Whitney Houston fans react emotionally after biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody hits Netflix

Fans have shared their emotional reactions online to the biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, which was added to Netflix on Saturday.

The film, which follows Houston’s journey “from obscurity to musical superstardom,” was released in theaters in 2022, starring British actor Naomi Ackie as Houston.

It quickly shot up the rankings to become the most-watched feature film in the United States, receiving positive feedback from fans and bringing back tearful reactions.

Fans took to Twitter after streaming it over the weekend to share their impressions and amazement at revelations made through the film.

Users were surprised that the biopic – approved by the estate makers but looking to set things right – explored Houston’s romantic relationship with American author Robyn Crawford, before he began a relationship with Jermaine Jackson.

Many were also moved by the honesty of the performance, which explored Houston’s troubled relationship with drugs, lawsuits, and strained family relationships.

Despite the $45 million film initially taking only £60 million at the box office and managing 44% positive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it has since proved to be a hit.

With an audience rating of 92%, fans praised the way the film tells of Whitney Houston’s rise to fame, her struggles with addiction and her relationships.

Houston died in February 2012, found unconscious in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office later reported that the death was caused by drowning and the effects of heart disease and cocaine use, although toxicology reports found a number of drugs in the singer’s system.

Since then, four films have attempted to do justice to Houston’s complex story.

The 2022 version was developed with support from Houston’s estate, but doesn’t shy away from the singer’s difficult periods.

Writer Anthony McCarten said, “I’m not doing this to flatter anyone. The audience can smell a rat if it’s a puff.”

The public has responded with tearful reviews in recent days.

Twitter user Shoshana said it took 20 minutes for her to “get teary-eyed” watching the movie.

Melvin J Cox wrote in the same way that the movie was “so damn good”, adding “why do I want to cry already?”

Users commented on the film’s coverage of some of the darker moments in the singer’s career.

Early in the film, Houston, a church choir singer in New Jersey, begins a romantic relationship with her boyfriend Robyn Crawford.

The lesbian affair offends Houston’s mother, and the pair move in together.

Twitter user ‘CB’ wrote that the film had “a haunting feel.”

She added, “She couldn’t love who she wanted to love[,] see how she wanted to look. To be this star she had to [be] WHITNEY HOUSTON and not Whitney Elizabeth Houston.

Others were surprised by the revelation that Houston was dating Crawford.

Jerry James Stone wrote: ‘I’m watching the movie Whitney Houston on Netflix.

“I didn’t know Whitney Houston ever had a lesbian relationship.”

Prettycan4 saidShe just wanted to be herself and she wasn’t allowed to be.

“They didn’t really dig into it, but it was probably worse than we know.”

Other users praised the film for its portrayal of Houston.

User mmhkaee said the film was “beautifully made”, “glorifying all her talent and reality without exposing so much of the abuse”.

They added, “Thanks for that.”

User catboyzee said, ‘[In my humble opinion] Naomi Ackie did an excellent job in her portrayal of Whitney Houston.

‘Are [sic] also ironic and trippy that she could easily pass as a sibling to one of Nippy’s greatest protégés, @4everBrandy”

While Ackie Houston starred in the film, Whitney’s own voice was used for 95% of the vocals.