It has been ten years since we received the news that pop icon, Whitney Houston was discovered dead in a bath tub in her Beverly Hilton hotel. Since then, there have been numerous biographies, memoirs, and films about the legend that don’t hold a candle to her talent, which we were privileged to in her lifetime. With all these stories coming out in her passing, it begs the question, who’s guarding Houston’s legacy now? 
When Whitney Houston was alive, it was obvious that she guarded her privacy with intention. She did interviews, after the request became overwhelming, however, you could gauge that being in the spotlight was tiring for her. The media darling, before social media dominated everyone’s lives, was scrutinized–especially when her drug addiction could no longer be disguised.
Still, no one came out with books or films about the icon [most likely because of their shallow loyalty to Houston] until her passing. Her good friend, Robyn Crawford published a book in 2020; another person who calls herself a friend of the legend’s, Angela Bassett directed a film, in 2015; even Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston, wrote a book in 2013; and there is other content as well.
However, 2022 has been a busy year for Whitney Houston releases. There was the book, Didn’t We Almost Have It All written by Gerrick Kennedy, released in February. It got little attention, possibly because fans are bored with the same narrative that perpetuates common knowledge about the vocalist. 
Then there is the movie, I Wanna Dance With Somebody that was released on the 23rd of this month. With Naomi Ackie starring as the iconic singer, the cast of accomplished actors unfortunately waste their talent on this film that nobody asked for–and few are looking forward to. 
I will be apart of the majority, who will ignore this film. For one, I am a fan, secondly, I would have been interested in a film about the star if we had a reprieve from cinematic spectacles of her life. However, before I can even began to miss the star, there is yet another film popping up about her tragic life.
I understand Bobby Brown is not her widower and can’t come to her aide, withstanding, someone truly needs to defend Whitney Houston against the bevy of stories being told in her passing. Not even her family is shielding her; my guess is because they are too distracted with cashing those six-figure checks. 
In honor of Houston’s forty-eight years lived, here is my list of reasons why I won’t be going to see, I Wanna Dance With Somebody:
48. We’re expecting good weather this weekend
47. It’s not worth the drive
46. My Netflix tbr is out of control
45. I have three more books to finish in 2022
44. My mom is cooking … anything
43. I have one last present to open
42. I have my pinky-nail finger to fix
41. I have to wash my hair
40. I have an important phone call to make
39. The theater is always crowded and filthy
38. I have to catch up on emails
37. I have to clean my car
36. I have to reorganize my home library
35. I’ve heard the story too many times already
34. Black Panther is playing
33. I have New Year’s plans to do… anything else
32. I rather watch Beauty on Netflix
31. I don’t want to end 2022 like that
30. Reading Whitney Houston’s album booklets are more entertaining
29. It’s not worth the $10 bucket of popcorn
28. It won’t highlight her friendships with other singers
27. Nobody I know is interested in going to see it either
26. IndieWire said, “Ackie’s take on Houston would’ve been a wonderful character if this movie were as interested in the singer as it is in her songs.”
25. I can think of a thousand other ways to spend 2:26 hrs
24. I don’t know the director’s work
23. Seeing the movie will not justify the experience I’ll endure with the cashier
22. Whitney’s spirit wouldn’t approve
21. I’ve fallen behind on the Chippendale’s series on Hulu
20. I know the ending
19. I’m saving 90s nostalgic movies for later
18. Stanley Tucci’s talent deserves better
17. I have a $4.00 Amazon credit for a digital purchase
16. RogerEbert.com panned it
15. Crack is wack
14. I am a Whitney Houston fan
13. I’m not interested in any of the performances
12. I rather watch Whitney’s live concerts
11. The alleged diva battle between Houston and Mariah Carey [most likely] didn’t make the cut
10. Whitney Houston’s songs is an entire mood (that I’m not in right now)
9. I’m not ready to revisit her life of drug addiction and heartbreak
8. The love triangle is unbelievable
7. The Diane Sawyer interview with the legend is more entertaining
6. I hate musicals (and this sounds like a bad one)
5. It won’t bring back The Voice
4. I don’t want to see an actress lip sync Whitney Houston
3. The actor playing Bobby Brown is talented but I doubt he can pull that off
2. I only want to see a biopic about pre-2000s, Whitney
1. The lead actress looks nothing like Nippy
Junkie 4 A Story 