Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston forged a great friendship in 1992 during the filming of The bodyguard. Costner shared in an interview with CNN that Whitney Houston was always very close to him and that she was someone she deeply appreciated. He used to write her letters regularly in hopes of helping the artist in her fight against her addictions, although she does not know if she ever read them. On February 11, 2012, after learning of the death of her friend, Costner said in a statement: “She was my one true love.”
The film directed by Mick Jackson was a great box office success, establishing itself as one of the most popular of the time. The plot revolves around Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner), an expert bodyguard who is hired to protect Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston), a renowned singer and actress, after receiving death threats. As Frank immerses himself in the task of protecting her, he develops a close relationship with Rachel, facing personal and professional challenges along the way. The plot combines elements of romance, drama and suspense with exciting action scenes. It stands out especially for its soundtrack, with the iconic song I Will Always Love Youmasterfully performed by Whitney Houston, which became a global phenomenon.
Beyond the screen, the two protagonists demonstrated an extraordinary connection. Costner insisted that Whitney Houston be the lead, demonstrating his trust in her. «She was my choice. As the actor and producer of the film, I cast her,” Costner shared on Dax Shepard’s podcast, Armchair Expert:
During the Whitney Houston funeral, Kevin Costner revealed the doubts she had: «The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still asked herself: ‘Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? ‘Will they like me?’ It was her burden that made her great. However, he was always present to provide her with the security she needed.
In fact, the actor became deeply engaged with Whitney Houston during filming, assuring her that she would excel in her role, that she would look extraordinary, and that the film would be a resounding success. Costner expressed his loyalty to Houston: “I kept my promise. She will always be in my heart through her song, and I will always keep my promise.”
Throughout the filming process, Costner became a strong supporter of Houston, even facing racial bias on her behalf and ensuring she felt safe and respected on set. Furthermore, protected by Costner’s constant support, Huston established a clear clause: she would not perform nudity in the film. Firmly, she declared, “While everyone would love to see me without underwear, that’s not going to happen.” The exceptional connection between both protagonists was fundamental to the success of the film.
