BREAKING: Publicist Kristen Foster says singer Whitney Houston has died at age 48
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 12, 2012
Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap. More updates as we get it.
Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.
Publicist Kristen Foster said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unclear.
At her peak in the 1980s and ’90s, Houston the golden girl of the music industry and one of the world’s best-selling artists.
So, basically zero details. More as we hear. A lot of people of a certain age will be extremely shocked by this news. She was the biggest pop star in the world for about five years. (Follow this tag for more details as we get them.)
When I was ten, I was in the D.A.R.E. program. My fifth-grade class had to sing this song after every single session. We don’t know all the details on Whitney Houston’s death yet, but if it was drug-related, my ten-year-old self is going to be so heartbroken. Along with a lot of other people. — Ernie @ SFB
However, this one is apparently legit, with CNN, NBC and AP all confirming it. Quite shocking. (follow the tag for more updates as they come)
The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy.Whitney Houston • Speaking to Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with ABC’s Primetime Live, a highly-rated interview where she notably said the phrase “Crack is wack,” taken from a Keith Haring mural painted in 1986. The interview put Houston’s personal problems on display in front of a wide audience. You can watch the interview here. (follow this tag for more info as we get it)
LA County Coroner: Whitney Houstons death has not been reported to our office. #BREAKINGNEWS
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) February 12, 2012
@AlanDukeCNN reports Whitney was found dead by friend Ray J Norwood at Beverly Hilton Hotel, site of tonight’s Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party.
— Bryan Monroe (@BryanMonroeCNN) February 12, 2012
Two things we’re hearing: One, the death hasn’t been reported to the L.A. coroner’s office, and two, it happened before a Grammys party hosted by Clive Davis, her longtime mentor. She apparently was found as she was supposedly getting ready for the party, which we’re hearing has now been cancelled. And yes, Ray J Norwood, is that Ray J, the one who is Brandy’s brother. EDIT: CNN’s reporting was inaccurate; it was her bodyguard who found her. (follow the tag for more info as we get it)
Our sources tell us a member of Whitney’s entourage found her in her room at the Beverly Hilton hotel … and called hotel security — who then dialed 911. When paramedics arrived Houston was found unresponsive.
We’re told police arrived to the scene within minutes and fire was already there on an unrelated call. According to our sources, paramedics performed CPR but it did not work and she was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM.
Our sources say there were no obvious signs of foul play, but BH PD detectives have begun a full investigation. We’re told she was ID’ed by family and friends.
Seems that the earlier CNN reporting on it being Ray J finding her dead was inaccurate (other sources saying the same thing); her bodyguard’s name happens to be Ray and has no relation to the pop star. CNN just confirmed the time of death TMZ reported above. TMZ also has photos of Houston from Thursday night, showing her worse for wear. More details as we get them; follow along at our tag.
Whitney’s Gulf War-era National Anthem performance, before Super Bowl XXV in 1991, is considered one of the greatest ever and became a hit on the pop charts. A better way to remember her than for all the ugly stuff that came after. (more)
In 2007, I was...
I started tumblr when I was at one of the lowest points of...
Exclusive: How the Syrian Electronic Army hacked the...
soon
Yahumblr.
Google found the...
First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.Bobby Brown • Coming out on stage with New Edition in Southaven, Miss. Saturday night, a short time after finding out about the death of his ex-wife, Whitney Houston. He performed despite the difficult situation. In other news, Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan (the latter of whom had her song “I’m Every Woman” famously covered by Houston) will perform a tribute to the late singer at tomorrow night’s Grammy awards. (more)
hman:
“Of all of the singers I’ve ever heard, Amy was the best one.”
On k.d. lang: ”Next to Judy Garland, she’s the best singer I’ve ever heard,” he says, tearing up with emotion. “She gives me goose bumps when I hear her sing.”
On Ella Fitzgerald: “She made as many records as Crosby and Sinatra and they’re all beautiful. They’re all in top shape … [s]he’s the best singer I ever heard … absolutely.”
Tony Bennett is way too quick to give out praise.
Autopsy inconclusive: Coroner’s officials don’t know how Whitney died: Despite claims from TMZ that her death may have been an overdose, officials say it’s too early to tell if that was the case. She may have also drowned in the bathtub inside her hotel room. Officials say there were no signs of trauma. source
Copyright 2009-2013 Ernie Smith • Ask us stuff! • E-mail us • Follow us on Twitter • Follow us on Facebook
