South African singer Belinda Davids is stepping into one of the biggest roles of her career, taking on the character made famous by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Davids has been cast as superstar singer Rachel Marron in the stage musical, which will make its South African debut at Artscape in Cape Town on 12 March 2027 before moving to the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 24 April.
For Davids, the role brings together music she has spent years performing with a completely new challenge: musical theatre.
The Gqeberha-born singer has built an international career performing Houston’s music through The Greatest Love Of All, and her four-octave vocal range has drawn comparisons with the late American superstar.
Now, she will take on not only Houston’s songs but also the acting and dancing required for the role.
From global stages to The Bodyguard
Davids is no stranger to major television stages either.
In 2020, she reached the final of Series 14 of Britain’s Got Talent after performing Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time.
Her audition earned a standing ovation from Simon Cowell, who had warned beforehand that performing Houston’s music would mean having some ‘tough shoes to fill’.
Cowell later described her performance as the audition the show had been waiting for that season.
Davids received another major boost in 2023 when she appeared on Spain’s Got Talent: All-Stars, where she received a Golden Buzzer and progressed to the final.
Her next challenge will be considerably closer to home, with South African audiences getting to see her tackle one of Houston’s most recognisable screen roles.
The songs audiences can expect
The Bodyguard follows Rachel Marron, a famous singer whose life becomes increasingly dangerous, and Frank Farmer, the former Secret Service agent brought in to protect her.
As the pair navigate the tension between fame, danger and an unexpected romance, the story is driven by a collection of Houston’s biggest hits.
The musical includes ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’, ‘Queen of the Night’, ‘I Have Nothing’, ‘Run to You’, and ‘So Emotional’.
The original 1992 film starred Houston alongside Kevin Costner and became a major box-office success.
Its soundtrack went even further, selling around 45 million copies worldwide and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. ‘I Have Nothing’ and ‘Run to You’ were also nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.
An all-South African production
Davids will not be the only South African talent involved.
Showtime Management says the production will feature an all-South African cast, crew and band, with further names expected to be announced.
Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management said Davids was particularly suited to the demanding lead role because of her experience performing Houston’s music around the world.
Davids, meanwhile, said the opportunity carries personal significance after growing up listening to Houston.
‘I have loved Whitney Houston since I was a child, so to have this new opportunity and fresh, exciting challenges! – is a wonderful blessing,’ she said.
When The Bodyguard opens in Cape Town
The Cape Town run begins at Artscape on 12 March 2027, before the production transfers to Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg on 24 April.
Tickets are being sold through Ticketmaster, the production’s exclusive ticketing agent.
There will also be an early-bird offer for selected performances, with 20% off Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 March shows at Artscape, as well as Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 April performances at Montecasino.
The early-bird offer is available until 31 October 2026, subject to limited ticket availability and a maximum of six tickets per customer.
With Davids now confirmed as Rachel Marron, one of Whitney Houston’s most famous film roles is set to get a distinctly South African voice when The Bodyguard arrives on local stages next year.
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Picture: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images
