The search is over! Yaya Alafia has been tapped to play Whitney Houston in Lifetime’s upcoming biopic directed by Angela Bassett.
TV Line initially broke the news that the 31-year-old actress and former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant will play the legendary singer in the film chronicling her relationship with Bobby Brown. The biopic is said to follow the years between 1989 and 1994.
There is no word on who will be cast as Brown.
“I have such regard for both Whitney’s and Bobby’s amazing talents and accomplishments, and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story,” Bassett said upon news of the film. “Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I’m beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world.”
Alafia was last seen in Lee Daniels’ The Butler and the indie dramedy Big Words. Up next, she will be featured in And So It Goes with Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton.
Photo courtesy of Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images North America
The untitled Whitney Houston biopic is slated for a 2015 premiere.