Inside Kevin Costner And Whitney Houston's Relationship

Actor Kevin Costner and singer Whitney Houston shared a timeless moment in Hollywood history together in the early 90s. After striking up a friendship while filming their 1992 film The Bodyguard, the two stars remained good friends until her untimely passing in 2012, Newsner reported. Costner was already an acclaimed actor when they met on set, having already starred in award-winning films like Dancing with Wolves, Robin Hood, and The Untouchables, via IMDb. Houston was already a Grammy award-winning singer and international superstar when she was cast in the film opposite Costner. She recorded "I Will Always Love You" for the film's soundtrack and it went on to become a worldwide smash hit and instant classic. 

"[Houston] was nervous and scared that she wasn't good enough for the role," Costner said while recalling their time working together at Houston's funeral, via All About History. "But I told her I would be with her every step of the way." He went on to share how much the two had in common. "We both grew up in a Baptist church. It was easy for us to laugh. The church was what we knew. It was our private bond," he shared. "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. I can also see her in trouble, too."

At the time of Whitney Houston's untimely passing in February 2012, Kevin Costner released a statement saying,  "She was my one true love," All About History reported. While appearing on CNN in April 2012, Costner opened up to Anderson Cooper about the letters he used to write Houston in hopes that they would help her get the help she needed with battling her addictions, Today reported. "There are some people that really love Whitney, and a couple times during the last seven, eight years, (they) asked me, would I write her a letter?" Costner recalled. "She would always be close to me, she would always be somebody I appreciated." He continued, "When someone says, will you write a letter to someone who you know is having trouble ... I did." he revealed. "I don't know if those letters were ever read."

When asked if he witnessed Houston's substance abuse issues while filming The Bodyguard, Costner replied, "Not that I know of, no." He added, "I elected to let Whitney have her life after The Bodyguard." Kevin Costner's words at Whitney Houston's funeral remain as a testament of the bond the two Hollywood stars shared together.

Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston developed an enduring bond when they collaborated professionally. As "The Bodyguard" was set to debut, Houston detailed how Costner reached out to her personally regarding the role of Rachel Marron and was determined to have her star opposite him in the romance-drama film. "[Costner] said, 'If you don't do this movie, I won't do this movie,'" Houston said during a 1992 chat with Entertainment Tonight. Additionally, Costner was interviewed by the news outlet and noted Houston's value as a performer. He said of Houston, "I thought that she was really worth it. In fact, we postponed the movie for a year," before adding, "Anybody that looks at Whitney Houston could fall in love with her."

After Costner helped convince Houston to take on this lead part, he and the powerhouse performer became close while preparing for the film shoot. "There were moments when Kevin and I would be off into a corner somewhere, going over our script," Houston said on "A Current Affair" in 1992. She added, "We'd take our days off, and we'd go through our scripts together, our scenes together ... I know that I made a friend in Hollywood for life." Over the years, Costner has recognized Houston's iconic legacy.

Kevin Costner has publicly opened up about his positive feelings toward Whitney Houston. In September 2022, Costner took to Instagram to announce that "The Bodyguard" would be playing on the big screen to commemorate its 30th anniversary year. The "Yellowstone" star also praised Houston's performance in the caption of the post, writing, "I couldn't be more excited that we all get to re-experience this film and the magic that happened when Whitney stepped in front of the camera. I hope you'll join us in celebrating this movie and her legacy." 

After she asked Costner to speak at Houston's 2012 funeral, Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick offered him some comforting words of guidance. "I said, 'Well, just speak from your heart.' And I'm certain that's what he did at the event as well," Warwick said (via Fox News). In the speech, Costner emphasized the pop legend's many admirable qualities. "Whitney, if you could hear me now I would tell you, you weren't just good enough — you were great," Costner said, per the New York Post. He went on to state, "You weren't just pretty — you were as beautiful as a woman could be. And people didn't just like you, Whitney — they loved you."