Did Naomi Ackie Actually Sing?

Yes, Naomi Ackie did sing as part of her preparation and performance for the role of Whitney Houston in I Wanna Dance With Somebody, but the vast majority of the vocal tracks heard in the film feature Whitney Houston's original recordings.

Naomi Ackie's Vocal Performance in I Wanna Dance With Somebody

While Naomi Ackie undertook extensive vocal training for her portrayal of Whitney Houston, the film primarily utilizes Houston's original voice for the musical numbers. This approach was taken to ensure authenticity to Houston's iconic vocal prowess.

Why Vocal Training Was Essential

Even though most of the singing in the film is Whitney Houston's, Ackie's vocal training was a crucial element of her performance. This training allowed her to:

• Undergo six months of intensive vocal coaching.
• Perfect Houston's unique vocal style and mannerisms.
• Fully embody the role of the legendary singer, not just physically but also through her singing expressions.
• Sing along to playback of Houston's biggest hits, enabling her to convincingly lip-sync and perform the songs on screen with accuracy and emotional depth.

This dedicated preparation ensured that Ackie's on-screen performance felt authentic, even if her own voice wasn't the primary audio track.

The Percentage of Whitney's Voice in the Film

Naomi Ackie has stated that she doesn't sing extensively in the film, confirming that a significant portion of the vocals belongs to Whitney Houston. The breakdown of vocal contribution in I Wanna Dance With Somebody can be summarized as follows:

This means that while Ackie's efforts in vocal training and performance were vital for her embodiment of the role, the audience predominantly hears the original, unmistakable voice of Whitney Houston in the final cut of the film.