'Waiting to Exhale' stars reflect on Whitney Houston's memory, film's cultural impact 30 years later

LOS ANGELES -- "Waiting to Exhale," released in 1995, follows four women through tumultuous moments in their lives, dealing with love, family, careers and everything in between. Angela Bassett (Bernadine), Loretta Devine (Gloria), Lela Rochon (Robin) and the late Whitney Houston (Savannah) portray a close group of friends who rely on their tight bonds to get them through the trials, triumphs and tribulations of life.

For the film's 30th anniversary, the stars reunited for a celebration tour, sharing laughs and reminiscing about what it was like to film alongside Houston, what the characters meant to them, and how they hope the film's legacy can continue to impact generations to come.

"This movie helps you to do what it says," Devine said. "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.'"

The film was based on a book of the same title published in 1992 by Terry McMillan. By the time the movie adaptation hit theaters, the book had sold more than three million copies.

"'Waiting to Exhale' was all kinds of love," Devine said. "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."

For "Waiting to Exhale," both the book and the film were notable for featuring a large cast of predominately Black characters to tell a heartfelt and complex story.

"I think Terry also always really goes to the heart of the story," Rochon said. "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."

It's a layered story of love and friendship that is bittersweet for the cast and their memories of Whitney Houston.

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

Houston was a talented singer turned movie star and producer. Still one of the bestselling musicians of all time, her studio albums set multiple records upon release as she broke both racial and gender barriers.

In 2012, she tragically passed away in an accidental hotel drowning.

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

Another talented co-star, Gegory Hines, portrayed Devine's love interest in the film. An award-winning actor, dancer, singer and choreographer, he passed away in 2003 after a year-long private battle with liver cancer.

"Two very special spirits who blessed us in the making of this film, and they are here with us in spirit today," Bassett said.

Both of their legacies are preserved and live on in the incredible work they accomplished. "Waiting to Exhale" is part of that generational story. It's the kind of story that gets to the heart of friendship and transcends the screen to be passed down and resonate with people of all backgrounds.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary, Hulu's Black Stories Always partnered with Global State of Women to put on a communal screening of the film. The organization works to provide women around the world with economic, career and communal support, including providing relief funds for those experiencing unemployment. The work shows how impactful "Waiting to Exhale's" message of coming together can be.

"It had such a major effect on my life," singer and actress LeToya Luckett said at the event. "When I sat in that theater and I watched these powerful women live out the different versions of what we know Black women to be, and the things that we go through and the way that they executed these roles. It's legendary."

On screen and in real life, connection is what has given these women the air to let out, be themselves, and shine.

"I would tell the young people who are loving and enjoying the film to watch it over and over and over," Rochon said. "Because at every stage of your life you're gonna understand the film a lot differently every time as you mature. The thing that the film shows you is to really have friendship and connection."

The film exemplifies the Black History Month theme of Hulu's Black Stories Always, which celebrates community. And for a brand new generation, the film's themes of togetherness certainly still ring true.

"Waiting to Exhale" is streaming now on Hulu.

Andres Rovira and Dean Singleton contributed to this report.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Hulu and this ABC station.