She Had Her Back – Nafessa Williams on Playing Robyn Crawford in Whitney Houston Biopic

In the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," Nafessa Williams plays Robyn Crawford, the late singer's executive director-turned-creative director, and, according to her autobiography, romantic partner. Her relationship with Houston (played by Naomi Ackie) began when they were teenagers and lasted a short period of time, ending around the time Houston signed her first record contract at age 19. "We were friends. We were lovers. We were everything to each other. We weren't falling in love. We just were," she wrote in "A Song for You," published in 2019.

According to an early review, the film doesn't shy away from depicting their relationship. "I'm just really grateful to tell the story for young lesbians – and black lesbians in particular – who don't really see themselves on TV," Nafessa Williams told Entertainment Weekly. "My hope is that when you watch Anissa, a young lesbian is inspired to walk boldly as who she is and to love herself and to love herself exactly how she looks."

Williams' breakout role was in 2012, when she starred opposite
Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill in "Streets." She appeared on the soaps "One Life to Live" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," as well as in the Queen Latifah-produced feature film "Brotherly Love" (2015), opposite Keke Palmer. On television, Williams was cast in the Showtime continuation of the 1990s ABC drama "Twin Peaks," as well as the CBS prime time drama "Code Black."

The Philadelphia native spoke to EDGE about Whitney, Robyn, Houston's not coming out, and her favorite Whitney song.

EDGE: What was it like working on a film that was re-creating the life of Whitney Houston?

Nafessa Williams: I was like a little girl living in a dream world. I've always been a fan of Whitney Houston, so to be on set and to watch them re-create these moments was the experience of a lifetime. Naomi embodied her essence and her spirit. She was just amazing to watch. It was literally a dream come true.

EDGE: Before taking the role, how much did you know Whitney and Robyn's friendship/ relationship?

Nafessa Williams: I didn't know a lot, but I definitely knew who Robyn was. I had always heard that she was her protector, her confidant, her best friend, and someone who genuinely had her back. It was just amazing for me to read and learn so much about Robyn. Her autobiography served me well. There was a lot in her memoir that I was able to use in the film and really understand who she was. For me, it was like gold. To have some much information about the character prior to going on set and knowing that information directly from the person, was great. Her book was my saving grace.

EDGE: Did you get to speak to or spend time with Robyn Crawford?

Nafessa Williams: I have not been able to speak with Robyn. I hope that I someday soon I will. I just hope that she appreciates how I portrayed her. I made sure that I approached her character with the foundation of love and responsibility of their friendship.

EDGE: The chemistry between you and Naomi Ackie was amazing. Did that happen naturally?

Nafessa Williams: It happened so naturally. Cool story: Naomi as the same Zodiac sign as Whitney, and I'm the same sign Robyn. I felt like I understood their relationship better, and it helped with forming one with Naomi. It was so natural and easy that sometimes we had a little too much fun on set. We felt like childhood friends. I felt like I had known her my entire life.

EDGE: If Whitney was gay, what was holding her back from coming out?

Nafessa Williams: It was just a different time. A time [when being out] would have killed her career. The world was not accepting of queer people. For the character that I played on "Black Lightning, Thunder," it was tough for her to come out to her family. I loved playing that role. To be able to represent the queer community, which has been underrepresented in the movie industry, was so great.

For Whitney, it was just not an acceptable lifestyle for her family and her religion. I think the most beautiful thing about their relationship was the friendship. Whether they were lovers or not, they were friends at the core of it, and I think they would've been that no matter what.

EDGE: As a person, how were you able to connect to her?

Nafessa Williams: Robyn is loyal to a fault sometimes, and I was able to identify with that. I am a very loyal person and I take all my friendships very seriously.

slug>EDGE: What did you learn about Whitney that you didn't know before the film?

Nafessa Williams: I'm a huge Whitney fan, so there's not much that I didn't know about her. She was like my aunt in my head and still is. I've watched every documentary, movie, and interview she has done. What I did learn about her is that Whitney is going to do what she wants on her own terms, with no apologies. I admire that about her. It is a strength that I feel like she and went for it.

EDGE: What if Robyn didn't walk away?

Nafessa Williams: From my understanding of their relationship, Robyn had her back more than anybody else around her. Of course, there's the question that if Robyn stayed, would Whitney still be here? I think God's timing is always God's timing. We've all heard the whispers that they could have possibly been lovers, but no one really knows. What is amazing about this film is how it showcases their friendship. That's what I want everybody to see and focus on. They were really good friends at the core, and they both really understood that and the responsibility of it.

EDGE: Could Whitney have been saved?

Nafessa Williams: Again, God's timing. We all know how this movie ends. I don't like to play the "Woulda, coulda, shoulda" game. I wish she was, but I'm really excited for everybody to come and see this celebration of Whitney's life. That's really what this movie is ultimately about.

EDGE: Favorite Whitney Houston song?

Nafessa Williams: My favorite? I have so many, but if I had to choose one it would be "I'm Every Woman." I remember watching the video when I was about eight years old and seeing the little girls in the video who looked like me. For me, it was a fun and empowering video. Even though I was young, I understood the message.

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" opens in wide release on December 23.

Watch the trailer to "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."