Actress gains confidence in role of pop diva

Yaya DaCosta had to dig deep to reach the confidence radiated by Whitney Houston at her peak, especially on stage.

But in portraying the legendary performer and recording artist in Lifetime's new TV film, Whitney, which premiered on Saturday in the United States, DaCosta saw no alternative.

"I'm not a singer," DaCosta said on Friday. "But even if I were, Whitney Houston was a very specific kind of singer. Beyond any mimicry, there was a certain essence that I challenged myself to capture on stage. It meant exuding a confidence that had to be real.