Kevin Costner and the memory of Whitney Houston: “We have lost a very big light”

Kevin Costner honored his friendship with the late and great Whitney Houston on his 70th birthday over the weekend.

The veteran actor remembered his co-star in the 1992 romantic thriller, The bodyguardand reposted a behind-the-scenes photo of the two shared by Houston’s Instagram account, which is managed by her estate following the artist’s death in 2012.

“This photo reminds me how lucky I am to be able to have an older birthday.”Costner said on his Instagram Story on January 18. “We lost a very big light when we lost Whitney”.

In the original publication Costner and Houston appeared together with Houston’s hairdresser for the photo, Ellin LaVar. “Happy birthday, Kevin Costner!” read the caption.

The classic of Warner Bros. stars Costner as a former Secret Service agent hired to protect pop star Rachel Marron (Houston), who is under threat due to a stalker. While the two are at first at odds, especially due to the former’s strict safety rules, their chemistry soon becomes undeniable as their lives become even more intertwined.

Kevin Costner’s constant reminder of Whitney Houston

Over the years, the Horizon star and director has paid tribute to the powerful, multi-Grammy-winning singer, who died at the age of 48. Last year, he told People about speaking at the Houston memorial service, where he delivered an emotional 17-minute eulogy.

“I remember being in the church pews and I have never been in a church that was more electric. “There were two bands playing… I thought this place was on fire,” he said at the time.

Recalling that he was advised to keep his speech short because of the media presence, he said: “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize CNN was here, but they can do a commercial break. I’m going to say what I want to say. “I’ve come a long way to talk about this little girl.”