Whitney Houston was one of five executive producers, and got remake rights around the year 2000. Her original plan was to have Aaliyah star as Sparkle.
The was Whitney Houston's first feature film since La femme du pasteur (1996), and was intended as her acting comeback. Houston died during post production, and film is dedicated to her memory.
Unfortunately, this film was also the last film of Stephanie Moseley who passed away on December 8, 2014.
Whitney Houston's favorite movie was the original Sparkle (1976) which is what led her to remaking the film.