Yaya Dacosta Set To Play Whitney Houston in New Biopic, And She's Nigerian!

Yaya Dacosta is set to play the role of late music legend Whitney Houston in a new Biopic to be directed by famous actress, Angela Bassett. Angela acted alongside Whitney Houston in Waiting to Exhale and both women were also friends. The movie will be Angela Basset's directorial debut, and it would be aired on the Lifetime TV Network.

The untitled TV-movie, according to TVLine which first reported the details, will chronicle Houston’s rise to musical stardom and her always volatile relationship with singer-songwriter Bobby Brown.

However, we may not see the movie if Whitney Houston's family have anything to do with it. The family feels she deserves more than just a television movie. Whitney's sister-in-law, told TMZ: 'Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie. If Whitney were here today, this would not be happening.'

Whitney's estate has reportedly already informed Lifetime of their displeasure and is said to be threatening a lawsuit if the network refuses to cancel production.

But we're hoping here on RML that the family comes to an agreement with Angela Basset and Lifetime to go ahead with the movie. Why? Because we're huge fans of Whitney Houston and also, Yaya Dacosta is a Nigerian! I bet you didn't know that :)

More from ABC on 5 things you must know about Yaya Dacosta;

1. Her Small-Screen Debut
DaCosta actually made her small-screen debut in 2004 on the reality show, ”America’s Next Top Model.” She finished second in the show’s third cycle but went on to a fairly successful career as a model. She has appeared in advertisements for Garnier Fructis, Oil of Olay, Sephora and Dr. Scholl’s.

2. Her Move to Acting
DaCosta began acting in 2005 after landing a guest role on an episode of the television show “Eve.” The following year, she starred opposite Antonio Banderas and Alfre Woodard in the dance film “Take the Lead,” and chalked up some supporting credits in the indie films, “Honeydripper” and “The Messenger.” Soap fans will no doubt recognize her as Angie Hubbard’s daughter in “All My Children.” She also played Vanessa Williams’ daughter in “Ugly Betty.” Last year’s bounty of black films was great for DaCosta, who starred in three films, “Mother of George,” “Big Words” and and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.”

3. She Speaks Multiple Languages
Of African American, Brazilian and Nigerian descent, DaCosta, who was born in Harlem, N.Y., converses in multiple  languages, including in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. She also dabbles in Japanese and Kiswahili. Clearly no slouch academically, DaCosta studied in Brazil and the Dominican Republic and graduated from Brown University, where she majored in Africana Studies. “I feel at home in a lot of places, but I am truly an African-American,” the beauty told NPR’s “Tell Me More .”

4. She’s Married and a Mom
In June 2012, DaCosta married independent filmmaker Joshua Bee Alafia and gave birth to the couple’s first child, a son, Sankara, in September 2013. DaCosta, who wears her long hair natural or chemically unprocessed, also keeps things natural at home. Like Jennifer Connelly, Gisele Bundchen, Alanis Morissette and Alyson Hannigan, DaCosta gave birth to her son at home. She’s also posted a couple Instagram photos  of her breastfeeding Sankara.

5. She Practices Gratitude
“Happiness is the bomb cosmetic! When I’m smiling, sometimes I’m giving thanks for all the things I have, rather than worrying about the things I don’t,” DaCosta told the blog Doo Bop .  ”I try to make my mood uplifting and peaceful then watch the world around me reflect that mood.”