Whitney Houston Soars in New 'Sparkle' Footage

Whitney Houston was on her way to a triumphant return while shooting what would become her final on-screen performance in Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 film. When “ET” paid a visit to the set in Detroit, the iconic singer’s voice was full and she looked “heavier and healthier,” according to host Mark Steins.

She filmed scenes at a house and church, similar to the one she grew up in, and sat down with her co-star Jordin Sparks. Whitney shared how she didn’t let daughter Bobbi Kristina listen to explicit lyrics and Jordin recalled the time she quickly changed a song when Whitney was in the room.

She was in curlers while shooting her scenes, in which she plays a “run down” mother, but insisted on dressing up for the interview. Check out some on-set footage from Whitney’s final film, which hits theaters August 17.