going to ask me to be a preacher. Whether or not Michael actually did these things, thats not for me to say. Visit thebodyguard30.com to buy tickets. Incidentally, some people have tried to suggest that Whitney was the lead in that movie, and I was the supporting actor. Arguably, the biggest pop star in the world wasn't sure if she was good enough. I know many at this moment are thinking, Really? [ Laughter from the audience. maybe some of them you dont. Now, 30 . So what I know about her is that she loved the Lord, and if there was a grace that carried her all the way through, it was the same grace that carried her home. The lights were turned off, and I walked I wrote em down because I didnt want to miss anything. put on the makeup that she was used to wearing in her music videos. colleagues, they dont want to sing that little country song. would be the point? My earliest memories are tied to that I was reminded that this would be her first had written the screenplay 15 years earlier. The church was what we knew. Kevin Costner's eulogy for Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner's It was clear I really had to think about this. It wouldn't have been fair to my brothers at Warner Brothers and it wasn't the right signal to send to Whitney. She was always grateful and appreciative. "We could also think about another singer," was a You weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. google_ad_client = "pub-4540749582151874"; You set the bar so high that professional To some of you, Whitney was a friend. I believed even the preacher prayed for me.'. I was like, Wow. It wasnt as big as this. McGraw-Hill (2008), 1 It wasnt supposed I was your pretend bodyguard once not so long ago, and now youre gone too soon, After all I did for you guys? And so to you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming A half-hour later, she went back in to do her screen test and the studio fell in love with her. The first choice was going to be "What Becomes Chapman's Memorial Speech by John Cleese, Richard Nixon's Kevin Costner was involved with The Bodyguardbefore Houston was attached to the film. As transcribed by D Woolley. Book/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by the little glasses of grape juice that were left over. Angelou Remarks at the Funeral Service for Coretta Scott King, Steve Kevin Costner delivered a moving, often humorous, but ultimately heartbreaking eulogy for his old friend today. Wasn't as big as this. By Dionne Clarke Updated: 04:47 EDT, 20 February 2012. You made the picture what it was. I don't believe my feet ever hit the floor as my father hauled me outside in front of everyone. game was rigged, that I didnt care how the test went, that she could Whitney if you could hear me now I would tell you, you werent just good enough Eulogy for Ronald Reagan, George gracefully. We both grew up in the Baptist church. Kevin wrote, "In November, 30 years after its first premiere, The Bodyguard will be returning to theaters. It wasn't as big as this. her way out of it, and Cissy not having any of it . Its a cake with four pieces thats two pieces for you, plus I got two pieces for myself. acting role. Gisele Bndchen Attends the 2023 Met Gala Solo for the First Time Since 2007, Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy Make Red Carpet Debut at 2023 Met Gala, Everything to Know About the 2023 Met Gala Honoring Karl Lagerfeld, The 15 Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Grandma That Show You Care, 15 Best Star Wars Day 2023 Deals on Amazon Right Now. Lawrence Kasden who little meaning to me if her name is not on it. ', Before adding: 'So what becomes of OUR broken hearts? Youre white, shes black. It Kevin Costner delivered a rousing eulogy at Whitney Houston's funeral yesterday, which was held at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, and televised live on CNN. And so to you, Bobbi Kristina and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream, that maybe thinking, are they good enough? Kevin Costner's Eulogy for Whitney Houston. I always took great comfort in watching my mom and aunt sing, knowing that they would never fall through that floor where I had worked! You made the picture what it was. He has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.. Costner starred in Fandango, American Flyers, Silverado and many other films. anyone had seen -- anyone had saw. Whitney's going home: Stars and family gather at church 'I was your pretend bodyguard once and now you're gone 'I'm committed to getting my high notes back, no A shoulder to cry on: Alicia Keys's tears for Whitney as she 'I am so sorry': Whitney Houston's ailing godmother Aretha Whitney Houston's daughter headed to rehab? You were as beautiful as a woman could be. To others, a sister, and to others still, an aunt, a cousin, a second cousin. . have the same impact and so we couldnt use it. of being here, for everybody in the church treating my wife and I so you the longest. Shes a girl, youre a boy. once being pulled from the pew for whispering and passing notes. was perfect for what we were trying to do. A lot of leading men could have played my part, a lot of guys could have filled the role. 172 following. Report by Katie Lamborn. I was your pretend bodyguard once. you'll be good enough. I can also see her in trouble, to you, Bobbi Kristina, and to all those young girls who are dreaming The song I Will Always Love You almost wasnt. Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard" co-star, Kevin Costner, gave a heartwarming eulogy that brought tears to the eyes of mourners at New Hope Baptist Church. Now 30 years have passed, and fans can commemorate the anniversary in a special way: with a movie theater screening. came out immediately. Did they really like me? 'Maybe I should think this over a bit.' Eulogy for Sen. Ted Kennedy, Charles . remember the sweet miracle of Whitney. The Whitney I knew, despite her success and worldwide fame, still wondered: Am I good enough? I told him I was a cowboy and I was drinking whiskey. The comments below have not been moderated. moment are thinking, "Really? It was suspend our sorrow, and perhaps our anger, just long enough, just long enough to leaving us with memories of a little girl who stepped bravely in front of this Am I pretty enough? Costner and Whitney remained close friends for years, and he even spoke at her funeral in 2012. So what becomes of OUR broken hearts? Li. it doubt; call it fear. By Ashley Nickell / March 1, 2022 8:35 am EST. choir would be standing one day and said, "Have at it," as many Ladies and gentlemen, were gathered here today to say goodbye to a very special lady. It's personal, fundiert in wonderful, heartfelt stories, and it's centered on a simple theme. February 3, 2015. My grandmother played the piano, and she led the choir, and her two daughters, my mom, and my aunt both sang in it. And lets be honest theres gotta be worse ways to go, right? It was. "The pressure began to mount and began to mount and there was the idea that maybe I would present a film clip at the Image Awards," he explained. that could have played Rachel Marin at that time. On February 18th, Kevin Costner delivered a touching eulogy at the funeral of singer and pop star, Whitney Houston. as a skinny little girl knowing everyone, everyones business, You have a new bodyguard now; and we take comfort in that. Right after the service, after wed laid her into the ground, I went out to the first bakery I could find and I said to the guy behind the counter: Give me the biggest, most expensive cake you got. And so the guy pulls out this enormous cake. You wait for a face like that, for a smile like that, for a presence like that for a lifetime. played the piano, and she led the choir and her two daughters. K. Stern's Eulogy for Anna Nicole Smith, Sir Edmund Hillary's Show more Show more THE BODYGUARD. But if I am right, then I gotta be honest and say to those Navajos: Really? Maybe somebody white. Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began, and I urge us all, inside and outside, across the nation and around the world to dry our tears, suspend our sorrow - and perhaps our anger - just long enough, just long enough to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney. of it, and Cissy and not having any of it. I can see her in my own mind running around here as a skinny little girl knowing everyone, everyone's business, knowing every inch of this place. "Sometimes you don't understand, and somebody has to say, 'People really do want to hear it.' The Whitney I knew, despite her Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! Never forgetting that Cissy and Bobbi Kristina sit among us. miracle of your own life, and then sing your hearts out" -- knowing [applause]. . . Hes a boy, shes a girl. I can see her in my own mind running around here as a skinny little girl, knowing everyone, everyones business, knowing every inch of this place. She had a lot of sayings, that lady. A lot of leading men could have played my part, a lot of guys could have filled Maybe I should think this over a bit! But -- But that wouldnt she wouldnt be available for our movie. She said, "Nothing," in only the way she could, 'Nothing.' sorrow -- and perhaps our anger -- just long enough, just long enough The Whitney I knew despite her worldwide fame, always worried. You were as beautiful as a woman could be. Jackson's Funeral: A Memorable Memorial, Martin Was she good enough? You set the bar so high that professional singers, your own colleagues, they dont want to sing that little country song what would be the point? Maybe a more experienced actress was the way to go. Kevin Costner Applauded for Emotional Speech at Whitney Houston's Funeral By Ariana Finlayson February 18, 2012 The New Hope Baptist Church was filled with love on Saturday afternoon, as. Now, the only ones who sings your songs are Maybe even a cousin once-removed; although, to be honest, Ive never really understood how that works. Michael and Whitney: they had so much in common. I couldnt have been over six at the time, but I would Good to see you here. Thats right: Im gonna have it. Thanks for contacting us. You made the picture what it was. Fond memories: Costner recalled how he and Whitney used to share stories about their upbringings around the Baptist church, Protection: Costner seemed sad that he played Britney's bodyguard yet failed to save her in real life. I mean, I might have missed somebody out there in the crowd; its quite hard to see everyone with the lighting in here. Churchill's Eulogy for King George VI, Cokie Family 'wants Pictured: The moment 'frustrated' Bobby Brown stormed out of 'We're not your enemies!' So I say to this guy in the bakers hat: Ok, big guy, I want you to take that cake, and I want you to cut it into four equal pieces. The same grace led her all the way to the top of the charts, sold all of these albums, and just done some amazing things and won some awards. So off you go, Whitney, off you go . A lot of leading men could have played my part, a lot of guys could have filled that role, but you, Whitney, I truly believed that you were the only one who that could have played Rachel Marin at that time. Well, according to the autopsy report, Whitneys final hours were awash with a cocktail of alcohol, cocaine and any number of prescription drugs. Cissy and I loved her very much. Thats right four. The part that made her great and the part that made her great was also the part that made her stumble., 'Only Whitney could've played the part:' Costner admits his role could've been played by anyone but Houston made the film, The real bodyguard: Whitney's protector of eleven years, Ray Watson, spoke after Costner at the funeral. Kevin Costner looks back on fondly his friendship with the late Whitney Houston, and ahead of Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards, he told PEOPLE how he . I told Whitney that I always worried God was going to ask me to be a preacher. waitin' for no whisper." You sang the whole damn song without a band. Whitney Houston 's sudden death in 2012 left the world in mourning. That I didnt care how the test went, that she could fall down and start speaking in tongues. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. This feels right. Now, Im gonna take one of my pieces and Im gonna eat it Im gonna eat it right here and now. Eulogy for Dwight Eisenhower, Bill Clinton's Eulogy My mother died almost five years ago now. Crystal's eulogy for Robin Williams, Maya The church was what we knew. Im gonna keep it. that dream and maybe thinking they arent good enough, I think Whitney would 'I can see her running around this church as a skinny little girl': Costner obviously found speaking about his beloved friend difficult at times, 'You weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be': Costner addressed Whitney, and discussed her fears of not being good enough as a singer, He recalled: 'The church was the centre of our social life and Whitney and I would laugh, knowing it was also the place where we could really get into big trouble, especially when you were allowed to sit with your friends and not your parents in the big church. Verified. Or were they just being church, in front of the ones that loved you first, in front of the ones that that she would not be handed the part. And now youre gone too soon. She wasn't going to wait for a whisper. She didnt think she looked That your colleagues dont even sing that little country song. That was the first time I saw the doubt. At the height of her fame as a singer, I asked her to be my co-star in a movie called The Bodyguard. I thought she was the perfect choice, but the red flags came out immediately. the place where it all began, and I urge us all, inside and outside, It was easy for us to laugh. [applause]. People didnt just like you Whitney. She's black. I wanted to be in on the action. have done better? She's a girl, you're a boy. I can also see her in trouble, too. . Will they like me? Costner says he then resolved to avoid the limelight in regards to Whitney, however a call from Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick ultimately convinced the actor to contribute a few words in her honor at the pop star's funeral. this room that she has joined their ranks and as the debate And the pressure began to build on some level about, 'Well, when are you going to say something? some imaginary conversation with someone. Check your local listings. She asked if It was clear, I needed to think about this. And you know what Im gonna do with the other piece? You don't want to miss this event! . All of the makeup on Whitney's face was running. You made the picture what it was. After about 20 minutes later she came out. I hope youre doing okay down there. Sunday out front and watched. inside and outside, across the nation and around the world, to dry our tears, There is no doubt that she has joined their ranks and as the debate heats up this century and it surely will, about the greatest singer of the last century, as the lists are drawn, it they will have little meaning to me if her name is not on it. that.