Kevin Costner refused to shorten his eulogy for Whitney Houston at her funeral, despite requests from CNN to cut it down for commercial breaks. During an appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Costner recounted the experience, revealing that network representatives asked him to make his speech shorter so they could air commercials during the broadcast. Costner, determined to give his “The Bodyguard” co-star a proper sendoff, refused, telling them they could play commercials over his speech if they needed to.
Costner was one of eight speakers at Houston’s 2012 funeral, and he had carefully prepared a 17-minute eulogy. Despite initial reluctance to undertake the task, he agreed to speak at the request of Dionne Warwick. Describing the atmosphere in the Newark church, Costner said it was electric, with two bands playing and the church filled with people. His commitment to honoring Houston was evident as he refused to compromise on his tribute.
The two had grown close while filming the 1992 romance thriller “The Bodyguard,” in which Costner played a bodyguard hired to protect Houston’s character from a stalker. The film and its soundtrack, featuring Houston’s iconic rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” became massive hits. Costner recalled Houston’s powerful performance of the song, noting how her a cappella opening changed the musical landscape forever.
Houston was just 48 years old when she died in February 2012, found unresponsive in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton. Her passing marked a significant loss to the music and film industries, and Costner’s heartfelt eulogy was a fitting tribute to her legacy. The actor’s refusal to shorten his speech highlighted his deep respect and affection for Houston, ensuring she was honored without compromise.
