The first trailer for Lifetime’s Whitney Houston biopic, Whitney, was released over the weekend, giving fans a first look at actress and model Yaya DaCosta as the infamous singer.

First Whitney Trailer Released

Directed by Angela Bassett, Whitney focuses on Houston’s singing career and, specifically, on her famously volatile relationship with Bobby Brown and problems with substance abuse. In the film, Houston is played by DaCosta, who first rose to fame as a finalist on America’s Next Top Model and recently played a supporting role in The Butler, and Brown is played by Arlen Escarpeta.

In the wake of Lifetime’s recent Aaliyah biopic disaster – Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B was panned by critics and viewers – Whitney is sure to meet a tough crowd, but the reactions to the trailer have been surprisingly positive.

Twitter Reacts To Whitney Trailer

Neither Brown nor his daughter with Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown, have commented on the trailer, though Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, expressed her displeasure with the film when it was announced.