Watch: First Look at British Actress, Naomi Ackie, as Whitney Houston in ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Biopic

"The Voice" may be gone but her musical legacy lives on and thanks to Sony a new generation is set to be exposed to the story behind the rise and fall of one of America's most prolific and acclaimed singers.

On Thursday, the studio released the first trailer for its upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

In the two-minute clip from the fully-authorized biographical drama, viewers get their first glimpse at British actress Naomi Ackie's ( "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker") portrayal of the music legend who the movie's synopsis says went "From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time."

Only time will tell if the movie, slated for release on Dec. 21, will be a gift to fans of the departed diva, but the outlook is promising considering the film's pedigree.

Anthony McCarten, who wrote the hit 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," penned the script. While the man who signed and mentored Houston throughout her music career, super-producer Clive Davis, portrayed by master character actor Stanley Tucci in the film, is producing.

Watch the trailer below for a first look at Ackie in the iconic role:

R. Kelly Convicted on Federal Child Porn Charges in Chicago

R. Kelly

The jury is in and once again R. Kelly has been found guilty.

The once revered R&B singer who was already sentenced to 30 years in prison in June following a 2021 federal conviction in New York on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, including the sexual exploitation of children, was found guilty on Wednesday of three counts of child pornography and three counts of child enticement by another panel of peers in his hometown of Chicago.

Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is facing 10 to 90 years of additional prison time at sentencing. A judge could determine that the sentence be served simultaneously with his previous conviction or after the first term is served. Either way, since federal inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentences, he is not likely to see a shot at freedom until well into his 80s, if at all.

"Mr. Kelly engaged in multiple sex acts with girls under the age of 18 and he recorded some of those sex acts on video," said U.S. Attorney John Lausch following the conclusion of the trial. "We are pleased with the fact that Robert Kelly is finally being held accountable for that reprehensible conduct. We are particularly pleased that Robert Kelly is finally, finally being held responsible for the abuse of his 14-year-old goddaughter."

U.S. Attorney John Lausch speaking to reporters, says #RKelly faces 10 to 90 years in prison for the counts he was convicted on. He also says “obviously we are disappointed” in the acquittals on other counts. pic.twitter.com/Z54kXcCVmI

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) September 14, 2022

While he was found guilty on six of the 13 counts he faced the jury did acquit Kelly on a fourth pornography count as well as a conspiracy to obstruct justice charge. The latter for accusing him of fixing his state child pornography trial in 2008. He was also found not guilty on all three counts of conspiring to receive child pornography and on other charges of enticement.

Kelly's co-defendants, former business manager Derrel McDavid and employee Milton "June" Brown, were cleared of all charges.

#RKelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean speaking to the media after the verdicts pic.twitter.com/o22FAHjTtr

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) September 14, 2022

R&B Vocalist, Jesse Powell, Dead at 51

               © Facebook/ Jesse Powell 

Jesse Powell, the Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist with a four-octave range best known for his hit "You" — that peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (No. 2 R&B) in 1999 — has died according to a statement from his family. He was 51.

Jesse's sister Tamara, who along with his other younger sister Trina comprised the popular 1990s R&B group Trina & Tamara, took to Instagram early Wednesday morning to share the news.

She wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, and uncle Jesse Powell.

"He passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home. The family asks for privacy at this time as we mourn this tremendous loss and celebrate his everlasting legacy.

"Jesse loved music and he especially loved his fans who supported him throughout his career. We want you all to know that you meant the world to him. – The Powell Family."

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A post shared by Tamara Powell (@tamara_powell)

No cause was given for the death which came just two days after his birthday.

The Gary, Indiana, native matriculated from a musical family and grew up performing with his mother and three siblings at talent shows in the family group Sheer Joy.

Powell got his big break when Louis Silas, Jr., founder of MCA imprint Silas Records, signed him shortly after hearing him sing at an artist showcase in Los Angeles.

He released four studio albums during his career.

His eponymously named debut in 1996 was a moderate success peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard R&B chart. Powell's second album 1989's “'Bout It," thanks to the success of the single "You," a ballad also featured on his first album was certified gold.

The singer followed those releases with "JP" in 2001 and "Jesse" in 2003 before seemingly retiring from music.

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A post shared by Tamara Powell (@tamara_powell)