Whitney Elizabeth Houston (1963-2012) - American actress, pop, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues singer, producer and fashion model. One of the most commercially successful performers in world history. Famous for her musical achievements, vocal abilities and scandalous personal life.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, by 2009 Whitney was the artist with the most awards - over 400. The total volume of records sold is 170 million copies.
Whitney Houston's biography contains many interesting facts, which we will discuss in this article.
So, here is a short biography of Whitney Elizabeth Houston.
Biography of Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in the US state of New Jersey. She was the youngest of three children to her parents, John and Cissy Houston. It is worth noting that Cissy Houston and her cousin Dionne Warwick were very popular in the world as performers of rhythm and blues, gospel, and soul music.
As a result, from an early age in her biography, Whitney was very familiar with music. As a child and teenager, she attended religious meetings of the Baptist and Pentecostal churches. At the age of 11, the girl became a soloist in the choir of the Baptist Church of New Hope.
Soon, Houston begins touring with his mother, taking his first steps on stage. Then she became a backing vocalist for Chaka Khan and periodically starred in commercials.
In the early 80s, two record companies signed a contract with the talented Whitney. And yet, it was Clive Davis from Arista Records, impressed by the young artist’s vocal abilities, who offered her a contract that made her world famous.
early years
Born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, Houston seemed destined to become a singer from birth. Her mother and cousin were legendary figures in American gospel, soul and pop music. Cissy Houston was a choir minister at New Hope Baptist Church, and it was there that young Houston got her start. Even as a child, Houston knew how to wow audiences; She later told Diane Sawyer that the enthusiastic response from the New Hope congregation had a profound effect on her: "I think I knew then that my ability to sing was an infectious thing that God had given me."
By the time she was 15, Houston was performing frequently with her mother and trying to get her own recording contract. Around the same time, she was discovered by a photographer who was struck by her natural beauty. She soon became an extremely popular teen model, one of the first African-American women to appear on the cover of Seventeen magazine. But music remained her true love.
When she was 19, Houston was discovered in a nightclub by Clive Davis of Arista Records, who immediately signed her and managed her career as she transitioned from gospel singer to pop star. In 1983, Houston made her national television debut, appearing on The Merv Griffin Show to sing "Home" from the musical The Wiz. She and Davis spent the next two years working on her debut album, finding the best producers and songwriters available to showcase her amazing vocal talent.
Music
In 1983, Whitney Houston made her national debut on the then top-rated television program “The Merv Griffin Show” with the song “Home.” A couple of years later, she recorded her first album, Whitney Houston, which was received very mediocrely.
Real recognition came to Whitney after performing the hit “You Give Good Love,” which sounded from all the windows. This led to the fact that many people began to show interest in her work, and, consequently, sales of her album increased sharply.
A year later, the girl’s debut album turned out to be the best-selling album in the United States. In 1986, it remained number one in the country for 14 weeks and sold 13 million copies. Music critics had nothing but positive things to say about Whitney, calling her “the most exciting new voice.”
Houston not only had a beautiful voice, but also had natural beauty and charm. She was vying with each other to be invited to famous television shows, where African-American performers had previously been prohibited from entering. Whitney sang lyrical compositions, demonstrating her wide vocal range.
Houston soon broke through on MTV with the rhythmic composition “How Will I Know.” On the pop and rhythm and blues charts, "The Greatest Love of All" her songs are at the top of the ratings. In 1987, she presented another album, which gained even greater recognition among the public.
Such hits as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, “So Emotional” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” occupied the first lines of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a long time. Moreover, as many as 7 singles became hits, surpassing the record of the legendary “The Beatles”.
The following year, Whitney Houston won her second Grammy Award and then went on a world tour. In 1990, she recorded her third disc, “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” which achieved platinum status. It is noteworthy that the music tour in support of this record was recognized as “the worst tour of the year.”
Whitney gained her reputation as a superstar after performing the hit “I Will Always Love You,” which became the soundtrack of the acclaimed film “The Bodyguard” (1992). It is important to note that in this film, in which Houston performed all the main songs, she got the key female role. This single received fantastic popularity all over the planet.
An interesting fact is that today “I Will Always Love You” is the best-selling single among female singers in world music history. For many, Houston is primarily associated with this hit. It is curious that that year she was awarded three Grammys.
In the 90s, Whitney played the main characters in the films “Waiting to Get Out” and “The Preacher’s Wife,” in which she also performed songs. In 1998, the singer’s new album, “My Love Is Your Love,” was released. In the new century, she continued her enchanting career.
Houston was awarded the prestigious BET Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to black music. Her popularity was so great that they signed a contract with her for 6 albums ahead. In 2002, the artist’s 5th studio disc, “Just Whitney,” was released, which received negative reviews from critics.
Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston
There were rumors about Whitney's severe drug addiction. The following year, she released One Wish – The Holiday Album, which received even worse reviews. After this, Houston actively tours in different countries, including Russia.
Then there was a lull in Houston’s creative biography, which lasted until 2009. It was then that her last disc, “I Look to You,” was released. By that time, the press and on TV often discussed not so much her songs as her drug addiction.
And yet, Whitney’s career was very successful, as evidenced by her awards, the number of which exceeds 400! She received 7 Grammys, 31 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, an Emmy and a number of other awards. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her 34th on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists.
The mystery of Whitney Houston's death. A deadly cocktail of alcohol and cocaine
The cause of death of the famous singer Whitney Houston was a heart attack, after which she drowned in the bathtub. Investigators from Los Angeles came to this conclusion. And the heart problem was caused by cocaine and alcohol: traces of these substances were found in Houston’s blood. During her lifetime, the singer repeatedly admitted that she suffered from drug addiction. And I was never able to overcome it completely.
About a month of witness interviews, examinations and the darkest guesses. Finally, Los Angeles Police Department investigators are making a statement that should put an end to countless rumors about the cause of death of one of the most successful pop singers of the 20th century.
“Our department has completed its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ms. Whitney Houston. The final cause of death was determined to be “accidental drowning,” as well as atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. During the toxicological examination, other drugs were also discovered,” explained Los Angeles Police Department investigative spokesman Craig Harvey.
In addition to cocaine and alcohol, the examination found a whole cocktail of potent substances in the blood of the dark-skinned pop diva: marijuana, sedatives, muscle relaxants, antihistamines. This conclusion of forensic experts did not become a sensation in Hollywood. The singer's family and friends have been talking about Whitney Houston's addiction to drugs and alcohol for many years.
Her body was discovered on February 12, the day before the Grammy Awards, in a room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California. Whitney Houston lay in a bathtub filled with water. The police were then surprised that despite obvious signs of an overdose, no illegal drugs were found in the room.
Now the investigation is confident: immediately after the singer’s death, the dealer who supplied her with drugs removed all the cocaine from the hotel room.
“We have established that Ms. Houston’s cocaine use was regular, and it appears that she took another dose immediately before the tragedy occurred in the hotel bathroom,” concluded a Los Angeles police spokesman.
At the peak of her fame, having the largest number of awards in the history of American show business, in the early 2000s, Whitney Houston disappeared from TV screens and from the world charts for several years. The tabloid press relishes the misfortunes in her personal life - her marriage to American performer Bobby Brown ends in scandal, beatings and divorce. They discuss Houston's insatiable love for alcohol.
The album, released after a 7-year break in 2009, is not popular with listeners, and a year later the “Bodyguard” star ends up in the hospital in serious condition. Six months before her death, she tried to get rid of drug addiction in a private clinic. However, the latest and final conclusion of the police only confirms the rumors that the owner of 400 music awards did not manage to get out of the abyss of depression.
Drug addict
In many ways, the talented Whitney Houston suffered from addiction to various drugs for many years in her biography. In the late 90s, she often canceled concerts and visits to television shows. In 2000, law enforcement officers found marijuana in her luggage, and she was later charged with drug possession.
Apparently due to drug addiction, Whitney mixed up songs during performances and also looked exhausted. It is curious that journalists from Jane Magazine stated that during the interview with the star, she behaved inappropriately - she sat with her eyes closed, imagining that she was playing the piano.
In 2004, things got so bad that Houston was forced to undergo treatment at a drug addiction hospital. However, she did not have any obvious improvements. A year later, she went to the clinic again. Later, the woman will continue to receive treatment for both drug and alcohol addictions.
Prerequisites for a musical career
Whitney Houston (Whitney Houston is a singer whose biography is replete with scandals) was supposed to become an artist, this was destined for her from birth. This simply could not have happened. To understand why, you should get to know the family into which she was born.
So, Emily Drinkard, the mother of the future superstar, as a girl was a member of a family gospel group called the Drinkard Sisters. Emily performed with Dionne Warwick's band. Later, this couple created a group, which consisted of four people. Throughout the 1970s, she worked in this ensemble and pursued a solo career at the same time. Sissy (Emily) recorded three records and performed with such figures as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.
John Houston, the father of Whitney Houston (her biography is described in our article), was his wife’s manager. But when Whitney was born, John left his career and became a housewife. Emily continued to tour.
Naturally, being someone else other than a singer was not possible in this family. Moreover, Whitney’s family encouraged and inspired her, contributing in every possible way to the development of her talent. The family supported their daughter in everything and, as best they could, helped her ascend to the Olympus of world musical art.
Personal life
Houston's personal biography was also far from ideal. There are several known legal proceedings in which her close relatives and friends were involved. A family friend, Kevin Skinner, took legal action against Whitney on behalf of her father.
Previously, her father was her manager, as a result of which he demanded $100 million from his daughter for broken obligations. The elder Houston died in 2003, and the case was dropped the following year. Later, Whitney's 82-year-old stepmother began suing her because she allegedly mismanaged her father's inheritance.
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown with their daughter
Whitney's first notable romance occurred in 1980 with football player Randall Cunningham. After that, the media discussed her relationship with actor Eddie Murphy. There were also rumors about the artist’s lesbian attachment to assistant Robin Crawford, but Houston denied all such statements.
In 1989, the girl began dating the scandalous R&B singer Bobby Brown, as a result of which the young people became legal spouses 3 years later. After marriage, Bobby continued to cause scandals and arrests, as well as raise his hand against Whitney.
In addition, the couple began using drugs together. Later, the couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who would also become a singer in the future. It is worth noting that Houston also had a miscarriage - her husband was currently behind bars.
In 2007, the couple announced their divorce. Whitney could no longer endure the endless scandals. After some time, Bobby wanted to become his daughter's guardian, but the court rejected his request.
The rarest photographs of young Whitney Houston, a beauty with a fantastic voice
Adore! There are no such talents in the world as Whitney Houston and there never will be!
Whitney Houston will definitely never lose her status as an incredibly talented and beautiful woman. Millions of people perceive it as an ideal, and this is completely understandable. After all, until now not a single artist can even slightly compare with that same professionalism and talent.
Unfortunately, Whitney will not release a new album or record a new hit. But she left behind an incredible legacy that people will definitely never forget. Moreover, she was not only very beautiful, but also fantastically charismatic, as if attracting people to herself.
Therefore, we are sure that you will definitely be able to enjoy old photographs of the young Whitney Houston, when she was just starting her dizzying career. And we have no doubt that you will definitely want to look at the legendary singer from a different angle.
After all, few people even know that she might never have become a singer at all.
As a child, while playing, an ordinary hanger tore Whitney's palate.
And the doctors said that there was a huge probability that the girl would not be able to speak at all.
Whitney began her career as a model, and at that time she did not think about music.
Houston became the first dark-skinned girl to be featured in Seventeen magazine.
Once upon a time, Elvis Presley wanted to get the rights to the song “I Will Always Love You,” but Dolly Parton, its author, did not agree.
And only with the help of Whitney Houston the song sounded new.
By the way, this same song even turned out to be involved in politics.
It was used in his campaign by Saddam Hussein, but in Arabic.
Whitney Houston was sued twice. And both times it was her parents - first her mother, and then her father.
In relation to Whitney Houston, the legendary actor Robert De Niro suffered from unrequited love. And the singer herself managed to start a relationship with Eddie Murphy, although later she decided to leave for her new hobby, Bobby Brown. And after that, her reputation as a “good girl” quickly evaporated.
Only in 2000, information appeared that the singer had developed many addictions and hobbies. Immediately the media began publishing news about new scandals involving Whitney. She was even accused of possession of marijuana; the singer was unable to pay off or get rid of the habit.
The room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Whitney died in 2012, is no longer available to visitors to the establishment. Moreover, it is unlikely that this will ever happen again. After all, now the room can be considered a historical place that should be preserved.
Despite any troubles and addictions, Whitney Houston will always be associated with the most beautiful, bright and gentle creature. Moreover, the singer radiated an atmosphere of joy, beauty, and also gave inspiration to millions.
This is exactly the person whose memory will live forever. Just like her compositions and hits will live on. Let's just remember Whitney Houston as young, happy and always smiling!
