GOLDEN GLOBE(R) WINNER AND OSCAR(R) NOMINEE ANGELA BASSETT DIRECTS THE LIFETIME(R) ORIGINAL MOVIE "WHITNEY" PREMIERING JANUARY 17, 2015

Yaya DaCosta and Arlen Escarpeta Star as Famed Couple

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 2, 2014) Golden Globe(R) Award winner and Academy Award(R) nominee Angela Bassett makes her directorial debut with the Lifetime Original Movie Whitney, featuring Yaya DaCosta (Lee Daniels' The Butler) in the lead role with Arlen Escarpeta (Final Destination 5) alongside her as Bobby Brown. The much-anticipated world premiere will be on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at 8pm ET/PT.

Whitney chronicles the headline-making relationship between the iconic singer, actress, producer and model Whitney Houston and singer and songwriter Bobby Brown from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity to their courtship and tumultuous marriage. Throughout it all, difficulties followed the superstar couple while they dealt with the overwhelming rewards and consequences of the fame and fortune created by Houston's meteoric rise that would soon overshadow them both.

Houston's vocal performances in the film are sung by Grammy(R)-nominated and multiplatinum-selling entertainer Deborah Cox. The music featured in the film includes Houston's hits "The Greatest Love of All," "I'm Your Baby Tonight," "I'm Every Woman" and "I Will Always Love You" as well as Brown's "Every Little Step."

Produced by The Sanitsky Company, Whitney is executive produced by Larry Sanitsky (Betty & Coretta). Shem Bitterman (Betty & Coretta) wrote the script.

Following the movie's premiere, Lifetime will air the hour-long documentary Beyond the Headlines: Whitney Houston at 10pm, providing an in-depth look at the life and death of Houston. Interviews with friends - including longtime friend Darlene Love - colleagues and industry insiders will offer personal reflections and insight into the life and career of this American songstress and the tragic circumstances of her downfall. Beyond the Headlines: Whitney Houston is produced by Peacock Productions.

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