Patti LaBelle says she was offered 'I Will Always Love You' before Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston turned Dolly Parton's classic country hit "I Will Always Love You" into a record-setting pop smash, but legendary singer Patti LaBelle said she was approached about the song before Whitney recorded it for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack.

On Monday's "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," LaBelle said Parton personally asked her to cover her song.

"Dolly Parton offered it to me before 'The Bodyguard,' and I said to Dolly, 'Oh, yes. I want to do that song, honey,'" LaBelle recalled. "Before I could say a real yes, it was in the movie and Whitney killed it."

Editor’s Picks

Whitney Houston hologram to embark on world tour

Whitney Houston Christmas single a 'possibility'; hologram tour coming in 2020

Whitney Houston's estate reportedly developing posthumous album and hologram tour

In fact, she said Houston was the perfect fit for the track.

"I was so happy Whitney got that song and it just went like it did," LaBelle said.

"That's how show business is!" LaBelle added, noting that she'd like to perform it in her live show one day.

Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You" won the 1993 Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The song is also one of the best-selling singles of all-time.