YaYa DaCosta Alafia Transforms Into Whitney Houston in First Photos
Yaya DaCosta Alafia was cast to portray Whitney Houston in an upcoming Lifetime networks biopic, and now the first official photograph from the film has been released.
Houston's biopic is coming to the small screen next year directed by actress Angela Bassett. Houston, the 48-year-old recording artist and actress, died in 2012. Now Entertainment Weekly is showcasing Alafia's transformation into Houston, where she uses her skills as a former "America's Next Top Model" contestant to recreate the late singer's 1987 self-titled sophomore album cover.
TO SEE THE PICTURE OF DACOSTA AND HOUSTON SIDE BY SIDE, CLICK HERE.
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The curly, tousled hair, white tank top, and toothy grin are signature Houston as Alafia told Entertainment Weekly how she pulled off a spot on transformation.
"I just looked at the picture and did the pose," the actress told Entertainment Weekly.
Alafia, 31, has been featured in a number of movies like "The Butler" and television shows like "Ugly Betty." Now TVLine and Entertainment Weekly are reporting that DaCosta will star in the role of the late singer, who had an infamously volatile relationship with fellow singer and ex-husband Bobby Brown.
Whitney's 21-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, also has an issue with the future Lifetime film. However, she did express her interest in playing the role of her mother in any future biopic. However Bassett, Houston's co-star in the 1995 film "Waiting To Exhale," explained why she did not consider casting Brown in the film.
"It's an attempt to illuminate the complexities of human behavior and life. And this is a very fast-paced schedule; we have just 21 days to tell this story," Bassett previously explained to Entertainment Weekly. "It's more than just saying lines and turning the light on. You have to drive the story— there's a technical aspect."
Bassett previously spoke about her plans to direct the film which is tentatively titled "Whitney Houston."
"I have such regard for both Whitney's and Bobby's amazing talents and accomplishments; and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story," Bassett said in a statement released by Lifetime. "Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I'm beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world."
