This Friday's release of the Salim Akil-directed Sparkle brings to the screen what is tragically Whitney Houston's final performance as Emma, the mother of three talented girls (played by Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter and Carmen Ejogo) who dream of becoming Motown stars.

Also starring Derek Luke, Mike Epps and Omari Hardwick, Sparkle is based on the 1976 film of the same name and, set in the late 1960s, centers on the titular Sparkle (Sparks), the youngest of the three sisters and a songwriting prodigy who doesn't yet realize that the road to stardom is plagued by potentially deadly temptations at every turn.

ComingSoon.net sat down to talk with the film's cast about their approach to the material both musically and dramatically as well as their relation to the 1976 original.

Check out the interviews in the player below and catch Sparkle in theaters everywhere on August 17th.