The cast of Waiting to Exhale reunited for the movie’s 30th anniversary. They remembered their friend and co-star, Whitney Houston. Actresses Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon reflected on the making of the movie, its impact, and the close bond they still share. The ladies spoke warmly about Houston’s central role.
Actors from Waiting to Exhale Reflect on Their Connection with Whitney Houston
The actresses from Waiting to Exhale shared during the reunion that Houston brought joy and generosity to the set. Loretta Devine remembered her laugh and how much fun they had together. She stated (via CBS Mornings interview with Gayle King), “She loved doing it. She had so much fun, and we had fun.”
Lela Rochon expressed her belief that Houston would be pleased with the movie’s legacy, saying, “I think she would be proud.” She also recalled a significant moment during the film’s promotion.
When some outlets wanted to interview only Houston and Bassett, Houston refused to comply. “She said, ‘No. We go as a group, or we don’t go at all,’ and that was powerful for me, that she stood up for us,” Rochon remarked.
During the Waiting to Exhale reunion with Gayle King, Bassett described the on-set atmosphere and emphasized the importance of authenticity in their collaborative work. “I knew it was special because it’s our faces, our brown, beautiful, brilliant faces, on the screen, together. It broke through,” she said. She added that when projects are created with truth and care, “it resonates, it travels, it lives, it breathes.”
The cast also discussed what the film continues to represent for audiences today. Devine noted how the movie transformed the portrayal of Black women on screen. She stated, “It makes Black women feel good about themselves,” adding that the story illustrates that women can “be and do just about anything you dream of.”
Rochon encapsulated their sentiments during the reunion by describing Waiting to Exhale as a film “about the love of friendship” and commending the real-life bond that the women continue to share.
