Whitney Houston Biopic Director Says Singer Was Tired, Struggling Before Death

Before Christmas Day, Whitney Houston's fans will learn more about her life and career in an upcoming biopic.

The highly anticipated biographical musical film, "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody," is slated to arrive on Dec. 23. It features Naomi Ackie, who plays the titular role, alongside Stanley Tucci, Tamara Tunie, Clarke Peters, Ashton Sanders, and Nafessa Williams.

The flick explores the life and career of the renowned pop icon, who died on Feb. 11, 2012.

Ahead of its release, the film's director sat down for an interview with People and recalled the time she first met the "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" hitmaker.

Kasi Lemmons said the biopic would reveal Houston's final years and how she struggled at that time.

"I watched her come up and break, and it was incredible," she said. "We felt like we knew her. But when I met her, which was years later at the height of her career, I saw somebody who was under a lot of pressure, somebody who perhaps was struggling with some aspects of celebrity and somebody who was tired, actually."

Through the biopic, Lemmons reportedly tried to capture the experience Houston went through - about how it was not easy when she was under a lot of pressure.

With that, she hinted at the "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" lesson, saying it would highlight the singer's humanity she shared with fans until her death.

Ackie, who plays the singer's role, witnessed it firsthand and noted that she learned many things about Houston.

Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" To Answer All Unanswered Questions

Elsewhere in the interview, the biopic's producer, Clive Davis, opened up about the flick and how it would answer all questions about the icon.

The famed music executive said "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody" would also cover her sexuality, marriage, dependence on drugs, and career. He also applauded Ackie's audition piece that led her to getting the role.

Houston died 10 years ago following a drug-related accidental drowning. The then-48-year-old singer was found face down in a water-filled bathtub. Authorities found drug paraphernalia near her body, and they also revealed surprising details about her death in its official report.

Among the other things found in the scene was a spoon.

"Some people use a spoon for cocaine administration," a law enforcement revealed. "These days it's likely around for meth, which was not found at the scene, according to the investigator, so likely used as inhalation tool."

They also found a defibrillator patch on the upper right side of her chest and torso. The wig, which she always wore, was tightly affixed to her head.

Houston also sustained water temperature-minor abrasions on her face.

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