Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature carved out to celebrate TV and Film’s festive past.
On the agenda today?
A fresh look at the Christmas classic ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ which starred Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance and Denzel Washington.
Ready to take that journey to the past?
Meet us below…
The movie impacted theatres on December 13th 1996 and was welcomed with praise and adoration from critics who praised its feel-good nature and performances delivered by its African-American cast.
How it fared at the box office? Heavenly, earning $48 million during its run after picking up $7 million in its opening week!
Julia Roberts was the first actress considered for the role Whitney would go on to score but was never approached by producers who, with help from Denzel, convinced Houston to fill the position.
Her price? $10 million. Once on board, Whitney joined forces with Mervyn Warren Babyface, Teddy Riley, Annie Lennox, Diane Warren and David Foster to create a soundtrack that went on to sell over 8 million copies worldwide and place a pretty penny in Arista Records‘ pockets.
What are your favourite moments from the movie?
![Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Live Album Release & New Song 'Love Is' [Stream]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/whitney-concert-live-south-africa-album-2024-stream-thatgrapejuice-houston-464x260.jpg "Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Live Album Release & New Song 'Love Is' [Stream].")
![WOW! Tori Kelly Soars with Live Performance of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' at David Foster's 75th Birthday Bash [Video]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/david-foster-birthday-bash-2024-thatgrapejuice-tori-kelly-i-have-nothing-whitney-houston-464x260.jpg "WOW! Tori Kelly Soars with Live Performance of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' at David Foster's 75th Birthday Bash [Video].")
“I wanna see the receipts – show me the receipts!” – “Do you know, Diane” –
The soundtrack is still great!
this movie was so good! Whitney was really a great actress.
Still listen to the soundtrack regularly!
PRAISED? Sometimes I don´t know if any of these guys at TGJ know anything about cinema, or any of TGJ commentators for that matter. It was cute and I am a Whitney fan. Just that. An ok movie for Xmas. I doubt it was highly praised LOL
Anyway, its pretty good box office numbers for the type of film it was proves Whitney could not only be a monster force in music but also have pretty much the most successful film career (with the films actually having her as the co-lead LOL) among any female music artist. Definitely. Beyonce and Rihanna´s supposed success in film (in their fans imagination) wish.