"Waiting to Exhale" Stars Reunite to Celebrate Film's 30th Anniversary

Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, and the late Whitney Houston reflect on the iconic movie's legacy and impact.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The stars of the 1995 film "Waiting to Exhale" reunited to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the beloved movie. Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, and the late Whitney Houston reminisced about their characters, working with each other and the late Gregory Hines, and the film's lasting cultural significance.

Why it matters

"Waiting to Exhale" was groundbreaking for featuring a predominantly Black cast and telling a complex, heartfelt story about the lives and relationships of four women. The film's themes of friendship, love, and perseverance continue to resonate with audiences decades later.

The details

The stars shared laughs and memories from the set, including working alongside the late Whitney Houston and Gregory Hines. They discussed how the film helped viewers "exhale" and find solace in the characters' shared experiences. The movie was based on a best-selling novel by Terry McMillan and was notable for its fully developed characters and profound exploration of Black women's lives.

  • The film "Waiting to Exhale" was released in 1995.
  • The 30th anniversary of the film's release was celebrated in 2026.

The players

Angela Bassett

An acclaimed actress who portrayed the character Bernadine in "Waiting to Exhale".

Loretta Devine

An award-winning actress who played the character Gloria in the film.

Lela Rochon

An actress who brought the character Robin to life in "Waiting to Exhale".

Whitney Houston

A legendary singer and actress who starred as Savannah in the film before her tragic passing in 2012.

Gregory Hines

A talented actor, dancer, singer, and choreographer who portrayed Devine's love interest in the movie before his death in 2003.

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What they’re saying

“This movie helps you to do what it says. It helps you to exhale and to enjoy what love and friendship is about. If you are in a relationship and if you have friends, you go, 'Oh yeah. That's me.'”

— Loretta Devine (Instagram)

“Waiting to Exhale" was all kinds of love. Dealing with all of the different situations that can happen if you are in love, how to raise your kids, having new babies. She covered everything.”

— Loretta Devine (Instagram)

“I think Terry also always really goes to the heart of the story. I think she's really profound in making it real in a deeper way than we had probably seen in cinema before then of, you know, fully developed characters.”

— Lela Rochon (Instagram)

“As joyous as this moment is, 30 years later, we have an angel on our shoulder. You know, she's not with us physically, but she's definitely with us in spirit.”

— Angela Bassett (Instagram)

“The memory of making the movie is what stands so long with me and will forever stand, particularly with Whitney not being here. It's just precious, precious times. And I love that, you know. It's everlasting.”

— Lela Rochon (Instagram)

What’s next

The stars plan to continue celebrating the film's 30th anniversary with a tour and special screenings for fans.

The takeaway

"Waiting to Exhale" remains a beloved and impactful film that showcased the complex lives and relationships of Black women. The stars' reunion and continued celebration of the movie's legacy demonstrate its enduring cultural significance and ability to resonate with new generations.