Deborah Cox just wanted to pay tribute to her late friend. While recently visiting Us Weekly's NYC headquarters, the legendary multi-platinum singer opened up about participating in Lifetime's controversial Whitney Houston biopic.
"There was a lot of mixed feelings. It is a sensitive thing, but it's a very complex situation," Cox, 40, told Us Weekly's Entertainment Director Ian Drew. "I really just wanted to honor her and this was a way to do that. I've always loved her music so it was a great tribute."
Deborah Cox and Whitney Houston
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Steve Granitz/WireImage
The "Things Just Ain't the Same" singer re-recorded Houston's vocals for Whitney, which starred Yaya DaCosta in the title role and was directed by Houston's Waiting to Exhale costar Angela Bassett. The buzzed-about TV movie - which chronicled Houston's volatile relationship with Bobby Brown and drug use - premiered in January and was slammed by the late star's mom, Cissy Houston.
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"I didn't hear anything from the family. There was something between Lifetime and the family that was a bit awkward," Cox told Us. "But all of us as a team wanted to make sure the music sounded authentic."
Whitney Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina arrive at the Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala.
Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images
The entertainer - who is set to release a new album titled Work of Art in late summer - collaborated with Houston in the 2000 R&B song "Same Script, Different Cast." She noted that she's not close to Houston's loved ones, but has been thinking of her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown. Houston and Brown's daughter has been in a medically induced coma since late January after being found facedown and unconscious in her Atlanta bathtub.
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"It's very sad. I've said my prayers," Cox said. "I hope for a miracle."
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