Two days after their conversation, Costner received a phone call from Houston’s cousin, legendary singer Dionne Warwick, who asked him to deliver a speech at the funeral. Feeling the weight of the moment, Costner reflected on what he could possibly say about the talented young girl. As he entered the church in Newark for the service, he was struck by the lively atmosphere – two bands playing, a packed church, and an electrifying energy that seemed to fill the room.
Costner had been working on his speech for days, consulting with a friend named Armie, and carefully crafting his words to honor Houston’s memory. However, he faced a challenge when he learned that the service would be televised, and he was advised to keep his remarks brief to accommodate commercial breaks. Undeterred, Costner was determined to deliver the speech he had prepared, even if it meant interrupting by commercials.
Despite spending a week perfecting his speech, Costner still felt unsure about taking the stage, especially when he noticed the presence of Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer in the audience. He even considered asking them to read his speech instead. However, he ultimately took the stage and began speaking, ignoring the stares of others who had hoped to speak. Seventeen minutes later, Costner had completed his heartfelt tribute to his friend Houston.
Reflecting on his friendship with Houston, whom he had worked with on the 1992 film “The Bodyguard,” Costner shared memories of their time together on set. From playing the character Frank Farmer, hired to protect Houston’s character Rachel Marron, to forming a genuine connection off-screen, Costner’s bond with Houston was evident in his moving words at her funeral.