiences during two premiere nights for the highly anticipated Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance with Somebody. If you weren’t aware of this new film or Naomi Ackie’s starring role, her dazzling presence has undoubtedly put it on your radar.
Here are two of Naomi Ackie’s stunning looks from the premieres:
1. Schiaparelli Fall 2022 Haute Couture and Embellished Strappy Sandals
She channeled Whitney Houston and made a show-stopping entrance in a Schiaparelli Fall 2022 Haute Couture creation that gave the illusion of liquid metal.
Naomi Ackie is slightly shorter than Whitney Houston, standing at 5 feet 6 inches (167.6 cm), while Houston was 5 feet 7 and a half inches (171.5 cm) tall.
Naomi Ackie wearing a Schiaparelli Fall 2022 Haute Couture dress at the world premiere of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, presented by MAC STUDIOS at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on December 13, 2022 (Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for Sony / Tristar Pictures / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
The stunning dress was made of strands of Swarovski crystals and silver glass bugle beads. A metal flower piece decorated the corset, which looked like a couture version of body armor.
While consulting her stylist, Nicky Yates, about her world premiere look, she told Vogue that she wanted “the idea of liquid metal because I was thinking about the ‘Queen of the Night’ look in The Bodyguard.”
Whitney Houston as Rachel Marron in the 1992 romantic drama thriller film The Bodyguard (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
It looks like Naomi Ackie achieved her vision with “that balance of femininity and a kind of toughness, especially with the flowers crafted from metal.” She added, “It just felt very womanly and sexy, but also like being protected – a kind of armor.”
Tiffany & Co. earrings and embellished strappy heels completed her show-stopping world premiere look.
2. Custom Atelier Versace Gown and Versace Sandals
The 30-year-old British actress also channeled Whitney Houston in another look from the 1992 film The Bodyguard. She attended the London premiere of her new biopic in a custom Atelier Versace gown made from silver-coated jersey fabric.
Naomi Ackie wearing a custom Atelier Versace gown at the gala screening of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody held at the Ham Yard Hotel in London, England on December 19, 2022 (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
It featured long sleeves, gathered detailing, a floor-sweeping hem, and a cowl hood. She kept her beauty look simple to let the gown stand out, and she finished off her ensemble with Versace strappy sandals.
Whitney Houston as Rachel Marron wearing the iconic cape in the 1992 romantic drama thriller film The Bodyguard (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
This look reminded us of Whitney Houston’s iconic cape in the film, which she wore before her remarkable performance of the song Queen of the Night.
A Role That Could Change the Course of Her Entire Career
“To be honest, I was like, I can’t fill her shoes,” Naomi Ackie told Vogue about her reaction when she learned that there’s a Whitney Houston biopic in the works. “There’s absolutely no way.”
Apparently, Whitney Houston made such a significant impact on Naomi Ackie’s life that it was daunting for her to even think of auditioning for the movie.
According to Vogue, Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother in the 1997 TV film adaptation of Cinderella was one of the most important memories of Naomi Ackie’s childhood. Ever since then, “every major life event” of Naomi’s was soundtracked by music from the iconic singer and actress.
Naomi Ackie giving the illusion of liquid metal in her Schiaparelli Fall 2022 Haute Couture dress at the world premiere of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, presented by MAC STUDIOS at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on December 13, 2022 (Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for Sony / Tristar Pictures / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)
“Thankfully, after a few calls, my agents convinced me to try, at the very least,” Naomi said.
And look at her now, gracefully taking on the role that could change the course of her entire career.
Does Naomi Ackie sing as Whitney Houston?
No, almost all the singing belongs to the late Whitney Houston. The same thing was also done for Rami Malek, who lip-synced in Bohemian Rhapsody.
“I sing the first song that you hear in the film, when she’s a big younger and needed to be refined,” Naomi Ackie told Yahoo UK.
“But most of it is Whitney. I just sing for the dramatic beats, so I sing in one of the office scenes, when she’s choosing a track. But I don’t do it too much. 97.9% of it is Whitney!”
Watch the trailer below to see Naomi Ackie channel the legendary superstar for the highly anticipated biographical musical film Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, which will be released in theaters on December 21, 2022.
Naomi Ackie wore prosthetic teeth to help her closely resemble the iconic singer, enhancing her physical portrayal and capturing Houston’s signature smile.
Despite spending weeks perfecting her American accent, Naomi faced a challenge when wearing specially made false teeth for the role. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, she revealed that the fake teeth disrupted her accent, forcing her to relearn it from scratch.
I had been working on the [American] accent for six months and thought I had it down, then suddenly putting in the fake teeth meant I had to learn it all over again.