STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Arlen Escarpeta Defends Whitney Houston Biopic

Actor is playing Bobby Brown in the film.

Arlen Escarpeta, the actor who will play Bobby Brown in the controversial upcoming biopic on Whitney Houston, is defending the project against haters. The Lifetime telepic, directed by Angela Bassett, has been met with protests from Houston's family — especially daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown.
“I really do feel like it does do her justice, and at the same time, I do understand [the family's] reservations,” Escarpeta told The Hollywood Reporter Monday night at the premiere of his new movie Into the Storm. “That’s close to home. That’s family. You have to respect family when it comes to matters of the heart. Respect to those guys absolutely. I understand that you do want to keep a bit of distance. If and when they do see the film, they’ll see it came from a place of love."

He also thinks the Houston film turned out well, telling fans, “Prepare yourself.”

“Angela Bassett is such a phenomenal director, and to tell that story from the inside out was a pleasure,” he said. "We shot the film with love, we approached it with love and I really feel like we have something special there. Yaya [DaCosta, who's playing Houston] did a phenomenal job. I have no complaints. I’m truly head over heels just blessed and happy.”

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

 (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.