In a recent podcast appearance, singer and actress Deborah Cox opened up about the pivotal role she played in bringing Whitney Houston's story to life on screen, crediting director Angela Bassett for personally recruiting her to provide the vocals for the 2015 Lifetime biopic Whitney.
Cox, 51, shared these insights during the Wednesday, April 8, episode of the “What Matters with Liz” podcast, hosted by Woman’s World Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello. The conversation delved into Cox's career highlights, with a particular focus on her involvement in the film that chronicled Houston's rise to fame and personal struggles.
“She was the one that called me and said, ‘I’m working on this project. Would you sing the music?’ And I was like, ‘Absolutely,’” Cox recounted, describing Bassett's direct outreach. At the time, Cox was juggling a demanding schedule on another project, but she made room for the opportunity. “That was the only day that I had off ’cause I was on another project. So I literally flew from Miami to LA, recorded the songs, and we did it.”
The recording session was remarkably efficient. “In a day we cut, like, six songs,” Cox explained, highlighting the intensity of the work. The biopic, directed by Bassett, who was 67 at the time of the podcast, featured Naomi Ackie as Houston, with Cox's voice dubbing the iconic performances.
Bassett's hands-on approach during production left a strong impression on Cox. “Under her direction, she was just like, ‘This is the moment. This is what’s happening,’” Cox said, recalling how Bassett would guide her through key scenes involving Houston's hits like “I’m Every Woman” and “I Will Always Love You.” The director aimed to capture the “essence” of Houston’s voice, a challenge Cox embraced by drawing on elements of Houston's style that resonated with her own artistry.
“And I think, as a performer, you find little areas of a person’s voice that really resonate with you and that’s what’s inspired me all these years,” Cox reflected. This project marked a significant intersection in her career, connecting her to one of music's most legendary figures.
Cox's passion for singing emerged early in life. “I knew when I was singing along to songs on the radio, commercial jingles. I had an affinity for melodies. You know, certain things would just stick with me,” she told Vaccariello. Growing up, her mother introduced her to influential artists such as Billie Holiday, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, and Dinah Washington, whose records filled the house.
Houston's music came into Cox's world later, but it solidified her determination to pursue music professionally. “I knew that I wanted music to be a career,” Cox said. Her path gained momentum in 1994 when she signed with Clive Davis, the renowned music executive who had shaped the careers of artists including Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and, notably, Whitney Houston herself.
A highlight of Cox's connection to Houston was their 2000 collaboration on the duet “Same Script, Different Cast,” which appeared on Houston's album My Love Is Your Love. Looking back, Cox sees patterns in her journey. “It’s interesting ’cause it’s not until you go through life when you look back you go, ‘Wow, there’s certain patterns that happen and certain synchronicities that happen as well,’” she observed during the podcast. “And I found that to be very interesting.”
The Whitney biopic, released on January 25, 2015, by Lifetime, portrayed Houston's life from her early days in Newark, New Jersey, to her stardom and battles with addiction. It drew mixed reviews, with some critics praising Ackie's performance while others noted the challenges of depicting such a complex icon. Cox's vocal contributions were widely acknowledged as a standout element, helping to authentically recreate Houston's powerful delivery.
Tragically, Houston's life ended on February 11, 2012, when she was found drowned in the bathtub of her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The coroner's report listed the cause as accidental drowning, with atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors. Houston was 48 years old at the time, leaving behind a legacy of hits like “The Greatest Love of All” and “Saving All My Love for You,” which earned her multiple Grammy Awards and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Bassett, known for her Oscar-nominated role in What's Love Got to Do with It as Tina Turner, brought her experience directing biopics to Whitney. In a related interview marking the 30th anniversary of Waiting to Exhale—another film featuring Houston—Bassett reflected on the enduring impact of such projects. Her decision to enlist Cox underscores the trust placed in the singer's abilities to honor Houston's sound.
Today, Cox continues to thrive in both music and theater. She is currently starring as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” in Titanique, a musical parody of the 1997 film Titanic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The production incorporates an exclusive score of Céline Dion songs, blending humor with high-energy performances. Previously, Cox portrayed Glinda in The Wiz and the title role in Aida, showcasing her versatility on stage.
The podcast revelation comes amid ongoing interest in Houston's story, with other projects like the 2022 film I Wanna Dance with Somebody, starring Naomi Ackie and directed by Kasi Lemmons, exploring similar themes. While that film used different vocalists, Cox's account highlights the personal connections that fuel these tributes. Sources close to the production of the Lifetime film confirmed Bassett's enthusiasm for Cox, noting her admiration for the singer's tone and range.
As Cox looks ahead, her reflections on Houston serve as a reminder of the music industry's interconnected web. The synchronicities she described—from shared producers to direct collaborations—illustrate how artists' paths often converge in unexpected ways. With Titanique running in New York, Cox remains a vital voice in entertainment, bridging generations through her performances and stories.
The enduring appeal of Houston's music, as voiced through talents like Cox, ensures her influence persists. Fans and fellow artists continue to celebrate her contributions, with events and releases keeping her catalog alive. Cox's podcast appearance not only sheds light on behind-the-scenes decisions but also reaffirms the collaborative spirit that defines Hollywood's biographical endeavors.