Angela Bassett Praises “Waiting to Exhale” as 'First of Its Kind' as Film Hits 30th Anniversary: 'I'm Very Proud of That' (Exclusive)
- - Angela Bassett Praises “Waiting to Exhale” as 'First of Its Kind' as Film Hits 30th Anniversary: 'I'm Very Proud of That' (Exclusive)
Dory Jackson, Ingrid VasquezDecember 22, 2025 at 11:14 PM
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Nicola Goode
Angela Bassett has a special place in her heart for her 1995 film Waiting to Exhale.
The actress, 67, opens up about what she remembers most about working with Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine and Whitney Houston as the Forest Whitaker-directed film celebrates its 30th anniversary Dec. 22.
"Just the camaraderie with the other ladies. Absolutely. That it was a first of its kind," Bassett told PEOPLE ahead of the anniversary.
Related: 'Waiting to Exhale' Throwback Premiere Photos
Randee St. Nicholas/20th Century Fox
L-R: Loretta Devine, Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, and Lela Rochon
The film, adapted from the 1992 Terry McMillan novel of the same name, follows "four very different African-American women and their relationships with men," according to a synopsis.
Its subject nature is something the 9-1-1 star tells PEOPLE was not common in film at the time.
"I mean, I think we were the first sort of a chick flick, if you would. We were the first film that featured four women. Usually it was you got the male lead and he has his wife, his lover, his paramour, whatever," says Bassett.
Related: Lela Rochon Reflects on Waiting to Exhale Costar and Friend Whitney Houston: ‘I Wish the World Had Loved Her More’ (Exclusive)
The actress tells PEOPLE she believes Waiting to Exhale was a "landmark" film due to being "a story that centered women and Black women at that."
This is one of the main reasons Bassett is happy to have been part of the project.
"I'm very proud of that. It was very successful. And then you began to see more of that genre," she says.
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Cindy Ord/Getty
Angela Bassett pictured in New York City on Dec. 5, 2024
Like Bassett, Rochon, 61, believes that the film was successful due to the relationship between the four leading ladies.
“I think because we really loved each other. I think because we were friends. I think because we instantly connected,” she told PEOPLE at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards in February.
Being able to continue to witness its impact makes things that much better.
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“I'm just glad I'm here to see it [the film’s legacy]. It's wonderful," said Rochon. 'You know, when you're making something, it feels magical, but you never know what's going on in the world or how it would do. But the fact that it's transcending time is amazing."
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