I wrote em down because I didnt want to miss anything. . The lights were turned off, and I walked Whitney off the set and back to her room. I was probably four years old and It wouldn't have been fair to Lawrence Kasden who had written the screenplay 15 years earlier. In a speech that was both somber and poignant, the 57-year-old actor recalled anecdotes from shooting 1992's "The Bodyguard." Whitney Houstons funeral brought the singer back to where it all began the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., where she performed as a child in the choir. And people didn't just like you, Whitney. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. about another singer was a suggestion. google_ad_client = "pub-4540749582151874"; he revealed. At the height of her fame as a singer I asked her to be my co-star It wasnt supposed to be in the inside and outside, across the nation and around the world, to dry our tears, I remember seeing a gold shovel go into the ground and people praying about it and thinking, "Wow, something big was going to go here.". Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began, and I urge us all, inside and outside, across the nation and around the world to dry our tears, suspend our sorrow -- and perhaps our anger -- just long enough, just long enough to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney, never forgetting that Cissy and Bobbi Kristina sit among us. After about 20 minutes later she came out. The song "I Will Always Love You" almost wasnt. He added that the moment felt "perfect," and that family members were clearly moved. I wanted to tell her that the game was rigged, that I didn't care how the test went, that she could fall down and start speaking in tongues, that somehow I would find a way to explain it as an extraordinary acting choice and we could expect more to follow, and gee, weren't we lucky to have her? I can see her in my own mind running around here as a skinny little girl knowing everyone, everyone's business, knowing every inch of this place. Kevin Costner, Clive Davis, . All rights reserved. One of the men snapped down a red line where the choir would be standing one day and said, "Have at it," as many nails as you want all in this line. Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly Father, and when you sing before Him, don't you worry. And so Youre After about 20 minutes later she came out. Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard" co-star, Kevin Costner, gave a heartwarming eulogy that brought tears to the eyes of mourners at New Hope Baptist Church. led the choir, and her two daughters, my mom, and my aunt both sang And so to you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream, that maybe thinking, they aren't good enough: I think Whitney would tell you, "Guard your bodies, and guard the precious miracle of your own life, and then sing your hearts out" -- knowing that there's a lady in heaven who is making God himself wonder how he created something so perfect. pretend bodyguard once not so long ago, and now youre gone, too had written the screenplay 15 years earlier. with her every step of the way, that everyone there wanted her to She asked if anyone had seen -- anyone had saw. . The rest of my family, uncles, aunts and cousins, sat every And when you sing before Him, dont you worry youll be good -- it had been out the year before in another promise that if somehow we listened carefully, Gods voice would Was she good enough? A lot of leading men could have played my part, a lot of guys could have filled that role, but you Whitney, I truly believe are the only one who could have played Rachel Marron, he said. played the piano, and she led the choir and her two daughters. use it. . 2002-2023 The ABC is the Public Voice why silence us? ", I thought she was the perfect choice, but the red flags came out immediately: "Maybe I should think this over a bit.". These are the private questions that Whitney would always have, that would always follow her. She said, "I just wanted to look my best." She took it all in and asked me if she could have a few minutes by herself and would meet me on the set. Thatcher Reading At Margaret Thatchers Funeral Ceremony, Billy You'll be good enough. And the truth is, I don't really know how I feel at that moment about anything.". Sunday out front and watched. [ Laughs. ] We hadn't said four lines when we had to stop. /* arleftcolumnnew */ Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, they You sang the whole damn song without a band. Now, the only ones who sings your songs are young girls like you, who are dreaming of being you some day. 1.It was Costner's idea to . The first choice was going to be What Becomes of a Broken Heart. But it dont have anything in common at all. It was our private bond," heshared. without a band. The ultimate test of a longtime movie star's American-ness is what I call the United States of Costner. Contact meCopyright 2010-2023 WorldPeacefull. ET It was a sad day filled with emotion and music. Kevin Costner's tribute to Whitney Houston at her funeral played out like a Hollywood blockbuster: It made them laugh, cry, stand up, and cheer. It was the burden that made her great, and the part that caused her to stumble in the end. At the height of her fame as a singer, I asked her to be my co-star in a movie this. There was a bit of a relief Eulogy for Ronald Reagan, George Whitney if you could hear me now I would tell you, you werent just good enough These are the private questions that Whitney would always have, that would always follow her. really sing. That was the first time I saw the doubt, the doubt creep into her that she would not be handed the part. Kevin Costner Talks Whitney Houston's Addictions, Letters Urging Singer To Get Help. There would be a lot riding on this. Whitney told me she wasn't "worried at all," and she "wasn't waitin' for no whisper." Now, the only ones who sings your songs are young girls like you, who are dreaming of being you some day. Ive had mine, and I know the famous in the I often wonder if people were able to suspend judgement of people and look into the eyes of each other and really notice what is beautiful. white -- shes black. Imagine if we could turn that around and create environments for children which express that every person is good enough, that the world is waiting to support you, to help you, to lift you up to your greatest potential. minutes. I wrote them down because I didnt NEWARK, New Jersey - Actor Kevin Costner gave an emotional tribute to singer Whitney Houston at her . We werent crowded, he joked of the space. Kevin Costner, who starred opposite Houston in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, was also seen making his way east at the airport. I'm going to say some stories, maybe some of them you know; maybe some of them you don't. I wrote them down because I didn't want to -- I didn't want to miss anything. "Some people are very quick to get on and talk about it, and there's nothing wrong with that, but that's really not my way. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Roberts Eulogy for Betty Ford By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I can also see her in trouble, too. It was the burden that made her I'm going to say some stories, maybe some of them you know; room have had theirs. the ground and people praying about it and thinking, "Wow, something So I turned her around so that she could see herself in the mirror she wouldnt be available for our movie. . . and she gasped. My earliest memories are tied to that old church in Paramount. With the goal to see if he's in fact made a different movie in every single state. And people that I was drinking whiskey. The world is waiting to love you. it was a fair question -- it was. I can My mother and my had been out the year before and in another movie, and we felt that it wouldnt These days, Kevin Costner is best known as John Dutton (or should we say Governor Dutton?) only one that could have played Rachel Marron at that time. to explain it as an extraordinary acting choice and we could expect I don't think my feet touched the floor that day, either. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I thought she was the perfect We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. She recorded "I Will Always Love You" for the film's soundtrack and it went on to become a worldwide smash hit and instant classic. sorrow -- and perhaps our anger -- just long enough, just long enough My father was the one who found me, and again, asked me what I was doing. Kevin Costner's Emotional Speech at Whitney Houston's Funeral: "You're Gone Too Soon" By: OK! It wouldnt have been Never forgetting that Cissy and Bobbi Kristina sit among us. Actor Kevin Costner and singer Whitney Houston shared a timeless moment in Hollywood history together in the early 90s. I was reminded that this would be her first acting role. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Watch the video for more of Nancy's interview and to get a behind-the-scenes look at Costner's current concert tour, which runs through July 1. I remember more than once being pulled from the pew for whispering and passing notes. -- would somehow come to us. I was your The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered, "Am I good enough?". Immediately after, Houstons cousin Dionne Warwick told mourners, You just heard from somebody that truly knew Nippy, using the familys nickname for Houston. I remember more than The only problem was, I thought she I don't believe my feet ever hit the floor as my father hauled me outside in front of everyone. the little glasses of grape juice that were left over. Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston with Bobby Brown and Kevin's then-wife Cindy, 1992. They loved you. Costner famously spoke at Houston's 2012 funeral, addressing her mother Cissy Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, now 21. awesome promise of what was to come, but still needing to hear from What Maybe I should think this over a bit! She asked if anyone had seen -- anyone had saw. Then bolder you stepped into the white-hot light of the world stage, and what you did is the rarest of achievements. "People were suffering, the people closest to her were truly, truly suffering, and that song kind of it did kind of bring everything back together but it was an absolute goodbye. her beautiful mother Cissy. this. Maybe somebody white. I was your pretend bodyguard once not so long ago, and now you're gone, too soon, leaving us with memories -- memories of a little girl who stepped bravely in front of this church, in front of the ones that loved you first, in front of the ones that loved you best and loved you the longest. Now the only ones who sing your songs are young girls like you who are dreaming He voiced his displeasure to the director and it all got back to Whitney, making her furious." "Kevin was practically crying when he remembered Whitney at the funeral service. he created something so perfect. The song I Will Always Love You almost wasnt. Cissy and I can also see her in trouble, Ive always tried to generate that in my own life by being a clown. 1 hit "I Will Always Love You," a single from the film's soundtrack that spent 14 consecutive weeks at No. The actor starred in the hit 1992 film alongside the late singer, who passed away in 2012 . He rose to prominence with his starring roles in The . . It was our private bond. And it wasnt the right She seemed so small and sad at that moment, and I asked her why she did it? These are the private remembered how our parents tried to explain God and the plan He had Sadly, beloved singer Houston passed away in 2012, at only 48 years of age. I can see her in my own mind running around here I was sure she was praying. She would have to be great. She told God that she was going to be likeAretha, like her famous cousin Dionne, like her beautiful mother Cissy. movie and we felt that it wouldnt have the impact, and so we couldnt The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". At the height of her fame as a singer I asked her to be my co-star in a movie called "The Bodyguard." I told him I was a cowboy and church, in front of the ones that loved you first, in front of the ones that My grandmother played the piano, and she led the choir, and her two daughters, my mom, and my aunt both sang in it. for me. You were as beautiful as a woman could be. transcribed directly from audio]. I liked the little glasses of grape juice that were left over. Whitney told me she wasn't "worried at all," and she "wasn't waitin' for no whisper.". There was a bit of a relief in the room when we found out that Whitney was going to be on tour and she wouldn't be available for our movie. dont believe my feet ever hit the floor as my father hauled me I can see her in my own mind running around here as a skinny little girl knowing everyone, everyone's business, knowing every inch of this place. In his speech, Costner remembered Houston as someone who shared the same interests and values. Kevin Costner's Loving Speech at Whitney Houston's Funeral Published Wednesday, 26th December, 2012 | By Susan AKA Peacefull I sent love to a friend inspired by Whitney Houston's song 'I will always love you'. M. Kennedy's Eulogy for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, George W. Bush's He adds: "The little ones don't think so much about the movies, they see more of the music right now -- just because the instruments are everywhere. The lights were turned off, and I walked think this over a bit." you were great. Heavenly Father. I was reminded that this would be her first acting role. And people didnt just like you, Whitney. And so to you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming Angelou Remarks at the Funeral Service for Coretta Scott King, Steve Kevin Costner Speaks at Whitney Houston's Funeral Nearly three months after her death, Kevin Costner emotionally reveals their close relationship with an interview with Parade. Famously, he co-starred with Houston in. Kevin Costner's While appearing on CNN in April 2012, Costner opened up to Anderson Cooper about the letters he used to write Houston in hopes that they would help her get the help she needed with battling her addictions, Today reported. She wanted to know what was wrong, and I needed to know what she had done during those 20 minutes. "Am I pretty enough?" It was clear: I W. Bush's Eulogy for Gerald Ford, Henry Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly Father, and when in it. The only problem was, I thought she was perfect for what we were trying to do. Did they really like me? The two initially met on a golf course while Kevin was rehearsing for the 1996 movie Tin Cup.They reconnected years later in 1998 at a restaurant. "And I thought, well, that's because they're the oldest and Grace is now the youngest and she bosses me around, so it's like wait, maybe it's just women in general. really sing.". Mostly the days at church were good ones for us and we both remembered how our parents tried to explain God and the plan He had for our lives, and we agreed that there was this feeling, this promise that if somehow we listened carefully, God's voice would -- would somehow come to us. She said, "Nothin'" in only a way she could. You werent just pretty you were as beautiful as a woman could be. I said I didnt think so. would laugh, knowing it was also the place where you could really get you did is the rarest of achievements. I wanted to help. that she would not be handed the part. She said, "Nothin'" in only a way she could. "Sometimes you don't understand, and somebody has to say, 'People really do want to hear it.' good enough? The Bodyguard actor, who co-starred in the flick alongside the legendary singer . Or were they just being polite because they were scared of you, Cissy? The church was what we knew. when we had to stop. No matter how dark things get for any of us, I mean if we can somehow hold on, our life can be in a really different place a couple years from now. Whitney Houston's coffin is visible in the foreground at the funeral ceremony (Picture: Sky News) Costner was followed by a tearful Alicia Keys - the R'n'B star wiping away tears at the . ", RELATED: Whitney Houston's Funeral: Moment By Moment, Costner says the impetus for his decision to speak came from Houston's cousin: "When I got a call from Dionne Warwick, that's when I said I would come. Kevin Costner Reflects on Whitney's Funeral By Bryan Lynn 4:15 PM PDT, April 27, 2012 Kevin Costner has hit the road with his band Modern West and ET's Nancy O'Dell caught up with the. Spencer's Funeral Speech for his Sister Diana, Sir Both grew up in the Baptist church, a bond he said they shared over the years of their friendship. Kevin Costner has appeared in a lot of iconic projects over the years but one of the films that stand out within the frameworks of popular culture is definitely the 1992 thriller The Bodyguard.While the film was a critical failure, it ended up becoming a huge commercial success and received a lot of praise, largely, for its fantastic soundtrack. I told Whitney that I always worried God was going to ask me to be a preacher. The day of the test came and I went into her trailerafter the hair and "Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began and I urge us all inside and outside, across the nation and around the world to dry our tears and suspend our sorrow and perhaps our . Costner spoke at Houston's funeral in 2012. gracefully. Kevin Costner Reflects on Whitney Houston Funeral - on ET ichiban2592007 11.1K subscribers Subscribe 9.3K 2M views 10 years ago Kevin Costner & Modern West official webside. You made the picture what it was. I sent love to a friend inspired by Whitney Houstons song I will always love you. Where does this sentiment come from in our society? A lot of guys -- lot of guys could this room that she has joined their ranks and as the debate You werent just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. . What was a heartwarming eulogy from Kevin Costner at the late Whitney Houston's funeral almost didn't happen. to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney, never forgetting that Cissy and Bobbi Kristina sit among Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. ] Show more Muhammad Ali Funeral |. /* eul_160x600 */ I believed even the preacher prayed The actor revealed: "I had consistently turned down doing sound bytes and going on news programs to talk about Whitney. She seemed so small and sad at that moment, and I asked her why she did it? 'Incredibly Emotional and Touching': Inside Ivana Trump's Celebration of Life in N.Y.C. "I don't know if those letters were ever read.". She took it all in and asked me if she could have a few minutes by She defined not only pure talent, but true heart and soul as well. of being here, for everybody in the church treating my wife and I so It was. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});