WHITNEY. “CAN I BE ME,” a film exploring the incredible career and complicated life of the memorable singer, will World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on April 26, and then air on SHOWTIME later this year. The powerful documentary is directed by acclaimed BAFTA Award winner Nick Broomfield (Kurt & Courtney, Tales of the Grim Sleeper).

Hers was the golden voice with the unmatchable range. Six-time Grammy(R) winner Whitney Houston was one of the most successful female recording artists of all time. After a troubled marriage to singer Bobby Brown and many years of struggles with addiction, Houston died suddenly and tragically at age 48. With behind the scenes materials, candid interviews and performance footage – including many of Houston’s greatest hits – WHITNEY. “CAN I BE ME” will offer a raw and uncensored look at Houston, exploring the impact her life and death had on the people around her and the world of music.

According to her band members, “Can I be me?” was Houston’s favorite expression, one she used so much that they sampled it to play at the start of rehearsals. The film explores Whitney’s central dilemma: even though she had made millions of dollars, had more consecutive number ones than The Beatles and was recognized as having one of the greatest voices of all time, she still couldn’t do what she wanted to do, either professionally or in her personal life.

WHITNEY. “CAN I BE ME” joins an esteemed list of projects under the Showtime Documentary Films banner that focus on the lives and legacies of culture-defining figures, including ERIC CLAPTON: A LIFE IN 12 BARS, which will screen at festivals and theaters this year before airing nationally on SHOWTIME this fall, and an upcoming documentary film on John Belushi‘s life and career.