The Cosby Show Character Whitney Houston Almost Played

In an interview for EMMY TV Legends, "Cosby Show" director Jay Sandrich revealed that up-and-coming pop star Whitney Houston was this close to snagging the role of Huxtable big sister Sondra –- until she came clean about her future goals. In the interview, Sandrich recounted his meeting with young actors who were signing their "Cosby Show" contracts. "And this girl we brought back from New York said to me 'I can't sign this contract,'" Sandrich recalled. When he asked her why, she said, "Well, I want to be a singer...I can't be in every show. ... I have to be able to tour." Sandrich then noted that if the show was a hit it might actually help her singing career, but the young star was adamant that she couldn't commit to the TV series. "Whitney Houston," he said. "She knew."

The role of Sondra Huxtable ultimately went to Sabrina Le Beauf, who appeared in 53 episodes of "The Cosby Show," from 1984 to 1992, per IMDb. This was the same era as Houston's peak of superstardom as a Grammy-winning singer.

Even though her dream to become a successful singer was fulfilled, Houston didn't totally turn her back on acting. Once she hit it big in music, offers for movies started pouring in. Her roles included the hits "The Bodyguard," "Waiting to Exhale," and "The Preacher's Wife." In a 1993 interview with Rolling Stone, Houston admitted she was 'apprehensive" to make the jump to movies because she feared people would "dog" her before giving her a chance as an actor.