http://www.billboard.com/...0562.story

[Edited 2/18/12 9:47am]

Just watched her Homegoing ceremony via CNN with my husband. It was totally God centered, well executed, and perfectly balanced. It was intimate, and I dare say annointed in some places and , while allowing a single camera inside to provide outside visual access for Houston's fans and supporters- it didn't hinder the dignity or the central message of the memorial proceedings. We prayed, we laughed, we cried, and when it was over we looked at each other and said, "she's home now and she's gon' be alright"

Bobby Brown leaves Houston funeral after a spat

Newark, New Jersey (CNN) -- Singer Bobby Brown made a brief and dramatic appearance at ex-wife Whitney Houston's memorial service on Saturday, leaving abruptly after being told that his entourage couldn't sit together, police sources told CNN.

He arrived with several people and was apparently emotionally distraught, with red eyes and head hanging as he walked up the aisle of the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. He approached Houston's casket, past it and back down the aisle.

On CNN's live video feed, Brown was shown standing out front of the church soon after the service began. He was not seated with family, friends or other celebrities at the front of the church.

"My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston," Brown later said in a news statement. "We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina.

"In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. ... I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how," the statement said.

Describing what happened at the service, the Rev. Al Sharpton posted on his Twitter account: "I am at Whitney's funeral. I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney."

Brown is scheduled to perform with his group, New Edition, later Saturday in Connecticut. Brown considers performing as therapy to get him through a difficult time, a source close to him said Sunday.

He and Houston were married from 1992 till 2007, with Houston getting sole custody of their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, when they divorced. Their daughter was born in 1993.

When they married in July 1992, questions arose about whether it was a publicity stunt to help polish Brown's image as a bad boy who had weathered drug rumors and had acknowledged having three children out of wedlock. Houston scoffed at such rumors, saying that anyone who questioned their marriage didn't understand what the commitment meant to her. They married in a lavish ceremony at her New Jersey estate.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, reports begin to surface about Houston's struggles with drug addiction, health problems and her rocky marriage with Brown. Her album sales dropped off, and her voice began to show signs of wear.

In a now-infamous interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer in 2002, Houston admitted to using drugs, but denied using crack. "Crack is whack," she said, quoting a line from a mural painted in 1986. In the same interview, Houston said, "The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy."

In 2004, filming began on the short-lived reality show "Being Bobby Brown." "The show aired during the worst years of the couple's crumbling marriage: drug use, lifestyle excess and bad behavior were all caught on tape, and Houston's reputation sunk to new lows," according to Biography.com. Houston later said she did the show to try to save her marriage.

In March 2011, Brown announced that he and his New Edition bandmates were reuniting and planning a new album and tour.

The group -- made up of Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe and Johnny Gill -- had gotten together periodically over the years, with and without Brown.

The band was set to give it one more shot, Brown said last March.

"The good news I want to announce is New Edition has gotten back together," he said on daytime talk show "The View."

Brown also talked a bit about Houston and their daughter, who he said looked like him, but sang better than Houston.

After highly publicized tumultuous times that included substance abuse problems and multiple brushes with the law over the years, Brown said he was doing well.

"I have a brand new son, Cassius," he said then. "I have a fiancée. I am just moving forward with my life and trying to stay positive."

Brown's music career initially took off with New Edition, which started as an R&B boy band.

He left New Edition in 1986, after hits that included "Candy Girl," "Cool It Now," and "Mr. Telephone Man."

His solo career has included his 1988 multiplatinum album, "Don't Be Cruel," which featured the hit singles "Don't Be Cruel," "Every Little Step," "Rock Wit' Cha," "My Prerogative" and "Roni."

[Edited 2/18/12 14:04pm]

^GORGEOUS!

NAACP Image Awards tributes Whitney Houston, hands prizes to 'The Help' and George Lucas

SUPRMAN said:

lazycrockett said:

Honestly when youre doing a reality tv show on basic cable and doing drugs for the last 20 years of her life that pretty much makes her a d lister. Ya'll need to stop trying to canonize her. She did some decent songs back in the day but really for the last decade she was a mess. To try and compare her to Princess Diana is a joke. Diana's charities and organizations saved lives and made a difference in the world. Sorry Whitney did not. Stop trying to rewrite history now that shes dead.

Apparently Whitney did make a difference to a lot of people.

But even one life positively influenced is a plus. It is not a competition.

exactly. i don't take away from the mark diana made, but isn't there more than one way to leave one's mark? whitney positively influenced others and made a difference in the world, for a variety of reasons.

moreover, anyone who can get a picture green-lit at a studio is far from a d-lister. 'sparkle' was going to be a hit, and it's only going to be more so now.

More pics from Whitney's modeling days...

[img:$uid]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/delivertheword/model1.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/delivertheword/model5.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/delivertheword/model4.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://mtvtr3s-com.mtvnimages.com/flipbooks/021312/whitney-houston/75503380.jpg?width=418[/img:$uid]

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

lazycrockett said:

Honestly when youre doing a reality tv show on basic cable and doing drugs for the last 20 years of her life that pretty much makes her a d lister. Ya'll need to stop trying to canonize her. She did some decent songs back in the day but really for the last decade she was a mess. To try and compare her to Princess Diana is a joke. Diana's charities and organizations saved lives and made a difference in the world. Sorry Whitney did not. Stop trying to rewrite history now that shes dead.

The following is a list of some of the charitable causes that Whitney Houston has supported over the years: The Whitney Houston Found...r Children: Formed in 1989, the WHFC aids sick and homeless children, and works toward the prevention of child abuse, teaches children to read, and has built inner city parks and playgrounds. In past years, the foundation also has hosted a Christmas party for homeless children. The United Negro College Fund is a favorite Whitney Houston charity. She raised a quarter of a million dollars for the UNCF at a 1988 Madison Square Garden concert, appeared on at least two "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars" telethons to benefit the UNCF, and has been honored by the organization for her consistent giving with the Frederick D. Patterson Award. One of Whitney Houston's first gigs was a benefit concert for the UNCF in which she sang "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie." The Juvenile Diabetes Res...Foundation: Whitney Houston regularly attends their "Carousel of Hope" charity gala and was honored for her giving in 1996 with the Brass Ring Award. St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital: Founded by the late actor Danny Thomas, this hospital helps critically-ill children without asking for money from their parents or guardians. It is subsidized completely by charitable giving. Whitney Houston has given so much to the hospital over the years that the founder's daughter, Marlo Thomas, honored her at a charity banquet in 1994. South Africa: The announcement that Whitney Houston would participate in the 1988 Freedom Fest concert event (for a then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela) drew other artists and much media attention. In 1994, Whitney also toured in South Africa, giving concert proceeds to numerous children's charities including two children's museums, the President's Trust Fund (for the freed Nelson Mandela), the Kagiso Foundation and several orphanages. In the 1980s, when Whitney was an up-and-coming fashion model, she also refused to work for any company that did business in then-Apartheid South Africa. American Red Cross: Whitney Houston donated all of her proceeds from the single and home video sales of her Superbowl XXV rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" to benefit Gulf War troops and their families. Whitney's record company followed suit. Whitney was elected a member of the American Red Cross Board of Directors in 1991. New York Firefighters and Police: Whitney Houston re-released "The Star Spangled Banner" charity single to benefit the New York Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police Fund following terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. She waived her royalty rights to the single, which went on to top the U.S. sales charts in October 2001 and raised more than $1 million. The Children's Defense Fund: All of Whitney Houston's proceeds from her two "Classic Whitney" concerts in Washington, D.C., totaling a quarter of a million dollars, were donated to this charity. The National Birth Defects Center: The Boston area center named its Hearing & Language Disorder Clinic after Whitney due to her giving. UMDNJ University Hospital: The Newark, N.J.-based hospital named its Pediatric Special Care Unit after Whitney Houston due to her giving. Hale House: Whitney Houston donated enough to this Harlem-based charity that they were able to build a Learning & Recreation Center. Rainbow House: Whitney Houston has provided financial assistance to this shelter for adolescent mothers and for children with HIV and AIDS. Russian Aid Fund: In February 2004, Whitney donated 1 million rubles to the Aid Fund for victims of a bomb attack in the Moscow subway. The funds were raised by her performances in Moscow. T.J. Martell Foundation: Whitney Houston has supported this foundation, which funds research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Harlem Boys Choir, New Jersey State PBA, and The Youth of Atlantic City: Whitney donated proceeds from her only 1990 U.S. concert appearances to these three charities. Debt Relief: Whitney supported a cyber petition by international debt relief campaign Jubilee 2000 to persuade world leaders to erase debt owed by 40 of the world's poorest nations. Wyclef Jean Foundation: Whitney Houston participated in a Carnegie Hall benefit that earned about $250,000 for this foundation in January 1991. Welcome Home Heroes: Whitney's Easter Sunday 1991 concert in Norfolk, Va., was free for returning Gulf War veterans and their families. HBO, which televised the event live, encouraged cable systems to descramble their signal so everyone could enjoy the show for free. 1994 Rainforest Benefit: Whitney Houston made a surprise guest performance at this event, notable for Whitney's singing a bit of "La Donna e Mobile" from Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto." She also performed "If It's Magic" and "I Will Always Love You." For the 1992 movie premiere of "The Bodyguard," proceeds went to The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children and to the Magic Johnson Foundation for pediatric AIDS research . For the 1996 movie premiere of "The Preacher's Wife," proceeds went to The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Denzel Washington's choice) and a third charity chosen by director Penny Marshall. Kurdish Refugee Relief 1991: Whitney performed at the "Simple Truth" concert at London's Wembley Stadium and allowed MTV to simulcast her performance of "Miracle" at her Oakland, Calif., concert during a telethon held for this cause. Fighting AIDS: One of Whitney Houston's favorite causes, highlights include her performance at the Arista 15th Anniversary AIDS Benefit in 1990. She also flew to Los Angeles for the "Commitment for Life" AIDS Benefit in 1994 from her South American tour, and then immediately flew back to resume her concert tour. Fighting Cancer: Another of Whitney Houston's favorite causes, Whitney performed at a Cancer Research Benefit at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Michael Bolton Foundation: This charity honored Whitney for her giving in 1995 with a fund-raising gala. In 1997, Bolton's foundation joined forces with Whitney's foundation to honor other charitable artists at a fund-raising gala. Emmanuel Cancer Foundation: Whitney was unable to attend a 1990 benefit held in her honor, so she turned it into a food drive to benefit this New Jersey chidren's organization. Special Olympics: Whitney performed at the Opening Ceremonies in 1987 and recorded "Do You Hear What I Hear" for free for their first "A Very Special Christmas" benefit album in 1989. 1988 Olympic Games: Whitney Houston recorded the song "One Moment In Time" for an album of the same name to benefit Olympic athletes. Ronald McDonald Children's Charities: The South Florida arm of this organization honored Whitney for her giving. The Bronx Zoo: Whitney Houston donated two lion cubs to the Bronx Zoo in New York City in 1989. For her 1992 wedding, Whitney asked attendees and fans to contribute to the Whitney Houston Foundation For Children in lieu of gifts. Whitney Houston has been honored for her charity work by the VH1 Honors in 1995, The First Annual Triumphant SPIRIT Awards by Essence Magazine in 1997, and 1998 Trumpet Awards (organized by Ted Turner).

Proof positive that some people need to do some fact checking before speaking out

of turn. Man enough of the bitching on this thread. Time to move on.

musicjunky318 said:

NAACP Awards tonight.

Wow! So beautiful!

phunkdaddy said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Proof positive that some people need to do some fact checking before speaking out

of turn. Man enough of the bitching on this thread. Time to move on.

you know, i was thinking how the hell would lazy know what causes whitney supported that may have 'saved lives'? but watch, there will be absolutely no response to hatrina's post.

phunkdaddy said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

The following is a list of some of the charitable causes that Whitney Houston has supported over the years: The Whitney Houston Found...r Children: Formed in 1989, the WHFC aids sick and homeless children, and works toward the prevention of child abuse, teaches children to read, and has built inner city parks and playgrounds. In past years, the foundation also has hosted a Christmas party for homeless children. The United Negro College Fund is a favorite Whitney Houston charity. She raised a quarter of a million dollars for the UNCF at a 1988 Madison Square Garden concert, appeared on at least two "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars" telethons to benefit the UNCF, and has been honored by the organization for her consistent giving with the Frederick D. Patterson Award. One of Whitney Houston's first gigs was a benefit concert for the UNCF in which she sang "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie." The Juvenile Diabetes Res...Foundation: Whitney Houston regularly attends their "Carousel of Hope" charity gala and was honored for her giving in 1996 with the Brass Ring Award. St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital: Founded by the late actor Danny Thomas, this hospital helps critically-ill children without asking for money from their parents or guardians. It is subsidized completely by charitable giving. Whitney Houston has given so much to the hospital over the years that the founder's daughter, Marlo Thomas, honored her at a charity banquet in 1994. South Africa: The announcement that Whitney Houston would participate in the 1988 Freedom Fest concert event (for a then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela) drew other artists and much media attention. In 1994, Whitney also toured in South Africa, giving concert proceeds to numerous children's charities including two children's museums, the President's Trust Fund (for the freed Nelson Mandela), the Kagiso Foundation and several orphanages. In the 1980s, when Whitney was an up-and-coming fashion model, she also refused to work for any company that did business in then-Apartheid South Africa. American Red Cross: Whitney Houston donated all of her proceeds from the single and home video sales of her Superbowl XXV rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" to benefit Gulf War troops and their families. Whitney's record company followed suit. Whitney was elected a member of the American Red Cross Board of Directors in 1991. New York Firefighters and Police: Whitney Houston re-released "The Star Spangled Banner" charity single to benefit the New York Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police Fund following terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. She waived her royalty rights to the single, which went on to top the U.S. sales charts in October 2001 and raised more than $1 million. The Children's Defense Fund: All of Whitney Houston's proceeds from her two "Classic Whitney" concerts in Washington, D.C., totaling a quarter of a million dollars, were donated to this charity. The National Birth Defects Center: The Boston area center named its Hearing & Language Disorder Clinic after Whitney due to her giving. UMDNJ University Hospital: The Newark, N.J.-based hospital named its Pediatric Special Care Unit after Whitney Houston due to her giving. Hale House: Whitney Houston donated enough to this Harlem-based charity that they were able to build a Learning & Recreation Center. Rainbow House: Whitney Houston has provided financial assistance to this shelter for adolescent mothers and for children with HIV and AIDS. Russian Aid Fund: In February 2004, Whitney donated 1 million rubles to the Aid Fund for victims of a bomb attack in the Moscow subway. The funds were raised by her performances in Moscow. T.J. Martell Foundation: Whitney Houston has supported this foundation, which funds research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Harlem Boys Choir, New Jersey State PBA, and The Youth of Atlantic City: Whitney donated proceeds from her only 1990 U.S. concert appearances to these three charities. Debt Relief: Whitney supported a cyber petition by international debt relief campaign Jubilee 2000 to persuade world leaders to erase debt owed by 40 of the world's poorest nations. Wyclef Jean Foundation: Whitney Houston participated in a Carnegie Hall benefit that earned about $250,000 for this foundation in January 1991. Welcome Home Heroes: Whitney's Easter Sunday 1991 concert in Norfolk, Va., was free for returning Gulf War veterans and their families. HBO, which televised the event live, encouraged cable systems to descramble their signal so everyone could enjoy the show for free. 1994 Rainforest Benefit: Whitney Houston made a surprise guest performance at this event, notable for Whitney's singing a bit of "La Donna e Mobile" from Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto." She also performed "If It's Magic" and "I Will Always Love You." For the 1992 movie premiere of "The Bodyguard," proceeds went to The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children and to the Magic Johnson Foundation for pediatric AIDS research . For the 1996 movie premiere of "The Preacher's Wife," proceeds went to The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Denzel Washington's choice) and a third charity chosen by director Penny Marshall. Kurdish Refugee Relief 1991: Whitney performed at the "Simple Truth" concert at London's Wembley Stadium and allowed MTV to simulcast her performance of "Miracle" at her Oakland, Calif., concert during a telethon held for this cause. Fighting AIDS: One of Whitney Houston's favorite causes, highlights include her performance at the Arista 15th Anniversary AIDS Benefit in 1990. She also flew to Los Angeles for the "Commitment for Life" AIDS Benefit in 1994 from her South American tour, and then immediately flew back to resume her concert tour. Fighting Cancer: Another of Whitney Houston's favorite causes, Whitney performed at a Cancer Research Benefit at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Michael Bolton Foundation: This charity honored Whitney for her giving in 1995 with a fund-raising gala. In 1997, Bolton's foundation joined forces with Whitney's foundation to honor other charitable artists at a fund-raising gala. Emmanuel Cancer Foundation: Whitney was unable to attend a 1990 benefit held in her honor, so she turned it into a food drive to benefit this New Jersey chidren's organization. Special Olympics: Whitney performed at the Opening Ceremonies in 1987 and recorded "Do You Hear What I Hear" for free for their first "A Very Special Christmas" benefit album in 1989. 1988 Olympic Games: Whitney Houston recorded the song "One Moment In Time" for an album of the same name to benefit Olympic athletes. Ronald McDonald Children's Charities: The South Florida arm of this organization honored Whitney for her giving. The Bronx Zoo: Whitney Houston donated two lion cubs to the Bronx Zoo in New York City in 1989. For her 1992 wedding, Whitney asked attendees and fans to contribute to the Whitney Houston Foundation For Children in lieu of gifts. Whitney Houston has been honored for her charity work by the VH1 Honors in 1995, The First Annual Triumphant SPIRIT Awards by Essence Magazine in 1997, and 1998 Trumpet Awards (organized by Ted Turner).

Proof positive that some people need to do some fact checking before speaking out

of turn. Man enough of the bitching on this thread. Time to move on.

Someone just got owned royally.

suga10 said:

[img:$uid]http://mtvtr3s-com.mtvnimages.com/flipbooks/021312/whitney-houston/75503380.jpg?width=418[/img:$uid]

Classic pic.

One of bobby's sons.

[img:$uid]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r67/babybugz10457/25a5glg.jpg[/img:$uid]

babybugz said:

One of bobby's sons.

[img:$uid]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r67/babybugz10457/25a5glg.jpg[/img:$uid]

This is very sad & the saddest part he is telling the truth

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

babybugz said:

One of bobby's sons.

[img:$uid]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r67/babybugz10457/25a5glg.jpg[/img:$uid]

This is very sad & the saddest part he is telling the truth

but wasn't his father told that he plus two other people could come? so why did he show up with six other people? i think if you want respect, don't you have to show it? i'm sure there were members of whitney's extended family that didn't get to sit up front either; those seats were likely reserved for the immediate family and people they had asked to speak and perform, right? so why should bobby's family - his kids weren't whitney's blood relatives - be front and center? i didn't think it was a show; these were people that whitney knew and loved. i think everyone, for the most part, came across as heartfelt.

babybugz said:

One of bobby's sons.

[img:$uid]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r67/babybugz10457/25a5glg.jpg[/img:$uid]

Damn shame.

kibbles said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

This is very sad & the saddest part he is telling the truth

but wasn't his father told that he plus two other people could come? so why did he show up with six other people? i think if you want respect, don't you have to show it? i'm sure there were members of whitney's extended family that didn't get to sit up front either; those seats were likely reserved for the immediate family and people they had asked to speak and perform, right? so why should bobby's family - his kids weren't whitney's blood relatives - be front and center? i didn't think it was a show; these were people that whitney knew and loved. i think everyone, for the most part, came across as heartfelt.

Because his kids were part of Whitney's life before. She allowed them in her home. So why can't they sit up front with her ex husband that was in her bed for 15 years? Its not fair. I would have left to. If they tried to kick me & my kids off the front row of a funeral of a women I was married to for 15 years.Then prevent me from trying to talk to my daughter I helped conceive. He & his kids had every right to be up there.Even if they had to sit on the floor.

Best comments were her "real" bodyguard's. This woman loved us.

kibbles said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

This is very sad & the saddest part he is telling the truth

but wasn't his father told that he plus two other people could come? so why did he show up with six other people? i think if you want respect, don't you have to show it? i'm sure there were members of whitney's extended family that didn't get to sit up front either; those seats were likely reserved for the immediate family and people they had asked to speak and perform, right? so why should bobby's family - his kids weren't whitney's blood relatives - be front and center? i didn't think it was a show; these were people that whitney knew and loved. i think everyone, for the most part, came across as heartfelt.

WTF???

No offense, but all these people sitting on the sidelines trying to call the shots on how this FAMILY should have reacted during a time like this?

All this talkin' greazy about things that we have no knowledge of or are not privy too (nor do we have any right to be) needs to cease. Seriously, people.

[img:$uid]http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/02/12/Style/Images/whzz.jpg[/img:$uid]

The Houston family in 1983 before Whitney's fame: I'm not good on which brother is which but I'm guessing the one on the left is Michael, Cissy and Whitney of course, John, and younger brother Gary (the one that always accompanied Whitney).

[Edited 2/19/12 0:57am]

The origin of Whitney's childhood nickname, "Nippy", given to her by her dad John Houston:

Apparently, John always tried to put a blanket around Whitney's body to sleep when she was real young but she would always take the blanket off because she wanted to watch a cartoon that was ironically called "Nippy" and she would get in trouble for doing that so after a while he just named her that.

[img:$uid]http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/7163/whitney2.jpg[/img:$uid]

I just wanted to post this because I knew Gaga was a fan and I love that she showed respect and love while she was alive.