Earlier this week, fans got a chance to get a glimpse of Whitney Houston’s final film ‘Sparkle’ with the unveiling of the first extended movie trailer. The remake of the 1976 classic not only co-stars Jordin Sparks, Cee-Lo Green, and Mike Epps, but also features a duet with Sparks and the late singer.
“I actually just heard a cut of it the other day and my jaw was on the floor,” Sparks told Entertainment Weekly. “I remember them playing the demo for me and R. Kelly is singing them and I’m looking at everybody going, ‘I get to sing this song? Are you serious?’ I was very excited.”
The song, “Celebrate” was written by R. Kelly, and incorporates an old school R&B sound. “My fans are going to see a different side of me,” she explained. “Because it’s deep R&B. It’s got that old ’60s flair. It’s just really emotional and super connected.”
‘Sparkle’ director Salim Akil also added, “It’s just an upbeat, fun song with two women who can really blow. It’s just one of those kind of songs. There’s no other way to put it. You’ve got two strong women who can sing their asses off. It’s upbeat and they’re trading off like Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley.”
Having grown up and idolized Houston, Jordin says, “For me as a singer growing up listening to her, to be able to do a song with her is incredible. And being her friend, just hearing how she sounded, it was amazing. So I can’t wait for people to hear that. I cannot wait.”
‘Sparkle’ is set to arrive in theaters on August 17th.
