161-572: Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, and film producer. Known as " the Voice ", she is one of the most awarded entertainers and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 220 million records worldwide. Houston's crossover appeal on popular music charts and her performances influenced the breaking down of gender and racial barriers, as well as popular culture . Known for her vocal delivery and live concerts, Houston
322-445: A People's Choice Award nod for Favorite Actress in a Dramatic Motion Picture. Upon its release, The Bodyguard grossed more than $ 121 million in the U.S. and $ 410 million worldwide, making it one of the top 100 highest-grossing films in history at its time of release. It remains in the top fifty of most successful R-rated films in box office history . The film's soundtrack also enjoyed success. Houston executive produced
483-494: A People's Choice Award nomination. Houston would win additional music and acting awards for her roles in the films Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife , including two ASCAP Awards for composing the hit duet, " Count On Me " as well as the Grammy Award nod for Best Written Song for Visual Media , two American Music Awards, several NAACP Image Awards and, with The Preacher's Wife , two Dove Awards . Her work in
644-714: A Soul Train Music Award and a second Grammy. Her recording of the 1988 Olympic anthem , " One Moment in Time ", resulted in Houston winning a second Emmy Award at the Sports Emmy Awards in September of that year. Her 1990 album, I'm Your Baby Tonight , won four Billboard Music Awards . After the success of her first leading role, in the film The Bodyguard , and its accompanying soundtrack , Houston won
805-580: A VH-1 Behind the Music documentary on the group claimed Brown was voted out by the group via their management team, with the members—most prominently Tresvant—against the decision. Following his exit from New Edition, Brown signed a contract with his former group's label, MCA (which had earlier promised Brown a solo deal if he had decided to leave New Edition), and also signed with manager Steven Machat, who had also worked with New Edition. The label released his debut album King of Stage in 1986. Brown had
966-516: A bevy of awards including 8 American Music Awards, 5 Japan Gold Disc Awards , 11 Billboard Music Awards, 5 NAACP Image Awards, 5 World Music Awards and 3 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for " I Will Always Love You ". Her acting in the role led to several nominations, both unfavorably with three Golden Raspberry Award nominations and favorably with 3 MTV Movie Award nominations, an NAACP Image Award nomination and
1127-641: A tour-de-force . The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts for fourteen and eleven weeks respectively, record-setting numbers at the time, while also topping the Adult Contemporary chart for five weeks, resulting in her fourth record-setting "triple-crown" number one single. The single was later certified diamond by the RIAA for sales of ten million copies, becoming Houston's first diamond single. Houston
1288-624: A 'bronchitis situation'", the European leg became hugely successful ending the year as the highest-grossing arena tour of the year in Europe. In November 1999, the Recording Industry Association of America hosted its Century Awards and named Houston the top-selling R&B female artist of the century with certified US sales of 51 million records at the time while the soundtrack to The Bodyguard received awards for being
1449-608: A 20th-century record for a female artist and only one of six albums to stay at number one for ten or more weeks in a row. The album's first single, " I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) ", released a month earlier in May, was also a massive hit worldwide, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the singles chart in 17 countries, including Australia, West Germany and the UK. Houston would release four more singles from
1610-771: A BMI Award and two Grammy Award nominations including Best Song Written for Visual Media . A third Houston single, and the last song from the soundtrack to be released, " Why Does It Hurt So Bad ", reached number 26 on the Hot 100. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 in January 1996 and would later be certified seven-times platinum in the United States, with total worldwide sales reaching 12 million. The soundtrack received strong reviews; as Entertainment Weekly stated: "the album goes down easy, just as you'd expect from
1771-730: A Catholic girls' high school in Caldwell , New Jersey, by sixth grade. She graduated from Mount Saint Dominic in 1981. Houston's professional career began when she joined her mother's band as a background singer during Cissy's performance at Manhattan's Town Hall in February 1978. There, Houston gave her first solo, performing " Tomorrow " from the Broadway musical, Annie , where she received her first standing ovation. Houston then sang with her mother in Manhattan 's club circuit. Houston
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#17327837359071932-472: A Film , two American Music Awards in the favorite pop and soul song categories and two Soul Train Music Awards , including best single by a woman and song of the year . The soundtrack topped the Billboard 200 chart and remained there for 20 weeks. It remains the second longest cumulative number one album by a female artist on the chart after singer Adele's 21 . The soundtrack also became one of
2093-471: A Houston album: "One Moment in Time", "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful", a duet with Jermaine Jackson from his 1986 Precious Moments album. Along with the album, an accompanying VHS and DVD was released featuring the music videos to Houston's greatest hits, as well as several hard-to-find live performances including her 1983 debut on The Merv Griffin Show and interviews. The set
2254-672: A New Edition show, shouting "I love you, Whitney" in tears. Brown then excused himself from the stage and New Edition finished the remainder of the show. Brown appeared at Houston's memorial service in New Jersey but was asked to leave by the family's security. In an interview given to The Today Show in May 2012, Brown said security was the reason he and his family left the service; Brown stated that he loved Houston's family and told Matt Lauer that he had spent "14 beautiful years" with Houston as his wife. Along with Clive Davis , Ray J , and others, Brown has been accused of contributing to
2415-406: A September 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey , Houston admitted to sometimes using drugs with Brown, stating that Brown had "laced marijuana with cocaine ". Houston also told Winfrey that Brown had been abusive during their marriage and even spat on her on one occasion while drunk. Following the death of Houston on February 11, 2012, six days after his 43rd birthday, Brown struggled to perform at
2576-787: A Soul Train Music Award nomination and an NAACP Image Award win. Following her death in 2012, Houston received the Billboard Music Award for the Billboard Millennium Award and the MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon . In 2013, her debut album, Whitney Houston , was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame , Houston's first recording to do so. That same year, she was inducted into both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and
2737-529: A Variety, Musical or Comedy Special. Houston and Chase then obtained the rights to the story of Dorothy Dandridge . Houston was to play Dandridge, the first African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress . Houston wanted the story told with dignity and honor. However, Halle Berry also had rights to the project and got her version going first. Later that year, Houston paid tribute to her idols, such as Aretha Franklin , Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick , by performing their hits during
2898-652: A cameo appearance in the 1989 film, Ghostbusters II , playing the Mayor's doorman. The following year, he appeared in the HBO kids show, Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme playing all three characters of Three Blind Mice. In 1995, he made another guest appearance in the film, Panther , and had a major role in the Martin Lawrence film, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate . Brown made other guest appearances in
3059-540: A chat show format as celebrity and interviewer spend an intense 24 hours locked in a room together. The show's host, Jamie Campbell , asked Brown questions about his career and private life, and infamously joked about making "sexual moves" towards the singer. Brown was furious and threatened to beat Campbell up live on air. Brown's later tenures in reality shows included appearances on Real Husbands of Hollywood , Celebrity Fit Club and Gone Country . In 2021, Brown competed in season five of The Masked Singer as
3220-435: A distant cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price . Aretha Franklin became an "honorary aunt" while Darlene Love was Houston's godmother. Houston's paternal great-great-grandfather Jeremiah Burke Sanderson was an American abolitionist and advocate for the civil and educational rights of black Americans during the mid-19th century. Houston had three older brothers: paternal half-brother John III; maternal half-brother Gary ,
3381-606: A duet with rapper Ja Rule on the song " Thug Lovin' ". Brown was signed to Murder Inc. Records , but that label had already begun to dissolve, so Brown's tenure with them was brief. In 2006, Brown appeared adding vocals to Damian Marley 's song "Beautiful" on Marley's album, Welcome to Jamrock . In 2008, Brown planned to release a book titled Bobby Brown: The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But , written by author Derrick Handspike. When controversial comments that Brown made about his ex-wife, Whitney Houston, were leaked to
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#17327837359073542-502: A female debut album in history. Worldwide, the album topped the charts in seven other countries and reached the top five in seven others. Critics praised Houston and the album, with Rolling Stone calling her "one of the most exciting new voices in years" while The New York Times called the album "an impressive, musically conservative showcase for an exceptional vocal talent". The album's leading single, " You Give Good Love ", produced by Kashif , became Houston's first top ten single on
3703-575: A former basketball player and singer; and Michael. The Houston family relocated to a suburban area of East Orange three years following the Newark race riots of 1967 . Houston's parents later divorced. Houston was raised in the Baptist faith. She joined the church choir at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark at age five, and she also learned to play piano at New Hope. She later recalled being exposed to
3864-458: A has-been who was jealous of his wife's celebrity status. In 2003, Brown was charged with battery after an altercation with Houston. In 2005, the couple participated in the reality show Being Bobby Brown , which gave a picture of their lives behind the scenes. In September 2006, Houston filed for legal separation and later divorce. Their divorce was finalized on April 24, 2007, with Houston receiving custody of their 14-year-old daughter. In
4025-478: A historic ten date sold-out residency at Wembley Arena in London. The concert tour produced mixed to positive reviews. While The Sun Sentinel argued that Houston should've opted for smaller venues and theaters that were "far more suitable to her sophistication and talent", USA Today praised Houston for "shak[ing] the confinements of her recordings' calculated productions and gets downright gutsy and soulful" With
4186-503: A month before Bobby's former wife Whitney Houston's death. Brown first met Whitney Houston at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1989 when he was 20. They began a close friendship after Houston invited Brown to her 26th birthday party that August. Their friendship developed into a romance. In 1991, Brown proposed to Houston and the couple married at Houston's estate on July 18, 1992. Their daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown
4347-399: A motion picture about four African-American women struggling with relationships. Houston played the lead character Savannah Jackson, a TV producer in love with a married man. She chose the role because she saw the film as "a breakthrough for the image of black women because it presents them both as professionals and as caring mothers". After opening at number one and grossing $ 67 million in
4508-483: A nomination, a few in the audience jeered. Houston defended herself against the criticism, stating, "If you're gonna have a long career, there's a certain way to do it and I did it that way. I'm not ashamed of it." Houston took a more urban direction with her third studio album, I'm Your Baby Tonight , released in November 1990. The first album in which she served as executive producer and exerted creative control for
4669-523: A number-one R&B hit with the ballad " Girlfriend ", but the album otherwise failed to perform well. Brown laid low for more than a year while working on his follow-up album. With the help of Machat and MCA representative Louil Silas, Brown began working with some of the top R&B producers and songwriters of the time, including Babyface , Antonio "L.A." Reid and Teddy Riley . The producers helped to compose what became Brown's most successful solo album of his career, Don't Be Cruel . Released in 1988,
4830-444: A package framed by Whitney Houston tracks ... the soundtrack waits to exhale, hovering in sensuous suspense" and has since ranked it as one of the 100 Best Movie Soundtracks. Houston would win two American Music Awards at the 1997 ceremony for the soundtrack including Top Soundtrack and for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist . In 1996, Houston starred in the holiday comedy The Preacher's Wife , with Denzel Washington . She plays
4991-553: A possible greatest hits album with Clive Davis, however, it was agreed that Houston should return to the studio for a brand new album instead. Recorded and mixed in a six-week period - fastest for any Houston recording - Houston released the album, My Love Is Your Love , on November 17, 1998. The album featured production from Rodney Jerkins , Wyclef Jean and Missy Elliott . Led by the Academy Award-winning duet, " When You Believe ", with singer Mariah Carey off
Whitney Houston - Misplaced Pages Continue
5152-576: A producer, The Cheetah Girls , premiered on the Disney Channel . A soundtrack of the film, executive produced by Houston, became successful, reaching double platinum status in the US. Later that November, Houston released her first Christmas album, One Wish: The Holiday Album , which featured traditional holiday songs and was certified gold in the US. List of awards and nominations received by Whitney Houston Whitney Houston (1963–2012)
5313-473: A range of contemporary R&B female recording artists along with Houston, such as Mary J. Blige , Brandy , Toni Braxton , Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle . Houston's " Exhale (Shoop Shoop) " became just the third single in music history to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after Michael Jackson 's " You Are Not Alone " and Mariah Carey 's " Fantasy ". It would be Houston's eleventh and final number one single in her lifetime. It also would spend
5474-456: A rare occurrence for a black female artist . Following opening spots on tours by Jeffrey Osborne and Luther Vandross , Houston opened at Carnegie Hall in October 1985. In July 1986, she embarked on her first world tour, The Greatest Love World Tour , performing a total of 53 dates. Houston's debut album is listed as one of Rolling Stone ' s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and on
5635-482: A record eight American Music Awards, with the album winning in the pop, R&B and adult contemporary album categories, the only album in its history to do so. Houston also received its highest honor, the Award of Merit, becoming at thirty, the youngest female recipient. In addition, the album also won Houston a record fifteen Billboard awards, including 11 at the actual ceremony , three Soul Train Music Awards, including
5796-511: A record eleven consecutive weeks at the No. 2 spot and eight weeks on top of the R&;B charts, her second most successful single on that chart after "I Will Always Love You". " Count On Me ", a song Houston co-wrote and composed with her brother Michael and Babyface and made into a duet with longtime friend CeCe Winans , hit the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and later won Houston two ASCAP Awards,
5957-574: A song together, " Something in Common ", which was released as a single from the Bobby album. In 1994, dance producers K-Klass remixed " Two Can Play That Game " from the Bobby album, it would become Brown's biggest single in the UK peaking at No.3 in 1995. Four years later, he would release his fourth solo album Forever , in 1997. The album's only single, "Feeling Inside", was not successful. Prior to
6118-514: A story in June 2000 stating that Cissy Houston and others had held a July 1999 intervention in which they unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Whitney to obtain drug treatment. Despite increasing negative press, Houston continued to find success, this time as a film producer , producing the film, The Princess Diaries , alongside fellow BrownHouse partner Debra Martin Chase. Starring Anne Hathaway in
6279-508: A study by Sony Electronics and the Nielsen Television Research Company . Her assets amounted to $ 250 million, earned over a 25-year career. Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963, at Presbyterian Hospital in Newark, New Jersey , to Emily "Cissy" (née Drinkard) and John Russell Houston Jr. Cissy was a Grammy-winning gospel and soul singer who was a member of The Drinkard Singers and
6440-476: A subsequent 1997 tour to support the album led to problems between Brown and the other New Edition members. Brown later admitted that he was struggling with drug addiction and alcoholism during the tour. In 2005, at the BET 25th Anniversary Special, Brown again reunited with New Edition. In 2008, Brown, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill then formed a splinter group, Heads of State, to compete with Bell Biv DeVoe . At
6601-543: A teen model in 1981. With the guidance of Arista Records chairman Clive Davis , Houston signed to the label at age 19. Her first two studio albums, Whitney Houston (1985) and Whitney (1987), both peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and are among the best-selling albums of all time . She is the only artist to have seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Her third album, I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990), yielded two US number-one singles;
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6762-457: Is an executive-producer of both the documentary-style and reality television series about his life. In 1995, Brown was with Steven Sealy when Sealy was targeted in a drive-by shooting. Sealy, Brown's sister's boyfriend, was killed and Brown was unharmed. The shooter, John Tibbs, took a plea agreement in 2001. Brown's parents, Carole and Herbert Brown, died within a year of each other. Carole died in 2011 and Herbert "Pops" in January 2012,
6923-401: Is frustrating". The album nonetheless enjoyed commercial success. Houston became the first woman in music history to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Houston was also the first artist ever to enter number one in the US and UK simultaneously, while also reaching number one in every country it charted. The album stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 for its first eleven weeks,
7084-640: Is listed in the Guinness World Records as the best-selling R&B studio album by a female artist in history. The album also produced the international hit, " All at Once ", which hit the top five in several European countries and went gold in Japan. Houston would win her first Grammy Award at the 1986 ceremony for the ballad, "Saving All My Love for You", which won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance , to which she had performed in
7245-605: Is my godson. His fiancée is one of my best friends in the whole world. I met Bobby a long time ago, but we really got to know each other through her." On June 5, 2012, Brown released his fifth album, The Masterpiece , which debuted at number 41 on the Billboard R&;B album chart. On February 14, 2017, Brown performed at the Valentine's Day Music Festival with Keith Sweat , Avant and El DeBarge . Brown made his first reunited appearance with New Edition at
7406-493: Is only one of just four female artists to earn both a diamond single and album along with Taylor Swift , Mariah Carey and Katy Perry and was only the third in history to do so. In January 1993, the song became the first single by a solo artist in US history to sell four million copies, later being certified 4x platinum by the RIAA and becoming the bestselling single in US history, a feat later surpassed by Elton John 's " Candle in
7567-549: Is under stress she doesn't eat." In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey , Houston acknowledged that drug use had been the reason for her weight loss. She canceled a second performance scheduled for the following night. Within weeks, Houston's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was re-released after the September 11 attacks , with the proceeds donated to the New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund and
7728-622: The Billboard Hot 100 in July. The song generated some controversy after advice columnist Ann Landers included it in her list of songs she deemed "trashy music". Houston later defended the song during an interview with the Chicago Tribune . Later, in October, Houston scored her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 with " Saving All My Love for You ". When " How Will I Know " and " Greatest Love of All " hit number one on
7889-467: The Guinness World Records with Houston maintaining 24 of the records. Bobby Brown Robert Barisford Brown Sr. (born February 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer. Brown, alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley , is noted as one of the pioneers of new jack swing : a fusion of hip hop and R&B . Brown started his career in the R&B and pop group New Edition , from its inception in 1978 until his exit from
8050-644: The Prince of Egypt soundtrack in a week full of star-studded releases, the album debuted and peaked at number thirteen on the Billboard 200, while later topping the European Top 100 Albums chart for six weeks, starting in August 1999. The album gave Houston some of her strongest reviews ever. Rolling Stone said Houston was singing "with a bite in her voice" and The Village Voice called it "Whitney's sharpest and most satisfying so far". Billboard magazine noted
8211-462: The 1990 MTV Video Music Awards . Their performance later sparked the recording of Bell Biv DeVoe 's " Word to the Mutha! " in 1991 (on which Brown, Ralph Tresvant and later NE member Johnny Gill were included). A fully-fledged reunion occurred with the 1996 release of the album, Home Again . Brown contributed lead vocals on two hit singles, " Hit Me Off " and " You Don't Have to Worry ". However,
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#17327837359078372-530: The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills , California, with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors. News of her death coincided with the 2012 Grammy Awards , which took place the day following her death, and was covered internationally along with her memorial service. Coverage of Houston’s death was ranked as the most memorable entertainment event in television history, according to
8533-535: The Disney musical, Cinderella , led to another Emmy nomination. She earned numerous award wins and nominations for her 1998 studio album, My Love Is Your Love , including the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the hit, " It's Not Right but It's Okay " in 2000 and the MTV Europe Music Award for Best R&B . Her last studio effort, 2009's I Look to You , won Houston
8694-582: The Georgia Mass Choir . In 1997, Houston's production company changed its name to BrownHouse Productions from Houston Productions and was joined by Debra Martin Chase . Their goal was "to show aspects of the lives of African-Americans that have not been brought to the screen before" while improving how African-Americans are portrayed in film and television. Their first project was a made-for-television remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein 's Cinderella . In addition to co-producing, Houston starred in
8855-498: The Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the album's fourth single "Every Little Step". Don't Be Cruel also garnered Brown two American Music Awards , a Soul Train Music Award and a People's Choice Award . In 1989, Brown contributed two songs to the soundtrack of Ghostbusters II , and he also had a cameo role in the film. The first track on that album, " On Our Own " became another top-ten single for
9016-627: The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in the film. For the film's accompanying gospel soundtrack , Houston co-produced nine of the album's fifteen tracks with Mervyn Warren . Six of the more traditional gospel material was recorded with the Georgia Mass Choir at the Great Star Rising Baptist Church in Atlanta. Houston also recorded a duet with Shirley Caesar and
9177-460: The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist . Houston would eventually receive five more American Music Awards at the 1987 ceremony , including American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist . Houston won fourteen Billboard Number One awards in 1985 and 1986, winning Top Pop Artist in the latter year, with the album earning Top Pop Album honors, the first album by a female artist to receive that distinction. The initial success of
9338-671: The New Jersey Hall of Fame . The following year, she was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame . In 2018, her smash hit, "I Will Always Love You", became her second recording to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Two years later, that same recording was added to the Library of Congress ' National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and/or inform or reflect life in
9499-770: The New York Fraternal Order of Police . The single reached No. 6 on the US Hot 100, topping its previous position. In 2002, Houston became embroiled in a legal dispute with John Houston Enterprise, a company started by her father. The company, run by Kevin Skinner, sued her for $ 100 million, claiming unpaid compensation. Houston's father died in February 2003, and the lawsuit was dismissed in April 2004, with no compensation awarded. In 2002, Houston gave an interview with Diane Sawyer to promote her upcoming album. During
9660-758: The Pentecostal church nearby as well. Houston made her solo performance debut at New Hope singing the hymn " Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah " at age 12. When Houston became a teenager, she told her mother that she wanted to pursue a career in music. Throughout her teenage years, she would be taught how to sing by Cissy. Along with her mother, her cousins and Franklin, Houston was influenced by singers such as Chaka Khan , Gladys Knight , and Roberta Flack . Houston attended Franklin Elementary School (now Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts) before transferring to Mount Saint Dominic Academy ,
9821-659: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2000. Weeks later, Houston was scheduled to perform at the Academy Awards but was fired from the event by musical director and longtime friend Burt Bacharach . At the time, her publicist cited throat problems as the reason for the cancellation. In his book, The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards , author Steve Pond revealed that "Houston's voice
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#17327837359079982-432: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 's Definitive 200 list. Houston's grand entrance into the music industry is considered one of the 25 musical milestones of the last 25 years, according to USA Today . In June 1987, Houston's second album, Whitney , was released. Critics complained that the material was too similar to her previous album. Rolling Stone said, "the narrow channel through which this talent has been directed
10143-571: The Roger Rabbit dance (aka the "backwards" running man ), as performed in the music video for his song " Every Little Step " (1989), along with the Gumby -style hi-top fade . Brown has claimed that he taught Michael Jackson how to do the moonwalk . Brown was spoofed by Aries Spears on MADtv , with Whitney Houston portrayed by Debra Wilson . He was also spoofed by Tracy Morgan and Finesse Mitchell on Saturday Night Live . Brown
10304-516: The Sammy Davis Jr. Award as Entertainer of the Year , five NAACP Image Awards including Entertainer of the Year , a record five World Music Awards , a Juno Award and a BRIT award . Nine years after she first appeared on the charts, Houston was a cover story for Rolling Stone , appearing on the June 10, 1993, issue. Following the success of The Bodyguard , Houston embarked on another expansive global tour ( The Bodyguard World Tour ) in 1993–94. Her concerts, movie and recording grosses made her
10465-454: The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks , the single was rereleased, with all profits going towards the firefighters and victims of the attacks. It peaked at No. 6 in the Hot 100 and was certified platinum. The song's re-charting made Houston just the eighth artist in history and first woman ever to chart the same song inside the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Later in 1991, Houston put together her Welcome Home Heroes concert with HBO for
10626-401: The Seventh Avenue South nightclub in Manhattan. Griffith convinced Arista head Clive Davis to make time to see her perform at another nightclub called Sweetwaters the following week. Davis was impressed and immediately offered a worldwide record deal, which Houston eventually signed on April 10, 1983. Houston was introduced to a national audience in June 1983, performing the song " Home " from
10787-450: The White House honoring newly elected South African president Nelson Mandela . At the end of her world tour, Houston performed three concerts in South Africa to honor President Mandela, playing to over 200,000 people; this made her the first major musician to visit the newly unified and apartheid free nation following Mandela's winning election. Portions of Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa were broadcast live on HBO with funds of
10948-488: The cabaret club circuit. Houston spent several years as a fashion model before signing her first recording contract with Arista Records in 1983. Two years later, Houston released her debut album, Whitney Houston , which resulted in Houston winning seven American Music Awards , a Billboard Number One Award , an MTV Video Music Award , an NAACP Image Award , an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award . Her sophomore album, Whitney , resulted in four American Music Award wins,
11109-427: The latter , produced by Houston herself, became the best-selling gospel album of all time. As a film producer, she co-produced Cinderella (1997), The Princess Diaries (2001), The Cheetah Girls (2003), and Sparkle (2012). Following the success of My Love Is Your Love (1998), Houston's first studio album in eight years, she renewed her contract with Arista Records for $ 100 million in 2001, one of
11270-467: The 1990 MTV Awards , and was set to release the album Mystical Magic , but it was eventually shelved for reasons unknown and wasn't released. In 1990, Brown was featured on the number-one hit " She Ain't Worth It " by Glenn Medeiros , making it his second number 1 hit on the pop chart, and also collaborated with Babyface for the remix of the latter's single "Tender Lover" that same year. In 1991, Brown collaborated with New Edition member Ralph Tresvant on
11431-452: The 2005 reality show Being Bobby Brown . Houston, who filed for divorce in 2007, died in 2012. Their daughter died in 2015. Brown was born in Boston , Massachusetts , as one of eight children. His mother Carole Elizabeth (born Williams) was a substitute teacher, and his father Herbert James Brown was a construction worker. Brown grew up in Roxbury 's Orchard Park Projects . Brown's first taste of performing on stage occurred when he
11592-501: The 2009 BET Awards, following the death of the group's idol Michael Jackson , all six of the New Edition members again reunited to perform a medley of Jackson 5 hits in honor of Jackson. This sparked rumors of another full-fledged New Edition reunion, which was confirmed the following year. Brown and New Edition continue to perform together, including The Culture Tour, which began in early 2022. Brown made his acting debut with
11753-472: The Beatles and Bee Gees . Houston remains the only artist to ever accomplish this feat as of 2024. In addition, Houston also became the first female artist to generate four number one singles off one album. Whitney has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, with ten million copies sold in the United States alone, where it has been certified Diamond. Houston earned several accolades from the album, including
11914-552: The Broadway musical The Wiz on The Merv Griffin Show . Houston did not begin work on an album immediately. The label wanted to make sure no other label signed her away and Davis wanted to ensure he had the right material and producers for her debut album. Some producers passed on the project because of prior commitments. After seeing her perform in New York, Michael Masser offered to pair Houston with Teddy Pendergrass , on
12075-450: The Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year, winning her second Grammy for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)". Additional accolades include four American Music Awards, six Billboard awards and a Soul Train Music Award . Houston launched her second world tour, the Moment of Truth World Tour , in July 1987. The North American leg of the tour grossed over $ 20 million, becoming
12236-589: The Hot 100 while the album's final single, " I Learned from the Best ", reached No. 27. The album would itself stay on the charts for more than two years and would later be certified four times platinum in the US for sales of four million copies, moving 11 million copies globally altogether. Four of the five singles reached number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart thanks to remixes by the likes of Hex Hector , Junior Vasquez and Thunderpuss . In Europe,
12397-442: The UK, Germany and Europe and later won Houston a Grammy nomination and a Sports Emmy, alongside producer Narada Michael Walden. In January 1989, Houston formed The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, a nonprofit organization that has raised funds for the needs of children around the world. The organization cares for homelessness, children with cancer or AIDS and other issues of self-empowerment. The organization now functions under
12558-412: The US national anthem , at Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium . Houston's vocals were pre-recorded, prompting criticism. Dan Klores, a spokesman for Houston, said: "This is not a Milli Vanilli thing. She sang live, but the microphone was turned off. It was a technical decision, partially based on the noise factor. This is standard procedure at these events." Nevertheless, a commercial single and video of
12719-511: The US at the box office and $ 81 million worldwide, it proved that a movie primarily targeting a black audience can cross over to success, while paving the way for other all-black movies such as How Stella Got Her Groove Back and the Tyler Perry movies that became popular in the 2000s. The film is also notable for its portrayal of black women as strong middle class citizens rather than as stereotypes. The reviews were mainly positive for
12880-641: The United States, reaching number one in the United Kingdom. In addition, the album reached the Top 10 in many other countries. While ballad songs were left unchanged, the album features house / club remixes of many of Houston's up-tempo hits. Included on the album were four new songs: " Could I Have This Kiss Forever " (a duet with Enrique Iglesias ), " Same Script, Different Cast " (a duet with Deborah Cox ), " If I Told You That " (a duet with George Michael ) and " Fine " and three hits that had never appeared on
13041-483: The United States, with total sales reaching 45 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by a female artist ever and also the best-selling soundtrack album in history, earning Houston several Guinness World Records . Houston won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for the soundtrack, making her just the second black female artist to win in the category after Natalie Cole won it in 1992 for her album, Unforgettable... with Love . Houston won
13202-645: The United States." That same year, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on her first nomination. In May 2023, Houston became one of thirteen inaugural recipients of the Brits Billion Award for earning 1 billion career streams alone in the United Kingdom. A prominent black female entertainer, she was also inducted into the BET Walk of Fame and the Soul Train Hall of Fame. As of 2023, Houston has claimed 31 entries in
13363-542: The Wind '97 ". It remains the bestselling US physical single in history by a female recording artist. The song was a global success, topping the charts in almost all countries. With 24 million copies sold, it became the best-selling single ever by a female solo artist. Houston won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1994 for "I Will Always Love You". In addition, it won the MTV Movie Award for Best Song from
13524-475: The Year and remains the best-selling soundtrack album of all time. The lead single " I Will Always Love You " (a Dolly Parton cover) won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and became the best-selling female single in history. Houston went on to star and record soundtracks for the films Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher's Wife (1996). The former soundtrack scored her 11th Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, " Exhale (Shoop Shoop) ", while
13685-476: The advice of her cousin Dionne Warwick, Houston signed with Tara Productions and hired Gene Harvey as her manager. Daniel Gittelman and Seymour Flics would also be part of the team to work closely with Houston. In 1982, Houston was featured as the lead vocalist on the song " Memories " by the band Material on their album One Down . In his Village Voice review of One Down , Robert Christgau called
13846-482: The album - " Didn't We Almost Have It All ", " So Emotional ", " Where Do Broken Hearts Go " and " Love Will Save the Day ", all of which became top ten singles, with the former three singles following "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In achieving this milestone, Houston became the first artist in history to earn seven consecutive number one hits, beating the previous record of six, held by
14007-559: The album and the music video for "Heartbreak Hotel" gave Houston her first MTV Video Music Award nomination in 13 years. In 1999, Houston participated in VH-1's Divas Live '99 , alongside Brandy , Mary J. Blige , Tina Turner and Cher . The same year, Houston hit the road with her 70-date My Love Is Your Love World Tour . While the North American leg was plagued by cancellations with Houston's publicist citing "throat problems and
14168-422: The album had a "funkier and edgier sound than past releases" and saw Houston "handling urban dance, hip hop , mid-tempo R&B , reggae , torch songs and ballads all with great dexterity." The album launched five top 40 singles in the Billboard Hot 100, including three top five singles, " Heartbreak Hotel ", " It's Not Right but It's Okay " and " My Love Is Your Love ". "When You Believe" peaked at No. 15 on
14329-484: The album launched five top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 , including the number-one single, the self-penned " My Prerogative ", which became, along with " Every Little Step " and the title track, signature hits for the performer. After topping both the pop and R&B charts, album sales would eventually reach twelve million copies worldwide, making it the bestselling album of 1989. In February 1990, he won
14490-494: The album was attributed to Houston's appearances in late-night talk shows as well as music videos; both formats were not usually available to emerging black acts. During the album's early promotional run, Houston and her label struggled to submit the music video to "You Give Good Love" for MTV . At that time, the channel received harsh criticism for not playing enough videos by artists of color while favoring predominantly white acts. Years later, Houston explained in an interview with
14651-474: The album's Japanese edition, " Higher Love ", was remixed by Norwegian DJ and record producer Kygo and released posthumously in 2019 to commercial success. It topped the US Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at number two in the UK, becoming Houston's highest-charting single in the country since 1999. During the Persian Gulf War , on January 27, 1991, Houston performed " The Star-Spangled Banner ",
14812-486: The best-selling R&B album of 1991. Houston set another chart record when the first two singles from the album, the title track and " All the Man That I Need ", each topped the Billboard Hot 100, making Houston the first solo female artist to produce multiple number one singles from three albums. The album included another top ten pop hit, " Miracle ", and the top 20 hit, " My Name Is Not Susan ", which produced one of
14973-475: The channel how the video was rejected because it was a "very kind of R&B song". However, the music video to "Saving All My Love for You" eventually got airplay due to the song "hit(ting) so hard and explod(ing) so heavy" that the channel "had no choice but to play it," according to Houston. In December 1985, the video to "How Will I Know" was submitted and accepted by MTV brass and sent the video to heavy rotation almost immediately after it debuted that month, then
15134-592: The concerts being donated to various charities in South Africa. The event was considered the nation's "biggest media event since the inauguration of Nelson Mandela". After two performances in Brunei and Singapore early in 1995, Houston's children's charity organization was awarded a VH1 Honor for all the charitable work in June of that year. In 1995, Houston starred alongside Angela Bassett , Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon in her second film, Waiting to Exhale ,
15295-491: The duet, " Hold Me ", which appeared on his album, Love Language . Released in May 1984, the song gave Houston her first taste of success, becoming a top ten hit on the R&;B and adult contemporary charts. Houston also received notice in 1984 after being paired up with Jermaine Jackson , with whom the duet, "Take Good Care of My Heart", was featured on Jackson's Dynamite album, while also appearing with Jackson performing
15456-424: The early-80s. In August of the year, Houston headlined Madison Square Garden for a United Negro College Fund benefit concert to raise money to fund historically black colleges and universities , raising a quarter of a million dollars. That same year, Houston recorded a song for NBC 's coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics , " One Moment in Time ", which became a top five hit in the US, while reaching number one in
15617-448: The ensemble cast. The New York Times said: "Ms. Houston has shed the defensive hauteur that made her portrayal of a pop star in 'The Bodyguard' seem so distant." Houston was nominated for a second acting NAACP Image Awards nod for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in the film, but lost to her co-star Bassett. In 1995, Houston hosted the 8th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards . The film's accompanying soundtrack
15778-472: The fastest-selling albums in history. During Christmas week of 1992, it sold over a million copies within a week, becoming the first album in music history to achieve that feat under the Nielsen SoundScan system. Houston released four more singles from the soundtrack. Two of which, " I'm Every Woman " and " I Have Nothing ", both reaching the top five. On the week of March 13, 1993, Houston became
15939-589: The film as the Fairy Godmother along with Brandy , Jason Alexander , Whoopi Goldberg and Bernadette Peters . Houston was initially offered the role of Cinderella in 1993, but other projects intervened. The film is notable for its multi-racial cast and non-stereotypical message. An estimated 60 million viewers tuned into the special giving ABC its highest TV ratings in 16 years. The movie received seven Emmy nominations including Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy, while winning Outstanding Art Direction in
16100-472: The films Two Can Play That Game , Gang of Roses , Nora's Hair Salon and Go for Broke . In 2005, Brown was in negotiations with the Bravo television network for a reality series entitled Being Bobby Brown . Bravo, however, was not ready to commit to the deal unless Brown's superstar wife Whitney Houston agreed to be part of the cast, which she did. The show then received the greenlight from Bravo and
16261-510: The first remixes of a pop song to feature a rapper, as female rapper Monie Love , participated. The album became her third consecutive multi-platinum album, going four-times platinum in the US, while selling ten million copies worldwide. Houston earned Grammy Award nominations for three songs from the album as well as four American Music Award nominations, while winning eight Billboard awards, including four Billboard Music Awards , such as Top R&B Artist and Top R&B Album. A bonus track from
16422-477: The first solo artist in history to ever have three singles in the top 11 simultaneously and the first artist in general to do so since the beginning of SoundScan . Both "I'm Every Woman" and "I Have Nothing" hit number one in other Billboard charts, with the former topping the Dance Club Songs chart, and the latter becoming Houston's tenth number one song on the adult contemporary chart. " Run to You "
16583-411: The first time in her career, Houston chose mostly black producers such as the team of L.A. Reid and Babyface , as well as Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder , while maintaining Narada Michael Walden as one of the main producers. The album showed Houston's versatility on a new batch of tough rhythmic grooves, soulful ballads and uptempo dance tracks. Reviews were mixed to positive. Rolling Stone felt it
16744-417: The founder of The Sweet Inspirations before becoming a solo artist. John was a former Army serviceman who later became an administrator under the Newark mayor. Houston was given the nickname "Nippy" by her father. Houston's parents are both African-American. Cissy Houston stated that she has partial Dutch and Native American ancestry. Houston was a cousin of singers Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick as well as
16905-477: The gospel-singing wife of a pastor ( Courtney B. Vance ). It was largely an updated remake of the 1948 film The Bishop's Wife , which starred Loretta Young , David Niven and Cary Grant . Houston earned $ 10 million for the role, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood at the time and the highest-earning African-American actress in Hollywood. The movie, with its all African-American cast,
17066-590: The group at the suggestion of Bell who sang with Tresvant as a duo. Brown was also familiar with Tresvant since they were children. In 1982, they became a quintet when their manager Brooke Payne insisted on bringing in his nephew Ronnie DeVoe , to complete the group. After performing in several talent shows in the Boston area in 1979, they signed a deal with fellow Bostonian Arthur Baker 's Streetwise Records, who released their debut album Candy Girl . The title track, on which Brown sang co-lead alongside Bell and Tresvant,
17227-641: The group in December 1985. Once he started a solo career, Brown enjoyed commercial and critical success with his second album Don't Be Cruel (1988) which spawned five Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including the number one hit " My Prerogative ", and the Grammy Award –winning " Every Little Step ". In 1989, Brown contributed two songs to the soundtrack of Ghostbusters II . Brown's next album Bobby (1992) spawned several singles including " Humpin' Around ", " Get Away ", and "Good Enough". However, despite going 3× Platinum, sales of Bobby did not reach
17388-444: The group was never rightfully paid the money they felt they had earned, later saying, "The most I saw from all the tours and all of the records we sold was $ 500 and a VCR." Brown also allegedly grew jealous of the attention given to fellow New Edition member Ralph Tresvant, and during some of their tour performances would often step out of his position and perform out of turn, singing and performing seductively, which caused concern within
17549-425: The group's management team. Brown was featured on two more New Edition albums before leaving the group in early 1986. Brown later said he felt that the group's management treated them "like little slaves by people who were only interested in money and power, and not in the welfare of New Edition". Some controversy arose over the way Brown was removed from the group. Some say Brown asked to be let out of New Edition, but
17710-491: The highest-grossing female tour of the year and one of the top ten North American tours of 1987. Houston eventually toured 150 dates, including eight sold out dates at London's Wembley Arena . The singer's unprecedented successes helped her to earn notices on Forbes magazine. In 1987, she was ranked the eighth highest-ranking entertainer of the year on its Forbes 40 list, earning $ 43 million in that year alone. The highest-earning musician and highest black female entertainer on
17871-474: The interracial nature of her character's relationship with Costner's character. However, controversy arose as some felt Houston's face had been intentionally left out of the advertising to hide the film's interracial relationship. In a 1993 interview with Rolling Stone , Houston said that "people know who Whitney Houston is – I'm black. You can't hide that fact." The film received mixed reviews. Writing for The Washington Post , Rita Kempley wrote that Houston
18032-434: The interview, she addressed rumors of drug use, famously saying, "crack is wack." She admitted to using various substances but denied having an eating disorder. Despite the controversies, Houston released her fifth studio album, Just Whitney , in December 2002. The album debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum, though it received mixed reviews. In August 2003, Houston's second television film as
18193-411: The largest recording deals of all time . However, her next album Just Whitney (2002) received mixed reviews, while her drug use and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown began to overshadow her music career. After divorcing Brown, Houston returned to the top of the Billboard 200 chart with her final album, I Look to You (2009). In February 2012, Houston accidentally drowned in a bathtub at
18354-686: The latter's single " Stone Cold Gentleman ", which was a top-five R&B hit. Brown's next album Bobby was released in 1992. Despite its release during the final days of the New Jack Swing era it was a success, selling more than 3 million copies, and spawning several hit singles including " Humpin' Around ", " Get Away ", and "Good Enough". He received his second Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance nomination for "Humpin' Around". He received his third American Music Award in January 1993. However, sales of Bobby did not match its predecessor. Whitney Houston and Brown had recorded
18515-474: The level of its predecessor. In 1992, Brown married Whitney Houston , with whom he later had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown . The couple's drug issues and domestic disputes made them tabloid fodder. Brown also appeared in the films A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and Two Can Play That Game . He returned to New Edition for a reunion album and tour from 1996 to 1997, and returned with all six members for another stint in 2005. Brown and Houston starred in
18676-618: The list, she was only the third highest after Bill Cosby and Eddie Murphy . In 1988, she ranked 17th. During this period, Houston showed support to Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement, participating in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at London's Wembley Stadium on June 11, 1988, which was watched by over half a billion viewers and raised $ 1 million in charities while also bringing awareness to apartheid . Houston had refused to work with agencies who did business with South Africa during her modeling years in
18837-420: The media, he backed out of the project. Handspike released the book after Houston's death in 2012. In 2010, Brown was featured in a duet with singer Macy Gray on the song "Real Love" on Gray's album The Sellout . About this project, Gray explained to Essence , "Actually, he came to the studio, since he doesn't live far, and knocked out his recording in two hours. We're friends, and his one-year-old son
18998-448: The most sought-after teen models in the country, later appearing in fashion spreads for Glamour , Cosmopolitan and Young Miss . Houston continued her music career during this period, recording demos of gospel recordings with producer Steven Abdul Khan Brown. Houston's vocal talent made her sought after for recording deals, but were turned down by her mother, who insisted that Houston finish high school. In September 1981, following
19159-465: The name, the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation. With the success of her first two albums, Houston became an international crossover superstar, appealing to all demographics. However, some black critics believed she was " selling out ". They felt her singing on record lacked the soul that was present during her live concerts. At the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards , when Houston's name was called out for
19320-597: The performance reached the Top 20 on the US Hot 100, giving Houston the biggest chart hit for a performance of the national anthem. Houston donated her share of the proceeds to the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis Fund and was named to the Red Cross Board of Governors. Her rendition was critically acclaimed and is considered the benchmark for singers; VH1 listed the performance as one of the greatest moments that rocked TV. Following
19481-626: The program to a stunning reception that later resulted in her winning an Emmy Award that September. Houston's album was also nominated for Album of the Year , losing out to Phil Collins ' No Jacket Required . Houston failed to receive a nomination for Best New Artist , prompting Clive Davis to write an angry open letter to the Recording Academy , who defended the decision citing Houston's 1984 hit with Teddy Pendergrass. Houston also won two American Music Awards , including Favorite Soul/R&B Song for "You Give Good Love", as well as
19642-410: The release of Forever , Brown had been in negotiations with rapper Tupac Shakur to sign with Shakur's new label Makaveli Records, or with the proposed label Death Row East . However, Shakur died before that could take place. Leaving MCA following Forever , Brown laid low for several years, appearing as a featured artist in 2001 on two tracks from The Benzino Project , and in 2002 he was featured in
19803-415: The restaurant brand, Steak & Ale . After over a year of sessions, Whitney Houston was released on Valentine's Day , February 14, 1985. After debuting at number 166 on the Billboard 200 for the week of March 30, 1985, the album would hit the top ten of the chart in its 23rd week. On its 50th week, it reached number one in March 1986, starting a fourteen-week run, which remains the longest run for
19964-411: The same chart, Houston set a record by being the first female artist to produce three number one singles off a single album. Eventually, the album would be certified Diamond in the United States for sales of 14 million copies, and sell over 30 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling debut album in music history and remains the best-selling debut album in history by a female artist . The album
20125-453: The show, it continued Houston's unbroken string of hit motion pictures and television projects, and it gave Bravo its highest ratings ever of any of its ongoing series. The show lasted one season and ended in 2006 after Houston stated she would not appear in season two and Bravo and Brown could not settle on a new deal. In June 2007, Brown took part in the ITV television series 24 Hours With... ,
20286-581: The singer's death, which he denies. In 2009, Brown had a son named Cassius with his partner of two years, manager Alicia Etheredge. Brown and Etheredge became engaged in May 2010, when Brown proposed during a performance at the Funk Fest in Jacksonville, Florida . The couple married on June 18, 2012, in Hawaii and have since had two daughters. Brown has fathered seven children. His eldest, Landon,
20447-531: The singer, peaking at number two. The same year, a remix compilation, Dance!...Ya Know It! , was released, and found fans in the United Kingdom. Brown embarked on a 120-day world tour to promote Don't Be Cruel in 1988, with Al B. Sure! opening for him, and New Edition also opening for him on some dates. The tour lasted into the spring of 1991, but not without Brown gaining notoriety for simulating sexual acts onstage, which got him into trouble with local law enforcement. In 1990, Brown performed "Tap into My Heart" at
20608-553: The soldiers fighting in the Persian Gulf War and their families. The free concert took place at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk , Virginia in front of 3,500 servicemen and women. HBO descrambled the concert so that it was free for everyone to watch. The show gave HBO its highest ratings ever. Houston then embarked on her third world tour, the I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour , which Houston would give 96 shows, including
20769-476: The song "one of the most gorgeous ballads you've ever heard." In early 1983, Houston was the featured lead vocalist on the song "Eternal Love", co-written by Paul Jabara and featured on his album Paul Jabara & Friends . After auditions with CBS and Elektra Records , Houston would be discovered by Gerry Griffith, then the A&;R representative for Arista Records , while Houston performed with her mother at
20930-637: The song and another duet, "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do", on an episode of As the World Turns . All three songs eventually appeared on her debut album while a fourth recorded around this time, "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful", later was included in Jackson's 1986 album, Precious Moments . During this period, Houston continued to model, appeared in a commercial for the Canada Dry soft drink, and also began singing commercial jingles, including one for
21091-438: The soundtrack along with Davis and recorded six songs for the album. Rolling Stone described it as "nothing more than pleasant, tasteful and urbane". The soundtrack's lead single was " I Will Always Love You ", written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974. Houston's version was highly acclaimed by critics, regarding it as her "signature song" or "iconic performance". Rolling Stone and USA Today called her rendition
21252-683: The soundtrack also featured her mother Cissy Houston . Upon its release, it became the first gospel album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The album sold six million copies worldwide, including three million alone in the United States, becoming the best-selling gospel album ever. The album featured two hit singles, the Grammy-nominated " I Believe in You and Me " and " Step by Step ". In addition to its commercial success, it
21413-639: The starring role with Julie Andrews as co-star, the film became an unexpected success in the box office, grossing over $ 165 million worldwide. In August 2001, Houston signed one of the biggest record deals in music history, with Arista/ BMG . She renewed her contract for $ 100 million to release six new albums, for which she would also earn royalties. A performance at Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special in September 2001 led to increasing rumors of drug use and possible health issues after she showed with an extremely thin frame. Her publicist stated, "Whitney has been under stress due to family matters and when she
21574-532: The success of her music, Houston received offers of film work, including work with Robert De Niro , Quincy Jones and Spike Lee , but she did not feel the time was right. Her first film role was in The Bodyguard , released in 1992. Houston played a star who is stalked by a crazed fan and hires a bodyguard (played by Kevin Costner ) to protect her. Houston's mainstream appeal allowed audiences to look past
21735-579: The swelling of her brain. It was reported her brain activity was "low". Brown rushed to his daughter's side and released a statement to the press requesting them to respect the family's privacy. She was later transferred to Emory University Hospital . After doctors concluded significant brain function was unlikely to occur, Bobbi Kristina was removed from the ventilator and put in the care of Hospice in Duluth, Georgia. She died there on July 26, 2015, at age 22. On November 18, 2020, Brown's son Bobby Jr., age 28,
21896-403: The third highest-earning female entertainer of 1993–94, just behind Oprah Winfrey and Barbra Streisand according to Forbes . Houston placed in the top five of Entertainment Weekly ' s annual "Entertainer of the Year" ranking and was labeled by Premiere magazine as one of the 100 most powerful people in Hollywood. In October 1994, Houston attended and performed at a state dinner in
22057-537: The three-night HBO Concert Classic Whitney: Live from Washington, D.C. The special raised over $ 300,000 for the Children's Defense Fund . In February 1998, Houston, 34, received the Quincy Jones Award for outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment at the 12th Soul Train Music Awards . By 1998, Houston hadn't recorded a full-length studio album in eight years. During discussion over
22218-414: The title track and " All the Man That I Need ". Houston's rendition of " The Star-Spangled Banner " at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 received widespread acclaim and media coverage. Houston entered the film industry with the romantic thriller film The Bodyguard (1992), which despite its mixed reviews became the tenth highest-grossing film to that date. Its soundtrack won the Grammy Award for Album of
22379-569: The title track became massively successful, topping the Eurochart Hot 100 and selling over three million copies worldwide. In February 2000, Houston won her sixth and final competitive Grammy for "It's Not Right but It's Okay" in the Best Female R&;B Vocal Performance category. The European success of the album helped it to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best R&B . Houston earned four additional Grammy nominations for
22540-406: The top-selling soundtrack album of the century and the best-selling album of the century by a female artist. In March 2000, Houston earned a special honor at the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards as the female artist of the decade for her extraordinary artistic contributions during the 1990s. In May 2000, Whitney: The Greatest Hits was released worldwide. The double disc set peaked at number five in
22701-407: The wild card contestant "Crab". At one point after performing Rick James 's song " Give It to Me Baby ", Brown had to be briefly taken to his dressing room when he became overheated and short of breath in his costume. He was later eliminated on Week 7 alongside Tamera Mowry as "Seashell". In May 2022, Biography : Bobby Brown and Bobby Brown: Every Little Step began airing on A&E . Brown
22862-453: Was Bobbi Kristina Brown (1993–2015). Brown has three children with Alicia Etheredge: a son born in 2009, and daughters born in 2015 and 2016. In January 2015, Brown's daughter Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious in her bathtub at her residence in Roswell, Georgia . The 21-year-old was rushed to North Fulton Hospital where she was placed on a ventilator in a medically induced coma to stop
23023-402: Was a massive success in the ratings, with Houston proving so popular on the series that she received as much screen time as the show's name-sake. The series showed Brown and Houston not always in their best moments. The Hollywood Reporter said that the show was "undoubtedly the most disgusting and execrable series ever to ooze its way onto television". Despite the perceived train-wreck nature of
23184-470: Was a moderate success, earning about $ 50 million at the U.S. box offices. The movie gave Houston the strongest reviews of her acting career. The San Francisco Chronicle said Houston "is rather angelic herself, displaying a divine talent for being virtuous and flirtatious at the same time" and she "exudes gentle yet spirited warmth, especially when praising the Lord in her gorgeous singing voice". Houston won
23345-432: Was a top-20 hit on Billboard's R&B Singles Chart in 1983. Brown's first full lead vocal performance was on the New Edition ballad "Jealous Girl", which was a minor hit when it also charted in 1983. The group became pop sensations with their self-titled second release . The album included the crossover hits " Cool It Now " and " Mr. Telephone Man ", which Brown also co-led. Despite the group's success, however, Brown felt
23506-548: Was age three, and one of his childhood idols James Brown performed in Boston. This performance sparked his dream of becoming a professional singer. Brown joined the church choir, where he recognized and developed his singing abilities. Brown's musical influences also include singer-songwriters Rick James , Michael Jackson , Marvin Gaye , and Prince . New Edition was founded in 1981 by 12-year-old Brown and childhood friends Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell . Ralph Tresvant joined
23667-606: Was also received positively by critics. The album itself was nominated for the Best R&;B Album at the 1998 Grammys . However, Houston snubbed the ceremony due to the album not getting a gospel nomination. That year, Houston received two Dove Awards for the album, including Best Traditional Gospel Recorded Song for "I Go to the Rock", while also receiving the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist alongside
23828-407: Was an American singer, actress, and producer. Commonly known as " The Voice ", she is one of the most awarded figures in the global entertainment industry. Born in Newark, New Jersey , Houston began her recording career as a session singer in 1978 on recordings by her mother, gospel - soul singer Cissy Houston and producer Michael Zager and performed as a backing vocalist on her mother's band in
23989-409: Was born in 1993. Houston and Brown later collaborated on the hit single " Something in Common ", which included their daughter at the end of the music video. Throughout their marriage, there were rumors of infidelity on Brown's part, alcohol and drug abuse , and domestic violence. Their personal issues became fodder for talk shows and sketch comedy shows. Some sketch comedy shows portrayed Brown as
24150-400: Was born on June 22, 1986, to Melika Williams. He has two children with Kim Ward, whom he met around 1980; daughter La'Princia (b. 1989) and son Bobby Brown Jr. (1991–2020). His and Ward's on-and-off 11-year relationship ended in 1991. At three months pregnant, Ward found out Brown was engaged to Whitney Houston. Houston suffered miscarriages in 1992, 1994, and 1996. His only child with Houston
24311-486: Was found dead in his home. His death was ruled an accidental overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol. As a child, Brown was diagnosed with ADD and later with bipolar disorder at age 32. Brown said that his drug of choice was marijuana and that he had developed alcoholism at an early age. Brown was doing drugs all his life before he met Whitney Houston "I never used cocaine until after I met Whitney. Before then, I had experimented with other drugs, but marijuana
24472-456: Was her "best and most integrated album", while Entertainment Weekly , at the time thought Houston's shift towards an urban direction was "superficial". The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, staying inside the top ten for 22 weeks, becoming the tenth best-selling album of 1991, while topping the Top R&;B Albums chart, staying there for eight consecutive weeks, becoming
24633-793: Was later certified five times platinum in the US for sales of five million copies, while worldwide sales reached 11 million. Houston's "good girl" image from previous decades came under scrutiny in the beginning of the 2000s . Reports of erratic behavior, showing up hours late to interviews, photo shoots, rehearsals and canceling several concerts, had been following her since the late 1990s . On January 11, 2000, while traveling with Brown, airport security guards discovered half an ounce of marijuana in Houston's handbag at Keahole-Kona International Airport in Hawaii, but she departed before authorities could arrive. Charges against her, however, were later dropped. Houston failed to show up to induct Clive Davis into
24794-476: Was merely "playing herself", but came out "largely unscathed if that is possible in so cockamamie an undertaking". Janet Maslin of The New York Times felt Houston lacked chemistry with Costner. Houston was nominated for a Razzie Award but also received favorable acting nods, including a nomination for Outstanding Actress at the NAACP Image Awards , four acting nods at the 1993 MTV Movie Awards and
24955-572: Was my drug of choice," he said. Throughout the 1990s, his drug addiction worsened and at one point he was cooking cocaine and using heroin . According to former gang member David Collins, Brown was kidnapped by New York street gang the Preacher Crew over a $ 25,000 drug debt in 1993. Houston paid a $ 400,000 ransom to the gang who threatened to kill Brown. The incident was never reported to authorities. Since 1989, Brown has been arrested multiple times for various offenses: Brown popularized
25116-479: Was portrayed by Arlen Escarpeta in the television film Whitney , by Woody McClain in the 2017 miniseries The New Edition Story and in the 2018 miniseries about his life, The Bobby Brown Story . Brown is also portrayed by Ashton Sanders in the Whitney Houston biopic, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody , that was released Christmas 2022. In 2022, Brown also claimed he started wearing
25277-426: Was ranked second by Rolling Stone on its 2023 list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time". Her life and career have been the subject of multiple documentaries and television specials. Houston began singing at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark , New Jersey as a child and became a background vocalist while in high school. She was one of the first black women to appear on the cover of Seventeen after becoming
25438-616: Was released, peaking at number 31 on the Hot 100, while a remix of " Queen of the Night " made number one on the dance chart. On November 3, 1993, Houston made history again when The Bodyguard became the first album by a female artist to be certified ten times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, which also made it technically the first album by a female artist to be certified Diamond. It has since gone on to sell more than 18 million copies alone in
25599-853: Was shaky, she seemed distracted and jittery, and her attitude was casual, almost defiant"; though she was supposed to perform " Over the Rainbow ", she would sing a different song during rehearsals. Houston later admitted she had been fired. Houston, however, did show up for a scheduled performance to celebrate Arista's 25th anniversary with Clive Davis , her performance received good reviews. In May 2000, Houston's longtime executive assistant and friend, Robyn Crawford , resigned from Houston's management company. In her 2019 memoirs, A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston , Crawford said she had left after Houston declined to seek help for her drug dependency, though Houston would claim in an interview that they parted ways over Houston's husband. Rolling Stone published
25760-530: Was the featured vocalist in Michael Zager 's "Life's a Party" and began a career as a session vocalist backing up artists like her mother and Zager before being assigned to back up artists such as Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan . Houston became a fashion model in 1980 and a year later, became one of the first black models to appear on the cover of a fashion magazine landing a cover of Seventeen . With her looks and girl-next-door charm, Houston became one of
25921-416: Was written and produced by Babyface and was executive produced by Houston and Clive Davis. Though Babyface originally wanted Houston to record the entire album, she declined. Instead, she "wanted it to be an album of women with vocal distinction" and thus gathered several African-American female artists for the soundtrack, to go along with the film's message about strong women. Consequently, the album featured
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