Costner’s eulogy was 17 minutes long, but he was initially hesitant to speak at Houston’s funeral. It was only due to the encouragement of Dionne Warwick that Costner agreed to give a eulogy.

Kevin Costner said he refused to shorten his 17-minute eulogy for Whitney Houston: ... Costner said the film's director, Mick Johnson, didn't want to cast Houston. "She's really smart.