Denzel Washington ‘wanted to protect’ former costar Whitney Houston

Denzel Washington reflected on his time working with the late Whitney Houston and remembers feeling the need to protect her from the world.

“I felt like I always wanted to protect her,” the Oscar-winning actor, 69, said Saturday, June 15, during a speech at the African Black Film Festival. When the host Chaz Ebertwidow of fire Roger Ebertasked if Washington saw a “vulnerability” in Houston, the Training day The actor replied: “So you really understand?”

Washington later confirmed that “of course” he saw the vulnerability of Houston, who died in February 2012 at the age of 48 after an accidental drowning due to contributing factors of heart disease and cocaine use.

“I always felt like I wanted to protect her. You know?” Washington continued. “She wanted to be really tough, but she really wasn’t. That’s all.”

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Houston and Washington worked together on the 1996 family drama The pastor’s wifewhich also featured Courtney B. Vance, Jennifer Lewis, Lionel Richie, Loretta Devine And Gregory Hines. Houston played Julia Coleman Biggs, the wife of a New York pastor (Vance), while Washington played an angel named Dudley who helps the family through the Christmas season. The film was a remake of the 1947 film The Bishop’s Wifewhich featured Cary Grant, David Niven And Loretta Young.

After Houston’s death, Washington spoke about his friend and partner in an interview with GQ.

“Whitney was my girlfriend, and she had done so well in recovery,” Washington said in September 2012. “And that’s the hardest part of addiction. “And it was a monster drug that took over from her, it was a nasty drug You can’t go back to that one.

The actor added: “Maybe she thought she could have one. And then the next moment, her body betrayed her. She didn’t know that her body was aging quickly.

“She couldn’t stand it. Your body can only handle so much.

He added that he hoped Houston’s death would serve as an example to others struggling with addiction.

“It’s more of an example for me or the rest of us to stay the course,” he explained. “I was listening to his song ‘I Look to You.’ It’s prophetic.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).