Whitney Houston & Kevin Costner would often spend time writing letters to each other.
Kevin Costner formed a beautifully close bond with his The Bodyguard co-star, Whitney Houston, and still loves her to this day. Although Houston passed away in 2012, at only 48 years of age, Costner continues to love the musical icon, who was his great friend. The actor gave a passionate speech to Houston at her funeral. Remembering a time she doubted her own incredible talent, he said per Smooth Radio, "Arguably the biggest pop star in the world didn't think she was good enough," he said, remembering the tears on set as the legendary singer questioned her voice.
On this day in 1992 Whitney Houston attended The Bodyguard premiere in Los Angeles.
— WhitneyHoustonFans (@WhitHoustonStan) November 23, 2022
Here is a picture from that event. pic.twitter.com/thlSTe9TBB
He added, "Whitney, if you could hear me now, I would tell you, you weren't just good enough, you were great. You sang the whole damn song without a band. You made the picture what it was. A lot of leading men could've played my part … but you, Whitney, I truly believe you were the only one who could've played Rachel Marron at that time." He continued, "You weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. And people didn't just like you Whitney, they loved you." Costner himself was one of them. The two would often spend time writing letters to each other over the years. At the time of her death, he released a statement saying, "She was my one true love".
In November, 30 years after its first premiere, The Bodyguard will be returning to theaters. I couldn’t be more excited that we all get to re-experience this film and the magic that happened when Whitney stepped in front of the camera. https://t.co/uQSt24HTwX pic.twitter.com/YKw85NXp2q
— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) September 22, 2022
Sources recently told Radar Online that Costner felt an immediate connection to Houston at first sight when they met on the sets of their famous 1992 film where Costner played the bodyguard of the singer's pop star character. The pair shared several intimate scenes in the movie and their connection was pretty obvious on screen. "He couldn't keep his eyes off her and made her comfortable in her first film role," an insider told the outlet, adding, "The chemistry between them was immediate and powerful."
Costner has been married twice and he was married when he met Houston. He and his first wife, Cindy Silva, were wed for 16 years. It is said that Costner paid his ex-wife an estimated $80 million in settlement. He has reportedly insisted that his marriage to college sweetheart Silva was already broken beyond repair when he signed on for the film.
Kevin Costner's $80M First Divorce: A Look Back at Actor's 1994 Breakup with Ex-Wife Cindy Silva https://t.co/4nx8CPOBqs
— People (@people) May 4, 2023
Now his second wife Christine Baumgartner, has filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage. The Oscar winner did not want his marriage to end this way. The couple tied the knot in September 2004 and share three children: Cayden Wyatt, 16; Hayes Logan, 14; and Grace Avery, 12. Costner's representative told PEOPLE in a statement, "It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action. We ask that his, Christine’s, and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”
Kevin Costner and his wife of over 18 years Christine Baumgartner have announced they are going their separate ways. https://t.co/0LS73Ul9J8
— CNN (@CNN) May 3, 2023
References:
https://radaronline.com/p/kevin-costner-divorce-loved-whitney-houston-bodyguard-first-marriage/
https://people.com/movies/kevin-costners-wife-christine-baumgartner-files-for-divorce/
https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/whitney-houston/bodyguard-1992-kevin-costner-relationship/
Cover Image Source: (L) Getty Images | Photo by Valerie Macon (R) Getty Images | Photo by Scott Gries | ImageDirect