The queen of soul and rhythm and blues, owner of a unique mezzo-soprano, Whitney Houston did not live to see 50, but managed to go down in history as one of the most successful performers in the world, and the hit “I Will Always” Love You" performed by her became the best-selling single with female vocals.
Whitney Houston (Whitney Elizabeth Houston) was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. The girl grew up in a creative atmosphere - her mother and sisters performed professionally in the styles of rhythm and blues and gospel. At age 11, Whitney began singing in a church choir and then performing as a backing vocalist. At one of her performances at Carnegie Hall, a photographer from Seventeen noticed her and invited her to film. Whitney became the first black model to appear on the cover of Seventeen.
In 1985, the singer recorded her debut album of the same name, which brought her 7 Grammy nominations and first place on the Billboard 200. The album received rave reviews, mainly due to the diva’s exceptional vocal abilities. Thanks to Whitney's triumph, the road to big stage became open to other African American women, including Janet Jackson and Anita Baker.
In 1992, the film “The Bodyguard” was released, where Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner played the main roles. Houston also produced and recorded the soundtrack, which featured a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" as the theme song. The soundtrack sold 45 million copies, the single sold 12 million copies. Also, 2 singles “Run to You” and “I Have Nothing” were nominated for an Academy Award.
The beautiful and talented singer was credited with affairs with Eddie Murphy and football star Randall Cunningham, but in 1992 she married singer and actor Bobby Bryan, and this marriage became fatal for her. Bobby had several criminal records and suffered from drug addiction and bipolar disorder. Less than a year later, Whitney's image began to rapidly deteriorate - she appeared at concerts while high, missed interviews, and the police filed charges against her several times. married couple charges of illegal drug possession. However, this did not affect the star’s popularity - the album “Just Whitney” took first place in the dance charts and sold 3 million copies. In 2007, after the airing of the controversial reality show Being Bobby Brown, which shed light on domestic violence and drug problems, Whitney filed for divorce from Bobby and devoted herself to creativity and raising her daughter.
On February 11, 2012, the singer was found unconscious in a hotel room. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be drowning in a bathtub due to heart failure and cocaine use.
Amazing... great... inimitable... she was, is and will forever remain a favorite singer for millions of people. The voice of the era that left this world so early. More than one generation of star vocalists has grown up on her songs, but none of them can compare with this amazing woman. Her name has become a household name in the world of music, synonymous perfect vocals. For 35 years, she has inspired people with her now legendary songs. On February 12, 2012, the legend, singer, actress and model Whitney Elizabeth Houston left us.
The future queen of R&B was born on August 9, 1963, into the family of John Huston and Emily Huston (better known as Cissy Houston, a Grammy winner and one of the most successful gospel singers). As they say now, Houston was born “with a golden spoon in her mouth.” Her cousins are renowned soul singers Dionne and DeeDee Warwick. Aretha Franklin herself became her godmother. It is not surprising that at the age of 11 Whitney became the main soloist in the church choir. In addition to the work of her star relatives, Whitney adored the works of Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack. As a teenager, Houston traveled all over America as her mother's backing singer. At one of her performances, Whitney was noticed by a photographer who admired her natural beauty. As a model, Houston has achieved great success, becoming one of the first black women to grace the covers of such prestigious magazines as “Seventeen”, “Glamour”, “Cosmopolitan”.
Whitney could easily have become a fashion business icon like Naomi Campbell or Claudia Schiffer, but her main passion has always been music. That is why, when the influential record label “Artista” appeared on the singer’s horizon, Whitney left without hesitation model business and began working on her debut album.
Whitney Houston's first disc, which received the same name, was released on March 14, 1985. He instantly shot to the top of all the charts. The success of the album shocked even the singer’s management (to date, about 30 million copies of the “Whitney Houston” album have been sold). Three songs from this magnificent disc managed to take first place on the Billboard Hot 100. The very first disc of the aspiring singer elevates her to the rank of class “A” stars. Subsequent Grammy Award for "Best female vocals"only secured this status for the singer.
Just 2 years later (June 2, 1987), the singer’s second album, entitled “Whitney,” was released. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, the album topped the chart for 11 weeks. Four of the album's six singles reached the top of the Billboard singles chart (“I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Didn't We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”).
To date, Houston's second album has sold over 25 million copies. He brought another Grammy Award for “Best Female Vocal” to the star’s collection of awards.
The singer's third album appeared on the shelves of music stores on November 6, 1990. “I’m Your Baby Tonight” is notable for the fact that it was after its release that Whitney increasingly began to be called an R&B (not to be confused with R’n’B) performer. This long play gave us many hits, including:
“I'm Your Baby Tonight”
“All the Man I Need”
“My Name Is Not Susan”
In 1992, “The Bodyguard” was released, in which the 29-year-old star played the main role. Whitney's partner in the film was Oscar winner Kevin Costner. The film was doomed to success, however, the touching melodrama about the love of a pop star and her bodyguard exceeded our wildest expectations, grossing almost $500 million at the box office. The film's success was largely due to its first-class soundtrack, with Houston performing most of the songs.
“The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album” has sold an incredible 45 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums in the history of the music industry. We heard five undisputed hits that brought Houston long-awaited international fame and success.
“I Will Always Love You”
"I'm Every Woman"
“I Have Nothing”
“Run to You”
"Queen of the Night"
In the same 1992, Whitney married R&B singer Bobby Brown, with whom they had a close “friendship” for 3 years after they met at the “Soul Train Music Awards 89”. Bobby has always been known for his passion for drinking, drugs and assault. Therefore, their wedding was immediately dubbed a big mistake. However, blinded by love, Whitney did not want to listen to moralizing; she was completely immersed in a relationship with a failed singer who left three children with his first wife.
The couple Whitney and Bobby very quickly established themselves as the main scandals of Hollywood. The incessant newspaper headlines about their next quarrel gradually began to push Houston's creativity into the background. It was sick love, or rather the kind of love in which lovers cannot be together, starting more and more scandals, but also cannot exist without each other. The birth of her first child and the eternal ups and downs in her relationship with her husband seriously slowed down Whitney’s career, so her next album was released only 6 years after “The Bodyguard.”
Despite all the negativity that the press poured on Houston in the mid-90s, the star’s “comeback” was very, very significant event. The album “My Love Is Your Love” received many awards (including the main award in musical world– “Grammy”) The album sold 13 million copies. The first single of this record was a duet between Whitney and her “sworn friend” Mariah Carey. The song “When You Believe” put an end to the rivalry between the two divas.
The second big hit from “My Love Is Your Love” was the song “It’s Not Right, But It’s Ok.” The dance version of this song became #1 on Billboard Dance Club Songs.
But, as it turned out, Whitney's image problems were just beginning to gain momentum. In January 2000, security guards at a Hawaiian airport found marijuana in the singer's luggage. The star was charged with possession and transportation of narcotic substances. After several trials, Whitney was acquitted, however, she was ordered to pay a fine of 4 thousand dollars. In an interview with Diane Sawyer, when asked if the singer uses crack, Whitney replied that she was too rich to take cocaine.
On June 25, 2000, the duet “Could I Have This Kiss Forever” by Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglessias appeared on the radio. The song became a landmark event for both artists.
Despite its low position on the charts, this composition is still popular as one of the most romantic ballads of the 2000s.
At the end of 2002, Whitney released the album “Just Whitney”. The album's first single, the song “Whatchulookinat,” only manages to reach number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100. The next three singles also did not bring commercial success to the “Just Whitney” album. Total album sales barely crossed the 3 million mark. Fans of the singer blamed the singer's label for the failure of the album; the allegedly incorrectly chosen lead single “ruined” the entire album. According to the singer’s fans, the first single should have been a track called “Unshamed.”
In 2004, following her husband, Whitney was sent for compulsory treatment to a drug addiction clinic. However, the inappropriate behavior that the star demonstrated in the reality show “Being Bobby Brown” was one of the reasons for her return to the same clinic.
Many years of calm dragged on. Whitney rarely attended television shows and almost never performed live. Fans had almost lost their last hope for the return of their idol, when suddenly in 2008 information appeared that Whitney had recorded a new record and was ready to return to show business.
The album “I Look to You” became a miracle that the singer’s fans could not believe. Suddenly prettier and rejuvenated, Whitney began appearing on the radio again. The first single was the touching “I Look to You”.
In an interview, Whitney said that the album “I Look to You” is dedicated to her mother.
The second single “Million Dollar Bill” was presented on August 18, 2009. The song took first place on the Billboard Dance chart. The final single of the album was the song “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” which many fans call “prophetic.”
“Call You Tonight”
“Salute”
It was in these songs that we heard the “old Whit”: strong, willful, uncompromising. Even though Houston's voice has undergone noticeable changes, she still sounds amazing on each of the 11 songs on her latest album.
The news of the death of an artist of Whitney's caliber always takes the public by surprise. So this time nothing foreshadowed a tragedy. In her last days, the star showed unprecedented activity, attending various events. Perhaps that's why the news of Whitney's death was not even taken seriously at first. However, when the information was confirmed, Twitter exploded with messages. Many world stars expressed condolences to the singer’s family and, first of all, Whitney’s daughter, Bobby-Christina.
Christina Aguilera:
“We have lost another legend. Loving prayers for Whitney's family. I'll miss her."
Nicki Minaj:
“Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. The greatest in history..."
Leah Michelle (Glee):
"I have no words. Terrible news about Whitney Houston."
“No words, only tears... dear Whitney...”
Katy Perry:
“I'm devastated. We will always love you Whitney, rest in peace."
“What terrible news about Whitney Houston. Sending all my love to Bobbi-Christina."
Jennifer Lopez:
“What a loss. She was one of the greatest voices of our time. Praying for her family. Rest in peace, Whitney!
Bruno Mars:
"Terrible news... I feel bad... Nobody sang like Whitney."
“Whitney was the reason so many of us do what we do. “A few stolen moments are all we share.” Rest in peace…"
Erica Iglesias:
“Praying for Whitney and her family today. Working with her was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life!”
Missy Elliott:
“Thank you for the time that we were able to work together. Your voice changed the WORLD! And during this difficult time, my prayers go out to the Houston family..."
Mariah Carey:
“I am heartbroken and in tears over the shocking passing of my friend, the incomparable Miss Whitney Houston. My sincere condolences to Whitney's family and her millions of fans around the world. She will always be remembered as one of the greatest voices to grace the Earth with her presence."
The editors of Apelzin magazine join all the condolences expressed. Whitney will forever be in our hearts. An artist is not forgotten as long as his music plays. And if this statement is true, then Whitney Houston is immortal.
American singer and actress Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark (New Jersey, USA). Her mother, Emily Drinkard (stage name Sissy), was famous performer gospel singer (gospel songs), cousin Dionne Warwick is also a professional singer. As a child, Whitney sang in the church choir, and in her youth she was a successful fashion model.
In 1983, Houston signed a recording contract with Arista Records. One of her first singles, called Hold Me, immediately entered the US Top 50. Whitney spent the entire next year working on her debut self-titled album. The disc was released in March 1985. The success of this album was ensured by the singles You Give Good Love and Saving All My Love For You. The singles How Will I Know and Greatest Love Of All also rose to the top of the charts (music hit parade). The album sold over 12 million copies in the United States and sold several million copies worldwide.
In June 1987, the singer released her second album, Whitney. It became the first album in history by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the US and UK. The first four singles from the album - I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), Didn't We Almost Have It All, So Emotional and Where Do Broken Hearts Go - reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Whitney received a 9x platinum certification in America and has sold approximately 20 million copies worldwide.
The third studio album, I'm Your Baby Tonight, was released in November 1990. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified 4x platinum in the US, selling 10 million copies worldwide.
In 1992, Whitney made her big film debut in the film "The Bodyguard." The film's soundtrack included six new songs by Houston, five of which were released as singles, including the hugely successful I Will Always Love You.
A cover version of Dolly Patron's hit I Will Always Love You led American charts for 14 weeks, and the British ones for nine.
For most of the 1990s, Whitney pursued her acting career. She played the leading roles and sang in the films "Waiting for a Break" (1995) and "The Priest's Wife" (1996). Houston also starred in episodes of several TV series and films, including as herself.
In 1998, she released another album, My Love Is Your Love. Stars such as Missy Elliott, Dianne Warren and Wycliffe Jean took part in the recording of this album. With this album, Whitney tried to regain the lost glory of the first pop diva, which went to Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. And although the single When You Believe, performed as a duet with Carey and released on the soundtrack to the cartoon “The Prince of Egypt,” became a worldwide hit, the album sold poorly. Luck returned to the singer with the release of the single Heartbreak Hotel, which reached the second line of the national chart. In 2001, Whitney released another album, Love Whitney, and a year later, Just Whitney.
Just Whitney broke sales records and debuted at number 9 on the Billboard charts. The album achieved gold status in many European countries. In November 2003, the singer released a Christmas album album One Wish: The Holiday Album, which consisted entirely of re-covers of famous Christmas tunes. In addition, the album includes two previously heard songs from the soundtrack to the film "The Priest's Wife", recorded by Houston back in 1996, and the song "Little Drummer Boy", performed by Whitney in a duet with her daughter Christina Brown.
The Yellow Press has repeatedly written about the singer's addiction to drugs and her difficult family life, beatings she received from her husband, New Edition singer Bobby Brown, and then divorce in 2007. Whitney Houston at one time practically disappeared from the public eye.
On September 1, 2009, the singer released new album, marking his return to the stage after a seven-year hiatus.
In March, the official representative of the investigator who led the case into Houston's death said that the singer had accidentally drowned. Among the causes of her death, he named atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. In April, Beverly Hills police announced the end of the investigation into the death of Whitney Houston, concluding that...
Whitney Houston's vocal style had a huge influence on music industry. She introduced into popular music the elements of gospel singing that had been ingrained in it since childhood and developed a virtuoso singing style. Due to her outstanding vocal talent, she was called The Voice.
Since the start of the singer's career in 1985, her albums, singles and videos have sold more than 170 million copies worldwide.
The singer was the winner of more than 400 different music awards and awards. Among them are six Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, two Emmy Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards, six People's Choice Awards and many others.
In November 2012, Houston was nominated for "Global Icon" for her contribution to the development of pop music.
The most famous of the singer’s singles, the composition I Will Always Love You, according to the experts of the VH1 channel, was awarded the eighth line in the ranking of “The 100 Best Songs of the Last 25 Years” and the first line among the hundred greatest love songs of all millennia.
In August 2012 in the USA, directed by Salim Akil and starring Whitney Houston as one of the leading roles. Filming was completed three months before the singer's sudden death.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Bobbi Kristina Brown is an American famous media personality (singer, actress, TV presenter, etc.), daughter of famous singers Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. In the eyes of the public, her popularity was maintained due to the fame of her parents, but this is not entirely true. The girl had an excellent soulful singing voice, moved well and looked decent as an actress.
When the girl was 14, her parents divorced. Conservatorship was awarded to Whitney Elizabeth Houston. When Whitney died (in the winter of 2012), Christina was named sole heir to her mother's estate.
Bobbi Kristina Brown has died due to serious illness July 26, 2015. The press reports that the girl spent the last six months in a state of clinical death.
Biography
Born in 1993 in Livingston (New Jersey, United States of America). Her childhood has always been characterized in the media as difficult and unhappy. This opinion was formed on the basis that her parents were drug addicts. In addition, in addition to constant paparazzi surveillance, the girl often witnessed domestic violence.
Bobbi Kristina Brown was first introduced to the public in 1994, when her mother Whitney Houston won the American Music Award and walked on stage to receive the award with her daughter. In 1998, the girl sang for the first time for her mother’s song “My Love is Your Love” from the album of the same name. In Whitney Houston's next few albums, Bobbi Kristina Brown's voice can be heard in some songs.
Multi-million dollar inheritance
A month after Whitney Houston's death, Brown told one publication that she felt her mother's spirit. After this, Brown expressed her intention to continue her mother's legacy and become an international famous singer. In parallel with singing career the girl also appeared as an actress and dancer.
After the death of her mother, the entire inheritance was transferred to the rights of Bobby Chris Brown. The total amount of W. E. Houston's legacy was over $200 million.
Strange love, wild life
In October 2012, Brown publicly announced her intention to become Nick Gordon's wife. The surprising thing is that she chose her half-brother (the adopted son of W. E. Houston) as her chosen one. A flurry of emotions and a storm of criticism fell on Christina Brown. Despite public censure, the loving couple finally got married in early 2015.
Apparently, the death of her mother had a very strong impact on her daughter’s psyche, and she decided to take the path of strange love. In addition, the 22-year-old girl was famous for her addiction to drugs. From the outside it looked wild and incomprehensible, but since childhood Chris had not seen another life. Her mother also loved drugs, as well as smoking and drinking alcohol. By the way, Whitney Elizabeth Houston acquired these habits from her husband, who, as you know, loved to “relax” by using illegal substances, and could even raise a hand against his wife. Unfortunately, this picture was the reality of Christina Brown’s childhood, who years later repeated the “dirty” fate of her parents.
Death of Bobbi Kristina Brown
On January 31, 2015, 22-year-old Christina Brown was found unconscious in her home, lying in a full bathtub. Doctors, in an attempt to save the girl, put her into a state of artificial coma (more precise definition"long-term analgesia and sedation"). At the end of April of the same year, Brown opened her eyes, and many believed that she had returned to life. Nevertheless, doctors dispelled hopes, arguing that an eye open for a few seconds is not evidence of recovery from a coma. Prognosis for survival was minimal.
The cause of Bobbi Kristina Brown's death is still unknown and unclear. There are several main versions, each of which is quite similar to the truth. Many believe that the girl died after suicide or was the victim of an accident. On June 27, 2015, the girl died.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston. Born August 9, 1963 in Newark - died February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills. American pop, soul and rhythm and blues singer, actress, producer, model.
Father - John Huston. Mother - Sissy.
She was the youngest of three children in the family. In childhood and adolescence she attended Baptist and Pentecostal churches.
Houston's mother, Cissy, and her cousin Dionne Warwick are famous figures in the world of rhythm and blues, soul and gospel music. Such an environment could not but affect Houston’s choice of life path and career. At the age of eleven, she began soloing in the junior gospel choir of the New Hope Baptist Church in New York.
IN adolescence she and her half-brother Gary Garland-Houston were raped by their cousin, Dee Dee Warwick, a famous soul singer. At the time of the crime, Whitney was between seven and nine years old, and Warwick (real name Delia Warrick) was 19 years older than her. The scandalous information about sexual abuse appeared when neither Whitney Houston herself nor her cousin were alive. What happened in childhood left an indelible imprint on the whole later life Whitney. British director Kevin Macdonald filmed a film on this topic in 2018.
In his youth, Houston became acquainted with the artistic atmosphere. She travels a lot with her mother, makes her first attempts at performing as a singer, performs as a backing vocalist for Chaka Khan, and also stars in commercials for teenagers.
By the early 1980s, Houston already had two contracts with record companies. However, a more serious offer came to her in 1983, when her performance with her mother in one of the nightclubs in New York was noticed by a representative of Arista Records and recommended Whitney to the head of the record label, Clive Davis. Davis is quite impressed. Later, he offers the young performer a contract, which she signs with his company.
Also in 1983, she made her debut on the then popular television show “Merv Griffin’s Show” with the song “Home.”
In February 1985, the debut album of the same name was released. Whitney Houston. It initially sold modestly. But after the release of the second single after “Someone for Me,” “You Give Good Love,” which reached number three on the U.S. chart. Billboard Hot 100 and first places on other R&B charts, the album begins to move up the sales and popularity rankings.
Houston began performing in many popular late-night shows that had previously been closed to black performers. Subsequent singles - the romantic ballad "Saving All My Love for You", the dance track "How Will I Know", which opened the singer to the MTV audience, and "The Greatest Love of All" - reached first place in pop and rhythm and blues charts, securing the young singer’s status as a performer for the general public.
In 1986, a year after its release, the album Whitney Houston topped the Billboard 200 chart and stayed in this position for 14 consecutive weeks. The album achieved international commercial success, surpassing 13 million copies sold in the United States alone, and became the best-selling debut album among female singers.
The album itself garnered positive reviews from critics and praise for Houston. Rolling Stone magazine called her "one of the most exciting new voices in recent years." That same year, the singer embarked on her first tour, The Greatest Love Tour, and won her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Artist for “Saving All My Love for You,” as well as Emmy and American Music awards. Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
Houston's debut is currently included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Definitive 200 lists.
Second album Whitney, was released in June 1987. It became the first album in history by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the US and UK.
Houston won her second Grammy Award in 1988 in the same category for "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and toured the world with The Moment of Truth Tour. That same year, she recorded the song "One Moment in Time" for NBC's summer Olympic Games 1988 in Seoul, which took 5th place in the US national chart and first place in the UK and German charts.
Despite the worldwide success of Whitney Houston's first two albums, many African-American critics noted that her music was "too white" and therefore sold well.
Third studio album I'm Your Baby Tonight was released in November 1990. Such figures as Babyface, LL Reed, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder were involved in the work on it. The album demonstrated the singer's ability to perform well both hard rhythmic compositions and soulful ballads and dance tracks. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified 4x platinum in the US, selling 10 million copies worldwide. Although this album did not sell as well commercially as the previous two, it received critical praise. The same Rolling Stone called it “Whitney Houston’s best and most complete album.”
Houston performed "The Star Spangled Banner" before the NFL Finals in January 1991. Ten years later, the song was re-released following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In November 1992, Houston successfully debuted as an actress in the film "Bodyguard" featuring Kevin Costner. Houston recorded six songs for the film. The main track is a cover of Dolly Parton's country song "I Will Always Love You".
Whitney Houston in the movie "Bodyguard"
In December 1995, the soundtrack to the film Waiting to Exhale, produced by Babyface, was released. Houston turned down Babyface's offer to record an entire album for the film, wanting it to be an album with different female vocalists in keeping with the film's message of strong women. Thus, the soundtrack included songs by Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Brandy and Mary J. Blige. Houston herself recorded three songs, including the hit "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)."
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
In late 1996, Houston collaborated with the Atlanta-based Greater Rising Star Church choir to record the gospel soundtrack for the film The Preacher's Wife. A pair of popular songs were released from this album, “I Believe in You and Me” and “Step by Step.” The soundtrack became the best-selling gospel album. The work received positive reviews, some noting Whitney's emotional depth and phenomenal voice.
In 1997, Houston performed the Classic Whitney concert in Washington, which aired on HBO. Besides famous hits, she performed classic compositions by such famous singers as Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and Diana Ross. Later that year, she starred as the Fairy in Cinderella, opposite young singer Brandy. Houston performed two songs for the film - "Impossible" and "There Is Music in You".
In November 1998, Houston's fourth studio album (not counting the three previous soundtracks) was released. My Love Is Your Love. Initially, the album was conceived as a collection of the best songs, but subsequently enough new material accumulated for a full-fledged new album. The album was recorded and mixed in just six weeks.
In 1999, Whitney took part in the Divas Live ’99 concert in Las Vegas along with Tina Turner, Cher and Mary J. Blige. That same year, she undertook the My Love Is Your Love Tour. For the song "It's Not Right But It's OK" in 2000, Whitney received a Grammy in the category "Best R&B Singer".
In the spring of 2000, a collection of the best songs, Whitney: The Greatest Hits, was released. The album included the previous ballads, instead of the well-known fast songs, their house and remix versions were included, as well as four new songs, including three duets with famous performers: "Could I Have This Kiss Forever" with Enrique Iglesias, "Same Script, Different Cast" with Deborah Cox and "If I Told You That" with George Michael. A DVD of the same name was also released. The original photographs for this publication were taken by the famous and controversial photographer and director David LaChapelle.
That same year, Houston performed at a televised concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Arista Records. Houston also became the first recipient of the BET Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to black music. In August 2001, Houston signed a new contract worth US$100 million for six new albums with Sony BMG, which became the largest in the history of the music industry at that time, breaking the record of Mariah Carey (whose US$80 million contract with EMI was terminated).
In late 2002, at the height of rumors about his drug addiction, Houston released his fifth studio album, Just Whitney. Music critics were not pleased with the songs presented, noting that the songs were merely "signs of life, but not enough to resurrect" (The San Fransisco Chronicle). This was the first time that Clive Davis had been involved in the work. The album was a commercial failure for Whitney.
Whitney Houston - Love that Man
At the end of 2003, Houston released his first Christmas album. One Wish: The Holiday Album. Reviews have been mixed, ranging from remarks about the deviations in her voice (Slant Magazine) to "meteor-like crescendos" in her music (The New York Times). The album became Houston's weakest seller.
In 2004, Houston toured Europe with the Soul Divas Tour with Natalie Cole and Dionne Warwick, as well as an international tour in the Middle East, Russia and Asia. In September, she made a surprise appearance at the World Music Awards and dedicated the performance to her mentor and friend Clive Davis. The audience gave her a standing ovation.
At the end of the summer of 2009, after a six-year lull, constantly accompanied by rumors and statements about the recording of new material, the singer’s seventh studio album, entitled I Look to You. Houston once again returns under the wing of her mentor Clive Davis, under whose leadership most of the singer’s albums were recorded. “I Look to You” also featured veterans such as Diane Warren, David Foster, R. Kelly, as well as young writers and performers - Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Danja, Johnta Austin, Akon and others.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 music chart with sales of 305 thousand copies in the first week. I Look to You repeated the success of the 1992 Bodyguard soundtrack and the 1987 Whitney studio album, reaching the top of the US main chart. In December 2009, it was announced that the album had been certified platinum, and in January 2010, the album was certified double platinum. However, despite the long-awaited and commercial success of the disc, neither the album itself, nor its authors, nor any of the compositions, nor Houston herself received a single Grammy Award nomination, which turned out to be a great disappointment and greatly surprised many.
On January 16, 2010, Houston received the BET Awards for her career achievements and the success of her album I Look to You. On January 26, 2010, a commemorative reissue of Whitney Houston's debut album, Whitney Houston - The Deluxe Anniversary Edition, was released, the release of which was twenty-five years old.
Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing
Whitney Houston's achievements:
One of the most commercially successful performers in the history of world music. Known for her musical achievements, vocal abilities and scandalous personal life.
Houston's superstar status was secured after the release of the film "The Bodyguard" in 1992, in which she played one of the main roles (along with Kevin Costner) and performed the main musical parts. The ballad “I Will Always Love You” from the movie was a huge success, becoming not only a worldwide hit and the best-selling single among female singers in the history of music, but also a “hymn of love.”
Recipient of over 400 awards, including 7 Grammy Awards, 31 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 7 Soul Train Music Awards, 16 NAACP Image Awards, an Emmy Award, a BET Lifetime Achievement Award and many others. awards and honors from the recording and entertainment industry.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, by 2009, Houston was the artist with the most big amount awards (The Most Awarded Female Artist of All Time).
According to her record label, the total volume of records sold is 170 million copies.
According to the American Association record companies, Houston is the fourth most commercially successful artist in the United States, with 55 million certified records sold in the country.
Rolling Stone magazine named Houston one of the 100 greatest performers No. 34 overall.
Whitney Houston's legal battle with her father and stepmother
In 2002, Houston was involved in a legal dispute with her father John Houston, her one-time manager. John Houston Enterprise President and family friend Kevin Skinner sued Whitney Houston for breach of contract and $100 million in damages, but lost. Skinner claimed that Houston owed his company previously unpaid compensation for helping negotiate her $100 million contract with Arista Records, as well as for dealing with her legal troubles. The singer's press secretary said that her 81-year-old father, who was ill at the time, had no direct relationship to this lawsuit, but Skinner argued otherwise.
Houston's father died in February 2003, but the singer did not attend his funeral. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston herself said that due to the intrusiveness of reporters, another quiet farewell ceremony was organized for her and her family on the eve of the funeral.
The court case was dismissed on April 5, 2004, after Skinner did not participate in pre-trial proceedings.
In May 2008, Whitney's stepmother, Barbara Houston, sued her stepdaughter for allegedly mishandling the inheritance of her father, who died in 2003 at the age of 82. Barbara Houston stated that she rightfully claims part of the inheritance, but Whitney manages it solely and does not pay the mortgage. Houston inherited a $1 million life insurance policy to pay her father's mortgage and other funds. Whitney herself denied all claims. On the contrary, the singer filed a counterclaim against her stepmother, demanding the return of her debt in the amount of $1.6 million.
Drug addiction and death of Whitney Houston
On January 11, 2000, at a Hawaii airport, security guards discovered marijuana in Houston and Brown's luggage, but the couple took off before authorities could arrive. Drug charges were later filed against her and Brown, which Houston later disputed. She was ordered to pay £2,100 ($4,200) in support of a youth drug program in lieu of community service.
However, rumors of drug use persisted. Two months later, her impresario Clive Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Houston was scheduled to perform at an event to commemorate the event, but canceled those plans ten minutes before the show began.
A little later, Houston was supposed to perform at the Oscar ceremony, but was removed by music director and longtime friend Bart Bacharach. Although her press secretary cited throat problems as the reason for canceling the performance, many spoke of drug problems. It was later reported that Houston's voice was shaky, she seemed distant, and her attitude was casual, almost defiant. During the performance of the scheduled song " Over the Rainbow" she started singing another song, "American Pie".
At the Jane Magazine interview, Houston reportedly arrived late, seemed unfocused, couldn't even open her eyes, and was playing on an imaginary piano. Later that year, Houston's executive assistant and best friend Robyn Crawford resigned from Houston's management company.
The following year, Houston appeared at a concert in honor of the 30th anniversary of her career - Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special. She looked shockingly thin, which reignited rumors of drug use, anorexia and bulimia. Her press secretary said that Whitney was under stress due to family problems, and for this reason she was not eating. At the same show, the singer was supposed to perform again, but refused without explanation. A little later, rumors appeared in the media that the singer died of an overdose. Houston quickly denied the rumors.
In late 2002, Houston was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on her ABC Prime Time program. During the prime-time television interview, Houston answered questions and talked about her controversial public and private life. Sawyer's questions focused on rumors of drug use, the singer's health and her troubled marriage to Brown. So, when asked if she uses crack, Houston replied: “First of all, let's get one thing straight. Crack is cheap. I make too much money to smoke crack. Let's get this clear. OK? We don't do crack. We don't use it. "Crack is wack." Her statement will turn out to be dishonest. Houston, however, admitted to using various drugs at parties. When asked if her husband had ever hit her, she replied: “No, he never hit me, no. I beat him. In anger".
Whitney Houston - drugs
Houston entered a drug treatment facility for recovery in March 2004, but the following year she appeared on Brown's reality series Being Bobby Brown, displaying even more erratic behavior. In March 2005, Houston entered the same clinic, having successfully completed a rehabilitation course. Although there were rumors about Houston's drug addiction, her label insisted otherwise.
In recent years, Whitney Houston has been repeatedly treated for alcohol and drug addiction and has been sick a lot. In 2010, her world tour was canceled due to poor health.
Whitney Houston died on February 11, 2012 in a hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. on the eve of the 54th Grammy Awards. The singer was found unconscious in the bathroom of her hotel room by her aunt Mary Jones. They tried to bring her back to life with the help of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but to no avail - death was registered at 15:55 US Pacific Coast time.
The police immediately ruled out the possibility of a violent death.
The 54th Grammy Awards was dedicated to Houston.
On February 18, in Newark, the singer’s hometown, a farewell ceremony was held, called “Home Going” by relatives. The ceremony, the number of guests to which was limited to one and a half thousand people, took place at the New Hope Baptist Church, in whose gospel choir Houston began soloing at the age of eleven. Among others, Dionne Warwick, Kevin Costner, Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry, R Kelly, Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, CC Winans and BB Winans, sister Patricia Houston and the singer's bodyguard Ray Watson gave speeches and performed songs. Also, Aretha Franklin was originally scheduled to perform at the ceremony, but she was unable to attend due to health problems.
Bobby Brown ex-husband singer, left the ceremony shortly after it began. At the end of the ceremony, the chrome coffin with the body of the late singer was carried out to the sound of her most famous song, “I Will Always Love You.” The ceremony, which lasted about four hours instead of the planned two, was broadcast on the Internet. By order of the state governor, all national flags in New Jersey were lowered on this day - this last honor is usually awarded only to deceased statesmen.
On February 19, 2012, Whitney Houston was buried at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, located a few kilometers from Newark. Houston's coffin was buried next to the grave of her father, John Russell Houston (September 13, 1920 - February 2, 2003). The performer repeatedly expressed this desire during her lifetime.
On March 23, 2012, the results of the police investigation were made public, which showed that the causes of the singer’s death were drowning, atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. The death is being described as an "accident" and investigators have "no suspicion of injury or violence." According to investigators, the examination showed that the singer was a chronic cocaine addict. Other drugs found in her blood included marijuana, a sedative (muscle relaxant) and an anti-allergy drug.
Whitney Houston's height: 168 centimeters.
Whitney Houston's personal life:
In the 1980s, Whitney Houston was romantically involved with football player Randall Cunningham.
She also had a relationship with her longtime friend and assistant Robin Crawford, although she constantly denied lesbian rumors.
At the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards, Houston met Bobby Brown, a singer from the R&B group New Edition. After three years of courtship, the couple married on July 18, 1992. Brown by that time already had disagreements with the law and three children from different women. Despite this, on March 4, 1993 - after a miscarriage the year before - Houston gave birth to a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston-Brown (1993-2015).
Brown had just as many problems in the 2000s. Rumors circulated around the couple about both drug addictions. In December 2003, after Brown was reported to have hit Houston during an argument, he was arrested and charged.
After long history with scandals, adultery, drug and alcohol abuse, arrests and family problems, Houston filed for divorce in the fall of 2006.
In February 2007, Houston petitioned the court to expedite the divorce, which was finalized on April 24, giving Houston full custody of their daughter.
On April 26, 2007, Brown filed an appeal of the court's decision, seeking for Houston to share custody of the child and spousal support. The statement also stated that financial and emotional problems prevented Brown from properly responding to Houston's divorce petition. Brown failed to appear for a court hearing on January 4, 2008, causing the judge to overturn his appeal, upholding Houston's full custody of his daughter. Brown also found himself without a lawyer after his lawyers refused to work with him due to “communication failures.”
The singer herself said about her marriage to Bobby Brown: “Many people began to worry about me - I was really unhappy in my marriage. I lost myself because I was always trying to please. I tried to prove to the world that they were wrong when they said that this marriage It won't last even six minutes. I was very determined. And when you lose yourself, you start to lose the true concept of love. Instead, you make a statement like this: “You guys won't win. We got married. family, we love and adore each other. And I won’t let you talk about us like that." ) And when so much is happening around you, it is very difficult to stay on the right path.
At first it was only soft drugs, and then, after the film “The Bodyguard” and after I gave birth to Christina, strong drugs were used - cocaine, marijuana. Bobby also liked to drink, while I wasn't much of a drinker. Alcoholism is a terrible thing. You either become a harmless alcoholic or an aggressive one. He was very aggressive. He changed completely, although he was always afraid to hit me, because my family warned him: “Remember, we only warned you once.” So he tried to just leave. And at that time I became a little girl who would not tell anyone anything. He often hurt me emotionally, but never physically. I grew up with two boys, and always knew how to give back. I would fight to the last...
One day he slapped me and got hit on the head three times for it. I said, "You've gone too far." The worst thing happened on his birthday. We went to Atlanta - I threw him a party at a club. He drank all evening, a lot. And for some reason, everything I did to make him happy turned against me. It was more than strange. Today I understand that alcoholics offend the very people they love. And when we returned home (he will hate me for what I tell), he spat in my face. And all because I loved him so much. And my daughter, going down the stairs to the first floor, saw this. There was a lot of tension - there was so much hatred for me in his eyes. I couldn't understand it because I was raised completely differently."
The only daughter died suddenly at the age of 22 in July 2015.
Bobbi Kristina Brown was in a coma after her boyfriend, Nick Gordon, discovered her in the bathroom of her Roswell, Georgia home on January 31. Her family said she had been diagnosed with permanent brain damage. At first, Bobbi Kristina was in various hospitals, then she was transferred to a hospice due to deteriorating health. Bobbi Kristina's court-appointed guardian has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Gordon.
The document states that on the day the girl was injured, which led to a coma, she quarreled with Gordon.
According to the plaintiff, Brown "sustained life-threatening injuries" as a result of Gordon's conduct. According to the guardian, Gordon began beating Bobbi Kristina in order to get significant funds that she inherited from her mother. The lawsuit also alleges that while Brown was in a coma, Gordon stole more than $11,000 from her bank account.
The police considered an accident, attempted suicide and attempted murder as the main versions of what happened. In February 2015, Gordon was banned from visiting Bobbi Kristina in the hospital.
Gordon was Whitney Houston's adopted son and then began dating her daughter. After the singer's death in 2012, the couple began calling each other husband and wife, although Bobbi Kristina and Gordon were never officially married.
Filmography of Whitney Houston:
1984 - Give me a break! (Gimme a Break!) - Rita
1985 - Silver Spoons - cameo
1992 - The Bodyguard - Rachel Marron
1996 - The Preacher's Wife - Julia Bigs
1997 - Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella) - Fairy
2003 - Boston Public - cameo
2012 - Sparkle - Emma
Produced by Whitney Houston:
1997 - Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella)
2001 - The Princess Diaries
2003 - The Cheetah Girls
2004 - The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
2006 - Cheetah Girls in Barcelona (The Cheetah Girls 2)
Whitney Houston discography:
1985 - Whitney Houston
1987 - Whitney
1990 - I'm Your Baby Tonight
1998 - My Love Is Your Love
2002 - Just Whitney
2003 - One Wish - The Holiday Album
2009 - I Look to You
Whitney Houston's most famous songs:
1985 - “You Give Good Love”
1985 - “Saving All My Love for You”
1986 - “How Will I Know”
1986 - “The Greatest Love of All”
1987 - “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
1987 - “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”
1987 - “So Emotional”
1988 - “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”
1988 - “Love Will Save the Day”
1988 - “One Moment in Time”
1990 - “I’m Your Baby Tonight”
1990 - “All the Man that I Need”
1992 - “I Will Always Love You”
1993 - “I’m Every Woman”
1993 - “I Have Nothing”
1993 - “Run to You”
1993 - “Queen of the Night”
1995 - “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”
1998 - “When You Believe”
1999 - “Heartbreak Hotel”
1999 - “It’s Not Right But It’s OK”
1999 - “My Love Is Your Love”
2000 - “I Learned from the Best”
2002 - “Whatchulookinat”
2003 - “One of Those Days”
2003 - “Try It on My Own”
2003 - “Love that Man”
2009 - “Million Dollar Bill”
