Whitney, Unauthorized
Billboard|April 15, 2017

Nick Broomfield’s doc captures a voice “blessed by God” — against her estate’s wishes

Steve Dollar
Whitney, Unauthorized

I enjoy doing what I do ... but there’s a lot of it that’s not fun,” a young Whitney Houston confides in the new documentary Whitney: Can I Be Me. The pop superstar’s discontent detailed in the film, which premieres April 26 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, forecasts the tragic fall that led to her death in 2012. No stranger to controversy, filmmaker Nick Broomfield (Kurt & Courtney, Biggie & Tupac) did not receive the blessing of the Houston estate for the project. Using footage from a previously unseen documentary (made by co-director Rudi Dolezal) about Houston’s 1999 tour, the 69-year-old director explores an exceptional talent and troubled artist in Tribeca’s most-discussed feature.

This story is from the April 15, 2017 edition of Billboard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 15, 2017 edition of Billboard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BILLBOARDView All
Fifth Harmony: Pretty Little Fighters
Billboard

Fifth Harmony: Pretty Little Fighters

Girl groups were supposed to have been kaput when The X Factor threw together five ambitious teens with hard-knock childhoods. But as Fifth Harmony finally attains the upper reaches of the Hot 100, the tight-knit group finds itself “traumatized” by the strain of prepackaged fame, isolated from family and struggling to stay balanced. Now, they’re eager to assert their opinions on the industry, politics and Kanye West: “We finally have a damn voice.”

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 14, 2016
Jennifer Nettles: A Star Goes Back To Her Roots
Billboard

Jennifer Nettles: A Star Goes Back To Her Roots

Four years after Sugarland’s split, Jennifer Nettles is supporting Hillary and advocating for female artists (bro country be damned): “It’s in my blood”

time-read
5 mins  |
May 14, 2016
Life's Been Good To Niall (So Far)
Billboard

Life's Been Good To Niall (So Far)

A year-and-a-half ago, Niall Horan was basking in the shrieks of One Direction superfans. Now, with the group in limbo and his mates making moves in everything from R&B to acting, “the cute one” is painstakingly crafting an album as a California rocker — and hanging with astronauts, Selena Gomez and (yes) the Eagles. All while staying truly hashtag-humble: “I’m a simple old soul, me”

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 3-9, 2017
Becoming Chris Cornell
Billboard

Becoming Chris Cornell

Years before he was minted as a proper platinum-selling star, the late Soundgarden frontman tore off his thrift-store T-shirts and wailed like Robert Plant, transfixing a fledgling Seattle scene with little use for rock gods.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 3-9, 2017
Nathan Sykes Second Act
Billboard

Nathan Sykes Second Act

Nathan Sykes, 23, has risen from the ashes of boy band fame to propel himself as one of this year’s buzziest new artists. 

time-read
3 mins  |
September 17, 2016
People Are So Sensitive
Billboard

People Are So Sensitive

Jason Aldean returns from controversy (and blasts “bro country”) ahead of his aptly titled new album, They Don’t Know: “Media tends to make a big deal out of things”

time-read
5 mins  |
September 17, 2016
A Leap Of Faith
Billboard

A Leap Of Faith

His 1987 blockbuster made him a global icon. By 1992, he’d sued his record company and turned his back on pop stardom. “He had principles,” says his former manager.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 14, 2017
Billboard

Town And Country

Taylor Swift wrote their latest hit, and the Ryman just honored them with a residency. But lately, the sumptuously soft-rocking Little Big Town come off less like Nashville insiders than they do outlaws, stirring up controversy with “Girl Crush,” working with Pharrell and urging all people to overcome their differences: “There’s probably not a house in America that’s not divided right now”

time-read
9 mins  |
April 15, 2017
Bishop Takes Rock
Billboard

Bishop Takes Rock

With a big voice and some self-doubt, Bishop Briggs enters festival season: “A huge part of me is in disbelief”

time-read
4 mins  |
April 15, 2017
'We Carved Our Own Path'
Billboard

'We Carved Our Own Path'

Alt-rock standouts Incubus reflect on prescient sound, 20-year legacy and coming out of it ‘alive’ 

time-read
7 mins  |
April 15, 2017