Kevin Costner wouldnt let anyone stop him from eulogizing his friend, Whitney Houston .

The Oscar winner recently discussed writing an impassioned speech about his Bodyguard co-star for her public memorial after she died in an accidental drowning in 2012 and how CNN wasnt enthused about its length.

I had been working on this speech and I tried to compile everything I wanted to do and finally crafted this speech, Costner said on an episode of the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast released Monday, adding that Dionne Warwick asked him to speak at the memorial.

Somebody said, CNNs here, they wouldnt mind if your remarks were kept shorter because theyre going to have commercials, Costner continueed. And I said, They can get over that. They can play the commercial while Im talking, I dont care.

The actor recalled saying everything he needed to in 17 minutes; he was one of only eight guests chosen to speak due to his close bond with Houston.

Elsewhere in the podcast, Costner also talked about the Grammy-winning artists appearance in The Bodyguard and how she was my choice for the films lead role, pop singer Rachel Marron.

According to Costner, the movies director, Mick Jackson, was uncomfortable about casting Houston in the film, but Costner, one of its producers, fought for her to star in it .

I really knew who I wanted, Costner said. There was a moment where she trusted me. And as I looked at her and I started to guide her, and I wasnt trying to usurp my director, but I had made a promise to her not to fucking him. And [to] the movie.