It’s no surprise that Hollywood higher-ups are already tossing around ideas for a biopic dedicated to the late Whitney Houston, but reports are saying that several names have been dropped for the leading role including Jordin Sparks, Willow Smith, Brandy, Vivica Fox and Jennifer Hudson. However, the favorite choice seems to be Barbados beauty Rihanna. Here are five reasons why RihRih gets VIBE Vixen’s vote in being the perfect star to portray the legendary diva.
1. The Looks
Peep a few photos of Rihanna in her early days as the Carribbean pop princess, and there’s an unmistakable resemblance between her and a young Houston. From the chestnut brown curly locks to the flawless caramel complexion, if it’s one thing that both singers share, it’s neck-breaking, double-taking, magazine cover beauty.
2. The Stage Presence
Few females can command the stage like Rihanna and Whitney Houston. Whether it’s belting out power ballads like Nippy or risqué hip-shaking to feel-good club bangers like Robyn, all eyes are on them once they grab the mic. When Rihanna first sang for Jay-Z, her audition song of choice was Whitney Houston’s “For The Love Of You,’ which landed her a contract with Def Jam Records in a day. There’s an incomparable star power that both of them possess.
No Whitney Houston biopic could be complete without depicting the whirlwind romance she had with singer/rapper Bobby Brown. And no one is more familiar with playing angst and heartbreak out in the public eye than Rihanna. Her personal experiences with Chris Brown can translate to a more than convincing performance of Whitney’s controversial love life.
4. The Career
Both Rihanna and Whitney Houston launched into super stardom as teenagers, becoming household names early on. Houston’s appeal eventually led to the lead role of Rachel Marron in the 1992 classic The Bodyguard. Later this year, Rihanna will also be making the crossover into film with her acting debut as Petty Officer Raikes in the action thriller Battleship. Vocally, their incessant chart-topping records and natural ability to fluctuate between pop and R&B is a rare feat few can execute in the music business. If casted, Rihanna will be able to draw the parallels in their careers and bring it to life on-screen.
5. The Adoration
There is little doubt that the children of this generation will be singing Rihanna songs like we now have Whitney Houston songs memorized. The indelible mark the two females have left on their fans and the entertainment industry cements their position as beloved role models among many. Many times, they navigated their careers and personal lives down paths that stirred major scrutiny. Whitney was aware of the impact she made with every decision she faced, with little regard to outside opinion, making Rihanna a solid shoe-in for Houston in any biopic. —Adelle Platon