Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston

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Biography

Whitney Houston (born 9.8.1963 - died 11.2.2012) Whitney Houston was a multi-award winning American pop and soul singer, as well as an actress and former fashion model. Whitney Houston: Net worth At the time of her death, Whitney Houston was broke according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, the sale of her estate left her heir with $20 million. Whitney Houston: Childhood Whitney Houston was raised in a poor area of Newark, New Jersey, by her father, John Houston and her mother Cissy Houston. Along with her mother, her cousins Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick and her godmother, Aretha Franklin, Whitney is a notable figure in a number of genres, including pop, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues. Following the Newark riots in 1967, the Houston family moved to West Orange, a more middle class part of New Jersey. Whitney began performing at the age of 11, when she started to perform as a soloist at the New Hope Baptist Church's junior gospel choir. As a child, she was influenced by the music of Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack and Gladys Knight. Whitney Houston: Music & Film Career At the age of 14, Whitney Houston was the lead vocalist on the Michael Zager band's 'Life's A Party', then sang backing vocals on Chaka Khan's 'I'm Every Woman' (which would later become a massive solo hit for Whitney). She also sang backing vocals for Jermaine Jackson and Lou Rawls as well as taking on lead vocals on the album Paul Jabara and Friends: Featuring The Weather Girls, Leata Galloway & Whitney Houston. Clive Davis, the head of Arista Records, was so impressed with a live performance of Whitney's, that he immediately offered her a worldwide recording contract. Whitney's self-titled debut album was released in 1985, with slow-burning global success. Both 'How Will I Know?' and 'Greatest Love Of All' became number one hits for Whitney Houston. At the time, it was the fastest selling debut album by a solo female, though Britney Spears has since taken that title. Houston's second album, Whitney, was released in 1987 and featured four number one singles including 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)' and 'Didn't We Almost Have It All'. She became the second highest African-American entertainer in the US, after Bill Cosby. Released in 1990, Whitney Houston's third album, I'm Your Baby Tonight had a more urban sound and featured Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Babyface and L.A. Reid. In 1992, Whitney Houston starred in The Bodyguard, opposite Kevin Costner. The film was a massive global success, as was its soundtrack, which featured Whitney singing 'I Will Always Love You' (originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton). She was promptly ranked third behind Oprah Winfrey and Barbra Streisand in Forbes' list of top earning female entertainers. Three years later, Whitney Houston starred opposite Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon and Angela Bassett in Waiting to Exhale. The soundtrack album featured Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Patti Labelle, Toni Braxton and Aretha Franklin. In 1996, Houston starred in The Preacher's Wife, a comedy starring Denzel Washington and Courtney B. Vance. She went on to feature in an African-American remake of Cinderella, which starred Whoopi Goldberg and Bernadette Peters. Whitney Houston returned to the recording studio with the release of My Love Is Your Love, in November 1998. The album was produced by Missy Elliott, Wyclef Jean and Rodney Jerkins and featured a duet with Mariah Carey, 'When You Believe' and another with Faith Evans and Kelly Price, 'Heartbreak Hotel'. 2002 saw the release of Whitney's fifth studio album, Just Whitney. Her husband at the time, Bobby Brown contributed to the production of the album. Following years of speculation regarding her health, her marriage and possible drug use, Whitney Houston released a new album in August 2009. Entitled The Ultimate Collection, the album features the singles 'Million Dollar Bill' and 'I Look To You'. Whitney Houston performed live on UK TV, as a guest performer on an episode of X Factor, which is judged by Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue. In 2010, she went on her Nothing But Love World Tour - her first in more than a decade. That year she was honoured at the BET Awards for her lifetime achievements in music. The following year, she starred in the remake of 1976 film 'Sparkle' alongside Jordin Sparks. The pair collaborated on the single 'Celebrate' for the movie's soundtrack. Whitney Houston: Personal Life Having previously been romantically linked to the actor Eddie Murphy and American Footballer Randall Cunningham, Whitney Houston went on to marry Bobby Brown in 1992. Their marriage ended in February 2007, when a divorce was finalized, amid years of speculation regarding abuse within the marriage and drug use by both parties. The pair had one child together, daughter Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, who was born in 1993. During the 90s, Houston began to struggle with substance abuse including cocaine and marijuana. She was often late for events and lost a lot of weight. In 2000, marijuana was found in Houston and Brown's luggage at a Hawaii airport, though they were not charged. In 2011, it was reported that she was undergoing rehab as an out-patient but the following year she was found dead in her hotel bathtub having drowned under the influence of various drugs.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

International Dance Day: Celebrating With Seven "dance" Number Ones [Playlist]


David Bowie Whitney Houston Lady GaGa C & C Music Factory

We're celebrating International Dance Day the only way we know how: By moving our feet to some of the greatest dance-themed songs of all time. From Whitney Houston to David Bowie, there's something for everyone on our latest playlist, and these seven tracks have all been chart-topping sensations at some point.

Photo Credit: PixabayPhoto Credit: Pixabay

1. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston

Continue reading: International Dance Day: Celebrating With Seven "dance" Number Ones [Playlist]

Tainted Love, Hallelujah And Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: 10 Covers That You Probably Know Better Than The Originals


Johnny Cash Soft Cell Cyndi Lauper Blondie Whitney Houston Jeff Buckley Jimi Hendrix Joan Jett Aretha Franklin Mark Ronson Amy Winehouse

How many times in your life have you found yourself listening to a song that you think you know inside out, only to discover that that's not even the original version? We're guessing at least once; indeed, it happens to us all. Most commonly when it's a cover of a cover. Here are ten iconic songs that gained more popularity as a cover than as an original...

Johnny Cash at Glastonbury 1994 / Photo Credit: Empics Entertainment/PA ImagesJohnny Cash at Glastonbury 1994 / Photo Credit: Empics Entertainment/PA Images

Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Original: Gloria Jones
Other notable covers: Marilyn Manson

Continue reading: Tainted Love, Hallelujah And Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: 10 Covers That You Probably Know Better Than The Originals

10 Black Female Artists Who Shaped Pop Music


Ella Fitzgerald Etta James Lauryn Hill Billie Holiday Aretha Franklin Whitney Houston Chaka Khan

Black culture has without doubt had a monumental influence on the world of pop music since as far back as the 1920s. And while the likes of Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson have certainly played important roles, today we look at the sometimes overlooked black women who have really proved essential to musical progress.

Ella Fitzgerald (1946) / Photo Credit: William P. GottliebElla Fitzgerald (1946) / Photo Credit: William P. Gottlieb

1. Ma Rainey

Continue reading: 10 Black Female Artists Who Shaped Pop Music

New Whitney Houston Film Alleges Singer Was Sexually Abused


Whitney Houston

A new documentary film about Whitney Houston, which made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this week, alleges that the singer suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her cousin, Dee Dee Warwick.

The new film, simply titled Whitney and directed by Scottish filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, debuted in Cannes on Wednesday night (May 16th). The picture received glowing reviews from critics, having gotten many of Whitney’s closest family and friends to speak about the singer’s life and childhood.

It sees Houston’s half-brother, Gary Garland-Houston, and her assistant, Mary Jones, both make the claims against the late singer’s cousin, who died 10 years ago. Dee Warwick is the younger sister of renowned soul legend Dionne Warwick, and was the niece of Whitney Houston’s mother.

Continue reading: New Whitney Houston Film Alleges Singer Was Sexually Abused

Katherine Jenkins Raps Jay Z At Karaoke


Katherine Jenkins Sister Sledge Whitney Houston Dolly Parton Jay Z Alicia Keys

Katherine Jenkins loves to rap 'Empire State of Mind' when she does karaoke.

The Welsh soprano - who was a choir girl when she was younger - has admitted she likes to shock friends with her song choice when she enjoys a singalong session.

Speaking to NME magazine about her favourite karaoke track, she said: ''It's not an obvious choice for me, but I really like to do the Jay-Z part because nobody ever guesses it, so it's my trick to shock people!''

Continue reading: Katherine Jenkins Raps Jay Z At Karaoke

Whitney: Can I Be Me Review

Excellent

Notorious British filmmaker Nick Broomfield teams up with Austrian music documentary producer Rudi Dolezal to tell the story of Whitney Houston's tumultuous life. As the title suggests, what haunted the iconic singer most was an inability to live on her own terms. With strong echoes of 2015's Amy, this film presents a range of never-seen footage without commenting on it.

Broomfield assembles his movie around Dolezal's unfinished documentary about Houston's 1999 world tour, which turned out to be her final triumphant performances. As she travelled the globe, her world was unravelling around her. But the issues go back to her early childhood as a singing prodigy sculpted into a pop princess by her controlling mother, the gospel singer Cissy. And her record company maintained the popstar image. Meanwhile, her personal life was shaped by two key figures: her husband Bobby Brown and her manager-assistant Robyn Crawford, who clashed loudly about who should make decisions about Whitney's life. All of this led to crippling self-doubt, fuelled by a drug habit that had started when Whitney was a teen.

The story is edited out of sequence, circling around Houston's life. Much of the 1999 backstage footage is shockingly intimate, revealing aspects of the singer's personality and relationships with unexpected openness. And since it's accompanied by archive interviews and present-day comments from people who were there, each moment comes with a strong kick of resonance. The most striking interviewee is bodyguard David Roberts, who in 1995 warned the family of coming tragedy if they didn't make changes (he was sacked for speaking out of turn). Most glaringly absent are Brown and Crawford, who have simply refused to clear up the biggest rumours that have surrounded Houston's life, including the one relating to her sexuality.

Continue reading: Whitney: Can I Be Me Review

Whitney: Can I Be Me Trailer


Whitney Houston, the woman behind the 1992 number one hit cover of 'I Will Always Love You', was without doubt one of the finest voices in the history of pop music having won nearly 250 awards in her career including 7 Grammys. Unfortunately that was the problem. She was only ever seen as this brilliant talent, a commodity for her record label. This was a woman who struggled with the pressures of fame in a business that refused to let her be her true self, to find her own identity, and ultimately destroyed her. 

As if she didn't have enough in her life to contend with, such as her passionate yet turbulent relationship with Bobby Brown. She did have people looking out for her including PA Robyn Crawford, but it wasn't enough in the end to save her from her tragic fate. At just 48-years-old, she drowned in the bathtub of her hotel after a cocaine and prescription drug binge. It was a shocking end to woman who only ever wanted to entertain since she was a child singing in a New Jersey church choir. But as much as it was her passion and her identity, it was also her downfall.

'Can I Be Me' is a heartbreaking documentary echoing a haunting sentiment that Whitney Houstin continually expressed. It has been directed by the award-winning Nick Broomfield ('Kurt & Courtney', 'Biggie And Tupac') alongside Austrian filmmaker Rudi Dolezal. It features plenty of live performance and interview footage from the legend herself as well as new interviews with those who knew her and those who admired her including her mother Cissy Houston.

Continue: Whitney: Can I Be Me Trailer

Bobby Brown Opens Up More About Bobbi Kristina And Whitney Houston


Bobby Brown Bobbi Kristina Whitney Houston

In another excerpt from Bobby Brown’s extensive interviews with ABC News this week, the pop star admitted to once hitting his former wife, though he insisted that he has “never been a violent man”.

Speaking to the network’s Robin Roberts for ‘20/20’ earlier this week, he detailed an incident that he explores further in his upcoming memoir ‘Every Little Step’ (released June 13th). According to Brown, he once lashed out physically at Whitney during a time in which he was “trying to maintain sobriety”.

However, he denied charges made by others that he was a “woman beater” and being “violent toward her”.

Continue reading: Bobby Brown Opens Up More About Bobbi Kristina And Whitney Houston

Miss Angola , Whitney Houston A. Shikongo - Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas at The AXIS, Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - Wednesday 16th December 2015

Whitney Houston and Miss Angola

Miss Angola , Whitney Houston A. Shikongo - Miss Universe 2015 National Costumes at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas at The AXIS, Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - Wednesday 16th December 2015

Whitney Houston and Miss Angola

Pat Houston Says The Family Was Planning An Intervention For Bobbi Kristina


Bobbi Kristina Whitney Houston

It’s been three months since the sad tale of Bobbi Kristina finally came to end, her mother Whitney’s sister-in-law and former manager Pat Houston has spoken for the first time about the 22 year old’s death, revealing that the family was planning on staging an intervention to help her deal with her problems.

Bobbi Kristina’s aunt spoke in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, and said that drastic action was being planned but sadly came too late, as the late star was found unresponsive in the bathtub at her home in Georgia at the end of January.

Pat HoustonPat Houston (l) spoke to Entertainment Tonight in an exclusive interview

Continue reading: Pat Houston Says The Family Was Planning An Intervention For Bobbi Kristina

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s Friend & Former Housemate Alleges Bobbi Kristina Used Drugs


Bobbi Kristina Whitney Houston

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s friend and former roommate has claimed the late television personality and daughter of Whitney Houston used drugs. The friend, Danyela Bradley, was speaking at a deposition for a law suit concerning a car accident Bobbi was involved in in Atlanta three days before her hospitalisation in January.

Bobbi Kristina BrownBobbi Kristina Brown photographed in 2012 at the premiere of the reality show, The Houstons: On Our Own.

Read More: Bobby Brown Opens Up About Bobbi Kristina's Death In New Interview.

Continue reading: Bobbi Kristina Brown’s Friend & Former Housemate Alleges Bobbi Kristina Used Drugs

Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston

Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston - George Merrill holding up a picture of late Whitney Houston, Saturday 24th March 2012 Kings of Songwriting session during the 2012 Slacker Canadian Music Week.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston Saturday 26th April 2008 performing at the Plymouth Jazz Festival 2008 Tobago, West Indies

Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston Quick Links

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Whitney Houston

Date of birth

9th August, 1963

Date of death

11th February, 2012

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Female

Height

1.73




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Whitney Houston Movies

Whitney: Can I Be Me Movie Review

Whitney: Can I Be Me Movie Review

Notorious British filmmaker Nick Broomfield teams up with Austrian music documentary producer Rudi Dolezal to...

Whitney: Can I Be Me Trailer

Whitney: Can I Be Me Trailer

Whitney Houston, the woman behind the 1992 number one hit cover of 'I Will Always...

Sparkle Movie Review

Sparkle Movie Review

An energetic cast and some terrific music make up for the rather hackneyed plot of...

Sparkle Trailer

Sparkle Trailer

Sparkle is our eponymous star, set to shine in this tale of rags to riches...

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