I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston

Verse 1
 

Clock strikes upon the hour

And the sun begins to fade

Still enough time to figure out

How to chase my blues away

I've done alright up 'til now

It's the light of day that shows me how

And when the night falls

Loneliness calls

Chorus
 

Oh, I wanna dance with somebody

I wanna feel the heat with somebody

Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody

With somebody who loves me

Verse 2
 

I've been in love and lost my senses

Spinning through the town

Sooner or later, the fever ends

And I wind up feeling down

I need a woman who'll take a chance

On a love that burns hot enough to last

When the night falls

My lonely heart calls

Chorus
 

Oh, I wanna dance with somebody

I wanna feel the heat with somebody

Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody

With somebody who loves me

Oh, I wanna dance with somebody

I wanna feel the heat with somebody

Yeah! I wanna dance with somebody

With somebody who loves me

Outro
 

Oh, I wanna dance with somebody

I wanna feel the heat with somebody

Yeah! I wanna dance with somebody

With somebody who loves me

 

Song Data (From the Spotify API)

YouTube Video

Karaoke Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st-yPBxRVPM

Wikipedia

Expand Wikipedia Info
This article is about the film. For the song, see I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKasi Lemmons
Written byAnthony McCarten
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBarry Ackroyd
Edited byDaysha Broadway
Music byChanda Dancy
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release dates
  • December 13, 2022 (2022-12-13) (AMC Lincoln Square)
  • December 23, 2022 (2022-12-23) (United States)
Running time
144 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$45 million[2]
Box office$61.5 million[3][4]

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a 2022 American biographical musical drama film directed by Kasi Lemmons, from a screenplay by Anthony McCarten, based on the life and career of American pop icon and actress Whitney Houston. The film stars Naomi Ackie as Houston with Stanley Tucci, Ashton Sanders, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams, and Clarke Peters in supporting roles.

An authorized biopic on Houston's life was announced in early 2020, with Ackie cast in the lead role that December, and the rest of the cast signing on later the next year. Produced on a $45 million budget, filming took place in Massachusetts and New Jersey from August to December 2021.

Released in the United States on December 23, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise going to Ackie's performance and criticisms for the film's length, film editing and hewing of music biopic conventions. It grossed $61.5 million and later went on to reach number one on Netflix US.[5]

Plot

In 1983, 19-year-old Whitney Houston is coached by her demanding professional singer mother Cissy for a church choir. Her close friendship and eventual cohabitation with Robyn Crawford turn romantic, upsetting Cissy. At the Sweetwaters nightclub, Cissy spots producer Clive Davis in the audience and feigns sickness, forcing Whitney to open with "The Greatest Love of All", which becomes her big break, as he immediately signs her to Arista Records.

Whitney's first major live performance on The Merv Griffin Show with "Home" that June triggers the immense success of her self-titled debut album in 1985. She proposes Robyn be her personal assistant, but John, her overbearing father and self-appointed manager, objects and suggests dating men. After she records a love song with Jermaine Jackson, they start a sexual relationship, angering Robyn. Whitney ends her romantic relationship with her, although they remain close. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", the lead single from her 1987 sophomore album, cements her crossover success but attracts criticism for selling out and not sounding "black enough". John sets up their own production company, Nippy Inc., and continually asks Whitney to cut ties with Robyn. At the 1988 Soul Train Music Awards, Whitney faces hostility both on the red carpet and when announced as a nominee for Best Music Video. However, she meets singer Bobby Brown, and they soon become engaged.

The early 1990s portray Whitney in her peak period, performing "The Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 and marking her acting debut in The Bodyguard. She marries Bobby in July 1992, giving birth to their daughter Bobbi Kristina the following March. While on tour to promote the film's soundtrack album, she performs "I Will Always Love You" in South Africa for newly-inaugurated President Nelson Mandela in 1994. After learning that John has withheld her financial and material assets, she returns home and finds Bobby missing. Upon Bobby's return, Whitney accuses him of spending her money on other women, ejects him from their house and consumes heavy amounts of cocaine. Inspired by their tumultous relationship, she records the ballad "Why Does It Hurt So Bad".

In 1998, Clive pressures Whitney to release her first new studio album in eight years, although she has already released seven major singles from the soundtrack albums to her three films. She confronts John after discovering he mismanaged most of her fortune, forcing her into a $100 million contract with Arista that includes a world tour. Dealing with insomnia and stress, she asks Clive to provide potential songs. Upon finding one she likes, she releases a new studio album, igniting a potential comeback. However, the following tour proves exhausting, and her addiction resumes upon reuniting with Bobby.

Near the tour's end, Robyn implores Whitney to conclude the tour early and return home, but Bobby pushes her to continue; Robyn permanently parts ways with her after revealing John has been hospitalized. While visiting him, Whitney explains that her sister-in-law Pat is her new management. She then proceeds to disown him, even refusing to attend his funeral in 2003. Cissy discovers her in a drug-induced haze and arranges for her arrest to force her into rehab. After a 4-month program, she sobers up, reconnects with her daughter, and divorces Bobby in 2007.

Releasing a new album in 2009 to attempt a second comeback, she performs "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Despite this, her subsequent world tour underperforms when she proves unable to showcase her famed vocal range. On February 11, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles to perform "Home" at Clive's pre-Grammy party, her bassist Rickey Minor suggests calling the performance off to rest, but she refuses. In her room, she tearfully runs a bath while preparing drugs she had secretly bought earlier, and softly sings "Home" to herself while reminiscing about Robyn and Bobbi Kristina along with her life and career. She unexpectedly perishes soon after.

A flashback to the 1994 American Music Awards portrays her receiving a standing ovation following a medley of "I Loves You, Porgy", "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", and "I Have Nothing".

Cast

Production

On April 22, 2020, Stella Meghie was set to direct a Whitney Houston biopic, titled I Wanna Dance with Somebody, with Anthony McCarten attached to pen the screenplay and produce the film along with Clive Davis, Pat Houston, Larry Mestel, Denis O'Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri.[6] McCarten, who self-financed an option for Houston's life rights, wrote the script on spec, and lined up rights and music.[6][7] On August 4, 2020, TriStar Pictures acquired the film.[7] On September 1, 2021, Kasi Lemmons took over directing duties from Meghie who eventually served as an executive producer.[8]

On December 15, 2020, Naomi Ackie was set to portray Houston.[9] In September 2021, Ashton Sanders was cast as Bobby Brown, Houston's husband of fifteen years.[10] The same month, Stanley Tucci was cast as Clive Davis.[11] In October 2021, Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie were cast in the film, and Nafessa Williams was cast as Robyn Crawford, replacing Moses Ingram.[12][13] Williams previously played another character in a 2015 television film entitled Whitney.[14]

The film was expected to begin principal photography on August 9, 2021, in Newark, New Jersey, and Boston, Massachusetts, according to one source.[15] In August 2021, Compelling Pictures was in pre-production on the film at Marina Studios in Boston.[16] In October and November, scenes were shot in Arlington, Massachusetts, as well as at Worcester Regional Airport, Wang Theater, Cutler Majestic Theatre and Gillette Stadium.[17][18]

Music

Main article: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (The Movie: Whitney New, Classic and Reimagined)

The soundtrack was released by RCA Records on December 16, 2022.[19] It includes two hours of remixed and original versions of Houston's songs, with guest features by BeBe Winans, Clean Bandit, Kygo, Lucky Daye, SG Lewis, Samaria, Jax Jones, Leikeli47, P2J, Oxlade, and Pheelz.[20] Ackie lip-synched to Houston's songs, though she does her own singing in a few early scenes.[21]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City in December 13, 2022,[22] and was released theatrically on December 23, 2022 by Sony Pictures Releasing.[23]

The film was released for VOD on February 7, 2023, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on February 28, 2023.[24]

The film was confirmed to begin streaming on Netflix US in April 2023, though it had started in India in February of that year,[25] and as late as September 2025 for other regions of the world.[26]

Reception

Box office

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody grossed $25.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $36.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $61.5 million.[3][4]

In the United States and Canada, I Wanna Dance With Somebody was released alongside Babylon, and was initially projected to gross $20–25 million from 3,625 theaters over its four-day opening weekend.[2][27] Deadline cited the threat of a tripledemic surge in COVID-19 and flu cases and the nationwide impact of Winter Storm Elliott as reasons for lower-than-expected theater attendance.[28] The film made $1.9 million on its first day. It went on to debut to $4.7 million in its opening weekend (and a total of $6.4 million over the four days), finishing third behind Avatar: The Way of Water and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The film held well in its second weekend, dropping just 16 percent to $3.9 million, finishing in fourth.[29]

In the United Kingdom, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody debuted in second place, behind Avatar: The Way of Water. The film grossed £3.3 million ($3.9 million) in its opening weekend.[30] It held its place of second the following week, grossing £1.3 million for a total of £6.2 million ($7.5 million).[31]

The film peaked at number one on Netflix US, number two globally and the UK.[32]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 43% of 136 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Another wiki-biopic for posterity's sake, the relatively watchable I Wanna Dance with Somebody leaves you feeling like you were on stage with Whitney Houston, but didn't really get to dance with her."[33] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 51 out of 100, based on 44 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[34] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported 88% of audience members gave the film a positive score, with 68% saying they would definitely recommend it.[28]

Ackie received praise for her performance.[35][36][37][38] Critics commended Lemmons for not putting the focus on Houston's downfall, and instead foregrounding who Houston was before fame, particularly her relationship with Robyn Crawford.[36] Stephanie Zacharek of Time commented, "Lemmons is more interested in the root of Houston's tragedy than its expression, anyway. At one point, Whitney laments that it's her job to 'be everything to everyone.'"[37]

Zacharek said the film succeeds in its display of "Houston's exuberant contradictions, and the joy she both took and gave in performing. The movie isn't a melodramatic tell-all, or a total downer. But it manages, even while being unapologetically entertaining, to feel like an honest reckoning with all the things we didn't want to know about Houston at her fame's height. It's a film that takes our failings into consideration, rather than simply fixating on hers, a summation of all the things she tried to tell us and couldn't."[37] Others, like Michael Talbot-Haynes of Film Threat, believed the film should have shown the full scope of Houston's struggles with substance abuse.[38]

Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune reviewed the film positively and said: "A sexually fluid superstar with deep roots in Christianity and the bad luck of falling prey to manipulators and users within her family circle never had a fighting chance at inner peace. 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' manages to suggest some nuance and ambiguity in Houston's key relationships, and within her own ambitions. The actors and director Lemmons accomplish what the screenplay does only partially: make us believe the circumstances and the behavior. Ashton Sanders' Bobby Brown gives us the weasel but also the man. In a role slightly larger than required, I think, Arista legend Davis has the bonus of being played by ever-wry, ever-winning Stanley Tucci."[36]

Criticisms included those of the screenplay, with some contending it felt like it was ticking off boxes on a music biopic checklist.[39] Brian Truitt of USA Today opined the film felt like a "Wikipedia entry come to life."[35] Another criticism was that some characters did not feel fully fleshed out.[35][39]

Accolades

The film was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature at the 21st Visual Effects Society Awards.[40]

Naomi Ackie was nominated for the EE Rising Star award for I Wanna Dance with Somebody at the 76th British Academy Film Awards.[41]

The film was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Music Editing – Feature Motion Picture at the 70th Motion Picture Sound Editors’ Golden Reel Awards.[42]

Kasi Lemmons was nominated for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture for I Wanna Dance with Somebody at the 54th NAACP Image Awards.[43]

In 2023, the film was nominated for Best Movie at the 23rd BET Awards 2023.[14]

In 2025, the website Collider included the film in its list of "10 Best Music Biopics of the Last 5 Years".[44]

References

  1. ^ "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. December 6, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (December 20, 2022). "Avatar 2 to Dominate at Christmas Over Babylon and Puss in Boots Sequel". Variety. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Financial Information". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Missed the Whitney Houston biopic in theaters? Here's how you can stream it". Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  6. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 22, 2020). "Whitney Houston Biopic Crystallizes; Stella Meghie Directing, Anthony McCarten Writing Script For Houston Estate, Primary Wave & Clive Davis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 4, 2020). "Sony's TriStar Wins Auction For Whitney Houston Biopic: Anthony McCarten Script, Stella Meghie Directs, Clive Davis & Estate Aboard". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 1, 2021). "Kasi Lemmons To Direct TriStar's Whitney Houston Biopic 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Gonzalez, Anthony (December 15, 2020). "Naomi Ackie Lands Role Of Whitney Houston In Sony TriStar's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  10. ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (September 21, 2021). "I Wanna Dance With Somebody: Ashton Sanders Cast as Bobby Brown in Whitney Houston Biopic".
  11. ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (September 24, 2021). "Stanley Tucci Cast as Clive Davis in TriStar's Whitney Houston Biopic".
  12. ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (October 5, 2021). "Nafessa Williams Joins Naomi Ackie in TriStar's Whitney Houston Biopic".
  13. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 4, 2021). "Nafessa Williams Joins Whitney Houston Biopic 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'".
  14. ^ a b Wellington, Elizabeth (December 21, 2022). "Philly's Nafessa Williams stars as Robyn Crawford in a new Whitney Houston biopic". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Production Listing". Productionlist.com. March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 20, 2021). "Compelling Pictures Books Marina Studios for Whitney Houston Biopic, Film Slate Shoots (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  17. ^ Collings, Jesse (October 18, 2021). "Whitney Houston biopic films scenes in Arlington". Arlington Advocate. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  18. ^ Semon, Craig S. (October 17, 2021). "Whitney Houston biopic 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' takes off at Worcester Regional Airport". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  19. ^ "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (The Movie: Whitney New, Classic and Reimagined)". WhitneyHouston.com. December 16, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  20. ^ "Music From The Motion Picture "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody" To Be Released by RCA Records on December 16". PR Newswire. December 16, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Rooney, David (December 21, 2022). "'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody' Review: Naomi Ackie Shines in Kasi Lemmons' Lovingly Made Biopic". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Smith, Rob (December 14, 2022). "Red Carpet Images from the World Premiere of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody".
  23. ^ Pedersen, Erik (February 18, 2022). "Sony Moves Oh Hell No Off Schedule, Confirms A Man Called Otto For Christmas, Sets Umma Date & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "I Wanna Dance With Somebody DVD Release Date". www.dvdsreleasedates.com. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  25. ^ "'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody' Coming to Netflix US in April 2023". What's on Netflix. April 11, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  26. ^ "Llega a Netflix la biopic de una famosa cantante y que es imposible de ignorar". Que ver (in Spanish). September 28, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  27. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 20, 2022). "How Christmas Box Office Will Shake Out As 'Avatar: The Way Of Water' Encounters Three Wide Releases". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  28. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 25, 2022). "Studios & Exhibition Hope For Christmas Miracle At Box Office After Being Buried By Winter Weather; 'Avatar 2' Still Sees $82M 4-Day, But Could Go Higher – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  29. ^ "Domestic 2022 Weekend 52: December 30-January 1, 2023". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "'Whitney Houston' Makes Strong Debut". Variety. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  31. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (January 10, 2023). "'Avatar: The Way of Water,' 'Whitney Houston' Remain Atop U.K. Box Office". Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  32. ^ "Missed the Whitney Houston biopic in theaters? Here's how you can stream it". Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  33. ^ "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  34. ^ "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  35. ^ a b c Truitt, Brian (December 21, 2022). "'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' review: Whitney Houston biopic sings a frustratingly familiar tune". USA Today. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  36. ^ a b c Phillips, Michael (December 22, 2022). "Review: 'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody' is a well-acted biopic about not just a voice, but The Voice". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c Zacharek, Stephanie (December 23, 2022). "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Captures Both the Tragedy and Glory of the Superstar". Time. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Talbot-Haynes, Michael (January 5, 2023). "I Wanna Dance with Somebody". Film Threat. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  39. ^ a b Daniels, Robert (December 23, 2022). "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  40. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (January 17, 2023). "Avatar: The Way of Water Leads Visual Effects Society Awards Nominations". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
  41. ^ "2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards: The Nominations". BAFTA. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  42. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 9, 2023). "'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Leads Sound Editors' Golden Reel Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  43. ^ Grein, Paul (January 12, 2023). "'Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar Lead Music Nominations for 2023 NAACP Image Awards". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  44. ^ Justine Kraemer (November 2, 2025). "10 Best Music Biopics of the Last 5 Years, Ranked". Collider. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitney_Houston%3A_I_Wanna_Dance_with_Somebody

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