Money, fame, power and a runaway marriage: can Whitney turn it around? - Cover Story

Ebony, March, 2004

SHE was America's sweetheart, the talented, barely-out-of-her-teens woman-child with the incredibly luscious voice. Whitney Houston's 1985 debut sold more than 22 million records, and for the next decade she captured and held the ears and hearts of America and the world. Helping her become one of the most successful artists in pop music history were the fact that she had beauty, was photogenic and appeared poised and sophisticated in public.

To date she has sold more than 170 million records and earned an armload of Grammys and other awards. In addition, Houston has starred in several blockbuster movies, including Waiting to Exhale and The Bodyguard. Thanks to Whitney's incredible vocals, The Bodyguard soundtrack is the most successful movie score of all time.

Despite the fame, accolades and awards, Whitney has experienced some turbulent times. In recent years, her personal problems have made more headlines and lead television news stories

than her career moves. During her 10-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown, her husband's legal problems, their marital problems and unusual public behavior have become commonplace. On a national television program, both she and Brown admitted drug use. In December, police in Georgia responded to a disturbance call at the couple's Atlanta-area home. Houston had called 911--and that resulted in the latest of at least a dozen incidents for which Brown has appeared in court.

Everyone, it seems, has some advice for Houston. We hear it on our jobs, talk shows, the radio, over breakfast and dinner, on the bus, in the clubs and even at church. EBONY has asked people from diverse backgrounds what they would like to say to Whitney Houston. We offer feedback from a relationship counselor, religious leaders, music industry veterans and ardent fans, all who offer love and advice and encouragement to the diva as they respond to the question: Can Whitney Turn It Around?

Bishop EDDIE L. LONG

Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta

I'VE met both Whitney and Bobby. They are very gifted, very talented, very family-oriented, and they love the Lord. I know that for a fact. Both of them have great charisma. I know there is a great amount that they can contribute and still have left to give. There is still so much life there. So, if there is a problem, I think the best approach is, No. 1, to face it, to say, "Let's fix this, let's move forward."

Then, No. 2, they should take a moment and focus everything they have--all their attention, all of their efforts--and find some very competent people to help them walk through this process. I think the best thing right now--emotionally and spiritually--is to be able to slow down for a moment and withdraw.

Sometimes our problems are magnified especially for those who are in public life--so many people who are offering various opinions. Just take a break just stop.

A lot of people still love and respect them. I do. And I think there are more people out there who really want to see both of them stay on top. I believe they can do it. They can probably come back out and recreate themselves without everyone constantly asking the same old questions and looking at their situation with tainted views. I really think that we all should just be in prayer for them, lift them up and not be so quick to judge and put down. We must recognize again that there is a great price that people in public life pay because all of their business can be put out on the street, and a lot of times, a lot of the stuff that is put out is not really what's going on. So we must not prejudge and condemn. We should be prayerful and encouraging.

With our support, spiritual help, and in quiet reflection with God, Whitney can find the strength and determination to move forward.

VESTA WILLIAMS

Recording Artist, Los Angeles

CAN Whitney turn it around? Absolutely! Through CHRIST all things are possible! I'm not talking about something I've heard; I'm speaking from personal experience. The Lord has brought me a mighty long way, and I know that no matter what Whitney is going through, the Lord will make a way for her somehow.

When I think of Whitney, I always smile because all my interactions with her have been positive. The last time I saw her she greeted me with a warm hug and brilliant smile, and then broke into a rendition of a theme song for a television sitcom that I recorded, telling me that she knew it was me, my voice! That's the Whitney I know: An uplifting, bright spirit who would take time to remind another artist that she is listening to and enjoying her work, not the difficult, aloof, problem-ridden diva-with-attitude that the media portrays.

None of us has walked in Whitney's shoes, and only she knows what is real and what is fabricated. But let's not get twisted. Whitney is a child of God, and there are no limitations associated with God. I see the strength and tenacity in her, and I expect some powerful changes to occur in her life. I believe that the process of turning it around is already in progress. I sincerely hope that Whitney knows how many millions of us are praying for her and sending positive energy.