Celebrity Extra: Naomi Ackie
By Dana Jackson
Q: Who is the actress playing Whitney Houston in the new film about her life? Is she doing the vocals for the film or lip-syncing over Houston's? -- B.E.
A: Naomi Ackie won the coveted role of legendary singer Whitney Houston in "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," the biopic about the superstar's accomplished, yet tragic life. Ackie's first screen credit was in a 2015 episode of "Doctor Who," but her big break came by playing Jannah in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."
Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (2022) Photo Credit: Emily Aragones
According to Yahoo UK, Ackie, who is British, says that 97.9% of the vocals in the film are Houston's, but that she herself did sing the first song in the movie when the character was a bit younger and "needed to be refined." Even though she lip-synced, Ackie did a fantastic job recreating iconic moments in Houston's life, such as singing the "Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV and starring in the hit film "The Bodyguard" with Kevin Costner. Whether or not Ackie's hard work will pay off with an Oscar nomination on March 12 remains to be seen, as the film itself has received mixed reviews that might hurt her chances, despite her solid performance.
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Q: How is Jay Leno doing since he was burned in a fire? Has he fully recovered? -- L.D.
A: For those who didn't hear, former host of "The Tonight Show" -- and lover of cars old and new -- Jay Leno suffered second-degree burns while working in his garage recently. According to "People" magazine, on Nov. 12, while working underneath one of his vintage vehicles (he owns 204 cars and 168 motorcycles), "a freak fire erupted, spraying him with flaming gasoline." He's undergone several skin grafts at a burn center, but despite developing some scars, he has fully recovered. Fortunately, Leno's friend Dave Killackey was nearby and pulled him out before any more severe damage occurred, which could have resulted in Leno losing an eye.
As for his career, after leaving late-night shows in 2014, the comedian launched his CNBC TV series "Jay Leno's Garage," where he and his celebrity friends celebrate everything from classic cars to supercars. The show features a mix of stunts, challenges, reviews and interviews with guest stars.
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Q: Whatever happened to "Good Morning America's" Joan Lunden? I haven't seen her on television in years. She was always one of my favorites. -- I.S.
A: Now 72 years old, Joan Lunden is still a journalist, still happily married and the mother of seven children. She joined "GMA" in 1976 and was promoted to co-host alongside David Hartman in 1980, and later opposite Charlie Gibson. That ended in 1997, but she currently works for the competing "Today Show" as a special correspondent.
In 2014, Lunden faced a health crisis when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy as well as radiation treatment and a lumpectomy. She's a strong advocate for early detection and believes women should have mammograms before the recommended age of 45.
You can keep up with Lunden on her official website: JoanLunden.com.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.