Whitney Houston, Superstar of Records, Films, Dies
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/whitney-houston-super...
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown.
News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to case a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony. Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday; it was unclear if it was going to go forward.
At her peak, Houston the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale."
She had the he perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.
Whitney Houston
AP
File- In this Oct. 28, 2006, file photo,... View Full Caption
She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.
But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.
"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy," Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.
It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.
She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.
Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.
"The time that I first saw her singing in her mother's act in a club ... it was such a stunning impact," Davis told "Good Morning America."
"To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine," he added.
Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with "Whitney Houston," which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. "Saving All My Love for You" brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. "How Will I Know," ''You Give Good Love" and "The Greatest Love of All" also became hit singles.
Another multiplatinum album, "Whitney," came out in 1987 and included hits like "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
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SPOTTED: Nas OUT & ABOUT In West Hollywood
Nasty Nas is in L.A. wrapping up his upcoming Life Is Good album (dropping 7/17). And he was spotted out and about in West Hollywood yesterday with Capricorn Clark--Bad Boy's Marketing Exec. We're not sure what's going on there--but we're sure they'll maintain they're friends and/or just working together. Pics inside...
After grabbing lunch in his bright green Adidas track suit and Jordans, Nas hit the streets of West Hollywood to likely head to the studio:
It's been a big week for the sexy Mr. Jones as he dropped his brand new "Daughters" video featuring his own little girl Destiny. And he just revealed that he will be unveiling his brand new website and upcoming tour dates tomorrow.
About the meaning of his new album's Life Is Good title, Nas told Complex magazine this month it's all about getting to a point where you master your own life, and not letting thieves and money bring you down:
I never liked dealing with money. It comes between real shit. Friendship, loyalty, and love is the real shit. Money is the other shit. I have one way of dealing with money, and then you have educated people, who know how to deal with money, and we have conflicts there. It’s like in the movie Wall Street, my man Gekko says, “Pay attention. Money’s a jealous bitch. Either you’re going to pay attention to her, or she’ll find someone else that will.” And mine has definitely found other people who appreciate her more. [Laughs.] I’ve neglected her and abused her. I let a person take her from me—and I don’t mean my ex-wife, I mean some bad business from, like, six years ago that’s affecting me now. And I take responsibility for it, because it’s my problem. But I still see that as something I have to fix, because if you don’t fix money, it’ll fix your ass.
Check out more highlights and pics from his new Complex spread HERE in case you missed it.
Pics via WENN
HOTTIE ALERT: Vanessa Simmons ROCKS A Slinky CATSUIT For Sexy Photoshoot
Vanessa Simmons recently kept it extra sexy for a photoshoot with Robert Ector. See the pics inside and find out what she said about her new lingerie line.
Designer Vanessa Simmons posed for Taylor-Ector Studios photographer Robert Ector in Los Angeles, CA, for The Dark Room, recently where she dished on her new lingerie line she recently launched called "ROSE By Vanessa Jean."
When asked what inspired her to launch the new line, Angela Simmons' big sister Vanessa said, "I wanted to provide women with a fashion forward brand that understands the need of every woman to feel comfort with trendsetting style and glamour."
Loves these pics 'Nessa!
Photos via Robert Ector
Beyonce Nabs A Lead Voice In Animated Film "Epic", Blue Ivy Nabs Kelly & Michelle As Babysitters
Beyonce's summer of getting back to business just got more hectic. She's just been named as one of the lead voices for the upcoming animated film, Epic. Deets inside, plus the fashion run down on all of her and her dancers' REVEL concert looks, and Blue Ivy's famous new babysitters...
She's already got Clint Eastwood's A Star Is Born leading role in her back pocket, now, Mrs. Knowles Carter has been named as one of the voices for the animated flick Epic. The 3D CG movie is from the makers of the big budget films Ice Age & Rio.
Beyonce will voice the character Queen Tara, and plenty of other celebs are rounding out the cast: Colin Farrell as Ronin, The Hunger Games‘ Josh Hutcherson as Nod, Amanda Seyfried as Mary Katherine, Johnny Knoxville as Mandrake, Aziz Ansari as Mub, rapper Pitbull as Bufo, Jason Sudeikis as Bomba, and Steven Tyler as Nim Galuu.
According to Deadline:
The film is described as a battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and evil. When a teenaged girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters to save that world, which in turn saves the real world.
Epic will be released May 24, 2013.
And if you were wondering who was looking after almost 5-month-old Baby B.I.C. up in Revel's Penthouse while Mama Bey was downstairs shutting down the stage--it was her Destiny's Child besties Kelly Rowland & Michelle Williams.
TMZ caught up with Michelle last night and they report:
Last night in NYC, Michelle revealed Kelly Rowland also pulled a shift watching B.I. in Beyonce's hotel suite ... during B's concert in Atlantic City last weekend.
In the middle of the show, Beyonce thanked Michelle for babysitting -- but Michelle 'fessed up to us she had some help ... and even got to go downstairs to see some of the show.
Cute!
Beyonce also posted the whole fashion run down for herself and everyone else from the 4 nights of Memorial Day performances. Check it below (l-r):
Ralph and Russo, The Blondes, David Koma, Tina Knowles for House of Deréon Couture, (again) Tina Knowles for House of Deréon Couture and (again) Ralph and Russo. She rocked Stuart Weitzman shoes with each look.
Her dancers rocked Dolce and Gabbana & David Koma, while her all-female band wore Alexander Vauthier. And her trio of backup singers, The Mamas, wore Pin Up Girls Clothing. Fab!
© 2012 Created by The Fam.
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