Whitney Houston was beloved by millions, but an upcoming biopic about her is receiving some criticism. Now, director and former co-star Angela Bassett is speaking out about the Lifetime movie, saying she wants to be able to tell Houston’s story with compassion.

“I consider it a gift that was given to me, the opportunity to tell this story and try to tell it with love and compassion and dignity. I, like everyone, adored her,” she said in an interview with HuffPost Live.

Houston, who passed away in 2012, has been heavily mourned by her fans and family, who say they don’t agree with a biopic about the late singer.

“In the two years since Whitney’s death, many people have stepped forward to speak about their close relationship with her. I find it difficult to believe people who knew and supposedly loved her would participate in a movie about her done by folks who didn’t know her. We are exhausted by the continuing misinformation and comments offered by people who did not know her. Please please let her rest,” her mother Cissy said earlier this year.

Bassettt says she has a unique perspective as director for the film as a black woman from a small town who made it big in show business.

“I did spend a little time [with] her, but to know her intimately, intimately — I mean, who does but the person and the Lord they serve? Who knows a person? I know about being a woman, about being a black woman that came up in a little hometown … and yet you are able to become a success because of this God-given gift or talent. So I know a little bit about what it might have been like,” she said.