Though it's been almost 30 years since Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston starred in The Preacher's Wife, Denzel, 69, recently spoke up about working with the late singer, actress, producer, and philanthropist. At the American Black Film Festival on Saturday, June 15, 2024, Denzel shared that he "felt like [he] always wanted to protect her."
Widow of film critic Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, who was the host, mentioned how there was "vulnerability" in Whitney. Denzel responded with, "So you really got that?"
When Chaz, 71, confirmed that there was noticeable vulnerability, Denzel said, "Well, of course."
"I always felt like I wanted to protect her. You know?" Denzel said again.
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"She wanted to be so tough, but she really wasn’t. That’s all," he continued.
Denzel and Whitney portrayed Dudley and Julia Biggs in the 1996 film, which also starred Courtney B. Vance, Jenifer Lewis, Gregory Hines, Lionel Richie, and Loretta Devine.
Denzel also spoke to GQ Magazine about Whitney in September 2012, shortly after her death. She died in February 2012 at the age of 48.
"Whitney was my girl, and she had done so well in recovery," Denzel said in 2012. "And that is the toughest part about addiction."
"And that was a monster drug that got a hold of her, it was a mean one. You can't go back to that one. Nobody beats that," he continued at the time.
He added that, "She couldn't take it. Your body can only take so much."
In the 2012 interview, Denzel also said that Whitney was "sweet" and "humble."
Denzel is not the only star to speak up about his relationship with Whitney. Earlier in June 2024, Kevin Costner revealed that he was like an "imaginary bodyguard" for Whitney while they were working on set of The Bodyguard.
