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Whitney Houston's biopic sparks buzz among fans as they learn about her 'closeted' lesbian relationship

The biopic 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' depicts Whitney Houston's rise from obscurity to a musical icon

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Whitney Houston biopic 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' which premiered on Netflix on Saturday, April 22, has evoked emotional reactions from fans who have shared their sentiments on social media. The movie depicts the late singer's rise from obscurity to the musical icon, with Naomi Ackie playing the role of the legendary singer.

Originally released in theaters in 2022, the film quickly became the top feature film in the United States and has received acclaim from viewers, eliciting emotional responses and tears from many. Fans flocked to Twitter to express their impressions and surprise at the revelations made in the film, particularly regarding Houston's lesbian relationship with American author Robyn Crawford prior to her relationship with Jermaine Jackson. 

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Who is Robyn Crawford? 

Robyn Crawford is an American author and Houston's longtime friend as well as romantic partner. In her book, 'A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston', Crawford talks about her close relationship with Houston, including their romantic relationship. "I'd come to the point where I felt the need to stand up for our friendship. And I felt an urgency to stand up and share the woman behind the incredible talent," she wrote in her book.

'We spent the night together'

Talking about the relationship, Crawford admitted that they did eventually get intimate. "It was during that first summer that we met, was the first time our lips touched. And it wasn't anything planned, it just happened. And it felt wonderful. And then, not long after that, we spent the night together. And that evening was the night that we touched. And that just brought us closer," she said in an interview with Dateline NBC.

'She just came into my life all of a sudden'

"Our friendship was a deep friendship. In the early part of that friendship, it was physical," she added in the interview. She also added that she was not shocked on discovering their relationship was becoming physical. "No, I wasn't surprised. I was in that moment. It was ours. She just came into my life all of a sudden," she said. "I didn't know how long it was going to last but I was just enjoying the moment. And that's what we did, we just enjoyed it."

The two reportedly met while they were working as counselors at a summer camp in East Orange, New Jersey, in 1980. Crawford wrote in her memoir that Houston ended the physical part of their relationship one day in 1982. "She said we shouldn't be physical anymore because it would make our journey even more difficult," she wrote. "She said if people find out about us, they would use this against us, and back in the '80s that's how it felt." 

'Getting teary eyed'

Fans took to Twitter to express themselves after watching the biopic. A Twitter user said it took her 20 minutes before she was "getting teary-eyed" watching the film. Another wrote, "Watching “Whitney Houston I wanna dance with somebody” on Netflix. It is so damn good. I see you brandon green. This is a good one. Why I wanna cry already?"

'Didn’t know Whitney Houston was a closeted lesbian'

Others were surprised by the revelation of Houston being in a romantic relationship with Crawford. One wrote, "I'm do dense. I’m watching the Whitney Houston movie on Netflix. I did not know that Whitney Houston was in a lesbian relationship at one point," while another added, "Just saw the Whitney Houston movie on Netflix and it’s sad. All she wanted to be was herself and she wasn’t allowed to be it. They didn’t dig into it all the way but it was probably worse than what we know." A third said, "Finally watching Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody & I’m emotional I’m so sad she’s gone. She really was one of the greatest singers. But can we talk about her being lesbian?" An emotional user tweeted, "The way i’m crying because i didn’t know whitney houston was a closeted lesbian," while another added, "This Whitney Houston movie on Netflix didn’t waste no time getting to the lesbian part." A sixth said, "Whitney Houston was a LESBIAN who was unable to live her truth her whole career ! I STAND ON THAT." 

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