{blackbabes} Whitney Houston to 'Sparkle' on big screen

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Just in: An official Whitney Houston update.

The star has joined the cast of Sparkle, which began principal photography this week in Detroit.

Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film and tells the story of the title character Sparkle (Jordin Sparks), the youngest of three sisters and a music prodigy who struggles to become a star while facing issues that are tearing her family apart.

Also in the cast: Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejobo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick and Cee-Lo Green.

Sparkle is being directed by Salim Akil, from a screenplay written by Mara Brock Akil.

The film isn't Houston's only project right now. She is lending her support to her manager and sister-in-law, Patricia Houston's line of organic scented candles, MARION P, named after the nickname Whitney gave to Patricia.