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TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

Students discuss religious topics in a small group. (Photo courtesy of tcuwesley.org)
Wednesday nights at TCU’s Methodist campus ministry provide religious exploration and fellowship
By Boots Giblin, Staff Writer
Published Mar 27, 2024
Students at the Wesley said they found community on Wednesday nights.

Video: Former student acted in Whitney Houston’s last film, ‘Sparkle’

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Former Horned Frog Sarah Henson did not expect that her first film would coincidentally be Whitney Houston’s last.

Henson was cast in a remake of “Sparkle,” a film produced by her father, New York Times best-selling author Bishop T.D. Jakes.

“I don’t think anybody on set really could’ve imagined that would be her last film,” she said. “Everyone from the biggest stars to the people who were helping with the food carts every evening had been touched by her spirit.”

Houston, who also helped produced the film, passed away Feb. 11. “Sparkle” was said to have been intended to launch Houston’s comeback, Henson said.

Despite Houston’s death, Henson said she felt thankful for the experience and the opportunity to work alongside stars like Houston.

“It was such an amazing experience being there with Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, and of course the late, great, Whitney Houston,” she said.

Henson, who was a broadcast journalism major during her two years at TCU, said she never thought she would have the opportunity to have a role in such a big film.

“I thought that I wanted to be an actress,” she said. “I thought that I would try everything and at least see if I liked it.”

And she did.

Henson said she plays a mean girl in “Sparkle”, who heckles Sparks as she sings on stage for the first time.

In addition to her movie appearance in “Sparkle”, Henson also helps host her father’s televised show, “The Potter’s Touch” and is working on an upcoming book.

Henson said she is grateful for all she has learned at TCU.

“Being there helped me see that with a good education, a good family and motivation, you can literally do anything you put your mind to,” she said. “I’m thankful being a part of that TCU history helped me see that you can be the underdog, but you can still win.”

Henson wasn’t the only one in her family that was a part of TCU history. Her husband, Robert Henson, was a standout linebacker for the university and was drafted by the Washington Redskins after graduating in 2009.

He said he, too, credits TCU for shaping him into the man he is today.

“To put it plain and simple, I think TCU grew me up,” he said. “Held me accountable for what I was doing on and off the field. The university challenged me to be a better person.”

Robert was released from the Redskins last year after suffering a season-ending knee surgery and if he is not picked up by another NFL team, he said he plans to put his criminal justice degree to use.

“Sparkle” is currently in post-production and is scheduled to make its way to the big screen in mid-August.

The remake was said to be tailor-made for Houston and seemed to have parallels to her real life, Henson said.

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