The producers of the Whitney Houston biopic have found their lead actress.
According to TVLine, Yaya DaCosta will play Houston in Lifetime's adaptation of her life.
The site reports that the film "will chronicle Houston's volatile relationship with singer-songwriter Bobby Brown during her meteoric rise to musical superstardom."
DaCosta first emerged on the scene during Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model. She then went on to land a recurring roles on shows including All My Children, Ugly Betty and House.
Most notably, DaCosta appeared in Lee Daniels' The Butler.
Bustle reports that Houston's family is unhappy with the film, especially her daughter Bobbi Kristina who took to Twitter to express her dismay.
She is particularly upset because she says she is the only person her mother would approve to play her role.
Any1 would or should EVER play my mother & tell OUR story, we've talked MANYtimes&1&ONLY person she approved of is ME. Understand that.
As previously reported by Music Times, the film is slated to air in 2015 and will be directed by actress Angela Bassett in her directorial debut.
"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 in a statement. "Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I'm beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world."
Bassett and Houston starred in the 1995 film Waiting To Exhale together.
The Santisky Company is producing the film. Larry Santisky will serve as executive producer with Shem Bitterman writing the script.
The film has not yet been titled.
