In a heartfelt interview on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, actor Kevin Costner reminisced about his late co-star Whitney Houston and revealed his refusal to shorten his eulogy at her funeral. Costner's touching speech was given at Houston's funeral, which was broadcasted live by CNN.

Costner shared that he had meticulously crafted his speech to pay tribute to the beloved singer. However, someone suggested he shorten it due to the potential interruption of commercials during the televised event. Unwavering in his commitment to honoring Houston's memory, Costner adamantly responded, "They can get over that. They can play the commercial while I'm talking, I don't care."

Initially hesitant to speak at the funeral, Costner credits Dionne Warwick, Houston's cousin, with encouraging him to do so. He described feeling the weight of responsibility as he stood up to deliver his eulogy. Recalling the electrifying atmosphere within the packed church in Newark, Costner emphasized the immense presence and impact Houston had on people's lives.

Costner also shed light on the behind-the-scenes details of casting Houston in the lead role for their iconic film, The Bodyguard. He revealed that the film's director, Mick Jackson, initially had reservations about Houston taking on the role but the actor fought for her. Costner explained, "I really knew who I wanted... I had made a promise to her - not to [him]. And [to] the movie."

Expressing the deep trust and bond that developed between him and Houston, Costner reinforced his commitment to ensuring her success in the film. "I had promised Whitney that she'd be good in it. And that was my promise to her. She's always going to love me in the song, and I was always going to keep my promise to her," he shared.

Kevin Costner's touching recollections of his experiences with Whitney Houston serve as a reminder of her immense talent and the profound impact she had on those around her. With his refusal to shorten his eulogy, Costner demonstrated his unwavering respect and love for the late singer, honoring her in the most heartfelt way possible.