( EW ) -- Tyra taught her to smize , but will Yaya sing too ? TVLine reports that Yaya DaCosta , who made her television debut in Cycle 3 of `` America 's Next Top Model , '' has been cast to play Whitney Houston in Lifetime 's upcoming biopic . The Brown graduate ( as she frequently reminded us on the show ) has made a name for herself since taking second place in the modeling competition , nabbing acting roles in `` All My Children , '' `` Ugly Betty , '' `` House '' and even `` Lee Daniel 's The Butler . '' Which contestant has had the most successful post-'ANTM ' career ? Lifetime previously announced that Oscar winner Angela Bassett ( who appeared most recently in `` American Horror Story '' ) will direct the film about the pop star , who died two years ago at 48 . Lifetime 's project will focus on Houston 's tumultuous relationship with the model , singer , and songwriter Bobby Brown , which continued throughout much of her career . `` Whitney Houston '' ( working title ) marks Bassett 's first directorial debut and is scheduled to premiere in 2015 . Lifetime doing Whitney Houston movie with Angela Bassett . Basset co-starred with Houston in 1995â€²s `` Waiting to Exhale , '' making this something of a personal project for the actress . In a previous statement , Basset noted , `` I have such regard for both Whitney 's and Bobby 's amazing talents and accomplishments ; and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story . Their humanity and bond fascinates us all . I 'm beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world . '' See the original story at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved .
Yaya DaCosta will play Whitney Houston in Lifetime biopic . The reality star - turned - actress got her start on ` ` America 's Next Top Model '' Actress Angela Bassett will make her directorial debut with the film .