View source for Whitney Houston

{{Short description|American singer and actress (1963–2012)}}
{{For|the album|Whitney Houston (album){{!}}''Whitney Houston'' (album)}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| image              = Whitney Houston by Richard Avedon color (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Houston in 1987
| birth_name         = Whitney Elizabeth Houston
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1963|8|9}}
| birth_place        = [[Newark, New Jersey]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2012|2|11|1963|8|9}}
| death_place        = [[Beverly Hills, California]], U.S.
| burial_place       = [[Fairview Cemetery & Arboretum (Westfield, New Jersey)|Fairview Cemetery]]
| occupation         = {{Hlist|Singer|actress|film producer|record producer}}
| years_active       = 1977–2012
| works              = {{Hlist|[[Whitney Houston albums discography|Albums]]|[[Whitney Houston singles discography|singles]]|[[Whitney Houston videography|videography]]|[[Whitney Houston filmography|filmography]]|[[List of Whitney Houston live performances|performances]]|[[List of songs recorded by Whitney Houston|songs recorded]]}}
| spouse             = {{Marriage|[[Bobby Brown]]|1992|2007|end=divorced}}
| children           = [[Bobbi Kristina Brown]]
| mother             = [[Cissy Houston]]
| relatives          = {{ubl|[[Leontyne Price]] (cousin)|[[Gary Garland]] (half-brother)|[[Dionne Warwick]] (cousin)|[[Dee Dee Warwick]] (cousin)|[[Jeremiah Burke Sanderson]] (great-great-grandfather)}}
| awards             = [[List of accolades received by Whitney Houston|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed           = yes
| background      = solo_singer <!-- mandatory field -->
| origin          = New York City
| genre           = {{Hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[Dance music|dance]]|[[Gospel music|gospel]]}}
| label           = {{Hlist|[[Arista Records|Arista]]|[[RCA Records|RCA]]}}
}}
| website            = {{URL|whitneyhouston.com}}
| signature          = WhitneyHoustonSignature.svg
}}

'''Whitney Elizabeth Houston''' (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, film producer, and record producer. Commonly referred to as "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|the Voice]]", she is [[List of accolades received by Whitney Houston|one of the most awarded performers of all time]]. Houston is one of the [[List of best-selling music artists#200 million to 249 million records|best-selling music artists of all time]], with sales of more than 220 million records worldwide. [[Cultural impact of Whitney Houston|A cultural icon]], she broke down [[Gender inequality|gender]] and [[Racial segregation|racial]] barriers through [[List of Whitney Houston records and achievements|her artistic achievements]], [[Whitney Houston filmography|Hollywood crossover]], and [[Whitney Houston videography|music videos]]. Known for [[Cultural impact of Whitney Houston#Impact on vocal style in popular music|her vocal delivery]], [[Gospel music|gospel]] singing style, [[Crossover music|crossover]] appeal, and [[List of Whitney Houston live performances|live performances]], Houston was ranked second on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of the [[Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time#2023 list|greatest singers of all time]] in 2023. 

Houston became one of the first black women to appear on the cover of ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]'' after becoming a teen model in 1981. She signed to [[Arista Records]] at the age of 19. Her first two studio albums, ''[[Whitney Houston (album)|Whitney Houston]]'' (1985) and ''[[Whitney (album)|Whitney]]'' (1987), topped the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] for 14 and 11 weeks, respectively. The former remains the best-selling debut album by a solo artist, while the latter made her the first woman to debut atop the US and UK charts. Houston took a more urban turn with her third album, ''[[I'm Your Baby Tonight]]'' (1990), and performed [[The Star Spangled Banner (Whitney Houston recording)|an acclaimed rendition]] of "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" at [[Super Bowl XXV]] in 1991. She then [[Whitney Houston filmography|starred in the films]] ''[[The Bodyguard (1992 film)|The Bodyguard]]'' (1992), ''[[Waiting to Exhale]]'' (1995), ''[[The Preacher's Wife]]'' (1996), ''[[Cinderella (1997 film)|Cinderella]]'' (1997) and ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]'' (2012), and produced the film franchises ''[[The Princess Diaries]]'' (2001–2004) and [[The Cheetah Girls (franchise)|''The Cheetah Girls'']] (2003–2006). Soundtracks of ''[[The Bodyguard (soundtrack)|The Bodyguard]]'' and ''[[The Preacher's Wife (soundtrack)|The Preacher's Wife]]'', respectively, rank as the best-selling soundtrack album and gospel album of all time, with the former winning the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year]] and topping the ''Billboard'' 200 for 20 weeks.

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&nbsp;million in 2001, one of the [[List of largest music deals|largest recording deals of all time]].<ref name="AllMusic-2026">{{Cite web |title=Whitney Houston Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & ... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/whitney-houston-mn0000820434 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> However, her drug use and a tumultuous marriage to singer [[Bobby Brown]] tarnished her "[[America's Sweetheart#Race|America's Sweetheart]]" image, overshadowing her next albums, ''[[Just Whitney]]'' (2002) and ''[[One Wish: The Holiday Album]]'' (2003). After divorcing Brown, Houston returned to the top of the ''Billboard'' 200 with her final album, ''[[I Look to You]]'' (2009). On February 11, 2012, [[Death of Whitney Houston|Houston accidentally drowned]] in a bathtub at the [[the Beverly Hilton|Beverly Hilton]] hotel in [[Beverly Hills, California]], with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors. News of her death coincided with the [[54th Annual Grammy Awards]] and was covered internationally along with her memorial service. 

Houston's first two albums, along with ''The Bodyguard'' soundtrack, rank among the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling albums of all time]] and made her the first black artist to score three [[RIAA certification#Artists with the most album certifications|RIAA diamond-certified albums]]. "[[I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)]]" and "[[I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston recording)|I Will Always Love You]]" are among the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles ever]]; the latter remains the best-selling single by a woman and has been certified [[List of highest-certified digital singles in the United States|diamond]] by the RIAA. Houston scored [[Artists with the most number-ones on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart|eleven number-one singles]] on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and remains the only artist to have [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Most consecutive number-one songs|seven consecutive singles top the chart]]. She has been inducted into [[List of awards and nominations received by Whitney Houston#Cultural honors|multiple halls and walks of fame]], including the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], the [[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame|Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]], and the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] (twice). ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' named Houston the [[Forbes list of the world's highest-paid dead celebrities|highest-earning posthumous female celebrity]].<ref name="whitneyguinness">{{cite web |title=Highest-earning dead celebrity (female, current) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/467954-highest-earning-dead-celebrity-female-current |accessdate=November 19, 2023 |work=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> Her assets amounted to $250&nbsp;million, earned over a 25-year career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halperin |first=Ian |date=June 19, 2015 |title=Whitney Houston's Fortune In Limbo Amid Bobbi Kristina Tragedy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/whitney-houstons-fortune-limbo-bobbi-803795/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Her life and career have been the subject of multiple documentaries and television specials.

==Early life and family ==
[[File:NewHopeNewark 02.jpg|thumb|upright|[[New Hope Baptist Church (Newark)|New Hope Baptist Church]], where Houston sang in the choir as a child|alt=]]
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963, at Presbyterian Hospital in [[Newark, New Jersey]], to [[Cissy Houston|Emily "Cissy"]] (née Drinkard) and John Russell Houston Jr.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Houston |first1=Cissy |title=Remembering Whitney |date=2013 |page=10 |quote=My water broke. So it was right back out the door as John put me in the car and hurried to Presbyterian Hospital.}}</ref> Cissy was a [[Grammy Award|Grammy-winning]] gospel and soul singer who was a member of [[The Drinkard Singers]] and the founder of [[The Sweet Inspirations]] before becoming a solo artist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Emily 'Cissy' Houston 2019 Inductee - Performing Arts |url=https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2019-2020-inductees/cissy-houston/ |website=New Jersey Hall of Fame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317074825/https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2019-2020-inductees/cissy-houston/ |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Smith1996a">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Jessie Carney|author-link=Jessie Carney Smith|title=Notable Black American women|year=1996|publisher=VNR AG|isbn=978-0-8103-9177-2|pages=[https://archive.org/details/notableblackamer00jess/page/304 304]–305|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/notableblackamer00jess}}</ref> John was a former [[United States Army|Army]] serviceman who later became an administrator under Newark mayor [[Kenneth A. Gibson]]. According to her mother, Houston was named after actress [[Whitney Blake]].<ref name="WHToronto">{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/whitney-houston-at-22-from-the-star-archives/article_1e90be37-fe6b-54ea-8717-9a0441cea7c8.html |title=Whitney Houston at 22: From the Star archives |work=[[The Toronto Star]] |date=August 21, 1986 |accessdate=March 16, 2025}}</ref> Houston was given the nickname "Nippy" by her father.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Crawford |first1=Robyn |title=A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston |date=2019 |page=16}}</ref>

Houston's parents were both African-American. Cissy Houston stated that she had partial Dutch and Native American ancestry.<ref>{{cite news|first=Cissy|last=Houston|title=Visionary Project Video – Cissy Houston: My Family|date=September 2, 2009|url=http://www.visionaryproject.org/houstoncissy/|access-date=February 11, 2012|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921111821/http://www.visionaryproject.org/houstoncissy/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Houston was a cousin of singers [[Dionne Warwick|Dionne]] and [[Dee Dee Warwick]] as well as a cousin of opera singer [[Leontyne Price]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://madamenoire.com/1360738/black-history-month-opera-singer-leontyne-price-first-cousins-whitney-houston-and-dionne-warwick/ |work=[[Madame Noire]] |title=Black History Excellence: Opera Singer Leontyne Price Was First Cousins With Whitney Houston And Dionne Warwick |author=Taylor Berry |date=February 13, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2026}}</ref> [[Aretha Franklin]] was an "honorary aunt" while [[Darlene Love]] was Houston's godmother.<ref name="godmother">{{cite news |title=Whitney's godmother: 'She was a light' |date=February 13, 2012 |url=http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/13/she-was-a-light/?hpt=ng_bn3 |quote=Nancy Grace spoke with Whitney Houston's godmother and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Darlene Love. |work=Nancy Grace |access-date=February 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001010815/http://www.hlntv.com/video/2012/02/13/whitneys-godmother-she-was-light?hpt=ng_bn3 <!-- or https://web.archive.org/web/20120215181715/http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com:80/2012/02/13/she-was-a-light/ --> |last=Kent |first=Rachel |publisher=CNN, then HLNtv.com |orig-date=updated 3:33 PM EDT, Mon April 23, 2012}}</ref><ref name="honoraryaunt">{{cite news |last=Whitall |first=Susan |title=Aretha Franklin recalls meeting a young Whitney Houston |url=<!-- on February 18, 2012, was at http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120217/ENT09/202170397/1361/Aretha-Franklin-recalls-meeting-a-young-Whitney-Houston --> |quote=The Queen of Soul corrected one thing about her relationship to Houston. She says she wasn't Houston's Godmother, but a sort of honorary aunt. |work=The Detroit News |date=February 17, 2012 |edition=web |id={{NewsBank|13D8E7069C7508C0}}.}}</ref><ref name="Company1985s">{{cite magazine |magazine=Jet |title=Whitney Houston Sings Her Way To Stardom With Hit Album, Road Tour |date=August 26, 1985 |page=59 |issn=0021-5996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=prQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59}}</ref> Houston's paternal great-great-grandfather [[Jeremiah Burke Sanderson]] was an [[Abolitionism in the United States|American abolitionist]] and advocate for the civil and educational rights of black Americans during the mid-19th century.<ref name="Jeremiah1">{{Cite web|title=Jeremiah Burke Sanderson|publisher=[[New Bedford, Massachusetts|New Bedford]] Historical Society|url=http://nbhistoricalsociety.org/Important-Figures/jeremiah-burke-sanderson/|access-date=2020-11-07|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Jeremiah2">{{Cite journal|last=Lapp|first=Rudolph M.|date=1968|title=Jeremiah B. Sanderson: Early California Negro Leader |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2716356 |journal=The Journal of Negro History|volume=53|issue=4|pages=321–333|doi=10.2307/2716356|jstor=2716356|s2cid=150279633|issn=0022-2992|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Houston had three older brothers: paternal half-brother John III;<ref name="johnhoustonobit">{{cite news |id=[[Legacy.com]] via [[NJ.com]] [https://obits.nj.com/us/obituaries/starledger/name/john-houston-obituary?id=8103622#:~:text=Retired%20founder%20and%20chairman%20of%20Houston%20Associates%2C%20Inc.&text=He%20attended%20Weequahic%20High%20School,Chairman%20of%20Houston%20Associates%2C%20Inc. 8103622]. {{NewsBank|180115C056B2A758|subdomain=nj}}, [https://infoweb-newsbank-com.dclibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A166DFC6FDF7711A8%40AWNB-1800FEB5A8BF83FF%402459232-1800FEDD2E4363E9%4019-1800FEDD2E4363E9%40 {{small|{{small|image/v2:166DFC6FDF7711A8@AWNB-1800FEB5A8BF83FF@2459232-1800FEDD2E4363E9@19-1800FEDD2E4363E9@}}}}]. {{Newspapers.com |subdomain=nj |clipping-slug=the-star-ledger-john-russell-houston-iii |clipping-id=196596234 |page-id=1156127422 }}. |title=John Russell Houston III: Retired founder and chairman of Houston Associates, Inc. |date=January 17, 2021 |newspaper=The (Sunday) Star-Ledger |publication-place=Newark, New Jersey |page=A19<!-- Newspapers.com --> or A20<!-- NewsBank --><!-- both show page images claiming to be the Final Edition; however, Newspapers.com's version seems to be a misprint omitting p. A17 (with e.g. an article continued from p. A15) -->}}</ref> maternal half-brother [[Gary Garland|Gary]], a basketball player and singer;<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/10-things-whitney-houston/story?id=15637223#5 "Top 10 Things You May Not Know About Whitney Houston"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119215437/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/10-things-whitney-houston/story?id=15637223#5 |date=November 19, 2018 }}. ''ABC''. February 16, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.</ref> and full brother Michael.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/69412/Michael-Houston-Devastated-At-Death-Of-Sister |title=Michael Houston 'Devastated' At Death Of Sister |work=Entertainment Wise|date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215191826/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/69412/Michael-Houston-Devastated-At-Death-Of-Sister|archive-date=February 15, 2012 |last1=Merriman |first1=Rebecca }}</ref>

At three, Houston witnessed the [[1967 Newark riots|Newark race riots of 1967]].<ref name="CissyBook"/><ref name="Addicted"/><ref name="Parish1">{{harvnb|Parish|2003|p=33}}</ref> Following Cissy signing a solo recording contract in 1970, the Houston family relocated to a suburban area of [[East Orange, New Jersey]], called Doddtown.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Houston |first1=Cissy |title=Remembering Whitney |date=2013 |pages=61–62 |quote=John was able to get in touch with Charles Koppelman, a veteran record man who was running the music division of a new label called Commonwealth United, and he pitched me as a solo artist. They signed me for a modest $15,000 advance and we began recording right away - and in 1970, we released my first solo album, ''Presenting Cissy Houston''. With that advance, we were finally able to leave the Wainwright neighborhood. John and I wasted no time in finding a beautiful new home – a four-bedroom, white clapboard house at 362 Dodd Street in East Orange.}}</ref> Prior to moving to East Orange, the Houstons had raised their children on Newark's Wainwright Street.<ref name="Parish2">{{harvnb|Parish|2003|p=26}}</ref> Houston's parents married in the spring of 1964, just months before Houston's first birthday.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Houston |first1=Cissy |title=Remembering Whitney |date=2013 |page=45 |quote=In the spring of 1964, almost a year after Nippy's birth, John's divorce was at last finalized, and he and I were able to get married.}}</ref> Initially a happy union, the marriage dissolved by Houston's teen years after Houston's father suffered a near-fatal [[heart attack]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.amomama.com/299245-whitney-houstons-father-john-russell-hou-2.html|title=Whitney Houston's Father John Russell Houston Changed after He Had a Heart Attack|work=Amomama.com|date=December 25, 2022|author=Naomi Wanjala|access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref> By 17, Houston's parents separated; divorcing over a decade later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/01/28/cissy-houston-whitney-memoir/1862249/|title=Cissy Houston remembers Whitney, with love and candor|last=Gardner, Elysa|date=January 28, 2013|accessdate=December 19, 2017|newspaper=USA Today}}</ref>

Houston was raised in the [[Baptists|Baptist]] faith. She joined the church choir at [[New Hope Baptist Church (Newark)|New Hope Baptist Church]] in Newark at the age of five, and she also learned to play piano at New Hope.<ref name="CissyBook">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/01/28/cissy-houston-whitney-memoir/1862249/|title=Cissy Houston remembers Whitney, with love and candor|last=Gardner|first= Elysa|date=January 28, 2013|access-date=December 19, 2017|newspaper=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="Addicted">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney & Bobby – Addicted to Love |date=September 2005 |magazine=Vibe |page=204 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9iYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA204 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323134655/https://books.google.com/books?id=9iYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA204 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |first=Rob |last=Kenner }}</ref> She later recalled being exposed to the [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church nearby as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/whitney-houston-wanted-to-see-jesus-days-before-death.html |work=Christian Post |title=Whitney Houston 'Wanted to See Jesus' Days Before Death |author=Daniel Distant |date=February 15, 2012 |access-date=February 10, 2026}}</ref> Houston made her solo performance debut at New Hope singing the hymn "[[Cwm Rhondda|Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah]]" at the age of 12 in November 1975.<ref name="Bowman">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/divatotallyunaut0000bowm/page/n19/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Diva: the totally unauthorized biography of Whitney Houston |last=Bowman|first= Jeffrey |page=XII-XIII |date=1994 |publisher=Harper |isbn=9780061008535 |access-date=April 30, 2023}}</ref> Around this same period, she told her mother that she wanted to pursue a career in music.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Houston |first1=Cissy |title=Remembering Whitney |date=2013 |page=76 |quote=Nippy had been hinting for a while that she wanted to sing professionally, but at age twelve, she told me she was sure.}}</ref> Houston would be trained on how to sing by Cissy throughout her teen years.<ref name="Corliss-1987">{{Cite magazine |last1=Corliss |first1=Richard |date=July 13, 1987 |title=The Prom Queen of Soul |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,964980-5,00.html |magazine=Time}}</ref> Houston's biggest musical influence was her mother.<ref name="Cox1">{{harvnb|Cox|1999|p=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/videos/cissy-houston-singing-duet-with-whitney/ |work=Classicfm.com |title=Remembering Cissy Houston’s unbelievable vocal talent, in soul duet with daughter Whitney |date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=February 17, 2026}}</ref> She was also heavily influenced by her successful cousins Dionne and Dee Dee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houstons-musical-influences/ |title=Whitney Houston's Musical Influences |work=WhitneyHouston.com |date=March 22, 2013 |access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref> Other musical influences included [[Karen Carpenter]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Chaka Khan]], [[Gladys Knight]], and [[Roberta Flack]].<ref name=RS93>{{cite magazine |last=DeCurtis |first=Anthony |title=Whitney Houston: Down and Dirty |date=June 10, 1993 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/whitney-houston-gets-down-and-dirty-192198/ |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="influences">{{YouTube|id=lKK_uqIGCxU|Whitney talks about her musical influences}}</ref>

Houston attended Franklin Elementary School (now the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts) from first grade to sixth grade before transferring to [[Mount Saint Dominic Academy]], a Catholic girls' high school in [[Caldwell, New Jersey|Caldwell]], New Jersey, at 13.<ref name="Bowman" /> She graduated from Mount Saint Dominic in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/caldwells/mount-classmate-remembers-whitney-houston|title=Mount Saint Dominic Classmate Remembers Whitney Houston|work=Patch.com|last=Waldman|first=Tyler|date=February 13, 2012|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Parish3">{{harvnb|Parish|2003|p=73}}</ref>

==Career==
=== 1977–1984: Career beginnings ===
[[File:W 43 St Oct 2021 65.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Houston gave her first public non-church performance at Manhattan's [[The Town Hall (New York City)|Town Hall]] as a teenager.]]
Houston's professional career began when she joined her mother's band as a background singer at fourteen while Cissy performed at [[Manhattan]] cabaret clubs.<ref name="Cox2">{{harvnb|Cox|1999|p=24}}</ref> Houston gave her first solo during Cissy's performance at Manhattan's [[The Town Hall (New York City)|Town Hall]] in February 1978, performing "[[Tomorrow (Annie)|Tomorrow]]" from the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical, ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'', where she received her first standing ovation.<ref name="TownHall1978">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/divatotallyunaut0000bowm/page/58/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Diva: the totally unauthorized biography of Whitney Houston |last=Bowman|first=Jeffrey |date=1994 |page=58 |publisher=Harper |isbn=9780061008535 |access-date=April 30, 2023}}</ref><ref name="TownHall">{{cite web |url=https://www.thetownhall.org/event/the-voice-of-whitney |title=The Voice of Whitney |work=TheTownHall.org |accessdate=February 3, 2025}}</ref> Houston began a career as a [[session vocalist]] backing up artists like her mother, [[Michael Zager]], [[the Neville Brothers]], [[Chaka Khan]] and [[Lou Rawls]].<ref name="Bronson2003ad" /><ref name="Comp">{{cite magazine |magazine=Jet |title=Singer Whitney Houston A Model Of Success |date=July 16, 1990 |page=32 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ra8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32}}</ref> Houston was the featured vocalist in Zager's [[disco]] song "Life's a Party" (1978).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/track/lifes-a-party/|title=Life's A Party|work=WhitneyHouston.com|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Seal|1994|p=10}} 

Houston became a fashion model in 1980 after being spotted at [[Carnegie Hall]] and signed first with Click Models before moving onto the [[Wilhelmina Models]] agency, where she landed the cover of ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]''.<ref name=huffpost>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Julee|title= Whitney Houston Graces Cover Of Seventeen Magazine, November 1981 (PHOTO) |work=HuffPost|date=February 13, 2012|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whitney-houston-seventeen-cover_n_1273472}}</ref> Houston's [[girl next door]] charm helped her to land in fashion spreads for ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'', ''[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]'' and ''[[YM (magazine)|Young Miss]]''.<ref name="Comp" /> Houston continued her music career during this period, recording demos of gospel recordings.<ref name="WhitneyGospel">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/whitney-houston-gospel-songs-i-go-to-the-rock-explained-1235358504/ |title=Whitney Houston Gospel Songs from 'I Go to the Rock' Explained - The Hollywood Reporter |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=Fekadu|first= Mesfin |date=March 22, 2023 |accessdate=April 26, 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Bronson2003ad">{{cite book|last=Bronson|first= Fred|title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|date=October 1, 2003|publisher=Random House Digital|isbn=978-0-8230-7677-2|page=629}}</ref><ref name="1990Company">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |title=Forever Daddy's Girl |date=June 1990 |page=136 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8tMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA136 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |first=Lynn |last=Norment}}</ref>

Signing with Tara Productions in September 1981, Houston hired Gene Harvey as her manager, with Daniel Gittleman and Seymour Flics also playing part in managing her.<ref name="WhitneysManager1">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.classicwhitney.com/interview/billboard1986artistoftheyear.htm |title=Whitney Houston: The Long Road to Overnight Stardom |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=December 1986 |accessdate=April 26, 2023 |last=Scoppa |first=Bud}}</ref><ref name="Whitney1986">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-08-ca-9249-story.html |title=HOUSTON HITS: MASTER PLAN, BLIND LUCK |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 8, 1986 |last=Grein|first=Paul |accessdate=April 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="WhitneysManager2">{{cite web |url=https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/journal-news-independent/2012/02/14/fall-river-music-businessman-was/39512011007/ |title=Fall River music businessman was instrumental in launching Whitney Houston's early career |work=Wicked Local |last=Holtzman|first=Michael |date=February 14, 2012 |accessdate=April 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Parish4">{{harvnb|Parish|2003|p=76}}</ref> During 1982, Houston auditioned for both [[Elektra Records]] and [[Sony Music|CBS Records]].<ref name="whbm">{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/young-whitney-houston-never-seen-150000108.html |title=Young Whitney Houston: Never-Before Seen Photos of the 'One in a Million' Superstar Before Fame |author=Brianne Tracy |date=January 9, 2022 |work=[[Yahoo News]] |accessdate=March 27, 2025}}</ref> Houston's feature on the song "[[Memories (Hugh Hopper song)|Memories]]" from [[Material (band)|Material]]'s album ''[[One Down]]'', led to critical raves, with then-''[[The Village Voice|Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] calling it "one of the most gorgeous ballads you've ever heard".<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Robert Christgau|last=Christgau|first= Robert|title=Material she was a great song writer|publisher=RobertChristgau.com|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Material|access-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> Producer [[Paul Jabara]] later featured her on the ballad, "Eternal Love", issued off his album, ''[[Paul Jabara & Friends]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ripol|first=Vince|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/paul-jabara-friends-mw0000096657|title=Paul Jabara & Friends Album Review|work=AllMusic|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> 

After seeing Houston perform at the [[Seventh Avenue South (jazz club)|Seventh Avenue South]] nightclub in Manhattan, Gerry Griffith—then the [[Artists & Repertoire|A&R]] representative for [[Arista Records]]—convinced label head [[Clive Davis]] to see her perform at the Sweetwaters nightclub the following evening. Upon viewing the performance, an impressed Davis offered Houston a recording contract. With her parents present, Houston signed on April 10, 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bp/rock-backpages-flashback-making-stellar-ascent-whitney-houston-110037870.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAYDJNST27sq9X-E3tt9EiWs-955Fb9v49y8rPIT24CE7y5U7GQMtpSYIjTsLedoHJDPFD6uVeztHSZ1y-31gDUX8zYNl816DwCu25WAqkfQMg4wrxS-Cl9omyVzYiCOjE4GEB-SJRnFAbat0fJW0NvOXLxUbA10LPxSU7S-xtqs|title=The Rock's Backpages Flashback: The Making - and Stellar Ascent - of Whitney Houston |date=February 12, 2012 |first=Barney |last=Hoskyns |access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref><ref name="WhitneyClive">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/30/style/whitney-houston-clive-davis-sexuality.html |title=Production of a Lifetime: Whitney Houston and Clive Davis |work=[[New York Times]] |first=Jacob |last=Bernstein |date=September 30, 2017 |accessdate=May 21, 2024}}</ref> 

Houston was introduced to a national audience in June 1983, performing the song "[[Home (The Wiz song)|Home]]" from the Broadway musical ''[[The Wiz]]'' on ''[[The Merv Griffin Show]]''.<ref name="Company1985">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |date=December 1985 |page=155 |issn=0012-9011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JtkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA155 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |title=Whitney Houston: For Talented Young Star, Singing Is A Family Tradition}}</ref><ref name="WhitneyClive"/><ref name="Merv Griffin">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6532886/ |title="The Merv Griffin Show" Episode dated 23 June 1983 (TV Episode 1983) |website=[[IMDb]] |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/02/whitney-houston-dead-her-earliest-tv-appearances-video.html|title=Whitney Houston: Watch her earliest TV appearances|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 12, 2012|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> During this period, Houston almost landed a role on ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' before pulling out on the show due to her emerging career.<ref name="Cosby">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/whitney-houston-denise-huxtable-a-different-world-reunion-1234721126/ |title=Whitney Houston Was Almost Cast As Denise Huxtable On 'The Cosby Show' |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |date=December 21, 2022 |author=Mya Abraham |accessdate=March 27, 2025}}</ref> Houston landed a cameo role on ''[[Gimme a Break!]]'', was featured in a [[Canada Dry]] commercial and also sang [[commercial jingle]]s, including one for the restaurant brand, [[Steak & Ale]].<ref name="WhitneyJingles">{{cite web |url=https://bennigans.com/whitney-houston-steak-ale-advert/ |title=Listen to a young Whitney Houston's stunning vocal in unearthed TV 'Steak & Ale' Advert |work=Bennigans |last=Lovejoy|first=Hannah |date=October 25, 2021 |accessdate=April 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="commercials">{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-houstons-early-tv-commercials-she-could-really-sell-it-2012-2 |title=Whitney Houston's Early TV Commercials: She Could Really Sell It |work=[[Business Insider]] |author=Jim Edward's |date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2026}}</ref>

Houston did not begin work on an album immediately.<ref name="Finkelman2009">{{cite book|last=Finkelman|first=Paul|title=Encyclopedia of African American history, 1896 to the present: from the age of segregation to the twenty-first century|year=2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-516779-5|pages=459–460}}</ref> The label wanted to make sure no other company 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.<ref name="WhitneysManager2"/> After seeing her perform in New York, [[Michael Masser]] paired Houston with [[Teddy Pendergrass]], on the duet, "[[Hold Me (Teddy Pendergrass and Whitney Houston song)|Hold Me]]", which appeared on his album, ''[[Love Language (Teddy Pendergrass album)|Love Language]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wynn |first=Ron |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-language-mw0000650618#review |title=''Love Language'' Album Review |work=AllMusic}}</ref> Released in May 1984, the song was Houston's first hit, reaching the top ten of the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] and [[Hot Adult Contemporary Chart|adult contemporary]] charts.<ref name="Inc.2002kui">{{cite magazine|title=Arista Aims New Houston Album at 'Core Urban' Fans|magazine=Billboard|date=December 14, 2002|page=64|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> 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 (Jermaine Jackson album)|Dynamite]]'' album, while also appearing with Jackson performing the song and another duet, "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do", on an episode of ''[[As the World Turns]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/photo/whitney-houston-jermaine-jackson-on-as-the-world-turns/ |work=WhitneyHouston.com |title=Whitney Houston & Jermaine Jackson On 'As The World Turns' |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> All three songs eventually appeared on her debut album.

=== 1985–1986: ''Whitney Houston'' and rise to international prominence ===
''[[Whitney Houston (album)|Whitney Houston]]'' was released on [[Valentine's Day]], February 14, 1985.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/12/whitney-houston-obituary |last=Sullivan |first=Caroline |title=Whitney Houston obituary |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 11, 2012|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> The album received mixed to positive reviews in its initial run, with most of the positive remarks aimed at Houston's vocal ability. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called Houston "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".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Shewey|first=Don|title=Music Review: ''Whitney Houston''|date=June 6, 1985|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-houston-19850606|access-date=March 17, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231222/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-houston-19850606|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author-link=Stephen Holden|last=Holden|first=Stephen|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/12/arts/critics-choices-pop-music.html|title=Critic's Choice; Pop Music|newspaper=The New York Times|page=A2|date=May 12, 1985}}</ref> Debuting at number 166 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] on March 30, 1985, the album reached the top ten 23 weeks later.<ref name="BB081985">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1985-08-31/ |title=Billboard 200 (week of August 31, 1985) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=August 31, 1985 |accessdate=July 28, 2024}}</ref> It reached number one in March 1986, where it stayed for 14 weeks—the longest run of any debut album by a woman.<ref name="Inc.1986">{{cite magazine|title=Charts '86|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52|date=December 27, 1986|page=52|issn=0006-2510}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://billboard.com/artist/whitney-houston/chart-history/tlp |title=Whitney Houston - Chart History: Billboard 200 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref>

''Whitney Houston'' spawned four top ten singles on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], tying a then-record set by [[Cyndi Lauper]] and [[Madonna]] for most top ten singles off an album released by a female artist. The first single, "[[You Give Good Love]]", peaked at number three and attracted some notoriety after advice columnist [[Eppie Lederer|Ann Landers]] included it in her list of rock songs deemed "trashy music" on her ''[[Ask Ann Landers]]'' column; Houston quickly addressed Landers's comments in an interview with ''[[The Chicago Tribune]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hope your children outgrow trashy music|first=Ann|last=Landers|author-link=Ann Landers|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YiFRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6796,627717&dq|newspaper=[[Telegraph Herald|The Telegraph-Herald]]|publisher=Woodward Communications, Inc|date=July 7, 1985|access-date=July 28, 2024}}</ref><ref name="850929chicagotribune2">{{cite news |author=Lynn Van Matre|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/09/29/with-dionne-cissy-and-aretha-in-the-family-how-can-whitney-houston-fail/|title=With Dionne, Cissy And Aretha In The Family, How Can Whitney Houston Fail?|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 29, 1985|access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref> The three follow-up singles "[[Saving All My Love for You]]", "[[How Will I Know]]" and "[[Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston recording)|Greatest Love of All]]" topped the Hot 100 back-to-back, setting a new record for a female artist for most number one hits off a single album.<ref name="houstonhits2">{{cite news|last=Grein|first=Paul|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-08-ca-9249-story.html|title=Houston Hits: Master Plan, Blind Luck|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 8, 1986}}</ref> Two days after achieving her first number one hit, Houston opened at [[Carnegie Hall]].<ref name="whitneyosborne2">{{cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1985/08/04/singer-whitney-houston-hits-a-high-note-early-in-her-career/|title=SINGER WHITNEY HOUSTON HITS A HIGH NOTE EARLY IN HER CAREER|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=August 4, 1985|accessdate=June 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name="CarnegieHall2">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/29/arts/pop-whitney-houston-in-carnegie-hall-debut.html|title=POP: WHITNEY HOUSTON IN CARNEGIE HALL DEBUT|work=[[New York Times]]|date=October 29, 1985|last=Holden|first=Stephen|accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref> In addition, the ballad "[[All at Once (Whitney Houston song)|All at Once]]" became an international hit in Europe and Japan.<ref name="Inc.19852">{{cite magazine|title=Whitney Houston's Success Is Global|magazine=Billboard|date=June 8, 1985|page=54|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>

A global success, ''Whitney Houston'' reached the top ten in twenty global territories, including the [[UK Albums Chart|UK]], and topped the charts in six others, including [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canada]] and [[ARIA Albums Chart|Australia]]. The album has since been certified [[RIAA certification#List of certifications|Diamond]] in the United States for sales of 14 million copies,<ref name="whitneycert2">{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Whitney Houston|type=album|accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref> with over 25 million units sold worldwide, becoming the best-selling solo debut album in music history and the [[List of best-selling albums by women|best-selling debut album by a female artist]].<ref>{{cite news |date=February 11, 2012|title=Music Industry Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/singer-whitney-houston-memorialized-at-pre-grammy-awards-gala-139178279/151922.html|access-date=June 15, 2024|work=[[Voice of America]]}}</ref> The album is also listed in the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the best-selling R&B studio album by a female artist in history.<ref name="ww3">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3088195/ns/dateline_nbc/t/inside-whitneys-world/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212083629/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3088195/ns/dateline_nbc/t/inside-whitneys-world|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2013|title=Inside Whitney's world|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=September 28, 2013|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref><ref name="ww22">{{cite web|url=http://www.phillytrib.com/news/philly-reflects-on-houston-s-legacy/article_22dfde85-a3d9-5e50-a559-101ab627e6d3.html|title=Philly reflects on Houston's legacy|work=[[The Philadelphia Tribune]]|first1=Bobbi|last1=Booker|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref><ref name="guinness52">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec2000engl/page/126/mode/1up?view=theater&q=whitney+houston|title=Guinness world records 2000|last=Kynaston|first=Nic|page=126|date=2000|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|isbn=978-1-892051-00-4|access-date=June 1, 2023}}</ref><ref name="popqueen2">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/25/arts/whitney-houston-pop-s-new-queen.html|title=WHITNEY HOUSTON - POP'S NEW QUEEN|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 25, 1986|author=[[Stephen Holden]]|accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

In a May 25, 1986 article on ''The New York Times'', journalist [[Stephen Holden]] declared Houston "the new [[Honorific nicknames in popular music|queen of pop]]".<ref name="popqueen">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/25/arts/whitney-houston-pop-s-new-queen.html |title=WHITNEY HOUSTON - POP'S NEW QUEEN |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 25, 1986 |author=[[Stephen Holden]] |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> The album's success was attributed to performances on [[late-night talk show]]s, a format not often accessible to emerging black talent at the time and exposure on music video stations, including [[MTV]], which at the time was receiving harsh criticism for not playing enough videos from artists of color while favoring predominantly white acts.<ref name="Inc.1986"/><ref name="Whitney Houston">{{cite episode|title=Whitney Houston |series=Headliners And Legends |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036702/|date=August 11, 2000|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021140553/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036702 |archive-date=October 21, 2009 }}</ref> Houston stated the channel rejected the clip to "You Give Good Love" for "being a very R&B kind of song", only for them to play the clip for "Saving All My Love for You" due to the song "hit(ting) so hard and explod(ing) so heavy" that they "had no choice but to play it".<ref name="whitneyMTV">{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzZgor4981M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/IzZgor4981M| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Whitney Houston Reminisces About '80s Music on MTV (2001 interview) |year=2001 |publisher=[[MTV]] |access-date=January 13, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In December, 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 and later led to Houston's music regularly being played on the channel, the first occurrence for a [[Black women in the American music industry|black female artist]].<ref name="MTVBarriers">{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/whitney-houston-1985-mtv-debut-114702351.html |title=Whitney Houston's 1985 MTV Debut Broke Barriers for Black Artists |date=February 12, 2023 |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref><ref name=salon>{{cite web|last=Traister|first=Rebecca|title=Didn't She Almost Have It All|work=Salon|date=April 13, 2006|url=https://www.salon.com/2012/02/12/didnt_she_almost_have_it_all/|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> The success of the "How Will I Know" video resulted in Houston winning the [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] in September. In July 1986, her first major world tour, ''[[The Greatest Love World Tour]]'', was launched and Houston performed on four continents for 54 shows until that December.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrMDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |title=Whitney Houston Headlines Her First Tour Across The Country |page=58 |author=Clarence Waldron |date=September 1, 1986 |access-date=January 25, 2026}}</ref>

Houston was ranked the top new pop artist of 1985 by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''; the following year, her debut was the [[List of best-selling albums by year in the United States|best-selling album of the year]].<ref name="Inc.1986"/> Houston was denied a nomination for the [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist]] due to her recordings in the [[1984 in music|previous year]], prompting a letter of protest from Clive Davis.<ref>{{cite news| first= Richard | last= Harrington | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/01/10/dire-straits-tops-list-for-grammys/c4a94511-d200-4624-81eb-fcdce2e977f7/| title= Dire Straits Tops List for Grammy's; We are the World Wins 6 Nominations|date=January 10, 1986|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> The album was nominated for five [[Grammy Awards|Grammys]], including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref name="Company1986b">{{cite magazine |title=Tina, Whitney Top Picks For Annual Grammy Awards |magazine=Jet |date=January 27, 1986 |page=57 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NrMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57}}</ref><ref name="Company1986c">{{cite magazine|title='We Are The World' Big Winner At 28th Grammys |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CrQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14 |date=March 17, 1986 |page=14 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> She won her first Grammy for "Saving All My Love for You" in the [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] category. Later, a performance of the song at the ceremony won Houston an [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program|Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]].<ref name="Company1986d">{{cite magazine|title='Cosby Show' Snubbed At Emmy Awards Ceremony; Receives Only One Honor |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5LADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16 |date=October 13, 1986 |page=16 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> She won her first seven [[American Music Awards]] from the album, out of a record 13 nominations.<ref name="Company1986e">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney, Aretha, Stevie Snare Honors At Recent American Music Awards |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lLQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |date=February 17, 1986 |page=56 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Company1987a">{{cite magazine| first1= Aldore | last1 = Collier | title = Whitney Houston: Why Success Won't Go to Her Head | magazine=Jet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wLMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58|date=February 16, 1987|page=58|issn=0021-5996}}</ref><ref name="Heppermann1">{{harvnb|Heppermann|2012|p=30}}</ref> Houston's debut album is listed as one of ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] and on the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]'s Definitive 200 list.<ref name="Rolling Stone Magazine">{{cite magazine| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/whitney-houston-whitney-houston-19691231 | title= 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone| date=November 18, 2003 | access-date =March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220143033/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/whitney-houston-whitney-houston-19691231 |archive-date=December 20, 2010}}</ref><ref name="The Definitive 200">{{cite web|url=http://www.definitive200.com/200_list.php |title=The Definitive 200|access-date=January 15, 2008 |publisher=The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|year=2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080113130726/http://definitive200.com/200_list.php |archive-date = January 13, 2008}}</ref> Houston's entrance into the music industry was considered one of the 25 musical milestones of the last 25 years, according to ''[[USA Today]]'' in 2007.<ref name="Gundersen">{{cite news| last=Gundersen | first=Edna | title=25 years of memorable musical moments |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/top25-musicmoments.htm?csp=34| access-date =January 1, 2008 | date=June 18, 2007}}</ref>

=== 1987–1989: ''Whitney'' ===
[[File:Whitney Houston - The Star-Ledger (1987).jpg|thumb|upright|Houston performing during the 1987–1988 [[Moment of Truth World Tour]]]]
Houston's second album, ''[[Whitney (album)|Whitney]]'', was released in June 1987. Mostly produced by [[Narada Michael Walden]], 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 is frustrating".<ref>{{cite magazine | first = Vince | last = Aletti | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-19870813 | title = Review: ''Whitney'' | magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = August 13, 1987 | access-date = March 16, 2011 | archive-date = June 28, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628230956/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-19870813 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Regardless of mixed reviews, the album enjoyed commercial success. On June 27, Houston became the first woman in music history to debut at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 with the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/102427-first-album-by-a-solo-female-to-debut-at-no-1-us |title=First solo female to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart |work=[[Guinness World Records]] |date=June 27, 1987 |accessdate=June 10, 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Company1988a"/><ref name="Inc.2000"/> The album stayed at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 for its first eleven weeks and is one of five albums to spend their first ten weeks or more at number one on the chart.<ref name="TaylorWhitney">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/06/29/taylor-swift-matches-one-of-whitney-houstons-most-impressive-feats/ |title=Taylor Swift Matches One of Whitney Houston's Impressive Feats |work=[[Forbes]] |first=Hugh |last=McIntyre |date=June 29, 2024 |accessdate=August 2, 2024}}</ref> 

The album's first single, "[[I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)]]", was a massive hit worldwide, selling over 18 million copies worldwide, becoming Houston's biggest hit at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2026 |title=Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', Originally Unpopular With Critics, Became a Best-Selling No. 1 Classic |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/whitney-houstons-wanna-dance-somebody-131713958.html |access-date=July 4, 2026 |work=[[Yahoo News]]}}</ref> It also became the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling single of the 1980's by a female artist]] and remains one of the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles of all time]]. The song peaked at number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and topped the charts in 17 countries, including Australia, West Germany and the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/08/06/perfect-planning-makes-whitney-no-1-again/ |title=PERFECT PLANNING MAKES WHITNEY NO. 1 AGAIN |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=August 6, 1987 |accessdate=February 11, 2024}}</ref> Three more singles from the album — "[[Didn't We Almost Have It All]]", "[[So Emotional]]" and "[[Where Do Broken Hearts Go]]" — reached number one on the Hot 100 within a six-month stretch. On April 23, 1988, Houston became the only artist in history to achieve seven consecutive number-one singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 with "Where Do Broken Hearts Go", breaking the previous record of six held by [[the Beatles]] and the [[Bee Gees]].<ref name="Company1988a">{{cite magazine|title=Whitney Breaks Record For Consecutive No. 1 Tunes |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WLADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54 |date=May 2, 1988 |page=54 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Inc.2000">{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA104|date=May 13, 2000|page=104|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Houston also broke an all-time record for most number ones recorded by a solo female artist at the time and broke her own record by producing four number one singles off the same album. When the fifth single, "[[Love Will Save the Day]]", peaked at number nine on the chart, Houston joined a small list of artists to have more than five top ten singles off an album.<ref name="MostTopTens">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/albums-five-top-10-hot-100-hits-6738611/10-whitney-houston-whitney-1987-billboard-1240/ |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX' & More: Albums With the Most Top 10 Hits |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=December 19, 2024 |first=Trevor|last=Anderson |accessdate=December 29, 2024}}</ref> ''Whitney'' has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2016 |title=Whitney Houston's Second Studio Album Turned 29 Yesterday |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/it/news/whitney-houstons-second-studio-album-turned-29-yesterday/#:~:text=Yesterday%20was%20the%2029th%20anniversary,selling%20debut%20album%2C%20Whitney%20Houston. |access-date=March 31, 2025 |newspaper=WhitneyHouston.com}}</ref> with ten million sold in the United States alone, where it has been certified Diamond.<ref name="whitneycert">{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Whitney Houston|type=album|accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/a687d9/this-day-in-black-history-june-27-1987|title=This Day in Black History: June 27, 1987|website=BET.com|access-date=December 7, 2019|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207063817/https://www.bet.com/news/national/2013/06/27/this-day-in-black-history-june-27-1987.html?cid=facebook|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Whitney'' earned Houston a second Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, while "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" won her a second Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.<ref name="Company1988c">{{cite magazine |title=Battle and Jackson Top Grammy Award Nominees |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bbsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |date=February 1, 1988 |page=56 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Company1988d">{{cite magazine |title=Blacks Turn Grammys Into A Show Biz Extravaganza |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jrsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52 |date=March 21, 1988 |page=52 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> Houston went on to win four American Music Awards, six ''Billboard'' awards and her first [[Soul Train Music Award]] for the album.<ref name="Company1988e">{{cite magazine |title=Anita Baker, Whitney Houston Top Black Winners At Recent American Music Awards Show |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fbsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |date=February 15, 1988 |page=60 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Company1989a">{{cite magazine |title=Houston, D. J. Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Jackson Top American Music Awards |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ib0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55 |date=February 20, 1989 |page=55 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="soultrain1">{{cite news | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WHwlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z_UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4413,1111334&dq=1988+soul+train+music+awards&hl=en | title = Showtime: Jackson is top winner at Soul Train Awards | work = [[The Washington Afro American]]| publisher = African-American News & Information Consortium | date = April 5, 1988 | access-date =June 28, 2010 | page = 6C}}</ref>

Houston launched her second world tour, the ''[[Moment of Truth World Tour]]'', in July 1987. The North American leg of the tour grossed more than $20 million, becoming one of the top ten tours on the continent, as well as the top female tour.<ref>MacDonald, Patrick. "U2, Bon Jovi were top concert acts of 1987". [[The Seattle Times]]. January 15, 1988. Page 5. Retrieved May 16, 2008.</ref><ref name="1987Tours">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-23-ca-9654-story.html |title=U2's $35-Million Gross Is Highest for '87 Tour |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 23, 1988 |author-link=Robert Hilburn|first=Robert|last=Hilburn |access-date=December 6, 2022}}</ref> An expansive tour, the singer toured 160 dates in four continents, including nine sold-out dates at London's [[Wembley Arena]]. During that period, Houston recorded one of the main [[Olympic theme song|theme songs]] for the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] in [[Seoul]], "[[One Moment in Time]]", which later became a top five US hit and hit number one in the UK, Germany and Europe and won Houston a [[Sports Emmy Award]].<ref name="Company1988h">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney, Aretha On Summer Olympics Album |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LL0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59 |date=September 12, 1988 |page=59 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number-ones.co.uk/1988-number-ones.html|title=1988 UK Number Ones|publisher=number-ones.co.uk|access-date=January 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single/for-date-593668800000|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707100451/http://www.officialcharts.de/charts.asp?cat=s&country=de&year=1988&date=19881024&x=38&y=11|url-status=live|archive-date=July 7, 2014|title=Top 100 Single-Charts|publisher=GfK Entertainment|date=October 24–30, 1988|website=Offizielle Deutsche Charts <!-- previously titled itself "charts.de" despite being hosted at officialcharts.de -->}}</ref><ref name="omit1">{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/anatomy-olympics-anthem-487188 |title=Whitney Houston's 'One Moment in Time': The Anatomy of an Olympic Anthem |date=August 5, 2016 |last=Tufayel|first=Ahmed |work=[[Newsweek]] |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref> 

Houston participated in the [[Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute]] at London's [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] in support of the then-imprisoned [[civil rights]] activist and the anti-apartheid movement. Houston had refused work in South Africa due to the country's then strict [[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid]] laws.<ref name="Company1988t">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney Houston Uses Fame To Help Good Causes |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mq4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59 |date=June 20, 1988 |page=59 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jim |last=Gilchrist|url=http://news.scotsman.com/comment/Diva--will-always-love.5579673.jp|title=Diva Will Always Love Limelight|work=The Scotsman |date=August 23, 2009|access-date=January 12, 2010|location=Edinburgh, UK}}</ref><ref name="Heppermann2">{{harvnb|Heppermann|2012|p=42}}</ref> The concert aired on June 11 of the year, was watched by half a billion viewers and raised $1 million in charities, raising awareness of apartheid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/13/arts/pop-music-s-homage-to-mandela.html|title=Pop Music's Homage to Mandela |last=Watrous|first=Peter|date=June 13, 1988|work=The New York Times}}</ref> That August, Houston held a benefit concert at [[Madison Square Garden]] to fund [[historically black colleges and universities|HBCUs]], raising a quarter of a million dollars.<ref name="Company1988g">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney Houston's Concert Raises $250,000 For UNCF |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lr0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54 |date=September 19, 1988 |page=54 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> Houston's [[philanthropy]] continued in 1989 when she founded 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whitneyhoustonfoundation.org/about/#:~:text=In%201989%2C%20Whitney%20formed%20her,playgrounds%20and%20provided%20college%20scholarships. |title=Abou |accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whfoundation.com/ |title=Whitney Houston Foundation for Children |access-date=April 22, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007082548/http://www.whfoundation.com/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 }}</ref> 

Houston's unprecedented success during this era caused ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine to take notice. In 1987, she ranked 8th place among the highest-paid entertainers in show business, earning $43 million, only trailing [[Bill Cosby]] and [[Eddie Murphy]].<ref name="Company1987g">{{cite magazine |title=Cosby's $84 Million Makes Him Richest Entertainer |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1q8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52 |date=September 28, 1987 |pages=52–53 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> She ranked 17th place in 1988.<ref>"Forbes Names Jackson as the Best-Paid Star 5 Women, 3 Boxers on List of 40 Celebrities". ''Los Angeles Times''. September 19, 1988. Page 2.</ref><ref name="Company1988i">{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Earns $97 Million To Become Highest Paid Entertainer |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=za8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12 |date=October 3, 1988 |page=12 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

=== 1990–1991: ''I'm Your Baby Tonight'' and "The Star-Spangled Banner" ===
[[File:Whitney Houston (cropped3).JPEG|alt=|left|thumb|upright|Houston performing "Greatest Love of All" on the ''Welcome Home Heroes'' concert in 1991]]
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]]".<ref name=Soul>{{cite episode |series = A History of Soul Music |network =[[VH1]]|airdate=October 18, 2007}}</ref> They felt her singing on record lacked the soul that was present during her live concerts.<ref name="Cain-1990">{{cite magazine|last=Duckett Cain|first=Joy|date=December 2003|title=The Soul of Whitney|magazine=Essence}}</ref> At the [[1989 Soul Train Music Awards]], when Houston's name was called out for a nomination, a few in the audience jeered.<ref name="Company1991a">{{cite magazine|title=Ebony|magazine = Ebony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UdQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA112|date=May 1991 |page=112|issn=0012-9011}}</ref><ref name="Norment-1991"/> 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."<ref name="Cain-1990" /> 

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 the first time in her career, Houston recruited the production team of [[Antonio "L.A." Reid]] and [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]], as well as [[Luther Vandross]] and [[Stevie Wonder]] for the album, while retaining previous producer Walden. Reviews were mixed to positive. ''Rolling Stone'' felt it was her "best and most integrated album",<ref>{{cite magazine | first = James | last = Hunter | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/im-your-baby-tonight-19910110 | title = Review: ''I'm Your Baby Tonight'' | magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = January 10, 1991 | access-date = March 16, 2011 | archive-date = February 16, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120216213000/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/im-your-baby-tonight-19910110 | url-status = dead }}</ref> while ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', at the time thought Houston's shift towards an urban direction was "superficial".<ref>{{cite web | author = Browne, David | url = https://ew.com/article/1990/11/23/im-your-baby-tonight/ | title = Music Review: ''I'm Your Baby Tonight'' | magazine = Entertainment Weekly | date = November 23, 1990 | access-date = March 16, 2011 | archive-date = February 16, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120216232023/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318684,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref> 

Commercially, the album was a success, peaking 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/Hip-Hop Albums|Top R&B Albums]] chart, staying there for eight weeks. As a result, Houston earned four [[Billboard Music Awards]], including the top-selling R&B album of 1991.<ref name="whitneybillboard">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/whitney-houston/chart-history/ |title=Whitney Houston: Chart History |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=June 16, 2022}}</ref> Houston returned to the top of the Hot 100 with [[I'm Your Baby Tonight (song)|the title track]] and "[[All the Man That I Need]]", helping Houston to set another chart record by being the first female soloist to have multiple number one pop songs on three albums at least.<ref name="multipleones">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/the-weeknd-die-for-you-michael-jackson-hot-100-history-ask-billboard-1235283505/ |title=The Weeknd Matches Michael Jackson for Hot 100 history |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |last=Trust|first=Gary |date=March 10, 2023 |accessdate=June 20, 2023}}</ref>{{efn|Along with Houston, the other acts who have done this include [[the Supremes]], [[the Beatles]], [[Michael Jackson]], [[Mariah Carey]], [[Janet Jackson]] and [[The Weeknd]].<ref name="multipleones"/>}} The title track, in particular, gave Babyface and Reid their first number one pop single, while "All the Man That I Need" became Houston's third single to top the pop, R&B and AC charts. The ballad "[[Miracle (Whitney Houston song)|Miracle]]" and the more [[hip-hop]] driven "[[My Name Is Not Susan]]" followed those singles inside the top 20, with "Miracle" reaching the top ten. The remix of "My Name Is Not Susan" included rapper [[Monie Love]].<ref name="monielove">{{cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/article/meoorp/monie-love-interview-queen-latifah-whitney-houston-new-project |title=Monie Love Talks About Her First New Solo Project in 30 Years |work=[[BET]] |date=April 6, 2023 |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref> 

''I'm Your Baby Tonight'' would go on to sell ten million units worldwide, including going platinum four times in the US.<ref name="whitneycert"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/musics-30-fiercest-feuds-beefs-taylor-kanye-slash-axl-w498640/mariah-carey-vs-whitney-houston-w498794|title=Music's 30 Fiercest Feuds and Beefs|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first1=Jordan|last1=Runtagh|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=October 10, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019161624/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/musics-30-fiercest-feuds-beefs-taylor-kanye-slash-axl-w498640/mariah-carey-vs-whitney-houston-w498794|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to winning the four Billboard Music Awards, Houston was nominated for several Grammys and American Music Awards for the album. A bonus track from the album's Japanese edition, "[[Higher Love#Kygo and Whitney Houston version|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 reached number two in the UK, becoming Houston's highest-charting single in the country since 1999.<ref name="copsey">{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Rob |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/higher-love-is-now-whitney-houstons-longest-running-single-ever-on-the-top-100-official-uk-singles-chart__28910/ |title=Higher Love is now Whitney Houston's longest-running single ever on the Top 100 Official UK Singles Chart |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=February 28, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref>

During the [[Persian Gulf War]], on January 27, 1991, Houston performed "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]", the US [[national anthem]], at [[Super Bowl XXV]] at [[Tampa Stadium]].<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/24/arts/pop-view-caution-now-entering-the-war-zone.html|title=Pop View; Caution: Now Entering The War Zone |last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=February 24, 1991|access-date=October 5, 2008 | work=The New York Times}}</ref> Houston's vocals were pre-recorded, prompting criticism.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-LoDAAAAMBAJ&q=whitney&pg=PA60 |magazine=Jet |date=March 18, 1991 |via=Google Books |page=60 |title=Whitney Houston Did Not Lip-Sync National Anthem}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QllYAAAAIBAJ&pg=6886,181496&dq=whitney+houston+lip+sync+national+anthem+super+bowl&hl=en|title=Spokane Chronicle - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UXYhAAAAIBAJ&pg=2914,1099122&dq=whitney+houston+star+spangled+banner+memorex&hl=en|title=The Daily Gazette - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref><ref name="ABC Hudson">{{cite news|first1=Luchina|last1=Fisher|first2=Sheila|last2=Marikar|title =Hudson's Super Bowl Lip-Sync No Surprise to Insiders| publisher =ABC News| date = February 3, 2009| access-date = January 22, 2013| url =https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WinterConcert/story?id=6788924&page=1}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UXYhAAAAIBAJ&pg=2914,1099122&dq=whitney+houston+star+spangled+banner+memorex&hl=en | title = Was Whitney live, or was she Memorex? | publisher = The Daily Gazette Co. | agency = Associated Press | date= March 5, 1991 | access-date = March 31, 2011 | page = A6}}</ref> Nevertheless, a [[The Star Spangled Banner (Whitney Houston recording)|commercial single and video of the performance]] reached the Top 20 on the US Hot 100, giving Houston the biggest chart hit for a performance of the national anthem.{{efn|[[José Feliciano]]'s version reached number 50 in November 1968.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jose-feliciano/chart-history/hsi/|title=Jose Feliciano - Billboard Chart History|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=June 10, 2025}}</ref>}}<ref name="Company1991r">{{cite magazine|title=Whitney Houston's Star Spangled Banner To Be Released On Cassette |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E7sDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31 |date=February 18, 1991 |page=31 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Otfinoski2010">{{cite book|first=Steven|last=Otfinoski|author-link=Steven Otfinoski|title=African Americans in the performing arts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gnXQSqTx2h0C&pg=PT116|access-date=February 12, 2012|date=April 1, 2010|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7838-7|pages=116–}}</ref>

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.<ref name="nytimes" /><ref name="Company199u1">{{cite magazine |title=Houston Raises $500,000 For Red Cross; Named To Its Board Of Governors |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RrADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37 |date=June 17, 1991 |page=37 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>Blair, Tom. "The village verbiage collector". ''The San Diego Union''. May 23, 1991. Page B1.</ref> Her rendition was critically acclaimed and is considered the benchmark for singers;<ref name="ABC Hudson" /><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/02/jennifer-hudson-delivers-super-bowl-stage/?page=1 | title = Jennifer Hudson delivers on Super Bowl stage |work=The Washington Times | publisher = [[News World Media Development]] | date = February 2, 2009 | access-date =March 27, 2011}}</ref> VH1 listed the performance as one of the greatest moments that rocked TV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/63773/episode_wildcard.jhtml?wildcard=/shows/dynamic/includes/wildcards/the_greatest/rocked_tvmoments/complete_list_20.jhtml&event_id=63773|title=100 Greatest Moments That Rocked TV (20–1)|publisher=[[VH1]]|access-date=December 27, 2021|archive-date=May 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529034954/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/63773/episode_wildcard.jhtml?wildcard=%2Fshows%2Fdynamic%2Fincludes%2Fwildcards%2Fthe_greatest%2Frocked_tvmoments%2Fcomplete_list_20.jhtml&event_id=63773|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks]], the single was rereleased, with all profits going towards the firefighters and victims of the attacks. It reached number 6 in the Hot 100 and was certified platinum.<ref name="thestarspangledbannnerriaa">{{cite web | url = https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=star%20spangled%20banner&artist=whitney%20houston&format=SINGLE&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25 | title = Gold & Platinum&nbsp;– Search Results for "The Star Spangled Banner" single and its video single | publisher = [[Recording Industry Association of America]] | date = October 3, 2001 | access-date = March 17, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130725045044/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=star%20spangled%20banner&artist=whitney%20houston&format=SINGLE&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25 | archive-date = July 25, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The song's re-charting made Houston the first woman to chart the same song inside the top 20 of the Hot 100.<ref name="top20repeat">{{cite web |url=https://top40weekly.com/top-20-songs-charted-twice-by-same-artist/ |title=Top 20 Songs Charted Twice by Same Artist |work=Top40Weekly.com |date=July 24, 2024}}</ref> In March 1991, Houston put together her ''[[Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston|Welcome Home Heroes]]'' concert with [[HBO]] for the soldiers fighting in the Persian Gulf War and their families. The free concert took place at [[Naval Station Norfolk]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], Virginia in front of 3,500 servicemen and women. HBO descrambled the concert so that it was free for everyone to watch.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Patricia |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/59168720.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+1%2C+1991&author=Patricia+Smith%2C+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=NOPGCIT&desc=Mom%2C+apple+pie+and+Whitney+Houston+in+concert+for+troops |title=Mom, apple pie and Whitney Houston in concert for troops |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725032104/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/59168720.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+1%2C+1991&author=Patricia+Smith%2C+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=NOPGCIT&desc=Mom%2C+apple+pie+and+Whitney+Houston+in+concert+for+troops |archive-date=July 25, 2013 |work=The Boston Globe |date=April 1, 1991 |volume=239 |issue=91 |page=41 |id={{Factiva|bstngb0020011109dn41008c9}}. {{ProQuest|2745130944|294593800}}.}}</ref> The show gave HBO its highest ratings ever at the time.<ref>Hodges, Anne. "Hope opens his home to U.S. troops". ''Houston Chronicle'' April 6, 1991.</ref> 

Houston embarked on her third world tour, the ''[[I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour]]'', in which Houston performed 99 shows, including a 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",<ref>Wilker, Deborah. "Whitney Houston: Bigger – but better?" ''Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel.'' June 13, 1991. Page 3E.</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'' praised Houston for "shak[ing] the confinements of her recordings' calculated productions and gets downright gutsy and soulful".<ref>Jones, James T. "Whitney is so emotional, soulful in concert". ''USA Today''. April 19, 1991. Page 01D.</ref>

=== 1992–1994: ''The Bodyguard'' ===
With 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.<ref name="Norment-1991">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |date=May 1991 |first1=Lynn |last1=Norment |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UdQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA110 |title=Whitney Houston Talks About The Men In Her Life – And The Rumors, Lies And Insults That Are The High Price Of Fame | volume = 46 | issue = 7 | issn = 0012-9011 | pages = 111–118}}</ref> Her first film role was in ''[[The Bodyguard (1992 film)|The Bodyguard]]'', released in 1992. Houston played a star who is being 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 the interracial nature of her character's relationship with Costner's character.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/02/05/close-whitney-houston/|title=Up close with Whitney Houston|first1=Meredith|last1=Berkman|date=February 5, 1993|access-date=July 28, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809012013/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305461_4,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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&nbsp;– I'm black. You can't hide that fact."<ref name="RS93" />

The film received mixed reviews. While Houston was accused of merely "playing herself" but came out "largely unscathed",<ref>{{cite news | first = Rita | last = Kempley | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/thebodyguardrkempley_a0a2f7.htm | title = The Bodyguard |newspaper=The Washington Post | date = November 25, 1992| access-date =October 30, 2011}}</ref> and "lacked chemistry" with her co-star,<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | url = https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE6DE1E3DF936A15752C1A964958260 | first = Janet | last = Maslin | title = Review/Film: The Bodyguard; Tragic Flaw Meets Pampered Pop Star Over Multiple Risks | date = November 25, 1992 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref> another review wrote that she "photographs wonderfully, and has a warm smile, and yet is able to suggest selfish and egotistical dimensions in the character."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-bodyguard-1992 |work=RogerEbert.com |date=November 25, 1992 |title=The Bodyguard (1992) |author=[[Roger Ebert]] |accessdate=April 17, 2025}}</ref> Houston was nominated for [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Actress]] at the [[NAACP Image Awards]], the [[1993 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Award]] for Best Female Performance and the [[People's Choice Award]] nod for Favorite Actress in a Dramatic Motion Picture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/people-s-choice-noms-out-103669/ |title=People's Choice noms out |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=February 3, 1993 |accessdate=June 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/a-look-back-at-1993-and-the-second-annual-mtv-movie-awards/ |title=A look back at 1993 and the second annual MTV Movie Awards |work=[[Uproxx]] |date=April 14, 2013 |accessdate=June 3, 2023}}</ref> Upon its release, ''The Bodyguard'' grossed more than $121&nbsp;million in the U.S. and $410&nbsp;million worldwide, making it one of the top 100 highest-grossing films in history at its time of release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm?page=3&p=.htm| title=All Time Box Office Domestic Grosses|publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=January 12, 2010}}</ref> It remains in the top 50 of most successful [[Motion Picture Association film rating system|R-rated]] [[List of highest-grossing R-rated films|films in box-office history]].<ref name="BodyguardRatedR">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1967556097/weekend/ |title=The Bodyguard - Box Office Mojo |accessdate=December 6, 2022}}</ref>

The film's [[The Bodyguard (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] also enjoyed success. As [[executive producer]] of the soundtrack, Houston recorded six tracks, two of which she produced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/whitney-houston-bodyguard-soundtrack-reissue/|title=Whitney Houston Estate to Reissue 'The Bodyguard' Soundtrack for 25th Anniversary|first1=Bianca|last1=Garwood|date=October 13, 2017|website=EBONY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/deep-10-whitney-houstons-bodyguard-%E2%80%94-original-soundtrack-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412154658/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/deep-10-whitney-houstons-bodyguard-%E2%80%94-original-soundtrack-album |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |title=Deep 10: Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard – Original Soundtrack Album |date=November 17, 2016 |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences |access-date=September 7, 2021 |first=Chuck |last=Crisafulli}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' described it as "nothing more than pleasant, tasteful and urbane".<ref name="CD">{{cite magazine|magazine=CD review digest|title=Jazz, popular, etc|year=1994|volume=7|issue=4|publisher=Peri Press|page=174}}</ref> The soundtrack opened at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 and took the number-one spot the following week, accumulating 20 weeks atop the chart, the first album by a woman to do so. One of the fastest-selling albums ever,<ref name="Inc.2000b">{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA110|date=May 13, 2000|page=110|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> it became the first album in music history to sell more than a million copies in a single week under the [[Luminate (company)|Nielsen Soundscan]] tracking system.<ref>{{cite news | first = Aleene | last = MacMinn | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-31-ca-4117-story.html | title = Morning Report: Pop/Rock | newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = December 31, 1992 | access-date =September 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>"Whitney Houston gets a boost from Bodyguard". ''The Globe and Mail''. January 1, 1993. Page C6.</ref> ''The Bodyguard'' became the first album in history by a female artist to be certified diamond by the RIAA after it passed the ten-million mark in early November 1993.<ref name="whitneycert"/> It has since gone on to sell more than 19 million copies alone in the US, with total sales reaching 45 million copies worldwide, becoming the [[List of best-selling albums by women|best-selling album by a female artist]] and the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling soundtrack album]] in history,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/bodyguard-soundtrack-25-years-after-whitney-houstons-masterpiece|title='The Bodyguard' Soundtrack: 25 Years After Whitney Houston's Masterpiece|publisher=[[Grammy Awards]]|access-date=June 21, 2023|first=Billy|last=Johnson Jr|date=November 8, 2017}}</ref> earning Houston several [[Guinness World Records]].<ref>''The Bodyguard Soundtrack'' worldwide sales:
* {{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/american-music-awards-christina-aguilera-honor-whitney-houston-bodyguard-tribute-1052841|title=American Music Awards: Christina Aguilera to Honor Whitney Houston With 'Bodyguard' Tribute|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2019|first1=Nordyke|last1=Kimberly}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/11/09/exclusive-whitney-houstons-bodyguard-turns-25-never-before-seen-performance/845384001/|title=Exclusive: Whitney Houston's 'Bodyguard' turns 25 with never-before-seen performance|work=[[USA Today]]|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2019|first1=Ryan|last1=Patrick}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/deep-10-whitney-houstons-bodyguard-%E2%80%94-original-soundtrack-album|title=Deep 10: Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard – Original Soundtrack Album|publisher=[[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]|date=May 15, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2019|first1=Crisafulli|last1=Chuck}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/890234/christina-aguilera-will-honor-whitney-houston-and-the-bodyguard-s-25th-anniversary-at-the-2017-amas|title=Christina Aguilera Will Honor Whitney Houston and The Bodyguard's 25th Anniversary at the 2017 AMAs|work=[[E! News]]|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2019|first1=Johnson|last1=Zach}}
* {{cite magazine|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/whitney-houston-bodyguard-soundtrack-reissue/|title=Whitney Houston Estate to Reissue 'The Bodyguard' Soundtrack for 25th Anniversary|magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|date=October 13, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2019|first1=Garwood|last1=Bianca}}</ref>

At the [[36th Annual Grammy Awards|1994 Grammy Awards]], Houston won the Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] for the soundtrack and was the first black woman to win as producer as well as artist.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pdominguez/whitney-houston-was-more-than-the-voice |title=This Is How The Biggest Movie Soundtrack Of All Time Got Made |website=BuzzFeed News |date=November 21, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |first=Alessa |last=Dominguez}}</ref> In addition to the Grammy, Houston also won a record-setting eight American Music Awards, eleven [[Billboard Music Awards]], five [[NAACP Image Awards]] and earned the [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Music Award]] for the [[Soul Train Music Award for Sammy Davis Jr. – Entertainer of the Year|Sammy Davis Jr. Entertainer of the Year]] honor.<ref name="Company1994yu">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney Houston Eight American Music Awards Make Her Top Female Winner |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vcADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |date=February 28, 1994 |page=56 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | first1 = J.R. | last1 = Reynolds | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34 | title = The Rhythm and the Blues: 8th Soul Train Awards Are Aglow With Stellar Performances, Star Appearances | volume = 106 | issue = 13 | page = 34 | date = March 26, 1994 | access-date =June 29, 2010 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Crisis | first1 = Denise | last1 = Crittendon | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=U1kEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34 | title = Stars Shine At The NAACP Image Awards | volume = 101 | issue = 2 | page = 34 | issn = 0011-1422 | date = February–March 1994 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | first1 = J.R. | last1 = Reynolds | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15 | title = The Rhythm and the Blues: Tupac's Loss May Preserve Awards' Image; New Indies Form Out West And Down South | volume = 106 | issue = 3 | page = 15 | date = January 15, 1994 | access-date =June 29, 2010 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref><ref name="1994naacplatimes">{{cite news | newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] | first = Marisa | last = Leonardi | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-07-ca-9458-story.html | title = Michael Jackson Shares Whitney Houston's Spotlight, Honors: Houston wins five NAACP Image Awards, but Jackson gets cheers in a show marked by controversy | date = January 7, 1994 | access-date =June 29, 2010}}</ref> Houston also earned international honors for the soundtrack, including a [[Juno Award for International Album of the Year|Juno Award]], five [[World Music Awards]], six [[Japan Gold Disc Awards]] and a [[1994 Brit Awards|Brit Award]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | first1 = Mark | last1 = Dezzani | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41| title = World Music Awards Gaining Stature | volume = 106 | issue = 21 | page = 41 | date = May 21, 1994 | access-date =June 29, 2010 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.brits.co.uk/history/the-brits-1994/ | title = The BRITs 1994 <!-- see page section that was named "Winners & Nominees" --> | publisher = [[British Phonographic Industry]] | date = February 14, 1994 | access-date = June 29, 2010 | archive-date = December 26, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091226220659/http://www.brits.co.uk:80/history/shows/1994 | url-status = live |website=The BRIT Awards}}</ref> 

The soundtrack's lead single was "[[I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston recording)|I Will Always Love You]]", written and originally recorded by [[Dolly Parton]]. 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 a [[wikt:tour de force|tour-de-force]].<ref name="rollingstonetop100singers">{{cite magazine|magazine=Rolling Stone | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-147019/whitney-houston-8-222509/ | title = 100 Greatest Singers of All Time (2008) | date = December 3, 2010 | access-date = March 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=USA Today|url-access=subscription|first=James T. IV <!-- see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Biography#Generational_and_regnal_suffixes --> |last=Jones|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56240516.html?dids=56240516:56240516&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+17%2C+1992&author=James+T.+Jones+IV&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Houston+heroic+on+%60Bodyguard'+album&pqatl=google|title=Houston heroic on 'Bodyguard' album |date=November 17, 1992|access-date=September 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725061950/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56240516.html?dids=56240516%3A56240516&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Nov+17%2C+1992&author=James+T.+Jones+IV&pub=USA+TODAY+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Houston+heroic+on+%60Bodyguard%27+album&pqatl=google|archive-date=July 25, 2012|page=1D|id={{Factiva|usat000020011108dobh00tg0}}. {{NewsBank|0EB5683AF9BA71E2}}. [[Nexis Uni]] [https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn%3acontentItem%3a3SKM-YD50-005H-J0PV-00000-00 {{small|3SKM-YD50-005H-J0PV-00000-00}}]. {{ProQuest|306558190|408591088}}.|edition=FINAL}} (p. 9A of Wed. Nov. 18 international edition, [[Newspapers.com]] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/1146835007/ 1146835007].)</ref> The song went on to become the longest-running number one single in ''Billboard'' Hot 100 history at the time for a record setting 14 weeks. The song also became Houston's fourth record-setting "triple-crown" number one ''Billboard'' hit after it topped the R&B and AC charts.<ref name="whitneytriple">{{cite news | newspaper = [[Chicago Tribune]] | first = Jan | last = DeKnock | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-01-15-9303162594-story.html | title = Whitney Houston Hits 4th 'Triple' | date = January 15, 1993 | access-date = March 17, 2011 | archive-date = September 24, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200924133210/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-01-15-9303162594-story.html | url-status = live }}</ref>{{efn|Houston shares the feat with singer [[Lionel Richie]].<ref name="whitneytriple"/>}} It has gone on to sell more than eleven million units in the United States and was certified diamond in January 2021, making Houston just one of four female artists to earn a diamond-certified single and album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2022/01/12/whitney-houston-joins-taylor-swift-and-mariah-carey-in-an-extremely-rare-musical-feat/|title=Whitney Houston Joins Taylor Swift And Mariah Carey In An Extremely Rare Musical Feat|work=Forbes|date=January 12, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://thatgrapejuice.net/2024/07/katy-perry-becomes-the-fourth-female-artist-to-have-dimond-single-and-diamond-album-in-the-united-states/ |title= Katy Perry Becomes The Fourth Female Artist To Have A Diamond Single and Diamond Album In The United States |work=The Grape Juice |date=July 2, 2024 |access-date=July 8, 2024}}</ref> It remains the best-selling US single by a female artist.<ref name="Inc.1998l">{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rg4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10|date=April 11, 1998|page=10|issn=0006-2510}}</ref><ref name="iwalysoundscan">{{cite magazine | first = Gary | last = Trust | url = https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-battle-of-the-divas-round-3/ | title = Battle of the Divas, Round 3 |magazine=Billboard | date = August 28, 2009 | access-date =September 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/whitney-houston-i-will-always-love-you-diamond-status-1235018992/|title=Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' Is Certified Diamond by RIAA|magazine=Billboard|date=January 13, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref><ref name="guinnesssingle">{{cite web|accessdate=June 20, 2023 |title=Best-selling single by a female artist (US) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/102425-best-selling-single-by-a-female-artist-us |work=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> The song topped the charts in 34 countries and went on to sell 24 million units worldwide, becoming the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling single ever]] by a female solo artist.<ref>{{cite news|title=FIVE FAST FACTS ABOUT WHITNEY HOUSTON|url=https://houstonsymphony.org/five-fast-facts-about-whitney-houston/ |publisher= Houston Symphony |date= May 26, 2013 |access-date= December 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://calgaryphil.com/5-things-about-whitney-houston/|title=5 Things About Whitney Houston|date=February 23, 2023|language=en-US|access-date=December 2, 2023|archive-date=February 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223205911/https://calgaryphil.com/5-things-about-whitney-houston/#:~:text=Whitney's%20hit%20single%20I%20Will,actually%20written%20by%20Dolly%20Parton.|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song earned Houston the [[36th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammys]] for [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Pop Female Vocal Performance]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/record.htm|title=Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Record of the Year|website=rockonthenet.com}}</ref> 

The soundtrack's follow-up singles, "[[I'm Every Woman (Whitney Houston recording)|I'm Every Woman]]" and "[[I Have Nothing]]", both reached number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Houston set a new ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart record on March 13, 1993 when the two singles joined "I Will Always Love You" in simultaneously charting inside the top 20 in the same week, the first for an artist in the [[Luminate (company)|Nielsen SoundScan]] era.<ref name="charts93">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1993-03-13/ |title=Billboard Hot 100 (the week of March 13, 1993) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=March 13, 1993 |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | newspaper = [[Chicago Tribune]] | last = DeKnock | first = Jan | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/03/19/houston-still-plugged-in-as-contender/ | title = Houston Still Plugged In As Contender | date = March 19, 1993 | access-date =October 29, 2011 | page = O}}</ref><ref name="Inc.2001v">{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85|date=December 8, 2001|page=85|issn=0006-2510}}</ref><ref name="Inc.1993o">{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0w8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA134|access-date=February 13, 2012|date=March 13, 1993|pages=134–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bodyguard-anniversary-soundtrack-6327713/ |title='The Bodyguard' Anniversary: Revisiting the Soundtrack |author=Leslie Richin |date=November 25, 2014 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 13, 2025}}</ref> The fourth single, "[[Run to You (Whitney Houston song)|Run to You]]", achieved modest success in the US and UK, while "[[Queen of the Night (song)|Queen of the Night]]" reached the top 40 in several global charts and a remixed version topped the US dance chart. The success of ''The Bodyguard'' led to Houston becoming a [[magazine cover|cover story]] for ''Rolling Stone'' in its June 10, 1993 issue.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/whitney-houston-opens-up-about-her-marriage-fame-117344/ |title=Whitney Houston Opens Up About Her Marriage, Fame |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=June 10, 1993 |author=[[Anthony DeCurtis]] |accessdate=March 13, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Whitney Houston performs at state dinner for Mandela in 1994 2.png|alt=|thumb|right|Houston performing at a state dinner in the [[White House]] honoring South African president [[Nelson Mandela]] in 1994]]
Houston then embarked on her most expansive global tour to date: ''[[The Bodyguard World Tour]]''. She toured for nearly two years to mostly sold-out audiences across five continents. Houston eventually ranked as the third highest-earning female entertainer of 1993-94, according to ''Forbes'', named as one of the 100 most powerful people in Hollywood by ''[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]'' and placed in the top five of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s annual "Entertainer of the Year" ranking.<ref>{{cite news | work = San Francisco Chronicle | title = Steven Spielberg Is Mr. Entertainer | date = December 24, 1994 | page = D11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work = Telegram & Gazette | first = Jim | last = Keogh | title = Few women producers make the top 100 list | date = April 15, 1993| page = C2}}</ref> In 1994, [[Jet (magazine)|''Jet'']] reported that Houston was one of the top ten television celebrity spokespeople of the year according to Video Storyboard Tests due to her celebrity endorsement of [[AT&T]] that year.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RT0DAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Cosby, Houston, Belafonte Among Top Spokespeople |page=37 |date=November 7, 1994 |access-date=December 2, 2025}}</ref>

In October 1994, Houston attended and performed at a state dinner in the [[White House]] honoring newly elected South African president [[Nelson Mandela]].<ref>{{cite news | work = USA Today | last = Kelly | first = Katy | title = Greeting Mandela with elegance and esteem | date = October 5, 1994 | page = D02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work = [[The Free Lance–Star]] | date = October 5, 1994 | access-date =June 12, 2011 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FQMzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uQcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=6934,786142&dq | title = White House Lionizes Mandela | first = Nita | last = Lelyveld | page = A8}}</ref> At the end of her world tour, Houston performed three concerts in South Africa to honor President Mandela, playing to more than 200,000 people; this made her the first major musician to visit the newly unified and apartheid free nation following Mandela's winning election.<ref name=southafrica>{{cite news | work = Cincinnati Post | last = Paeth | first = Greg | title = HBO worth seeing | date = November 9, 1994 | page = 7B}}</ref> Portions of ''[[Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa]]'' were broadcast live on HBO with funds of 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".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8_W-QMJlBHIC&pg=PA116 |title=Whitney In South Africa |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |volume=50 |issue=4 |pages=116–124 |date=February 1995 |issn=0012-9011 }}</ref> In May 1995, Houston hosted the [[1995 Kids' Choice Awards|8th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]].<ref name="KCA 2007 Fun Facts">{{cite web|url=http://www.nickkcapress.com/2007KCA/funfacts.php|title=KCA Fun Facts - Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 Press Kit|publisher=[[Nickelodeon]]|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804105419/http://www.nickkcapress.com/2007KCA/funfacts.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> A month later, in June 1995, Houston's Whitney Houston Foundation for Children was awarded a VH1 Honor for all of their charitable work.<ref name="In1995">{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38|access-date=February 15, 2012|date=July 15, 1995|pages=38–|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>

=== 1995–1997: ''Waiting to Exhale'', ''The Preacher's Wife'' and ''Cinderella'' ===
In 1995, Houston starred in ''[[Waiting to Exhale]]'' as Savannah Jackson, a TV producer. Houston called the film "a breakthrough for the image of black women because it presents them both as professionals and as caring mothers".<ref name=prissy /> It [[List of 1995 box office number-one films in the United States|reached number one in the US box office]] and entered the highest-grossing film lists of both 1995 and 1996, eventually grossing over $67 million in the US, while grossing $81 million altogether worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=waitingtoexhale.htm |title=Waiting to Exhale (1995) |website=Box Office Mojo |date=March 2, 1996 |access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref> At the time of release, the film received mixed reviews from critics. According to Susan King from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', the film "showed the power of black actresses and led to other successful movies with ethnic casts."<ref name="exhale20">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-waiting-exhale-20151222-story.html |title=The impact of 'Waiting to Exhale' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |author=Susan King |date=December 22, 2015 |accessdate=March 27, 2025}}</ref> The film's success led to similar films such as ''[[How Stella Got Her Groove Back]]'', ''[[The Best Man (1999 film)|The Best Man]]'' and ''[[Diary of a Mad Black Woman]]''.<ref name="exhale20"/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/africanambib2.html|title=African American Filmmakers, African American Films: A Bibliography of Materials in the UC Berkeley Library|location=Berkeley, CA|publisher=UC Berkeley Library|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=February 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224090656/http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/africanambib2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| last=Ascher-Walsh|first=Rebecca| url=https://ew.com/article/1998/08/14/back-groove/| title=Back in the Groove?| magazine=Entertainment Weekly| date=August 14, 1998| access-date=February 20, 2020| archive-date=December 8, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208001109/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,284411,00.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=LaPorte|first=Nicole|url=https://variety.com/2005/biz/news/diary-of-a-mad-niche-hit-1117918919/|title=Diary of a Mad Niche Hit|magazine=Variety|date=March 6, 2005|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308073005/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117918919.html?categoryid=1055&cs=1|archive-date=March 8, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was also notable for its portrayal of black women as strong middle class citizens rather than as stereotypes.<ref>{{cite magazine| first1= Jack E. | last1= White | title= Heavy Breathing |date=January 15, 1996|magazine=Time | url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983966,00.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080528223545/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983966,00.html| url-status= dead| archive-date= May 28, 2008| access-date=March 17, 2007 }}</ref> Houston received positive reviews for her role, with ''The New York Times'' reporting: "Ms. Houston has shed the defensive hauteur that made her portrayal of a pop star in 'The Bodyguard' seem so distant."<ref>{{cite news|first1=Stephen|last1=Holden|date=December 22, 1995|access-date=December 1, 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9406E2DF1539F931A15751C1A963958260|title=Waiting to Exhale (1995) Film Review;4 Divas Have Lots Of Fun Telling Off Mr. Wrong|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Houston was nominated a second time for the [[NAACP Image Award]] for [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Actress]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Crisis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TFkEAAAAMBAJ&q=outstanding&pg=PA18-IA2|title=The 27th NAACP Image Awards Official Ballot|volume=103|issue=2|date=February 3, 1996|access-date=November 19, 2014|pages=20–22|issn=0011-1422}}</ref> 

Houston contributed three songs to the film's soundtrack and advised producer [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]] to make it an "album of women with vocal distinction".<ref name=prissy>{{cite magazine| first1= Christopher John | last1= Farley | title= No More Prissy |date=December 4, 1995|magazine=Time | url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983795-2,00.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080528223545/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983795-2,00.html| url-status= dead| archive-date= May 28, 2008| access-date=March 17, 2007 }}</ref> As a result, several other contemporary female R&B singers such as [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]], [[Mary J. Blige]] and [[Toni Braxton]] contributed to the soundtrack. Houston's single, "[[Exhale (Shoop Shoop)]]", debuted at number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], only the third single to do so.<ref name="Cane">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/article/n7l04h/waiting-to-exhale-celebrates-15-years-today |title='Waiting To Exhale' Celebrates 15 Years Today |website=BET.com |first=Clay |last=Cane |date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815021200/https://www.bet.com/news/celebrities/movie-reviews/what-the-flick-blog-reviews/2010/12/waiting-exhale-15-years.html?cid=facebook |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|It also became the first song from a soundtrack to debut at number one and is only one of four soundtrack songs to do so, the others being [[Celine Dion]]'s "[[My Heart Will Go On]]" and [[Aerosmith]]'s "[[I Don't Want to Miss a Thing]]", both released in 1998 and [[Justin Timberlake]]'s "[[Can't Stop the Feeling!]]" in 2016.}} Two other Houston singles from the soundtrack, "[[Count On Me (Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans song)|Count On Me]]", a duet with [[CeCe Winans]], and "[[Why Does It Hurt So Bad]]", also reached the US top 40, with "Count On Me" reaching number eight on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The soundtrack reached number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] in January 1996 and was certified seven-times platinum in the US.<ref name="Cane" /> The album received eleven Grammy nominations and the American Music Award for [[American Music Award for Favorite Soundtrack|Favorite Soundtrack]].<ref name="Cane"/> The soundtrack received strong reviews; as ''Entertainment Weekly'' stated: "the album goes down easy, just as you'd expect from a package framed by Whitney Houston tracks ... the soundtrack waits to exhale, hovering in sensuous suspense"<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=December 1, 1995|page=73}}</ref> and has since ranked it as one of the 100 Best Movie Soundtracks.<ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Chris|last1=Willman |title=100 Best Movie Soundtracks |date=October 12, 2001 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,254121,00.html |access-date=March 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209174030/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C254121%2C00.html |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

Houston's next film, the [[Christmas film|Christmas]] [[List of comedy films of the 1990s|comedy]] ''[[The Preacher's Wife]]'' (1996), was largely an update of ''[[The Bishop's Wife]]'' (1948) and starred Houston alongside [[Denzel Washington]] and [[Courtney B. Vance]]. Houston earned $10 million for the role, making her the highest-earning African-American actress in Hollywood at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Laurence|first=Charles |title=The Arts: The gospel according to Whitney| work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date= December 14, 1996}}</ref> The movie, with its all African-American cast, was a moderate success, earning about $50&nbsp;million in the US.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117372/business |title=Box office / Business for "The Preacher's Wife"|date=December 13, 1996 | access-date= February 15, 2008}}</ref> The film 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".<ref>{{cite news|last=Stack|first=Peter| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1996/12/13/DD36582.DTL | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021130120519/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1996/12/13/DD36582.DTL | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 30, 2002 |title=Human Comedy's Divine in 'Preacher's Wife'|work =San Francisco Chronicle|date= December 13, 1996}}</ref> Houston won the [[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award]] for [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture]] for the film.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Jet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mjkDAAAAMBAJ&q=whitney+houston&pg=PA61|title=Ebony's 50th Anniversary Show, Denzel Washington Among NAACP Image Award Winners |volume =95|issue=15|pages=60–61|date=March 3, 1997|access-date=November 19, 2014|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> 

The [[The Preacher's Wife (soundtrack)|accompanying soundtrack]] was Houston's first full-length foray into [[gospel music]], which she produced with [[Mervyn Warren]]. Six of the more traditional gospel tracks were recorded with the [[Georgia Mass Choir]] at the Great Star Rising Baptist Church in Atlanta. Upon its release, the soundtrack entered number three on the ''Billboard'' 200 and topped the [[Billboard charts#Top Gospel Albums|Top Gospel Albums]] chart, the first by a female artist.<ref name="WhitneyGospelChart">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/whitney-houston/chart-history/sll/ |title=Whitney Houston Chart History: Top Gospel Albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=July 16, 2023}}</ref> Three singles were released, including "[[I Believe in You and Me]]", which reached the US top-ten, and "[[Step by Step (Annie Lennox song)|Step by Step]]", which became a hit in Europe. The soundtrack sold six million units worldwide, becoming the best-selling gospel album of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.moviefone.com/2012/02/13/whitney-houston-interview/|title=Whitney Houston 1996 Interview Sheds Light on Movie Career, Personal Demons|first1=Gary|last1=Susman|date=February 13, 2012|access-date=December 1, 2014|work=[[Moviefone]]|publisher=AOL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129045846/http://news.moviefone.com/2012/02/13/whitney-houston-interview/|archive-date=November 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite its success, Houston complained of not receiving a gospel nomination at the [[40th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 1998 and responded by boycotting the ceremony.<ref name="grammysnub">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8z2jat/whitney-may-pass-on-grammys-over-gospel-snub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619210316/https://www.mtv.com/news/8z2jat/whitney-may-pass-on-grammys-over-gospel-snub |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |title=Whitney May Pass on Grammys Over Gospel Snub |work=[[MTV]] |date=February 18, 1998 |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref>{{efn|Houston told ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'', "basically it was my gospel album, and it was excluded from the gospel category altogether. I'm not going this year... I'm sick of work being done and people not recognizing it."<ref name="grammysnub"/>}} Houston's work was acknowledged by the [[GMA Dove Award|Dove Awards]] and the [[NAACP Image Awards]], where Houston received the award for [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist|Outstanding Gospel Artist]].

In 1996, Houston formed her film production company, BrownHouse Productions. [[Debra Martin Chase]] became her partner. 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.<ref name="brownhouse">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney Scores As Producer and Star |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |date= November 1997 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kYiyPoTrhDUC&pg=PA90|page=90|issue=1|volume=LIII|issn=0012-9011}}</ref> Their first project was a [[made-for-television]] remake of [[Rodgers and Hammerstein]]'s ''[[Cinderella (Rodgers and Hammerstein musical)|Cinderella]]''. In addition to co-producing, Houston starred in the film as the [[Fairy Godmother]] along with [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]], [[Jason Alexander]], [[Whoopi Goldberg]] and [[Bernadette Peters]]. Houston was initially offered the role of Cinderella in 1993, but other projects intervened.<ref>{{cite news|last=Purdum|first=Todd S. | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/02/arts/television-the-slipper-still-fits-though-the-style-is-new.html |title=Television; The Slipper Still Fits, Though the Style Is New| work=[[The New York Times]]| date= November 2, 1997}}</ref> The film is notable for its multi-racial cast and non-stereotypical message.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kYiyPoTrhDUC&pg=PA86 |title=Whitney & Brandy in Cinderella |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |date=November 1997 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> An estimated 60 million viewers tuned into the special giving ABC its highest TV ratings in 16 years.<ref name="Carter">{{cite news|last1=Carter|first1=Bill|title=TV Notes; Happy Ending For 'Cinderella'| work=The New York Times| page=7| date=November 5, 1997| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/05/arts/tv-notes-happy-ending-for-cinderella.html}}</ref> The movie received seven [[Emmy]] nominations including Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy, while winning Outstanding Art Direction in a Variety, Musical or Comedy Special. 

Houston and Chase held the [[Film rights|rights]] to [[Donald Bogle]]'s story about actress [[Dorothy Dandridge]], and spent five years trying to convince studios to make a [[Biographical film|biopic]] accordingly,<ref name="brownhouse" /> but on August 21, 1999, ''[[Introducing Dorothy Dandridge]]'', starring [[Halle Berry]] and based on a book by Earl Mills, debuted on [[HBO]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430186/19970409/houston_whitney.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525180508/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430186/whitney-houston-take-on-christie-love.jhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 25, 2013 |title= Whitney Houston To Take On "Christie Love"| publisher=Viacom|date= April 9, 1997 <!-- 7:55 AM EDT or EST -->|work=MTV News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archerd |first=Army |date=October 22, 1998 |title=Berry gets in character for Dandridge bio |url=https://variety.com/1998/voices/columns/berry-gets-in-character-for-dandridge-bio-1117481693/ |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Beth |date=August 3–4, 1999 |title=Halle Berry portrays Dorothy Dandridge in 'role of a lifetime' |id=<small>{{Factiva|aprs000020010829dv8407gnw}} (Newswires; {{small|<nowiki>RF: "Advance", IPC: "sldb0113 | sel----- | tagdsx", IPD: "Entertainment | AP News Features | PM-AP on TV-Dorothy Dandridge | 8920c2b20df8a8f0eb840ffd804e2245"</nowiki>}}), [https://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=asp0000020010826dv8401n08&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.asp0000020010826dv8401n08&cat=a&ep=ASE {{small|asp0000020010826dv8401n08}}] (Online; {{small|<nowiki>RF: "AP-AP-On-TV; D6UK74JG0", IPC: "1401", "IPD: Entertainment | TV"</nowiki>}}). {{NewsBank|1416DE6C806B7F88}} (News Service), {{NewsBank|plainlink=yes|0F8A1B8F4AB7F4FD}} (Archive), {{NewsBank|plainlink=yes|10B739B86C1877A8}} (Los Angeles Metro Area)</small>. |agency=Associated Press}} Syndicated as: {{Cite news |date=August 19, 1999 |title=Berry dreamed of playing Dandridge |work=The (Baltimore) Sun |page=5E |id={{Factiva|bsun000020010825dv8j00rwh}}, {{NewsBank|0EB3212D1FE3C78A}}, [[Newspapers.com]] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/173187353/ 173187353] |mode=cs2}}; {{Cite news |date=August 15, 1999 |title=Berry brings Dandridge out of the shadows<!-- p. 6 --> / Dandridge shook up the movies<!-- p. 7 --> |work=Austin American-Statesman |pages=6, 7 |id={{NewsBank|0E9C239119953012}}, [[Newspapers.com]] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/357010530/ 357010530], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/357010540/ 357010540] |mode=cs2}}; {{Cite news |date=August 4, 1999 |title=For Berry, portraying Dandridge is role of lifetime |work=Tulsa World |page=D5 |id={{NewsBank|0EB549E8A836FD1C}}, [[Newspapers.com]] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/894860882/ 894860882] |mode=cs2}}; etc.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hines |first=Crystal Nix |date=April 2003 |title=Hollywood Hit Maker |work=Essence |pages=138–142 |volume=33 |issue=12 |issn=0014-0880 |id={{EBSCOhost|9297867}}. {{Factiva|esnc000020030422dz410000v}}. {{ProQuest|223168381}}.}}</ref>

In October, a third HBO concert special, ''[[Classic Whitney: Live from Washington, D.C.]]'' aired with proceeds of the special going to [[Marian Wright Edelman]]'s [[Children's Defense Fund]], eventually reaching $300,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0F3AC7B4905E3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Streetwise Houston tries new approach Singer's tour hits town Monday|date=July 3, 1999|work=The Washington Times|format=Article ID: R00018180056|archive-date=March 26, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032905/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0F3AC7B4905E3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead}}</ref> In early 1998, Houston received the [[Soul Train Music Award for Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement|Quincy Jones Award]] for outstanding career achievements at the [[1998 Soul Train Music Awards|12th Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref name="1998soultrainbillboard">{{cite magazine |magazine=Billboard | first1 = Anita M. | last1 = Samuels | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=6w4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10 | title = Badu Heads Soul Train; Singer Picks Up 4 Awards | volume = 110 | issue = 11 | page = 10 | date = March 14, 1998 | access-date =June 30, 2010 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref><ref name="1998soultrain">{{cite web | url = http://www.soultrain.com/stma/library.html | title = Soul Train Music Awards Library: 1998 The 12th Soul Train Music Awards | publisher = [[Don Cornelius]] Productions, Inc | date = February 27, 1998 | access-date =June 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725073904/http://www.soultrain.com/stma/library.html |archive-date=July 25, 2013}}</ref>

=== 1998–2000: ''My Love Is Your Love'' and ''Whitney: The Greatest Hits'' ===
In 1998, Houston released ''[[My Love Is Your Love]]'', her first [[studio album]] in eight years. Released during the so-called "Super Tuesday" week on November 17 of the year where multiple albums by other recording artists were also issued, the album debuted and peaked at number 13 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/11/27/big-day-music/ |title=A big day in music |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 1998 |author=Rob Brunner |accessdate=March 26, 2025 |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225185659/https://ew.com/article/1998/11/27/big-day-music/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/archive/6734042/music-super-tuesday/ |title=Music: Super Tuesday |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=November 23, 1998 |author1=Christopher John Farley |author2=David E. Thigpen |accessdate=March 26, 2025 |archive-date=April 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414051302/https://time.com/archive/6734042/music-super-tuesday/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1998/music/news/super-cd-week-1117488917/ |title=Super CD week |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 29, 1998 |author=Phil Gallo |accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LgoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA126 | title = The ''Billboard'' 200 chart listing for the week of December 5, 1998 | page = 126 | volume = 110 | issue = 49 | issn = 0006-2510 | date = December 5, 1998 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref> The album featured production from [[Rodney Jerkins]], [[Wyclef Jean]] and [[Missy Elliott]] and resulted in Houston receiving some of her strongest reviews ever, with ''Rolling Stone'' writing that Houston was singing "with a bite in her voice"<ref name="Group1999">{{cite magazine|title=Vibe|magazine = Vibe Vixen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sigEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60|date=April 1999 |page=60|issn=1070-4701}}</ref> while ''The Village Voice'' called it "Whitney's sharpest and most satisfying so far".<ref>{{cite web |first=Vince |last=Aletti |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/1998/12/08/look-whos-ticking/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916061300/https://www.villagevoice.com/1998/12/08/look-whos-ticking/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |title=Look Who's Ticking |website=The Village Voice |date=December 8, 1998 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> ''Billboard'' magazine noted the album had a "funkier and edgier sound than past releases" and saw Houston "handling urban dance, [[hip-hop]], mid-tempo [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[reggae]], [[torch song]]s and ballads all with great dexterity".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1| title = Houston Finds a New Groove with Arista Set | first1 = Melinda | last1 = Newman | pages = 1, 86 | volume = 110 | issue = 44 | issn = 0006-2510 | date = October 31, 1998 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref> The album produced five top 40 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, the most for a Houston album since 1987's ''Whitney''. 

The leading single was the [[Mariah Carey]]-featured duet, "[[When You Believe]]", off ''[[The Prince of Egypt]]'', which peaked at number 15 in the US and reached number two on the [[Eurochart Hot 100]], and later won an [[Academy Award for Best Original Song#1991-2000|Academy Award]] for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/71st-winners.html | title = The 71st Academy Awards (1999) Nominees and Winners | publisher = Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | date = March 21, 1999 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref> The second single, "[[Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)|Heartbreak Hotel]]", peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, while the following two singles, "[[It's Not Right but It's Okay]]" and [[My Love Is Your Love (song)|the title track]], produced by Jean, each peaked at number four. The final single, "[[I Learned From the Best]]", also reached the US top 40. The album remained on the ''Billboard'' 200 for almost two years and sold four million units alone in the US, where it was certified four-times platinum by the RIAA.<ref name="whitneycert"/> Besides "Believe", the latter four singles reached number one on the ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs]] chart. 

Houston's North American leg of her [[My Love Is Your Love World Tour|world tour]] to promote the album was successful but plagued by cancellations with Houston's publicist citing "throat problems and a 'bronchitis situation'".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/430811.stm |title=US city makes $100,000 Whitney claim |work=BBC News |date=August 26, 1999 |access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> However, its European leg was ranked as the highest-grossing arena tour of the year in the continent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/movies-sound-recording/6714253-1.html |title=Whitney Houston World Tour '99 Becomes Europe's Highest Grossing Arena Tour of the Year |publisher=AllBusiness.com |date=October 19, 1999 |access-date=October 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725205420/http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/movies-sound-recording/6714253-1.html |archive-date=July 25, 2009 }}</ref> The success of the tour led to ''My Love Is Your Love'' reaching number one on the [[European Top 100 Albums]] chart in August 1999, staying there for six weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-08-21.pdf |title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles / European Top 100 Albums |magazine=Music & Media |volume=16 |issue=34 |date=21 August 1999 |pages=11–12 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> All of Houston's singles from the album were successful internationally, with the title track reaching number one on the Eurochart Hot 100 and selling more than three million units worldwide while the last release, "I Learned From the Best" topped the charts in Poland and Romania.<ref name="mylove">{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA137 | title="My Love Is Your Love" single; triple platinum worldwide | page = 137 | volume = 111 | issue = 47 | date = November 20, 1999 | access-date =September 25, 2010 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref> Eventually, global sales of the album reached 10 million units worldwide.<ref name="whouston-2016">{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2016 |title=Whitney Houston Released Two Albums This Week In 1992 & 1998 |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houston-released-two-albums-week-1992-1998/ |website=whitneyhouston.com}}</ref>

The album's European success helped Houston win the [[MTV Europe Music Award]] for [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best R&B|Best R&B]], while the music video for "Heartbreak Hotel" led to Houston receiving her first [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] nomination in over a decade.<ref name="1999emabbc">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/515689.stm | title = Entertainment: Dublin gears up for MTV show |work=BBC News | date = November 11, 1999 | access-date =July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="1999ema">{{cite magazine | url = https://www.billboard.com/news/spears-tops-1999-mtv-europe-music-awards-949845.story#/news/spears-tops-1999-mtv-europe-music-awards-949845.story | title = Spears Tops 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date = November 12, 1999 | access-date =July 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153513/http://www.billboard.com/news/spears-tops-1999-mtv-europe-music-awards-949845.story#/web/20121105153513/http://www.billboard.com/news/spears-tops-1999-mtv-europe-music-awards-949845.story |archive-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="1999emamtv">{{cite web | first = Brian | last = Ives | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434401/19991112/spears_britney.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010417214300/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434401/19991112/spears_britney.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 17, 2001 | title = Bono Honored As Britney Spears Dominates MTV Europe Awards | publisher = MTV Network | date = November 12, 1999 | access-date= July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1999/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041546/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1999/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 28, 2008 | title = 1999 MTV Video Music Awards | publisher = MTV Network | date = September 9, 1999 | access-date =July 3, 2010}}</ref> Nominated for four Grammys at the [[42nd Annual Grammy Awards|2000 ceremony]], Houston nabbed her sixth and final competitive Grammy in the [[Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance|Best Female R&B Vocal Performance]] category for "It's Not Right but It's Okay".<ref name="whitneygrammy">{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/whitney-houston/3899 |title=Whitney Houston - Grammy History |work=[[Grammy Award]]s |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref> Near the end of the year, 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 [[The Bodyguard (soundtrack)|soundtrack to ''The Bodyguard'']] received the award for top-selling soundtrack album of the century.<ref name="riaacentury">{{cite web|url=http://www.riaa.net/newsitem.php?news_month_filter=11&news_year_filter=1999&resultpage=&id=3ABF3EC8-EF5B-58F9-E949-3B57F5E313DF |title=The American Recording Industry Announces its Artists of the Century |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |date=November 10, 1999 |access-date=July 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032619/http://www.riaa.net/newsitem.php?news_month_filter=11&news_year_filter=1999&resultpage=&id=3ABF3EC8-EF5B-58F9-E949-3B57F5E313DF |archive-date=July 24, 2011 }}</ref> In March 2000, Houston earned a special honor at the [[2000 Soul Train Music Awards|14th Soul Train Music Awards]] as the female artist of the decade for her extraordinary artistic contributions during the 1990s.<ref name="2000soultrain">{{cite web | first = David | last = Basham | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434868/20000211/tlc.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121106164224/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434868/tlc-nominated-three-soul-train-music-awards.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 6, 2012 | title = TLC Nominated For Three Soul Train Music Awards | publisher = MTV | date = February 11, 2000 | access-date =July 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="2000soultrainbillboard">{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | first = Gail | last = Mitchell | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=Houston%20%22Soul%20Train%22 | title = TLC Rides Soul Train: Act Wins 2 Awards, As Does Blige | date = March 18, 2000 | issn = 0006-2510 | volume = 112 | issue = 12 |pages = 10, 20}}</ref>

The next year, in May 2000, Houston's first compilation album, ''[[Whitney: The Greatest Hits]]'', was released. The album reached number five in the US and number one in the UK and also reached the top ten in multiple countries.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA116 | title = The ''Billboard'' 200 chart listing for the week of June 3, 2000 | page = 116 | volume = 112 | issue = 23 | issn = 0006-2510 | date = June 3, 2000 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | title = Hits of the World | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88-IA2 | pages = 72–73 | volume = 112 | issue = 25 | date = June 17, 2000 | access-date =October 29, 2011 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref> A double-disc collection, the album's first disc, "Cool Down", featured all of Houston's hit ballads, while the second disc, "Throw Down", featured [[house music|house]] and [[club music|club]] remixes of the singer's uptempo hits, in response to the well-received dance remixes from ''My Love Is Your Love''.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26| title = Reviews & Previews: Spotlight | page = 26 | volume = 112 | issue = 21 | issn = 0006-2510 | date = May 20, 2000 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first = Steve | last = Huey | url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-import-version-r1226396/review | title = Whitney: The Greatest Hits review | work = AllMusic | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref> It also included four new tracks, three of them duets from the likes of [[Deborah Cox]], [[Enrique Iglesias]] and [[George Michael]]. The singles with the latter two artists, "[[Could I Have This Kiss Forever]]" and "[[If I Told You That]]", both became hits in Europe. The set was later certified five times platinum in the US for sales of five million copies, while worldwide sales reached 10 million.<ref name="whitneycert"/><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77413/florida-orchestra-sues-arista-over-anthem | title = Florida Orchestra Sues Arista Over Anthem | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date = December 17, 2001 | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref>

=== 2000–2008: ''Just Whitney, Princess Diaries,'' and ''Cheetah Girls'' ===
[[File:Whitney Houston 2000.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|left|Houston outside the [[Capitol Hill]], Washington, D.C., on October 16, 2000]]
Houston's reputation as "[[America's Sweetheart]]", which she was nicknamed for the duration of her career, came under scrutiny at the beginning of the [[2000s in music|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 in music|1990s]].<ref name="RollingStoneBio">{{cite magazine|title=Whitney Houston biography |magazine=Rolling Stone |year=2012 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/whitney-houston/biography |access-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209024845/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/whitneyhouston/biography |archive-date=December 9, 2009}}</ref><ref name="McShane-20000406">{{cite news|first=Larry|last=McShane|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/ent3.htm |title=Whitney Houston Gets Bad Press|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 6, 2000}}</ref> 

Houston failed to show up to induct [[Clive Davis]] into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in March 2000.<ref name="Dansby-20000607">{{cite magazine |first1=Andrew |last1=Dansby |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/whitneyhouston/articles/story/5924161/whitney_insider_tells_of_drug_use_failed_intervention |title=Whitney Insider Tells of Drug Use, Failed Intervention |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 7, 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527083340/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/whitneyhouston/articles/story/5924161/whitney_insider_tells_of_drug_use_failed_intervention |archive-date=May 27, 2009}}</ref> 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 was shaky, she seemed distracted and jittery, and her attitude was casual, almost defiant"; though she was supposed to perform "[[Over the Rainbow]]", she sang a different song during rehearsals.<ref>Movie & TV News @ IMDb, [https://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-12-23#celeb5 "Houston's Oscar Confusion"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325203750/http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-12-23#celeb5 |date=March 25, 2017 }}, December 23, 2004. Houston was replaced at that Oscar telecast by singer Faith Hill.</ref> Houston later admitted she had been fired.<ref name="Sawyer-Houston-Interview-2002">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/transcript-whitney-houston-im-person-life/story?id=15574357|title=Transcript: Whitney Houston: 'I'm a Person Who Has Life'|date=February 13, 2012|access-date=December 12, 2024|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214082903/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/transcript-whitney-houston-im-person-life/story?id=15574357|archivedate=February 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Houston, however, did show up for a scheduled performance to celebrate Arista's 25th anniversary with [[Clive Davis]], her performance received good reviews.<ref>"Whitney Shines at Arista Anniversary", ''[[USA Today]]'', April 12, 2000.</ref>

In May 2000, Houston's longtime executive assistant and friend, [[Robyn Crawford]], resigned from Houston's management company.<ref name="Dansby-20000607" />

Despite increasing negative press, Houston continued to find success. She produced the film ''[[The Princess Diaries (film)|The Princess Diaries]]'' (2001) alongside fellow BrownHouse partner Debra Martin Chase. Starring [[Anne Hathaway]] and [[Julie Andrews]], the film became an [[sleeper hit|unexpected success]] in the box office, grossing more than $165 million worldwide. Houston and Chase became the first black people in box office history to produce a film that surpassed $100 million in the box office.<ref name="PD1">{{cite web |url=https://people.com/movies/see-whitney-houston-with-a-young-anne-hathaway-on-the-set-of-the-princess-diaries/ |title=See Whitney Houston With a Young Anne Hathaway on the Set of 2001's The Princess Diaries |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=May 11, 2020 |first=Alexia |last=Fernández |access-date=September 9, 2024}}</ref> In August 2001, Houston signed one of the biggest record deals in music history, with Arista/[[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]. She renewed her contract for $100 million to release six new albums, for which she would also earn royalties.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lafranco|first= Robert|author2=Binelli, Mark|author3=Goodman, Fred|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938443/the_rolling_stone_money_report|title=The Rolling Stone Money Report|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 4, 2002|access-date=January 15, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204053142/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938443/the_rolling_stone_money_report/|archive-date=February 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Whitney Houston Signs $100 Million Contract with Arista Records|page=18|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=August 20, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1|magazine=Billboard|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|title=Arista Aims New Houston Album At 'Core Urban' Fans|date=December 14, 2002|access-date=December 12, 2024|page=1, 64|volume=114|issue=50}}</ref>

A performance at ''[[Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special]]'' in September 2001 led to increasing rumors of drug use and possible health issues due to Houston's extremely thin frame.<ref name="abcnews">{{cite news|last=Knolle|first=Sharon|title=Reports of Whitney Houston's Death Denied|date=September 13, 2001|work=ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reports-whitney-houstons-death-denied/story?id=102477|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> She canceled a second performance scheduled for the following night.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Lynette|last1=Holloway|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/11/business/in-switch-whitney-houston-has-to-sell-an-album.html|title=In Switch, Whitney Houston Has to Sell an Album|work=The New York Times|date=November 11, 2002|access-date=December 12, 2024|page=C0009}}</ref> 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 City Fire Department|New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund]] and the [[Fraternal Order of Police|New York Fraternal Order of Police]]. The single reached No. 6 on the US Hot 100, topping its previous position.<ref name="mtv010917">{{cite news|first1=Shaheem|last1=Reid|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1448905/whitney-houstons-star-spangled-banner-to-wave-again/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727084327/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448905/whitney-houstons-star-spangled-banner-to-wave-again/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 27, 2014|title=Whitney Houston's 'Star-Spangled Banner' To Wave Again|publisher=MTV Networks|date=September 17, 2001|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="whitneyhoustonbillboardhistory">{{cite magazine | url = {{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Whitney Houston|chart=all}} | title = Whitney Houston ''Billboard'' chart history |magazine=Billboard | access-date =October 29, 2011}}</ref>

Houston released her fifth studio album, ''[[Just Whitney]]'', in December 2002. The album debuted at number nine on the ''Billboard'' 200 and was certified platinum, though it received mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/just-whitney/whitney-houston|title=Just Whitney" by Whitney Houston|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Group2003">{{cite magazine|title=Vibe|magazine=Vibe Vixen|date=September 2003 |page=186|issn=1070-4701}}</ref><ref name="Sawyer-Houston-Interview-2002"/> In August 2003, Houston's second television film as a producer, ''[[The Cheetah Girls (film)|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.<ref>{{cite web|website=Live About|url=https://www.liveabout.com/best-rampb-christmas-songs-standards-2851629|first1=Mark Edward|last1=Nero|title=10 Great R&B Christmas Songs|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=July 27, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803114611/https://www.liveabout.com/best-rampb-christmas-songs-standards-2851629|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2004, Houston's second film as producer, ''[[The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement]]'', was equally successful in the box office like its predecessor, earning $134 million in the box office. For most of the year, Houston toured internationally.<ref name="CNN-2003" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Cashmere|first= Paul|url=http://www.mtv.tv/news/Whitney-back-with-Clive-Davis-13112/|title=Whitney Back With Clive Davis|date=September 17, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709025508/http://www.mtv.tv/news/Whitney-back-with-Clive-Davis-13112/|archive-date=July 9, 2012}}</ref> Houston's success behind the scenes continued in 2006 with the airing of ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]'', which Houston served as executive producer. The film remains one of the highest-rated [[Disney Channel Original Movie|Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM)]] in history with more than 8.1 million viewers tuning in for the premiere.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6408870.html |title=Disney Movie Skips to Another Record |first=R. Thomas |last=Umstead|date=January 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209132433/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6408870.html |archive-date=9 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2009–2012: ''I Look to You'' and ''Sparkle''===
[[File:Flickr Whitney Houston performing on GMA 2009 6.jpg|thumb|right|Houston performing "[[I Look to You (song)|I Look to You]]" on ''[[Good Morning America]]'', September 1, 2009]]	
Houston released ''[[I Look to You]]'' in August 2009. The album debuted at No. 1 on the [[Billboard 200]] with 305,000 copies sold, marking a strong return.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/whitney-houston-album-due-out-sept-1-american-idol-auditions-kick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927233727/https://www.voanews.com/archive/whitney-houston-album-due-out-sept-1-american-idol-auditions-kick|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2020|title=Whitney Houston Album Due Out Sept. 1; 'American Idol' Auditions Kick Off|work=VOA News|publisher=Voice of America|date=June 9, 2009|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> The album's success was followed by her performance on various European television shows and her appearance as a guest mentor on ''[[The X Factor (UK series 6)|The X Factor]]'' in the UK. Despite a [[wardrobe malfunction]] during her performance of "Million Dollar Bill", the single still achieved commercial success, later going [[BPI certification|platinum]] in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first= Anita|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/6387117/Whitney-Houstons-weird-performance-on-The-X-Factor-gives-her-top-five-hit.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/6387117/Whitney-Houstons-weird-performance-on-The-X-Factor-gives-her-top-five-hit.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Whitney Houston's weird performance on The X-Factor gives her top five hit|work=The Telegraph |date=October 20, 2009|access-date=October 20, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The [[I Look to You (song)|title track]] was also a hit and was later certified [[RIAA certification|platinum]] in the United States. Following the album's release, Houston embarked on the [[Nothing but Love World Tour]], her first world tour in more than 10 years. Despite some negative reviews and rescheduled concerts, Houston continued to perform.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/02/this_just_in_whitney_houston_d.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024234953/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/02/this_just_in_whitney_houston_d.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2011|title=This just in: Whitney Houston disappoints in Australia, Charlie Sheen enters rehab, Placido Domingo to undergo surgery|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 24, 2010|access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2012/08/12/whitneys-bitter-pill/|title=Whitney's bitter pill|last1=Perry|first1=Caroline|date=August 12, 2012|website=New York Post|access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Connelly">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/houston-insider-reveals-whitneys-anguished-fight-win-back/story?id=15689692|title=Whitney Houston Insider Reveals Singer's Anguished Fight to Win Back Her Voice|last1=Connelly|first1=Chris|date=February 17, 2012|website=ABC News|access-date=December 19, 2017}}</ref>

In January 2010, Houston was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards and won Best Music Video for "I Look to You".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/photos/4576/whitney-houston-s-highs-lows/169705|title=High: A Lifetime of Achievements (2010) from Whitney Houston's Highs & Lows|publisher=E!|language=en-US}}</ref> On January 16, she received the Entertainers Award at the [[The BET Honors|BET Honors]], acknowledging her lifetime achievements spanning more than 25 years. In January 2011, Houston made a surprise appearance at the ''BET Celebration of Gospel'' where she joined friend, gospel singer [[Kim Burrell]] onstage, to perform a duet version of "[[I Look to You (song)|I Look to You]]"; their performance was received well. It would be Houston's final television performance prior to her death.<ref name="whlasttvperf">{{cite web |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/whitney-houston/final-tv-performance-kim-burrell/ |title=When Whitney Houston brought crowd to their feet with surprise duet in final TV performance |work=[[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]] |author=Thomas Edward |date=9 August 2023 |accessdate=April 23, 2025}}</ref>

Later in 2010, Houston was cast in the remake of the 1976 film ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]'', where she served as both a star and executive producer. The film marked her final acting role before her untimely death.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/whitney-houston-talks-star-music-234137|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=Whitney Houston in Talks to Star in Music-Themed Drama 'Sparkle' (Exclusive)|date=September 12, 2011|access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> The film was released on August 17, 2012. The [[Sparkle (2012 soundtrack)|soundtrack]] featured "[[Celebrate (Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks song)|Celebrate]]", the last song Houston recorded, which was released in May 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ballhorn|first=Kelly|title=WORLD PREMIERE: Whitney Houston & Jordin Sparks Duet 'Celebrate' From 'Sparkle' [AUDIO]|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/05/21/world-premiere-whitney-houston-jordin-sparks-duet-celebrate-from-sparkle-audio/|publisher=ryanseacrest.com|access-date=May 21, 2012|date=May 21, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521072837/http://ryanseacrest.com/2012/05/21/world-premiere-whitney-houston-jordin-sparks-duet-celebrate-from-sparkle-audio/|archive-date=May 21, 2012}}</ref>

On February 9, 2012, two days before her death, she performed a final public performance as an impromptu duet with her friend and former collaborator [[Kelly Price]], at the Tru nightclub in Hollywood, singing ''[[Jesus Loves Me]]''. <ref> Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, [https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/watch-whitney-houstons-final-performance-flna1c9385689 Watch Whitney Houston's final performance], nbcnews.com, February 12, 2012</ref>

== Artistry ==
=== Influences ===
[[File:Dionne Warwick (1986 NSMT publicity photo).jpg|thumb|upright|Houston's cousin [[Dionne Warwick]] (pictured in 1986) was one of her main influences.]]
Houston's main vocal influence growing up and throughout her career was her mother [[Cissy Houston]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/08/cissy-houston-obituary |title=Cissy Houston obituary |author=Richard Williams |date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=March 19, 2026}}</ref> In terms of presentation, stage presence and showmanship, Houston was heavily influenced by her cousin [[Dionne Warwick]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/music/dionne-warwick-on-legacy-of-cousin-whitney-houston-just-preordained/ |title=Dionne Warwick on the Legacy of Cousin Whitney Houston and Aunt Cissy: 'It Was Just Pre-Ordained' |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |author=Liz McNeil |date=February 11, 2022 |access-date=March 19, 2026}}</ref> Houston had viewed Warwick's shows since her early childhood.

Houston also mentioned [[Aretha Franklin]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/whitney-houston-recalled-conversations-with-aretha-franklin-in-1985-7574353 |title=Whitney Houston Recalled Conversations with Aretha Franklin, Early Modeling Days in 1985: From the Archives |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |author=Mary Shaughnessy |date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=March 19, 2026}}</ref>, [[Chaka Khan]]<ref name="pixelation">{{cite web |url=https://pixelation.org/chaka-khan-and-whitney-houston-what-really-happened-between-the-divas-1r3e |title=Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston: What Really Happened Between the Divas |work=pixelation.org |author=Andrea Braun |date=November 11, 2025 |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref>, [[Gladys Knight]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/black-history-month/whitney-houston-inspires-generations/ |title=Whitney Houston inspires generations through music |work=News Nation Now |author=Cassie Bachman |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref>, [[Roberta Flack]]<ref name=RS93/><ref name="influences"/>, another cousin [[Dee Dee Warwick]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/dee-dee-warwick-troubled-talented-cousin-may-have-ruined-whitney/ |title=Dee Dee Warwick: the troubled, talented cousin who may have ruined Whitney Houston's life |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |author=Alice Vincent |date=July 5, 2018 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref>, [[Darlene Love]]<ref name="influences2">{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houstons-musical-influences/ |title=Whitney Houston's Musical Influences |date=March 22, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref> and [[Karen Carpenter]]<ref name="influences"/> as her main musical inspirations.

[[Barbra Streisand]] was a singer Houston admired and was inspired by as well.<ref>{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Alex |date=November 27, 2017 |title=The Enduring Legacy of Barbra Streisand |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/11/the-enduring-legacy-of-barbra-streisand.html |access-date=April 25, 2022 |website=Vulture}}</ref> African American entertainers [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], [[Lena Horne]] and [[Dorothy Dandridge]] were artists Houston looked up to in terms of them breaking racial barriers for African Americans in entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/lifestyle/2000/02/04/black-experience-celebrated-explored/50499198007/ |title=Black experience celebrated, explored |work=SouthCoast Today |author=Lynn Elber |date=February 3, 2000 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thecubiclechick.com/2011/01/02/the-cube-style-icon-dorothy-dandridge/ |title=The Cube Style Icon: Dorothy Dandridge |work=The Cubicle Chick |author=Danyelle Little |date=January 2, 2011 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houston-accepted-sammy-davis-jr-award-this-day-in-1994/ |title=Whitney Houston Accepted Sammy Davis Jr. Award This Day in 1994 |work=WhitneyHouston.com |date=March 15, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/article/su1wqd/look-back-whitney-houston-s-speech-honoring-sammy-davis-jr |title=Soul Train Awards: A Look Back At Whitney Houston's Speech Honoring Sammy Davis Jr. |author=Marjua Estevez |date=November 17, 2019 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref>

Houston also learned her performance style in her early career from [[Luther Vandross]], who would perform his shows [[Theatre-in-the-round|in-the-round at arenas]], with Houston's first two major world tours being in-the-round type shows despite the shows being held at arenas, amphitheaters and stadiums. As a child, Houston's first record purchase was [[Stevie Wonder]]. 

Houston was also heavily influenced by [[gospel music|gospel]] music, having been exposed to it at her mother's church at [[New Hope Baptist Church (Newark, New Jersey)|New Hope Baptist Church]], where most of her maternal relatives performed and played instruments; Houston would incorporate gospel elements in much of her [[secular music]] works and also recorded gospel songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premier.plus/article-series/premier-gospel-news/article/i-go-to-the-rock-the-gospel-music-of-whitney-houston |title=I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston |work=Premier Plus |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 19, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/whitney-houston-preachers-wife-atr25 |title=25 Years Ago Whitney Houston Released the Album She Was Destined to Make with 'The Preacher's Wife' |work=[[PopMatters]] |author=Peter Piatkowski |date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=March 19, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.app.com/story/news/premium/2016/03/27/gospel-influenced-whitney-houston/82048512/ |title=Whitney Houston, NJ sound influenced by gospel |work=[[Asbury Park Press]] |author=Chris Jordan |date=March 27, 2016 |access-date=March 19, 2026}}</ref>

=== Musical style ===
Houston's music encompassed a broad range of genres, including [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], pop, rock,<ref name="R&R Hall of Fame-2020">{{Cite web|title=Whitney Houston|url=https://rockhall.com/whitney-houston-inductee-insights|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115064445/https://rockhall.com/whitney-houston-inductee-insights|url-status=deviated}}</ref> [[Soul music|soul]], [[Gospel music|gospel]], [[Funk#1980s synth-funk|funk]],<ref>{{cite magazine|date=May 31, 2009|title=500 Greatest Albums: Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/whitney-houston-whitney-houston-20120524|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191812/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/whitney-houston-whitney-houston-20120524|archive-date=October 22, 2012|access-date=March 17, 2011|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> dance, [[Latin pop]],<ref name="nydailynews">{{cite news|last=Farber|first=Jim|date=May 16, 2000|title=Whitney Goes Half-Wild: Latest album set is 1 part bad ballads and 1 part boogie bliss|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/nydn-features/whitney-half-wild-latest-album-set-1-part-bad-ballads-1-part-boogie-bliss-article-1.872163|access-date=December 19, 2011|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112042705/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/nydn-features/whitney-half-wild-latest-album-set-1-part-bad-ballads-1-part-boogie-bliss-article-1.872163|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[disco]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dance with somebody: The ultimate Whitney Houston playlist |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/dance_with_somebody_the_ultimate_whitney_houston_playlist/s1__35216375 |access-date=August 9, 2021 |website=Yard Barker |date=June 22, 2021 |first=Jeff |last=Mezydlo}}</ref> [[House music|house]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Clark|first=Randy|date=January 23, 1993|title=Music Reviews: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1993/CB-1993-01-23.pdf|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|page=5|access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref> [[hip hop soul]],<ref>"Chartslot". ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]''. July 16, 1999. Retrieved December 1, 2020.</ref> [[new jack swing]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Agbai|first=Bailey|date=November 13, 2020|title=The evolution of R&B: from the 90s to now|url=https://theboar.org/2020/11/the-evolution-of-rb/|access-date=December 18, 2020|work=[[The Boar (newspaper)|The Boar]]}}</ref> [[Opera music|opera]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2017 |title=You're Guaranteed to Get "So Emotional" Watching Whitney Houston Sing With Luciano Pavarotti |url=https://www.wfmt.com/2017/07/14/youre-guaranteed-get-emotional-watching-whitney-houston-sing-luciano-pavarotti/ |access-date=September 5, 2021 |website=wfmt |first=Galilee |last=Abdullah}}</ref> [[reggae]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cocker |first=Dan |title=BBC - Music - Review of Whitney Houston - My Love Is Your Love |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/62xm/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[One Wish: The Holiday Album|Christmas]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-04 |title=The Top 10 Best Christmas Songs Recorded By Whitney Houston - A Definitive List Of Her Holiday Recordings |url=https://www.soundpasta.com/2021/12/top-10-christmas-songs-by-whitney-houston/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822212605/https://www.soundpasta.com/2021/12/top-10-christmas-songs-by-whitney-houston/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-22 |language=en-US }}</ref> Among the lyrical themes explored in her music included romance, relationships, religion and feminism.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 11, 2020|title=Whitney Houston's 25 Best Songs: Staff Picks|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/whitney-houston-best-songs-9478487/|access-date=August 9, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] stated: "Her sound expanded through collaborations with a wide array of artists, including [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Luther Vandross]], [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]], [[Missy Elliott]], [[Bobby Brown]], and Mariah Carey."<ref name="R&R Hall of Fame-2020" /> [[AllMusic]] commented that, "Houston was able to handle big [[Adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]] ballads, effervescent, stylish dance-pop and slick [[urban contemporary]] soul with equal dexterity".<ref name="allmusicbiography">{{cite web | first = Steve |last=Huey | url = https://www.allmusic.com/artist/whitney-houston-p4519/biography | title = Whitney Houston Biography | work = [[AllMusic]] | access-date =October 16, 2010}}</ref> Houston was considered a trendsetter in pop balladry, with Richard Rischar stating "the black pop ballad of the mid-1980s had been dominated by the vocal and production style that was smooth and polished, led by singers Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and [[James Ingram]]."<ref>{{citation|author=Richard Rischar|title=A Vision of Love: An Etiquette of Vocal Ornamentation in African-American Popular Ballads of the Early 1990s|journal=American Music|volume=22|issue=3|pages=407–443|year=2004|doi=10.2307/3592985|jstor=3592985|issn = 0734-4392 }}</ref>

During the early stages of Houston's career, some Black critics and audiences accused her voice and music of not sounding "Black enough".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greene |first=David |author-link=David Greene (journalist) |date=August 18, 2017 |title=< A Radiant, Isolated Star: A New Documentary Tells Whitney Houston's Story |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/544200124 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref> Steve Rose of ''[[The Guardian]]'' attributed this perception to her "syrupy ballads and perky dance-pop," along with music videos that featured a mix of both Black and white dancers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=July 7, 2018 |title='Not black enough': the identity crisis that haunted Whitney Houston |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/07/not-black-enough-the-identity-crisis-that-haunted-whitney-houston |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> At the time, Houston had established herself as a mainstream pop star, with a musical style that differed from the soul and R&B genres often associated with Black artists.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Cady |date=December 23, 2022 |title=Fact-Checking the New Whitney Houston Biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody |url=https://time.com/6241582/i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-movie-whitney-houston-real-story/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328044906/https://time.com/6241582/i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-movie-whitney-houston-real-story/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to her mixing pop, R&B and gospel music, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called her "the ultimate crossover artist".<ref name="RSdeaths">{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/celebrity-deaths-that-changed-music-history-gone-too-soon-195319/ |title=Celebrity Deaths That Changed Music History: Gone Too Soon |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=March 20, 2026}}</ref> 

Houston was also acclaimed for mixing older soul and pop with the cutting-edge sound of the contemporaries of her era. Houston's producer [[Narada Michael Walden]] told ''Rolling Stone'' in 2012, "Because of her cousin [[Dionne Warwick|Dionne]], she understood all those pretty-ass melodies from [[Burt Bacharach]]. But because she was young and from the era of [[Michael Jackson]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] and [[Madonna]], she had soul in her too – those rhythms. She had both sides. Plus, she was so damn gorgeous. You couldn’t say no to her."<ref name="RSdeaths"/>

Andrew Chan of ''Slant Magazine'' wrote "the way Whitney's image muffled her political significance made it easier for non-black singers to mimic her without being accused of cultural theft, and the following decade witnessed an accelerated de-racialization of African-American vocal tradition. The shift has been so complete that virtually every new female pop star expecting mass acclaim for her instrument must now be equipped with an arsenal of techniques that a few decades ago would have marked her as too 'soul', too 'urban', too ''black'' for the white audience".<ref name="chan"/>

=== Voice and timbre ===
[[File:Whitney Houston Welcome Heroes 7.JPEG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Houston's vocal ability earned her the nickname "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|the Voice]]".]]
Houston had a four-octave [[voice type|vocal range]].<ref name="four-octave range">{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/anatomy-olympics-anthem-487188|title=Whitney Houston's 'One Moment In Time': The Anatomy of an Olympic Anthem|work=Newsweek|last1=Ahmed|first1=Tufayel|date=August 5, 2016|access-date=December 28, 2018}}</ref> Her vocal ability led critics to refer to her as "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|the Voice]]".<ref name="Times2009">{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Peter |date=16 October 2019 |title=Whitney Houston: the life, death and rebirth of a pop princess |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/whitney-houston-the-life-death-and-rebirth-of-a-pop-princess-h9bgxf5sw39 |work=[[The Times]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260115031211/https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/whitney-houston-the-life-death-and-rebirth-of-a-pop-princess-h9bgxf5sw39 |archive-date=January 15, 2026 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brathwaite |first=Lester Fabian |date=August 9, 2023 |title=The Voice at 60: On Whitney Houston's immortal instrument |url=https://ew.com/music/whitney-houston-60th-birthday-tribute-the-voice/ |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725100354/https://ew.com/music/whitney-houston-60th-birthday-tribute-the-voice/ |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brown |first=Yvette |date=February 11, 2015 |title=Remembering Whitney Houston: 6 Nippy Performances That Still Give Us Chills |url=https://www.vibe.com/gallery/remembering-whitney-houston-6-nippy-performances-still-give-us-chills/ |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218120752/https://www.vibe.com/gallery/remembering-whitney-houston-6-nippy-performances-still-give-us-chills/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Vibe-2015">{{cite magazine |last=King |first=Aliya S. |date=January 7, 2015 |title=Why Whitney Houston Deserves To Be Called 'The Voice' |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/why-whitney-houston-deserves-be-called-voice-249128/ |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0404-1357-02/https://www.vibe.com:443/features/editorial/why-whitney-houston-deserves-be-called-voice-249128/ |archive-date=April 4, 2026 |access-date=July 29, 2021}}</ref> Her voice has sometimes been described as either a [[soprano]], [[spinto soprano]] or "[[mezzo-soprano]]".{{efn|Following Houston's vocal changes in the mid-to-late 1990s, Houston's voice type was sometimes labeled a "dramatic mezzo-soprano" up until the end of her life, due to vocal maturity and lifestyle choices.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1/|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time: 2 - Whitney Houston|work=rollingstone.com|date=January 2023 |language=IT|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://vocalrangetest.com/what-is-whitney-houstons-vocal-range/ |title=What is Whitney Houston's Vocal Range |work=VocalRangeTest.com |author=Erika Parker |date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=March 18, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-c6ODxSpyw|title=the POWER of SPINTO SOPRANOS| website=[[YouTube]] |date=3 March 2018 }}</ref> Music critic Andrew Chan of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' said of Houston's [[timbre]] that it was "so clean that when she did sustain a note at the very top of her chest range (for instance, in the climactic moments of "I'm Every Woman"), there was none of that danger, that premonition of something about to snap, so integral to the drama of deep-soul testimony", comparing her vocal style of that of soul-oriented artists such as [[Aretha Franklin]] and [[Chaka Khan]].<ref name="chan">{{cite web |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/whitney-houston-1963-2012/ |title=Whitney Houston (1963-2012) |magazine=[[Slant Magazine]] |author=Andrew Chan |date=February 19, 2012 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref> Chan further stated that what made Houston "universally palpable" was "her knack for harnessing the intensity of [[Aretha Franklin|Aretha]] while also letting the ear-caressing tones of quiet storm share the foreground."<ref name="chan"/> In his article on Houston during the singer's early career in 1987, Richard Corliss of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine wrote that Houston's voice was "the supplest pipes in pop music."<ref name="corliss">{{cite web |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,964980-1,00.html |title=Whitney Houston: Prom Queen of Soul - TIME |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |author=Richard Corliss |date=July 13, 1987 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref> In another unrelated ''Time'' review, they wrote of Houston's voice, "if the human voice is a musical instrument, hers is a [[Stradivarius]] among ordinary [[violin]]s."<ref name="chan"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houstons-voice-is-a-stradivarius/ |title=Whitney Houston’s Voice Is A Stradivarius |work=WhitneyHouston.com |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref>

[[Jon Pareles]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' stated Houston's voice was a "technical marvel from its velvety depths to its allistic middle register to its ringing and airy heights".<ref name="NYTimes94">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/19/arts/pop-reviews-part-divas-part-goddesses-2-women-glamour-music-whitney-houston.html |title=POP REVIEWS: Part Divas, Part Goddesses: 2 Women of Glamour and Music; Whitney Houston At Radio City |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 19, 1994 |access-date=June 4, 2012|last1=Pareles |first1=Jon }}</ref> Throughout her career, her studio work was often compared to her live performances, in which [[Matthew Perpetua]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' stated that what made Houston a "great singer" was her "ability to connect with a song and drive home its drama and emotion with incredible precision", adding that she was a "brilliant performer and her live shows often eclipsed her studio recordings".<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/ten-incredible-whitney-houston-performances-20120213 | title = Photos: Ten Incredible Whitney Houston Performances | magazine = Rolling Stone | first = Matthew | last = Perpetua | publisher = Jann S. Wenner | date = February 13, 2012 | access-date = February 18, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120215202234/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/ten-incredible-whitney-houston-performances-20120213 | archive-date = February 15, 2012 }}</ref> Elysa Gardner of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in her review for the soundtrack of ''[[The Preacher's Wife (soundtrack)|The Preacher's Wife]]'' highly praised Houston's vocal ability, commenting, "She is first and foremost a pop diva&nbsp;– at that, the best one we have. No other female pop star&nbsp;– not [[Mariah Carey]], not [[Celine Dion]], not [[Barbra Streisand]]&nbsp;– quite rivals Houston in her exquisite vocal fluidity and purity of tone and her ability to infuse a lyric with mesmerizing melodrama."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|date=November 24, 1996|title=Oh, Whitney&nbsp;– for Heaven's Sake|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-24-ca-2290-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 6, 2011}}</ref> [[Michael Jackson]] named Houston as one of his musical inspirations, calling her a "wonderful singer, real stylist. You hear one line, and you know who it is."<ref name="Vibe-2002">{{cite web|access-date=July 20, 2021|date=March 2002|title=Interview: Michael Jackson Vibe Magazine 2002|url=https://www.fanpop.com/clubs/invincible-era/articles/71701/title/interview-michael-jackson-vibe-magazine-2002|website=Vibe}}</ref> Following her death, music critic [[Jon Caramanica]] of ''The New York Times'' commented, "Her voice was clean and strong, with barely any grit, well suited to the songs of love and aspiration. [ ... ] Hers was a voice of triumph and achievement and it made for any number of stunning, time-stopping vocal performances."<ref name="nytimesjon">{{cite news | newspaper = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/arts/music/whitney-houstons-voice-of-triumph-and-pain.html | title = A Voice of Triumph, the Queen of Pain | first = Jon | last = Caramanica | date = February 12, 2012 | access-date = February 18, 2012}}</ref> Music critic [[Ann Powers]] of the ''Los Angeles Times'' said Houston's voice "stands like monuments upon the landscape of 20th century pop, defining the architecture of their times, sheltering the dreams of millions and inspiring the climbing careers of countless imitators".<ref name="powers">{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-aug-26-et-whitney-houston26-story.html <!-- was at https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/08/album-review-whitney-houstons-i-look-to-you.html --> |title=Album Review: Time to exhale: It's been a long wait, and Whitney Houston's voice isn't what it once was (how could it be?), but she wields it well.<!-- p. D1 --> / Houston<!-- page transition keyword --> / These days she has to work at singing<!-- p. D4 --> / Houston Offers an Effective Set<!-- Washington Post News Service and LATWP News Service --> / 'I Look to You' by Whitney Houston<!-- webpage --> |first=Ann |last=Powers |date=August 26, 2009 |orig-date=on news services August 25 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=D1, D4 |id={{NewsBank|12A548F75CFCF1B8}}, {{NewsBank|plainlink=yes|12A548F7598FB768}}. {{ProQuest|1964993656|422428401|2247316813}}.}}</ref> Mariah Carey stated, "She [Whitney] has a really rich, strong mid-belt that very few people have".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Vibe|language=en|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jisEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA95|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809134810/https://books.google.com/books?id=jisEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA95|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 9, 2021|title=Higher and Higher|volume=6|issue=9|page=95|date=November 1998|access-date=November 7, 2014|issn=1070-4701}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' listed Houston the second greatest singer of all time, behind only [[Aretha Franklin]], with the magazine calling her the "standard-bearer of R&B vocals".<ref name="Rolling Stone-2023">{{cite magazine|magazine=Rolling Stone | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/whitney-houston-11-1234643211/ | title = The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time | date = January 1, 2023 | access-date = January 2, 2023}}</ref>

Houston was credited with popularizing [[melisma]] during the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17039208 | title = Whitney Houston and the art of melisma | first = Lauren | last = Everitt | publisher = BBC | date = February 15, 2012 | access-date = February 20, 2012}}</ref><ref name="haas">{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/how-whitney-houston-popularized-melisma-through-her-songs/a-60723626 |title=How Whitney Houston popularized 'melisma' |work=DW.com |author=Brenda Haas |date=February 10, 2022 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/how-whitney-houston-popularized-melisma-through-her-songs-101644550241559.html |title=How Whitney Houston popularized 'melisma' through her songs |work=Hindustan Times |author=Deutsche Welle |date=February 11, 2022 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref> Though other artists such as [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Stevie Wonder]] and [[Ray Charles]] had used the technique prior, vocal coach Steve Sweetland explained that what set Houston apart was that with her, it "was an attitude more than anything else. She truly believed in the artistic value of the melisma. Whereas the others were perhaps simply going along with the trends, she embodied that; she made it part of herself."<ref name="haas"/> Lauren Everitt of [[BBC News]] commented on the [[melisma]] used in Houston's recording. "An early 'I' in Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' takes nearly six seconds to sing. In those seconds the former gospel singer-turned-pop star packs a series of different notes into the single syllable", stated Everitt. "The technique is repeated throughout the song, most pronouncedly [sic] on every 'I' and 'you'. The vocal technique is called melisma and it has inspired a host of imitators. Other artists may have used it before Houston, but it was her rendition of Dolly Parton's love song that pushed the technique into the mainstream in the 90s. [ ... ] But perhaps what Houston nailed best was moderation." Everitt said that "[i]n a climate of reality shows ripe with 'oversinging,' it's easy to appreciate Houston's ability to save melisma for just the right moment."<ref name="BBC"/>

=== Stage performances ===
Most of Houston's early concert tours to promote her [[Whitney Houston (album)|debut album]] and [[Whitney (album)|second album]] were performed [[Theater-in-the-round|in-the-round]], also known as arena theatre or central staging, which is a theatrical stage configuration in which the audience surrounds the performance area on all sides. The shows mostly consisted of Houston, her nine-piece live band and four background vocalists with minimal use of choreography.<ref name=review>Takiff, Jonathon. "Whitney Makes Converts". Philadelphia Daily News. August 28, 1986.</ref> For her second world tour, the [[Moment of Truth World Tour]], she began incorporating backup dancers.

For her [[I'm Your Baby Tonight|third world tour]] to support the ''[[I'm Your Baby Tonight]]'' album in 1991, Houston performed more elaborate choreography with male backup dancers and sometimes wore a [[Audio headset|headset]] during uptempo performances. Houston mostly wore [[catsuits]] designed by [[Marc Bouwer]], which differed from her previous tours' wardrobe of mostly gowns and dresses.<ref>Stout, Gene. "Whitney Houston will be Impossible to Ignore when she comes to Seattle." ''Seattle Post''. May 3, 1991. Page 5.</ref> The tour also was the start of Houston and musical director [[Rickey Minor]] incorporating musical medleys, which became a Houston trademark. Initially, for her [[The Bodyguard World Tour|Bodyguard World Tour]] during its 1993 leg, Houston performed to smaller venues wanting to present a more intimate experience. But by the time Houston took the tour overseas, however, Houston performed at larger arenas and stadiums throughout Europe, Asia and South America. During her [[My Love Is Your Love World Tour]] in 1999, Houston wore edgier outfits designed for her by [[Dolce & Gabbana]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whatwhitneywore-dolce-gabbana-tour-wardrobe-in-1999/ |title=#WhatWhitneyWore: Dolce & Gabbana Tour Wardrobe In 1999 |work=WhitneyHouston.com |date=May 1, 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2026}}</ref> The backup dancers on her Bodyguard and My Love Is Your Love tours were female while the dancers on her [[Nothing but Love World Tour]] were male.

Some of Houston's live performance trademarks included her rearranging her hit records with her band, singing it in a different style from the recordings. Houston also constantly ad-libbed and occasionally would [[Scat singing|scat-sing]] in the middle of the performances, particularly "[[Saving All My Love for You]]". Houston would also showcase her vocal range by extending notes longer, usually done by slower rearrangements by her band.

[[Stephen Holden]] from ''The New York Times'', in his review of Houston's [[Radio City Music Hall]] concert on July 20, 1993, praised her attitude as a singer, writing, "Whitney Houston is one of the few contemporary pop stars of whom it might be said: the voice suffices. While almost every performer whose albums sell in the millions calls upon an entertainer's bag of tricks, from telling jokes to dancing to circus pyrotechnics, Ms. Houston would rather just stand there and sing."

With regard to her singing style, he added: "Her [Houston's] stylistic trademark—shivery melismas that ripple up in the middle of a song, twirling embellishments at the ends of phrases that suggest an almost breathless exhilaration—infuse her interpretations with flashes of musical and emotional lightning."<ref>{{cite news | author = Holden, Stephen | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/22/arts/review-pop-for-whitney-houston-showy-doesn-t-count-the-show-is-the-voice.html | title = Review/Pop; For Whitney Houston, Showy Doesn't Count: The Show Is the Voice |work=The New York Times | date = July 22, 1993 | access-date =March 13, 2011 | author-link = Stephen Holden}}</ref>

Andrew Chan of ''Slant Magazine'' wrote of her voice during live performances, "The labor of singing was not only apparent in her body language, it was also what made her such a presence on stage. On high notes she would tilt her head back, exposing her swan neck and the musculature rushing in to produce all that volume. Leaps into her silvery head voice were punctuated with a closing of the eyes, a wiggle of the fingers."<ref name="chan"/>

==Other ventures==
===Business ventures and endorsements===
In 1986, Houston started her own management company, Nippy Inc.<ref name="parents">{{cite web |url=https://people.com/all-about-whitney-houston-parents-8772815 |title=All About Whitney Houston's Parents, Cissy and John Houston (and How She Wished She Could Have 'Saved' Her Daughter) |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |author=Ilana Frost |date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref> The company, which Houston's father John was president, was created to handle her business affairs. It managed her musical publishing, recordings and special projects throughout her career. The company helped to manage most of her musical work, starting with the ''[[Whitney (album)|Whitney]]'' album in 1987. In 1995, Houston founded BrownHouse Productions, a film production company, with [[Debra Martin Chase]] as a co-partner.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kYiyPoTrhDUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Whitney and Brandy in ''Cinderella'' |page=90 |date=November 1997 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref> It was originally named Houston Productions before settling on BrownHouse by 1997. The company's goal was to produce films and TV shows aimed at a predominantly [[African American]] audience. Through that company, Houston and Chase helped to produce two different film franchises, ''The Princess Diaries'' and ''The Cheetah Girls'', while also producing the TV miniseries, ''[[Cinderella (1997 film)|Cinderella]]'' and the 2012 film, ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]'', the latter being the last project Houston was involved in before her death. Houston and Chase also planned films with [[Will Smith]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thethings.com/what-whitney-houston-once-said-about-working-with-will-smith/ |work=The Things |title=This Is What Whitney Houston Once Said About Working With Will Smith |author=Roxana Loomes |date=September 15, 2023 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref>, [[Monica (singer)|Monica]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/monica-will-wing-it-with-tv-s-angel-1117744402/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |title=Monica Will Wing It with TV's 'Angel' |author=Cynthia Littleton |date=August 2, 1999 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref> and [[Aaliyah]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blavity.com/whitney-houston-aaliyah-was-our-sparkle |work=[[Blavity]] |title=Whitney Houston: "Aaliyah Was Our 'Sparkle'" |date=November 15, 2011 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref>, none of which came to fruition, along with a planned biopic on actress [[Dorothy Dandridge]].<ref name=prissy /> In 1998, Houston formed her own label, Better Place Records, having signed the R&B girl group Sunday.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |title=Whitney Houston Celebrates 35th Birthday with Friends and Family at New York Bash |page=54 |date=August 31, 1998 |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref>

Starting in 1983, Houston began to get involved in commercials. Her first commercial, prior to reaching stardom, was as a singing waitress for the soft drink [[Canada Dry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://television.aol.com/photos/commercial-breaks-celebrity-debuts|title=Commercial Breaks: Stars Who Made Their Screen Debuts in TV Commercials, Whitney Houston (3 of 13)|publisher=television.aol.com|accessdate=January 11, 2010|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126091338/http://television.aol.com/photos/commercial-breaks-celebrity-debuts|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001365/otherworks|title=Other works for Whitney Houston|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|accessdate=January 11, 2010}}</ref> She followed that up with performing the jingle to the restaurant [[Steak & Ale]] in at least two commercials throughout 1985, the same year her debut album was issued.<ref name="WhitneyJingles"/><ref>{{YouTube|id=msYH60e6wb4|1985 Steak & Ale Whitney Houston Commercial}}</ref> In 1986, Houston became a soda pitchwoman, endorsing the [[Diet Coke]] soft drink, singing its "Just for the Taste of It" jingle.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://starsinginglessons.com/blog/24/diet-coke-commercial-music/ | title = Whitney Houston Diet Coke Commercial (1986) | publisher = starsinginglessons.com | accessdate =January 10, 2010}}</ref> Two years later, in 1988, she did a second Diet Coke commercial that proved to be even more popular.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.advertisementave.com/tv/ad.asp?adid=186 | title = Whitney Houston Diet Coke Commercial "Just for the Taste of It" (1988) | publisher = advertisementave.com | accessdate = January 10, 2010 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20101015143615/http://advertisementave.com/tv/ad.asp?adid=186 | archivedate = October 15, 2010 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> It was later referenced in a parody by singer [[Neil Young]] in the music video for the song, "[[This Note's for You]]" in the musician's critique of "corporate rock" commercials.<ref name="campbell">{{cite book|author=Lisa D. Campbell|title=Michael Jackson: the king of pop|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVC9zltjf-EC&pg=PA185|year=1993|publisher=Branden Books|isbn=978-0-8283-1957-7|page=185}}</ref><ref name="Green">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flashback-neil-young-defiantly-declares-this-notes-for-you-114481/ |title=Flashback: Neil Young Defiantly Declares 'This Note's for You' |quote=MTV banned this 1988 video in which he skewers Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and others that shilled for corporate America |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 6, 2016|first1=Andy |last1=Green |access-date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> That same year, Houston did a European commercial endorsing Diet Coke's parent brand, [[Coca-Cola]], to the tune of "[[Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston recording)|Greatest Love of All]]". A year later, Houston performed her composition, "[[Takin' a Chance (Whitney Houston song)|Takin' a Chance]]", for the Japanese brand [[Sanyo]] in several ads that aired on television throughout the continent.<ref>{{cite magazine | first = Deborah |last=Evans Price | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=iA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45 | title = Pop Writer/Producer Keith Thomas Overcoming Nashville's Country Stigma |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date = October 14, 1995 | accessdate =January 11, 2010}}</ref> In 1994, Houston endorsed the telephone company [[AT&T]], performing its "True Voice" jingle.<ref>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NuQCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7 | title = Whitney On Wheels |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] | date = July 11, 1994 | accessdate =January 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Stuart|last= Elliott | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/15/business/the-media-business-advertising-addenda-whitney-houston-in-deal-with-at-t.html | title = The Media Business: Advertising&nbsp;– Addenda; Whitney Houston In Deal With AT&T|work=The New York Times | date = June 15, 1994 | accessdate =January 15, 2010}}</ref> In 1999 and 2000, Houston endorsed the Japanese company Nissin, a non-bank finance company that lends to consumers and small businesses in Japan, with the company's slogan "Make it happen with Nissin".<ref name="commercials"/>

===Philanthropy and activism===
Houston was a long-time supporter of charities around the world. In 1989, she established the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children. It offered medical assistance to sick and homeless children, fought to prevent [[child abuse]], taught children to read, created inner-city parks and playgrounds and granted college scholarships, including one to [[the Juilliard School]].<ref name="AP-2019">{{Cite web|date=February 5, 2019|title=Greenlight Announces Representation of Whitney Houston|url=https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-businesswire/fd2fc731417642b2929a369f493f13f4|access-date=August 3, 2021|work=Associated Press News}}</ref> At a 1988 [[Madison Square Garden]] concert, Houston earned more than $250,000 for the [[United Negro College Fund]] (UNCF).<ref name="BCG-2012">{{Cite web|date=August 9, 2012|title=A Look at Whitney's Great Charity Work, She was a True Humanitarian!|url=https://www.blackcelebritygiving.com/rip-whitney-houston-a-look-at-whitneys-great-charity-work-she-was-a-true-humanitarian/|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=BCG}}</ref> For her efforts, Houston received the [[UNCF]] Frederick D. Patterson Award in March 1990.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3b0DAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Stars Salute Whitney Houston For Her Support of Black Colleges |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |pp=56-59 |date=April 2, 1990 |access-date=February 15, 2026}}</ref> In October 1988, Houston performed on the [[Channel Seven Perth Telethon]] in [[Perth]] to raise funds for several children's hospitals there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telethon7.com/about/history|title=The History of Telethon|website=Telethon7|accessdate=June 14, 2025}}</ref> The following November, Houston announced plans to invest in a $100 million housing project set up by Vogue Skyview Estates, a real estate development firm, to create low and middle-income housing in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/1988/11/20/18785044/whitney-houston-helps-new-jersey-housing-project/|title=WHITNEY HOUSTON HELPS NEW JERSEY HOUSING PROJECT|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=November 20, 1988|accessdate=June 14, 2025}}</ref> The Feingold Center for Children in [[Boston]] had its Hearing & Language Disorder Clinic renamed after the singer after she contributed to the hospital.<ref name="WHCharityWork">{{cite web|url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/charity-work/|title=Charity Work|work=WhitneyHouston.com|accessdate=May 25, 2025}}</ref> In June 1995, it was reported that Houston donated $125,000 to [[Harlem]]'s Hale House Center to help mothers who were at risk of [[child abuse|abusing their children]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ID0DAAAAMBAJ&dq=whitney+houston+hale+house+jet+magazine&pg=PA34|title=Whitney Houston Donates $125,000 To Hale House To Help Moms Who Run Risk Of Abusing Their Kids|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=June 5, 1995|accessdate=May 25, 2025}}</ref> Later, the Hale House Center built a Learning & Recreation Center due to Houston's donations.<ref name="WHCharityWork"/> Houston also donated money to the [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]].<ref name="WHCharityWork"/> Newark's [[University Hospital (Newark, New Jersey)|University Hospital]] renamed its Pediatric Special Care Unit the Whitney Houston Intensive Care Unit after Houston's contributions to the hospital.<ref name="WHCharityWork"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://njms.rutgers.edu/departments/pediatrics/criticalcare.php|title=The Division of Pediatric Critical Care|work=[[Rutgers New Jersey Medical School]]|accessdate=May 25, 2025}}</ref>

Houston donated all of the earnings from her 1991 Super Bowl XXV performance of "[[The Star Spangled Banner (Whitney Houston recording)|The Star-Spangled Banner]]" sales to [[Gulf War]] servicemen and their families.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 23, 1991|title=Whitney Houston Gives $500,000|page=9A|work=[[The Mount Airy News]]|publisher=Heartland Publications, LLC|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PXA_AAAAIBAJ&pg=2333,5005859&dq=whitney+houston+star+spangled+banner+american+red+cross+governors&hl=en|access-date=January 18, 2016}}</ref> The record label followed suit and she was voted to the ''American Red Cross Board of Directors'' as a result.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 17, 1991|title=Houston Raises $500,000 for Red Cross; Named Its to Its Board of Governors|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RrADAAAAMBAJ&q=whitney&pg=PA37|magazine=Jet|volume=80|issue=9|page=37|access-date=January 18, 2016}}<!-- not found in reference |issn=0021-599--></ref> Following the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks]] in 2001, Houston re-released "The Star-Spangled Banner" to support the New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police. She waived her royalty rights to the song, which reached number one on charts in October 2001 and generated more than $1&nbsp;million.<ref name="mtv0109172">{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=September 17, 2001|title=Whitney Houston's 'Star-Spangled Banner' To Wave Again|publisher=[[MTV]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448905/whitneys-starspangled-banner-waves-again.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103071906/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448905/whitneys-star-spangled-banner-waves-again.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2011}}</ref> Houston declined to perform in [[Apartheid era|apartheid-era]] South Africa in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2018 |title='Not black enough': the identity crisis that haunted Whitney Houston |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/07/not-black-enough-the-identity-crisis-that-haunted-whitney-houston |access-date=August 3, 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Steve |last=Rose}}</ref> Her participation at the 1988 [[Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute|Freedomfest]] performance in London (for a then-imprisoned [[Nelson Mandela]]) grabbed the attention of other musicians and the media.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 14, 2020|title=From 'Kingston Town' to the Nelson Mandela Tribute in 1988: interview with UB40|url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/interview-with-ub40-robin-campbell/|access-date=July 22, 2021|website=The Shortlisted|language=en-GB}}</ref> During her historic South African tour in 1994, Houston donated all of its concert proceeds to numerous children's charities, including two children's museums, the President's Trust Fund (for Nelson Mandela) and the Kasigo Trust among several orphanages.<ref name="WHCharityWork"/>

In addition, Houston became an activist for the fight against [[HIV and AIDS]] during the first decade of the AIDS epidemic. In 1986, the LGBT magazine publication ''[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]'' reported that one of Houston's concerts at the [[Boston Common]] in [[Boston]] raised $30,000 for the [[AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts]] and the Gay and Lesbian Counseling Service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archivesspace.library.northeastern.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/276770 |title=Whitney Houston: Live on the Common, 1986 |work=Archives and Special Collections - Northeastern Library |access-date=February 16, 2026}}</ref> The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, in particular, focused on helping children who suffered from HIV/AIDS, among other issues. In 1990, Houston took part in Arista Records' 15th anniversary gala, which was an AIDS benefit, where she sang "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", "Greatest Love of All" and, with cousin Dionne Warwick, "That's What Friends Are For".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/04/13/artists-raise-money-aids/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |title=Artists raise money for AIDS |author=Ron Givens |date=April 13, 1990 |access-date=February 16, 2026}}</ref> A year later, Houston participated in the Reach Out & Touch Someone AIDS vigil at London in September 1991 while she was finishing her historic ten-date residency at London's Wembley Arena; there, she stressed the importance of AIDS research and addressing HIV stigma.<ref name="whitneyaidsvigil91">{{cite web |url=https://granvarones.com/songs-that-soundtracked-the-aids-epidemic-whitneys-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-who-loves-me/ |title=Songs That Soundtracked the AIDS Epidemic: Whitney's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" |date=March 23, 2021 |accessdate=January 23, 2024 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123165602/https://granvarones.com/songs-that-soundtracked-the-aids-epidemic-whitneys-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-who-loves-me/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="whitneytatchell">''The Incredible Night Whitney Befriended Me And I Saw She Was Doomed'' by [[Peter Tatchell]], [[Mail on Sunday]], February 19, 2012</ref>

In June 1999, Houston gave a surprise performance at the 13th Annual New York City Lesbian & Gay Pride Dance<ref name="whitneypride2"/> at one of the city's West Side piers.<ref name="whitneypride">{{cite news |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1430174/whitney-houston-surprises-crowd-at-gay-lesbian-pride-event/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509095711/http://www.mtv.com/news/1430174/whitney-houston-surprises-crowd-at-gay-lesbian-pride-event/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 9, 2014 |title=Whitney Houston Surprises Crowd at Lesbian-Gay Pride Event |publisher=[[MTV]] |date=June 28, 1999 |access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> According to [[Instinct (magazine)|''Instinct'']] magazine, Houston's unannounced performance at the Piers "ushered in a new era that would eventually make high-profile artists performing at LGBTQ events virtually commonplace".<ref name="whitneypride2">{{cite web |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/whitney-houstons-1999-epic-nyc-pride-appearance-is-released/ |title=Whitney Houston's 1999 Epic NYC Pride Appearance Is Released |date=July 16, 2022 |accessdate=November 18, 2022}}</ref> Before hitting the stage, Houston was asked by MTV veejay [[John Norris (reporter)|John Norris]] why she decided to attend the event. Houston replied, "We're all God's children, honey".<ref name="whitneypride2"/>

== Personal life ==
===Faith===
Houston was a [[Christianity|Christian]] and she made it a point to sing gospel songs in her concerts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/whitney-houstons-private-faith-focused-funeral/story?id=15599887|title=Whitney Houston's Private, Faith-Focused Funeral|website=ABC News|date=February 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/27/whitney-houston-gospel-album-faith/11539821002/|title=Whitney Houston's gospel album is a testament to her faith: 'She served her purpose here in life'|first=Patrick|last=Ryan|website=USA TODAY|date=March 27, 2023}}</ref> During her childhood, she regularly attended [[New Hope Baptist Church (Newark, New Jersey)|New Hope Baptist Church]] where she joined the children's choir and later performed solos on a regular basis there. Houston's mother [[Cissy Houston|Cissy]] wrote that while at New Hope, Houston "got saved" and she later told her that she "accepted the Savior into her life" at around 12 years old.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Houston |first1=Cissy |title=Remembering Whitney |date=2013 |page=75 |quote=But it was at New Hope that Nippy got saved. I wasn't with her at the time but she told me later that she'd cried and accepted the Savior into her life and heart. And she never let go of that faith, even through all the turmoil and hard times to come.}}</ref> Houston's recording of "[[Do You Hear What I Hear#Whitney Houston version|Do You Hear What I Hear]]", from the Christmas [[compilation album]], ''[[A Very Special Christmas]]'' (1987), has constantly appeared on the ''Billboard'' gospel charts since 2011. In 1997, Houston was given a special honor from the [[GMA Dove Award|Dove Awards]] for helping to bring [[gospel music]] to the attention of the mainstream.<ref name="1997dove">{{cite web | url=https://doveawards.com/awards/special-awards |title=Dove Awards - Special Awards |work=[[GMA Dove Award|Dove Awards]] |accessdate=March 29, 2025}}</ref> Two of Houston's final recordings—"[[His Eye Is on the Sparrow#Whitney Houston version|His Eye Is on the Sparrow]]" and "[[Celebrate (Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks song)|Celebrate]]", from the 2012 film, ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]''—posthumously made the ''Billboard'' gospel charts. Her last public performance prior to her death was an impromptu duet of "[[Jesus Loves Me]]" with friend and former collaborator [[Kelly Price]] at the Tru nightclub in Hollywood.<ref name="lastperformance">{{cite web |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/whitney-houston/last-performance-final-days-death/ |title=Inside Whitney Houston's last ever performance and troubled final days |work=[[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]] |date=15 July 2022 |accessdate=March 18, 2025}}</ref>

===Relationships, marriage, and family===
[[File:Flickr Whitney Houston performing on GMA 2009 5.jpg|thumb|left|Houston and her daughter [[Bobbi Kristina Brown]] in 2009]]
Houston first met [[Robyn Crawford]] when Crawford was 19 and Houston was 16; the two were summer camp counselors at the East Orange Community Development Center in [[East Orange, New Jersey]]. According to Crawford, the two were romantically involved for a few years until Houston began seeking a [[recording contract]].<ref name="Caramanica-2019"/><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://people.com/music/robyn-crawford-breaks-silence-whitney-houston-love-affair-memoir/ |title= Whitney Houston's Best Friend Robyn Crawford Breaks Her Silence on Their Love Affair in New Memoir |website=People |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |first=Liz |last=McNeil}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.npr.org/2019/12/25/791296728/she-had-me-i-had-her-robyn-crawford-opens-up |title= 'She Had Me, I Had Her:' Robyn Crawford Opens Up |website=NPR|date=December 26, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2024 |first=Joshua |last=Johnson}}</ref> Crawford and Houston continued their professional relationship and platonic friendship until Crawford left Houston's employ in 2000.<ref name="Dansby-20000607" />

In the 1980s, Houston was romantically linked to musician [[Jermaine Jackson]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/whitney-houston-jermaine-jackson-love-affair-report-article-1.1032864|title=Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson had year-long love affair early in their careers: report|last1=Connor|first1=Tracy|date=March 5, 2012|work=Daily News|location=New York}}</ref> [[American football]] star [[Randall Cunningham]], and actor [[Eddie Murphy]].<ref name="Norment-1991" /> 

In July 2012, it was reported that rapper [[MC Hammer]] was encouraged to marry Houston by her father John during [[Super Bowl XXV]] in January 1991, despite the fact that Hammer was already a married man with children; Houston and Hammer maintained a friendship until Houston's death.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/07/13/mc-hammer-urged-to-marry-whitney-houston/ |title=MC Hammer urged to marry Whitney Houston {{pipe}} Daily Dish {{pipe}} an SFGate.com blog |website=Blog.sfgate.com |date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/mc-hammer-says-he-was-encouraged-to-marry-whitney_n_1680053.html |title=MC Hammer Says He Was Encouraged To Marry Whitney Houston |publisher=Huffington Post |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref>

Houston met R&B singer [[Bobby Brown]] at the [[1989 Soul Train Music Awards]]. After a three-year courtship, the two were married on July 18, 1992.<ref name="Company1999">{{cite magazine |title=Whitney Houston Sets The Record Straight About Rumors Of Her Troubled Marriage To Bobby Brown |magazine=Jet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IzsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |date=April 26, 1999 |page=60 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The two singers occasionally collaborated on songs, including the hit record, "[[Something in Common]]".<ref name="CNN-2003">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/10/brown.charged/index.html|title=Bobby Brown charged with battery|date=December 10, 2003|access-date=December 19, 2017|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The following year, Houston gave birth to their daughter [[Bobbi Kristina Brown]] (March 4, 1993 – July 26, 2015),<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Speidel|first1=Maria|date=March 22, 1993|title=Passages|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20110013,00.html|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202164534/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20110013%2C00.html|archive-date=February 2, 2014|access-date=July 10, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> the couple's only child.

While they were married, Brown had several run-ins with the law for [[Driving under the influence|drunken driving]], drug possession and [[Battery (crime)|battery]], including some jail time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2003 |title=Warrant issued for Bobby Brown |url=https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/01/15/bobby.brown.warrant/ |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Chris |date=February 12, 2012 |title=Inside Whitney Houston's Violent Marriage to Bobby Brown |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-whitney-houstons-violent-marriage-to-bobby-brown |newspaper=Daily Beast}}</ref> In December 2003, Brown was charged with battery following an altercation during which he threatened to beat Houston and then assaulted her. Police reported that Houston had visible injuries to her face.<ref name="CNN-2003" />

Starting in April of the following year, the reality show ''[[Being Bobby Brown]]'' was taped and later premiered on [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]], in June 2005. The show drew criticism for what critics perceived to be unflattering moments from the couple,<ref>Barry Garron, [https://www.today.com/popculture/being-bobby-brown-disgusting-wbna8409211 "'Being Bobby Brown' Is Disgusting"], MSNBC, June 29, 2005.</ref> but still achieved high ratings. However, the show was not renewed for a second season after Houston declined further participation.<ref>Steve Rogers, [https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-bravo-being-bobby-brown-coming-back-for-second-season-3794.php "Report: Bravo's 'Being Bobby Brown' coming back for second season"], RealityTV World, October 31, 2005.</ref><ref>[https://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2007/01/10/brown-reality-show-cancelled/ "Brown Reality Show Cancelled"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145216/https://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2007/01/10/brown-reality-show-cancelled/ |date=September 24, 2018 }}, ''SFGate'', The Daily Dish, January 10, 2007.</ref> In September 2006, a year after ''Being Bobby Brown'' aired, Houston filed for legal separation from Brown, later filing for divorce the following month, citing [[irreconcilable differences]].<ref name="Legal Separation">{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/whitney-houston-bobby-brown-separate-1C9431376 |title=Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown separate |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=September 13, 2006 |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Divorce">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/whitney-houston-files-divorce-brown-139777/ |title=Whitney Houston files for divorce from Brown - The Hollywood Reporter |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=October 18, 2006 |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref> The divorce was granted on April 24, 2007.<ref name="Divorce2">{{cite news |url=https://people.com/celebrity/whitney-houston-wins-custody-in-divorce-from-bobby-brown/ |title=Whitney Houston Wins Custody in Divorce from Bobby Brown |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=April 4, 2007 |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref>

===Legal issues===
On April 19, 1991, at the start of her [[I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour]], Houston and her brother Michael got involved in an altercation with three men at a hotel in [[Lexington, Kentucky]], after the men reportedly sought her for an autograph while they were trying to watch a [[Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman|heavyweight boxing championship match]].<ref name="kentucky1">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-25-ca-648-story.html |title=POP/ROCK - April 25, 1991 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 25, 1991 |author=Beth Kleid |accessdate=March 29, 2025}}</ref> After seeing the men attack her brother, Houston reportedly jumped on one of the men, Ransom Brotherton, and punched him off her brother before Houston and her entourage fled from the hotel. Brotherton reported the incident, which led to him having to go to the hospital to receive "12 stitches over his left eye".<ref name="kentucky1"/> Houston was charged with fourth degree assault for attacking Brotherton and "[[Terroristic threat|threatening to kill him]]", while her brother was charged with assaulting another man involved in the melee, Kevin Owens.<ref name="kentucky1"/> 

Charges were dropped against the Houstons in May due to "contradictory evidence" and due to the prosecution struggling to "prove them guilty".<ref name="kentucky2">{{cite web |url=https://osupublicationarchives.osu.edu/?a=d&d=LTN19910509-01.2.26&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |work=The Lantern |title=Pop star sings to freedom; Houston's case dismissed |date=May 9, 1991 |accessdate=March 29, 2025}}</ref><ref name="kentucky3">{{cite news |url=https://www.deseret.com/1991/5/9/18919574/whitney-houston-won-t-face-charges/ |title=WHITNEY HOUSTON WON'T FACE CHARGES |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=May 9, 1991 |accessdate=March 29, 2025}}</ref> It was later revealed that the altercation began after the three men yelled [[racial slur]]s at Houston.<ref name="kentucky4">{{cite web |url=https://blackamericaweb.com/2017/09/05/book-details-whitney-houstons-racial-fist-fight-with-three-kentucky-males/ |title=Book Details Whitney Houston's Racial Fist Fight with Three Kentucky Males |work=BlackAmericaWeb |date=September 5, 2017 |accessdate=March 29, 2025}}</ref>

On January 11, 2000, while Houston was traveling with her husband [[Bobby Brown]], airport security guards discovered half an ounce of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] in her handbag at [[Kona International Airport|Keahole-Kona International Airport]] in Hawaii. She departed before authorities could arrive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/620501/whitney-houston-reportedly-escapes-drug-arrest-in-hawaii/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226035210/http://www.mtv.com/news/620501/whitney-houston-reportedly-escapes-drug-arrest-in-hawaii/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2014|title=Whitney Houston reportedly Escapes Drug Arrest in Hawaii|last1=Vanhorn|first1=Teri|date=January 17, 2000|publisher=MTV News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whitney-houston-faces-charges/|title=Whitney Houston Faces Charges|date=September 29, 2000|publisher=CBS News|language=en-US}}</ref> Houston was initially charged with a misdemeanor drug charge that carried a 30-day sentence and a $1,000 fine.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=115175&page=1 |title=Whitney Houston Charged with Pot Possession |date=September 29, 2000 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |accessdate=April 9, 2025}}</ref> The charges, however, were dropped in March 2001 after prosecutors received a [[substance abuse]] assessment from a counselor in New Jersey that stated the singer did not need treatment for substance abuse.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=TCM Breaking News |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2001/09/11/story23275.asp |title=Fears for Whitney Houston Grow |date=September 11, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924054858/http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2001/09/11/story23275.asp |archive-date=September 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=108622&page=1 |title=Whitney Houston Drug Charges Dropped |work=ABC News |date=March 8, 2001 |accessdate=April 9, 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Jennifer|last1=Vineyard|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458015/whitney-houston-sued-for-100-million-by-dads-company/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617002825/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458015/whitney-houston-sued-for-100-million-by-dads-company/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2015|title=Whitney Houston Sued For $100 Million By Dad's Company|access-date=July 27, 2019|publisher=MTV|date=October 8, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Friedman|first= Roger |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/whitney-and-bobby-no-shows-at-dads-funeral |title=Whitney and Bobby No-Shows at Dad's Funeral |publisher=Fox News |date=February 10, 2003 |access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3628169.stm|title=Judge throws out Houston lawsuit|access-date=January 15, 2008|work=BBC News|date=April 15, 2004}}</ref>

===FBI files===
[[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] documents from 1988 to 1999 revealed that Houston was the target of both an alleged [[blackmail]] scheme and obsessive fan attention at the height of her career. The documents reveal that a lawyer from Chicago demanded up to $250,000 to keep "certain details" of her private life out of the press. The FBI eventually closed the case, after Houston and her father described the sender as a friend and reached a private agreement. The documents also include unsettling correspondence from devoted admirers whose letters and claims, including one who professed love in dozens of messages, leading to FBI inquiries, that were later classified as non-threatening.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FBI Records: The Vault - Whitney Houston |url=https://vault.fbi.gov/whitney-houston |work=[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] |access-date=2026-01-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Michaels |first=Sean |date=2013-03-05 |title=FBI release Whitney Houston files, revealing singer was blackmailed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/mar/05/fbi-files-whitney-houston-blackmailed |access-date=2026-01-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/03/whitney-houston-fbi-investigations-fans |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |title=The F.B.I. Releases Files on Three Whitney Houston–Related Investigations, Descriptions of Her Most Threatening Fans |first=Julie |last=Miller |date=March 4, 2013 |access-date=2025-01-25 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Residences===
[[File:22 North Gate Road.jpg|thumb|right|The front entrance of Houston's [[Mendham Township, New Jersey|Mendham Township]] home.]]
Following graduation from [[Mount Saint Dominic Academy]] in 1981, Houston moved to a two-bedroom apartment at [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]] with [[Robyn Crawford]] that October.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/28/arts/whitney-houston-in-concert.html|title=WHITNEY HOUSTON IN CONCERT|work=[[New York Times]]|date=October 28, 1985|author=[[Stephen Holden]]|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> 

By early 1986, Houston had relocated to a bigger apartment in [[Fort Lee, New Jersey|Fort Lee]], just minutes away from [[Manhattan]]. The apartment would later be used as the official headquarters of her management and production company, Nippy Inc., which Houston formed in late 1986, and with whom her father presided over during the company's duration.

With help from her father, Houston purchased a mansion in [[Mendham Township, New Jersey|Mendham Township]], located at 22 North Gate Road, in late 1987.<ref name="Parish5">{{harvnb|Parish|2003|p=124}}</ref> The 13,607-square-foot house, located at North Gate Road in Mendham, had been built the year prior to Houston purchasing the property.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/news/fan-buys-whitney-houstons-new-jersey-home/|title=Fan Buys Whitney Houston's New Jersey Home|work=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]|date=October 27, 2020|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> 

The house was the primary location for Houston and Bobby Brown's 1992 wedding as well as its driveway being the site where Houston took the photo for the cover of her 1998 album, ''[[My Love Is Your Love]]''. 

In 1993, Houston purchased a second home in the city, located at 1 Crossway.<ref name="Crossway">{{cite web|url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/news/whitney-houstons-former-nj-home-sells-for-nearly-1-6m/|title=Whitney Houston's Former NJ Home Sells for Nearly $1.6M|work=[[New Jersey Monthly]]|date=June 4, 2022|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> The home served as the singer's personal [[recording studio]] at which she recorded her material, prominently the recordings of ''[[The Preacher's Wife (soundtrack)|The Preacher's Wife]]'', ''My Love Is Your Love'' and ''[[Just Whitney]]''.<ref name="Crossway"/> 

During the latter years of her marriage to Brown, Houston lived in [[Alpharetta, Georgia]], a suburb of [[Atlanta]], splitting time between there and Mendham. In 2003, the couple purchased a mansion in Alpharetta, where much of the taping of the reality series, ''[[Being Bobby Brown]]'', was filmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/whitney-houstons-former-home-outside-atlanta-hits-the-market-for-1-9-million-01668031613|title=Whitney Houston's Former Home Outside Atlanta Hits the Market for $1.9 Million|work=Mansion Global|date=November 4, 2022|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> 

Following her separation from Brown, Houston rented a palatial house in [[Laguna Hills, California]] in April 2006 and lived there until 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2006/09/15/whitney-houston-makes-laguna-hills-home/|title=Whitney Houston makes Laguna Hills home|work=[[Orange County Register]]|date=September 15, 2006|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref>

Houston's last house prior to her death was an Alpharetta-based townhouse that was co-owned by Houston's daughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-home-where-bobbi-kristina-brown-last-lived-is-on-market/QFJHVSFC4RHDFNZNX2J7YD7NIM/|title=Former home of Whitney Houston's deceased child for sale|work=[[Atlanta-Journal Constitution]]|date=October 8, 2020|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> Houston also owned a condo at [[Williams Island (Florida)|Williams Island]] in [[Aventura, Florida]], a suburb of [[Miami]].<ref name="Parish5"/>

===Health===
During her marriage, Houston suffered several miscarriages, including one during the filming of ''The Bodyguard,''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bologna |first1=Caroline |date=October 19, 2017 |title=50 Celebrities Who Opened Up About Their Miscarriages |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/50-celebrities-who-opened-up-about-their-miscarriages_us_59de72a2e4b0fdad73b1b117 |access-date=February 3, 2018 |work=HuffPost}}</ref> another in July 1994,<ref name="Miscarriage">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/249945be2439cac559c52391c2f3d867 |title=Whitney Houston Suffers Miscarriage |work=[[The Associated Press]] |date=July 13, 1994 |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}</ref> and another in December 1996.<ref name="third">{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/whitney-miscarries-time-article-1.749097 |title=Whitney Miscarries Third Time |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |last1=Lewittes |first1=Michael |date=December 21, 1996 |access-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172355/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/whitney-miscarries-time-article-1.749097 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 1993, the ''[[New York Post]]'' reported that Houston overdosed on diet pills in an attempt to lose weight following the birth of her daughter and had been treated at a Miami-area hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/28/19053757/whitney-houston-treated-after-overdosing-on-pills/ |title=Whitney Houston Treated After Overdosing on Diet Pills |work=The Deseret News |date=June 28, 1993 |access-date=June 14, 2026}}</ref> The following day after the ''Post'' article was published, Houston denied the allegations through her lawyer, Sheldon Platt, with Platt stating, "she has never taken a diet pill in her life. She's outraged. She's hurt." Platt also denied Houston had been taken to the hospital, adding "the article is completely wrong - not accurate - completely out of whack. None of this has happened."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/29/19053947/lawyer-denies-whitney-overdosed-on-diet-pills/ |work=The Deseret News |title=Lawyer Denies Whitney Overdosed on Diet Pills |date=June 29, 1993 |access-date=June 14, 2026}}</ref>

''Rolling Stone'' published 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.<ref name="Dansby-20000607" />

In her 2019 memoir ''A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston'', Houston's longtime executive assistant and friend, [[Robyn Crawford]], said she departed from Houston's management company after Houston declined to seek help for her drug dependency; years earlier, Houston claimed in an interview that the two friends parted ways over Houston's husband, Bobby Brown.<ref name="Caramanica-2019">{{Cite news |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |date=November 7, 2019 |title=Whitney Houston's Confidante Robyn Crawford Breaks Her Silence |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/books/review/whitney-houston-robyn-crawford-book.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108003117/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/books/review/whitney-houston-robyn-crawford-book.html |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/music/whitney-houston-tried-cocaine-14-years-old-robyn-crawford-memoir/ |title=Whitney Houston First Tried Cocaine at 14 Years Old Says Best Friend Robyn Crawford in New Memoir |website=People |date=November 7, 2019 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |first=Liz |last=McNeil}}</ref><ref name="Sawyer-Houston-Interview-2002"/>

In September 2001, Houston's extremely thin appearance led to rumors about her health. Her publicist stated, "Whitney has been under stress due to family matters and when she is under stress she doesn't eat."<ref name="abcnews"/> In 2009, Houston acknowledged that drug use had been the reason for her weight loss in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winfrey|first= Oprah|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW_ytgwzkFQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401113329/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW_ytgwzkFQ&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=April 1, 2020|url-status=live|title=Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Winfrey Interview|publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network|access-date=December 25, 2017|format=video|date=September 2009}}</ref> 

In 2002, Houston gave an interview with [[Diane Sawyer]] to promote her upcoming album. During the interview, she addressed rumors of drug use, famously saying, "crack is whack". She admitted to using various substances but denied having an eating disorder.<ref name="Sawyer-Houston-Interview-2002"/>

In September 2009, Houston was interviewed by [[Oprah Winfrey]]. In the interview, she admitted to using drugs with Brown during their marriage and described her struggles with addiction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/whitney-tells-oprah-about-cocaine-pot-use-1c9403092|title=Whitney tells Oprah about cocaine, pot use|date=September 14, 2009|website=TODAY.com}}</ref> She told Winfrey that before ''[[The Bodyguard (1992 film)|The Bodyguard]]'' her drug use was light, that she used drugs more heavily after the film's success and the birth of her daughter, and that by 1996 "[doing drugs] was an everyday thing ... I wasn't happy by that point in time. I was losing myself."<ref>{{cite news|first1=Nekesa Mumbi |last1=Moody|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/whitney-houston-pop-superstar-dies-at-48/article2335334/ |title=Whitney Houston, pop superstar, dies in Beverly Hills hotel|work=The Globe and Mail|date=February 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215072814/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/whitney-houston-pop-superstar-dies-at-48/article2335334/|archive-date=February 15, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Houston told Winfrey that she had attended a 30-day rehabilitation program.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winfrey|first=Oprah|title=Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Winfrey Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyApXLqzCCw|publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network|accessdate=December 25, 2017|format=video|date=September 2009|quote="I did my stint. You do your 30 days. I went to one where I could take my child with me. Everywhere I just had to have her with me. I wanted her to understand. I didn't lie to her. I couldn't."}}</ref> Houston also acknowledged to Winfrey that her drug use had continued after rehabilitation, and that at one point, her mother obtained a court order and the assistance of law enforcement to press her into receiving further drug treatment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winfrey|first=Oprah|title=Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Winfrey Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyApXLqzCCw|publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network|accessdate=April 21, 2010|page=40:02 minutes|format=video|date=September 2009|quote="I see the love and the passion that my mother had for me and she walks in with these sheriffs and she says 'I have a court junction [sic] here. Either you do it my way or we're just not going to do this at all. We're going to go on TV and you're going to retire and say you're going to give this up. Because this is not worth it. It's not worth it. And if you move, Bobby [Brown], [these officers are] going to take you down. Don't you make one move. Let's go. Let's do this. I'm not losing you to the world. I'm not losing you to Satan. I want my daughter back. I'm not doing this. I want my daughter back. I want you back. I want to see that glow in your eyes, that light in your eyes. I want to see the child I raised. You weren't raised like this. And I'm not having it.'"}}</ref> Houston's mother recalled the incident in her 2013 book, ''Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped''; when she visited her daughter's Alpharetta residence in 2005, the walls were "spray-painted" with "big glaring eyes and strange faces. Evil eyes, staring out like a threat", and most of her daughter's head  was cut out of a framed photo. Houston herself explained it in her interview with Winfrey.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/whitney-mom-recounts-singer-drug-article-1.1248861|author=Ginger Adams Otis|title=Cissy Houston details daughter Whitney's decline in new book|newspaper = Daily News|date=January 26, 2013|accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Houston |first1=Cissy |title=Remembering Whitney |date=2013 |page=232 |quote=Somebody had spray-painted the walls and door with big glaring eyes and strange faces. Evil eyes, staring out like a threat ... In another room there was a big framed photo of [Whitney] — but someone had cut [her] head out. It was beyond disturbing, seeing my daughter's face cut out like that.}}</ref> When Winfrey asked Houston if she was drug-free, Houston responded, "'Yes, ma'am. I mean, you know, don't think I don't have desires for it.'"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parade.com/41668/parade/whitney-houston-staying-sober-one-day-at-a-time/|title=Whitney Houston Staying Sober 'One Day at a Time'|last=Parade|date=September 16, 2009|website=Parade}}</ref>

In May 2011, Houston enrolled in rehabilitation again due to drug and alcohol problems, which she stated was part of her "longstanding recovery process".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/05/whitney-houston-rehab-alcohol-drugs.html|title=Whitney Houston in outpatient rehab for alcohol, drugs|last=D'Zurilla|first=Christie|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 9, 2011|access-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref> A month later, it was reported that Houston had been diagnosed with [[emphysema]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/thefamous/report-whitney-houston-emphysema-131107581.html|title=Report: Whitney Houston Has Emphysema|date=June 2, 2011|work=[[Yahoo]]|accessdate=June 2, 2025}}</ref>

== Death ==
{{Main|Death of Whitney Houston}}

[[File:Whitney Houston Flowers 2.JPG|thumb|Flowers near the Beverly Hilton Hotel]]

On February 11, 2012, Houston was found unconscious in Suite 434 at the Beverly Hilton, submerged in the bathtub.<ref>{{cite news|title=Whitney Houston was found underwater in bathtub, police say|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/whitney-houston-found-underwater-bathtub-unconscious.html|access-date=February 13, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 13, 2012|first1=Richard|last1=Winton|first2=Andrew|last2=Blankstein}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|year=2012|title=Whitney: Tribute to a Music Legend|location=Boca Raton, Florida |publisher=American Media}} (one-time newsstand collector's publication) Pg. 37: "434: The room number at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles in which she was found dead on Feb 11, 2012."</ref> Houston reportedly appeared "disheveled" and "erratic" in the days before her death.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleeman |first1=Mike |title=Whitney Houston's Final Days Marked by Erratic Behavior |url=https://people.com/celebrity/whitney-houston-dies-her-final-days-marked-by-erratic-behavior/ |website=People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228100244/https://people.com/celebrity/whitney-houston-dies-her-final-days-marked-by-erratic-behavior/ |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |date=February 12, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Beverly Hills paramedics arrived about 3:30&nbsp;pm, found Houston unresponsive, and performed [[CPR]]. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55&nbsp;pm [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]].<ref name="latimes1">{{cite news|first1=Andrew|last1=Blankstein|first2=Randy|last2=Lewis|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/whitney-houston-death-cpr.html |title=Whitney Houston's death: Medics performed CPR for about 20 minutes |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sheila|last=Marikar|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/whitney-houston-iconic-pop-star-dies-48/story?id=15565260|work=ABC News|date=February 12, 2012|access-date=February 22, 2012|title=Whitney Houston, Iconic Pop Star, Dies at 48}}</ref> The cause of death was not immediately known;<ref name=nytimesobit>{{cite news | date = February 11, 2012 | title = Whitney Houston, Pop Superstar, Dies at 48 | first1 = Jon | last1= Pareles | first2 = Adam | last2= Nagourney | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/arts/music/whitney-houston-dies.html?pagewanted=print | work = The New York Times |access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="latimes1" /> local police said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/12/showbiz/whitney-houston-death/ |title=Music exec: Whitney Houston looked 'healthy and beautiful' days earlier |last1=Yan |first1=Holly |last2=Quan |first2=Denise |date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2012 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On March 22, 2012, the [[Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner|Los Angeles County Coroner]]'s Office reported that Houston's death was caused by drowning and the "effects of [[atherosclerotic heart disease]] and [[cocaine]] use".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wynter |first1=Kareen |last2=Martinez |first2=Michael |date=March 22, 2012 |title=Coroner: Drowning, heart disease, cocaine use killed Houston |url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/22/coroner-drowning-heart-disease-cocaine-use-killed-houston/ |access-date=March 22, 2012 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324164039/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/22/coroner-drowning-heart-disease-cocaine-use-killed-houston/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 22, 2012 |title=Whitney Houston drowned after cocaine use, says coroner |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The manner of death was listed as "accident".<ref name="autopsy report">{{cite news |last=Blankstein |first=Andrew |date=April 4, 2012 |title=Whitney Houston: Final coroner's report |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://documents.latimes.com/whitney-houston-coroners-report-final/ |access-date=April 6, 2012}}</ref>

The [[54th Annual Grammy Awards]], took place the day following her death and included a tribute to Houston; it was later credited for the Grammys' second-highest ratings in history.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaufman|first1=Gil|title=Grammy Ratings Up Thanks To Adele, Whitney Houston Tribute|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679178/2012-grammy-ratings-jennifer-hudson-tribute-whitney-houston.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215231704/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679178/2012-grammy-ratings-jennifer-hudson-tribute-whitney-houston.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 15, 2012|access-date=September 6, 2012|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=February 13, 2012}}</ref> The February 11, 2012, Clive Davis pre-Grammy party that Houston had been expected to attend, which featured many of the biggest names in music and film, went on as scheduled, although it was quickly turned into a tribute to Houston.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/02/clive-davis-whitney-houston-dead.html|title=Clive Davis: Whitney Houston would have wanted the music to go on|work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 12, 2012|access-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> Numerous other public figures also expressed their grief, including [[Mariah Carey]], [[Quincy Jones]], [[Darlene Love]], [[Aretha Franklin]] and [[Oprah Winfrey]].<ref name="react">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/mariah-carey-diddy-others-react-to-whitney-houstons-death-20120212|title=Mariah Carey, Diddy, Others React to Whitney Houston's Death|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 12, 2012|access-date=February 12, 2012|archive-date=February 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214182018/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/mariah-carey-diddy-others-react-to-whitney-houstons-death-20120212|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/02/11/celebs-react-to-whitney-houston-death-please-tell-me-its-not-true/|title=Celebs react to Whitney Houston death: 'Please tell me it's not true'|first=Lynette|last=Rice|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 11, 2012|access-date=February 17, 2012}}</ref> Houston's death was covered internationally in the media, as was her memorial service, which was held for Houston at her home church, [[New Hope Baptist Church (Newark)|New Hope Baptist Church]], in [[Newark, New Jersey]], on February 18, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newcomb |first=Alyssa |title=Whitney Houston Funeral: Singer Laid to Rest |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/whitney-houston-funeral-singer-laid-rest/story?id=15745349|date= February 19, 2012 |work=ABC News |access-date=February 19, 2012}}</ref>

Houston's music surged in popularity. According to representatives from Houston's record label, Houston sold 8 million records worldwide in the first 10 months of the year she died.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Why Whitney Houston Didn't Make Forbes' List Of Top Earning Dead Celebs |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2012/10/24/why-whitney-houston-didnt-make-forbes-list-of-top-earning-dead-celebs/?sh=142200fe7b35 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Forbes |date=October 24, 2012 |first=Zack |last= O'Malley Greensburg}}</ref> The single "I Will Always Love You" returned to the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 after almost 20 years, peaking at number three and becoming the first posthumous top-10 single since 2001.<ref name="four">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/artists-with-top-10-billboard-hot-100-hits-four-or-more-decades/60s-70s-80s-90s-cher/ |title=All the Acts With Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 Hits in Four or More Decades |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=September 6, 2022 |accessdate=September 6, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/whitney-houston-returns-to-hot-100s-top-10-with-i-will-always-love-you/ |title=Whitney Houston Returns to Hot 100's Top 10 (With 'I Will Always Love You') |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard(.biz)]] |first=Gary |last=Trust |date=February 15, 2012 |access-date=October 25, 2025|url-access=subscription|id={{Factiva|BBRD000020120217e82f0000p}}, [https://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=BILBIZ0020120302e82f00065&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.BILBIZ0020120302e82f00065&cat=a&ep=ASE {{small|BILBIZ0020120302e82f00065}}].<!-- "CR: ONLINE" -->|publisher=Nielsen Business Media / VNU eMedia, Inc.}}</ref> Houston set a [[Guinness World Record]] for a female artist by having 10 albums inside the ''Billboard'' 200 simultaneously.<ref name=WhitneySimultaneousUS>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/750305-most-simultaneous-albums-on-the-us-billboard-200-female |title=Most simultaneous albums on the US Billboard 200 (female) |work=[[Guinness World Record]] |date=March 4, 2023 |accessdate=July 16, 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, Houston made the list of the top ten highest-earning posthumous celebrities on ''[[Forbes]]'', earning $30 million, later winning a Guinness World Records entry as the highest-earning posthumous female, her 32nd record.<ref name="forbesdead23">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/10/30/highest-paid-dead-celebrities-2023-michael-jackson-elvis-presley-whitney-houston/ |title=The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities of 2023 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=October 31, 2023 |accessdate=November 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/467954-highest-earning-dead-celebrity-female-current |title=Highest-earning dead celebrity (female, current) |work=[[Guinness World Records]] |accessdate=November 19, 2023}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
{{Main|Cultural impact of Whitney Houston}}

[[File:Whitney Houston Welcome Heroes 9.JPEG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Houston performing "[[Where Do Broken Hearts Go]]" during her HBO-televised concert "[[Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston|Welcome Home Heroes]]"]]

Houston has been regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time and a [[cultural icon]].<ref name="Botelho-2012">{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2012 |title=Whitney Houston's death hits her native New Jersey hard |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/14/us/new-jersey-whitney-houston/index.html |access-date=July 6, 2021 |publisher=CNN |first=Greg |last=Botelho}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mervis |first=Scott |date=February 14, 2012 |title=Remembering Whitney Houston's concerts in Pittsburgh |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2012/02/14/Remembering-Whitney-Houston-s-concerts-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201202141368 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |quote=she was heralded as one of the finest singers who ever lived by some people who know talent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2012 |title=Whitney: Cultural icon of our era |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/whitney-cultural-icon-of-our-era/ |access-date=July 6, 2021 |website=The Herald |first=Charles |last=Simon-Aaron}}</ref> She is also recognized as one of the most influential R&B artists in history.<ref name="Billboard-2021">{{Cite magazine|date=September 3, 2021|title=The 35 Greatest R&B Artists Of All Time|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6737387/best-r-and-b-singers-of-all-time/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Essence-2011">{{cite magazine|url = http://photos.essence.com/galleries/50_most_influential_black_musicians#811963 | title = 50 Most Influential RnB Stars | magazine= [[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] | date = June 21, 2011 | access-date = July 1, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203900/http://photos.essence.com/galleries/50_most_influential_black_musicians#811963 | archive-date = June 28, 2011 }}</ref> [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] described Houston as a "revolutionary artist who enchanted audiences with her iconic voice –– and kicked down the door for Black artists who followed her."<ref name="ABCNews">{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/whitney-houstons-close-friends-chaka-khan-brandy-reflect/story?id=79276238 |title=Whitney Houston's close friends Chaka Khan, Brandy reflect on her life and legacy |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=August 9, 2021 |author1=Susan Welsh |author2=Haley Yamada |accessdate=June 18, 2025}}</ref> Julianne MacNeill of ''[[Woman's World]]'' magazine credited Houston with "single-handedly changing the world of pop and R&B music".<ref>{{cite web |id=[[Yahoo]] Entertainment [https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/whitney-houston-young-singer-became-115406222.html 115406222].<!-- note: "Updated Thu, February 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM EST" --> |url=https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/whitney-houston-young |title=Whitney Houston Young: How the Singer Became 'The Voice' |work=Woman's World |date=July 1, 2024 – September 16, 2025 <!-- `"contentUpdatedDate":"2025\/09\/16","contentPublishDate":"2024\/07\/01"`, `"postPublishedAt":"2024-07-01T09:00:00-04:00"`, `<meta property="article:published_time" content="2024-07-01T13:00:00+00:00"> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2025-09-16T17:23:21+00:00">` --> |first=Julianne |last=MacNeill |publisher=McClatchy Media}}</ref> During the 1980s, [[MTV]] was coming into its own and received criticism for not playing enough videos by black artists. With [[Michael Jackson]] breaking down the color barrier for black men, Houston did the same for black women. She became the first black woman to receive heavy rotation on the network following the success of the "[[How Will I Know]]" video.<ref name="Johnston-2023">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-22 |title=Whitney Houston's 1985 MTV Debut Broke Barriers for Black Artists — Here's the Story of 'How Will I Know' |id=Yahoo Life [https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/whitney-houston-1985-mtv-debut-114702351.html 114702351]. |url=https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/whitney-houston-mtv-debut-how-will-i-know |first1=Maura |last1=Johnston |first2=Jeff |last2=Gage |website=Woman's World |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Whitney Houston changed MTV - Macleans.ca |url=https://macleans.ca/culture/how-whitney-houston-changed-mtv/amp/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=macleans.ca|date=February 12, 2012 }}</ref> Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' said that Houston "revitalized the tradition of strong gospel-oriented pop-soul singing".<ref>Holden, Stephen. [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/16/arts/review-pop-diana-ross-flirts-with-a-willing-audience.html "Review/Pop; Diana Ross Flirts With a Willing Audience"]. ''The New York Times''. June 16, 1989.</ref> [[Ann Powers]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' referred to Houston's voice as a "[[national treasure]]".<ref name="powers"/>

''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s music critic Andy Gill also wrote about Houston's influence on modern R&B and singing competitions, comparing it to Michael Jackson's, stating that "Jackson was a hugely talented icon, certainly, but he will be as well remembered (probably more so) for his presentational skills, his dazzling dance moves, as for his musical innovations. Whitney, on the other hand, just sang and the ripples from her voice continue to dominate the pop landscape." Gill said that there "are few, if any, Jackson imitators on today's TV talent shows, but every other contestant is a Whitney wannabe, desperately attempting to emulate that wondrous combination of vocal effects&nbsp;– the flowing melisma, the soaring mezzo-soprano confidence, the tremulous fluttering that carried the ends of lines into realms of higher yearning".<ref name="Gill-2012">{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Any|date=February 17, 2012|title=Whitney Houston, the greatest voice of her generation|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=Independent Print|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/whitney-houston-greatest-voice-her-generation-6988653.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726184700/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/whitney-houston-greatest-voice-her-generation-6988653.html|archive-date=July 26, 2021|access-date=February 20, 2012}}</ref> 

According to Linda Lister in ''Divafication: The Deification of Modern Female Pop Stars'', she has been called the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|Queen of Pop]]" for her influence during the 1990s, commercially rivaling Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.<ref name="diva">"If Ella Fitzgerald is the queen of jazz, Billie Holiday first lady of the blues and Aretha Franklin the queen of soul, then who is the queen of pop? In the 1990s, it would seem to be a three-way tie between Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Certainly all three have their devotees and detractors, but their presence has been inescapable." in {{cite news |last1=Lister |first1=Linda |year=2001 |title=Divafication: The Deification of Modern Female Pop Stars |newspaper=Popular Music and Society |page=1 |volume=25 |issue=3/4 |issn=0300-7766}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' stated that Houston "redefined the image of a female soul icon and inspired singers ranging from Mariah Carey to [[Rihanna]]".<ref name="Macnie-2001">{{cite magazine|last=Macnie|first=Jim|year=2001|title=Whitney Houston Biography|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/whitney-houston/biography|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 16, 2010}}</ref> In 2013, ABC named Houston the greatest woman in music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Matt |date=2014-01-01 |title=ABC names Whitney Houston 'Greatest Woman in Music' during 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' |url=https://cartermatt.com/102437/abc-names-whitney-houston-greatest-woman-in-music-during-new-years-rockin-eve/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=CarterMatt |language=en-US}}</ref> She was ranked among the [[The Greatest (VH1 TV series)|greatest women in music]] by [[VH1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2284705.stm|title=Madonna voted greatest female artist|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=April 8, 2021|date=September 27, 2002|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504195134/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2284705.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/1238/the-100-greatest-women-in-music/|title=VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music|first=Mark|last=Graham|publisher=[[VH1]]|date=February 13, 2012|access-date=February 24, 2025|archive-date=April 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418005547/http://www.vh1.com/news/1238/the-100-greatest-women-in-music/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, [[CNN]] listed her as one of the most romantic singers of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news |title=Most romantic singers of the 20th century |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/12/entertainment/gallery/most-romantic-singers/index.html |access-date=April 25, 2022 |agency=CNN}}</ref> Houston's entrance into the music industry is considered one of the 25 musical milestones of the last 25 years, according to ''USA Today'' in 2007. It stated that she paved the way for Mariah Carey's chart-topping vocal gymnastics.<ref name="Gundersen" /> Many major publications including the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], [[Fox News]], [[NBC News]] and ''[[The Independent]]'' dubbed Houston the "greatest singer of her generation".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitney Houston |url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/whitney-houston/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Questions remain a decade after Whitney Houston's untimely death: 'No one will ever know' {{!}} Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/questions-remain-decade-whitney-houston-untimely-death-no-one-ever-know.amp |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.foxnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Whitney Houston biopic shows why it was absurd to think she didn't make 'Black music.' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/whitney-houston-biopic-review-black-music-women-artists-lizzo-doja-cat-rcna62775 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008231945/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/amp/rcna62775 |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-18 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Whitney Houston, the greatest voice of her generation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/whitney-houston-the-greatest-voice-of-her-generation-6988653.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709232606/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/whitney-houston-the-greatest-voice-of-her-generation-6988653.html |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite his opposition to music, [[Osama Bin Laden]] was reportedly fond of Whitney Houston. According to poet and activist Kola Boof, bin Laden wanted to make her one of his wives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenneally |first=Tim |date=February 14, 2012 |title=Whitney Houston and Osama Bin Laden: The Little-Known Connection |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS360594553620120214 |access-date=November 16, 2022 |website=Reuters.com}}</ref> In February 2025, [[Donald Trump]] announced plans to build a statue of Houston among a slew of others for the proposed [[National Garden of American Heroes]], that would be implemented in 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-building-national-garden-american-heroes/|title=Executive Order on Building the National Garden of American Heroes|website=Trump White House Archives|date=January 18, 2021|accessdate=May 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-05-29/34-million-for-sculptures-of-whitney-houston-or-kobe-bryant-this-is-what-trumps-patriotic-garden-will-look-like.html|title=$34 million for sculptures of Whitney Houston or Kobe Bryant: This is what Trump's patriotic garden will look like|work=[[El País]]|author=Maria Porcel|date=May 29, 2025|accessdate=May 29, 2025}}</ref>

== Achievements ==
{{Further|List of accolades received by Whitney Houston|List of Whitney Houston records and achievements|l2=records and achievements}}
Houston won numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Emmy Awards, five World Music Awards, nine Grammy Awards (including two Grammy Hall of Fame inductions and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), 16 ''Billboard'' Music Awards (36 ''Billboard'' awards in all) and 22 American Music Awards. Houston currently holds the record for most [[American Music Award#Artists That Won The Most In A Single Year|American Music Awards in a single night with eight]], a record for a woman and tied in general with fellow musician [[Michael Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web | first = Brittany|last=Talarico | url = http://www.okmagazine.com/2009/11/whitney-houston-to-take-the-stage-at-the-amas/ | title = Whitney Houston to Take the Stage at the AMAs |work=[[OK!]] | date = November 11, 2009 | access-date =March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816051736/http://www.okmagazine.com/2009/11/whitney-houston-to-take-the-stage-at-the-amas/ |archive-date=August 16, 2011}}</ref> Houston was the first artist to win more than [[Billboard Music Award#Most awards in one year|11 Billboard awards in one night]] at its fourth annual ceremony in 1993, which set a Guinness World Record at the time.<ref>{{cite news | first = Chris |last=Willman | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-10-ca-373-story.html | title = Pop Music Review: Houston Tops Off Record Night With Show's Highlight | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = December 10, 1993 | access-date =March 17, 2011}}</ref> Houston continues to hold the record for [[World Music Awards#Most WMAs won in a single year|the most WMAs won in a single year]], winning five trophies at the sixth World Music Awards in 1994.<ref name="1994wmabillboard">{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard | first1 = Mark|last1= Dezzani | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41| title = World Music Awards Gaining Stature | volume = 106 | issue = 21 | date = May 21, 1994 | access-date =February 9, 2010 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref> Houston is also the black female artist with the most [[Guinness World Records]] in history with 33.

[[File:Whitney Houston wax figure.jpg|thumb|[[Madame Tussauds|Madame Tussaud]] wax figure of Houston]]

[[Cultural impact of Whitney Houston#Racial and gender barriers|A premier black female entertainer]], Houston was inducted into the [[BET#BET Walk of Fame|BET Walk of Fame]] and the [[Soul Train|Soul Train Hall of Fame]]. In 2001, Houston became the first artist to receive the [[BET Lifetime Achievement Award]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Susman|first=Gary|date=June 22, 2001|title=Black Power, Plus ''Phantom Menace'' DVD will compete with pirated edit, another movie ad scandal and more|url=https://ew.com/article/2001/06/22/whitney-houston-accepts-bets-lifetime-achievement-award/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 12, 2010|archive-date=March 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323053029/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,131512,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="betrecord">{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/102447-first-recipient-of-the-bet-lifetime-achievement-award#:~:text=In%202001%2C%20Whitney%20Houston%20(USA,contributions%20to%20the%20music%20industry%22. |title=First recipient of the BET Lifetime Achievement Award |work=[[Guinness World Records]] |accessdate=June 19, 2023}}</ref> In 2010, she was honored at [[The BET Honors]] with the Entertainers Award. In 2008, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine released a list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists to celebrate the US singles chart's 50th anniversary, ranking Houston at number nine.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-artists-20.shtml | title = The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | year = 2008 | access-date =March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116133045/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-artists-20.shtml |archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first= Stephen | last= Holden | title= Cabaret: Whitney Houston |date=February 16, 1985|work=The New York Times | url= https://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/16/arts/cabaret-whitney-houston.html |access-date=January 13, 2009 | author-link = Stephen Holden }}</ref> In November 2010, ''Billboard'' released its "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years" list and ranked Houston at number three who not only went on to earn eight number-one singles on the [[R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart, but also landed five number ones on [[R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]].<ref name="Billboard-2010">{{cite magazine | url = https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-top-50-rb-hip-hop-artists-of-the-past-25-years-950681/ | title = Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date = November 18, 2010 | access-date =March 17, 2011}}</ref> The magazine later ranked her the 69th "Greatest Female Artist of the 21st Century".<ref>{{cite magazine |first1=Trevor |last1=Anderson |first2=Jim |last2=Asker |first3=Pamela |last3=Bustios |first4=Keith |last4=Caulfield |first5=Eric |last5=Frankenberg |first6=Kevin |last6=Rutherford |first7=Gary |last7=Trust |first8=Xander |last8=Zellner |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Billboard's Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart: Nos. 100-1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-women-artists-21st-century-chart/no-8-ariana-grande/|access-date=March 19, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319183615/https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-women-artists-21st-century-chart/ |url-status=live |archive-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref> Houston is one of the longest-running acts on the US ''Billboard'' charts, with a total of 692 weeks on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and 1,045 weeks on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/whitney-houston/|title=Whitney Houston - Chart History|language=en|access-date=June 19, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/whitney-houston/chart-history/hsi/ |work=Billboard |title=Whitney Houston - Chart History (Hot 100) |access-date=January 6, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/whitney-houston/chart-history/tlp/ |work=Billboard |title=Whitney Houston - Chart History (Billboard 200) |access-date=January 6, 2026}}</ref>

Houston is [[Whitney Houston albums discography|one of the best-selling recording artists of all time]], with more than 220 million records sold worldwide.<ref name="Vogue">{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2023|first=Hannah|last=Coates |title=11 of Whitney Houston's Most Dazzling Beauty Looks |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/whitney-houston-best-beauty-looks |access-date=August 9, 2023 |work=Vogue}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Whitney Houston story, song by song |url=https://www.marieclaire.it/attualita/gossip/a40101810/storia-di-whitney-houston/ |access-date=June 28, 2023 |work=Marie Claire}}</ref> She was ranked the best-selling female R&B artist of the 20th century by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] in 1999.<ref name="riaacentury2">{{cite web|date=November 10, 1999|title=The American Recording Industry Announces its Artists of the Century|url=http://www.riaa.net/newsitem.php?news_month_filter=11&news_year_filter=1999&resultpage=&id=3ABF3EC8-EF5B-58F9-E949-3B57F5E313DF|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032619/http://www.riaa.net/newsitem.php?news_month_filter=11&news_year_filter=1999&resultpage=&id=3ABF3EC8-EF5B-58F9-E949-3B57F5E313DF|archive-date=July 24, 2011|access-date=July 23, 2010|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America}}</ref> Houston sold more physical singles than any other female solo artist in history.<ref name="Flatow-2012">{{cite web|last=Flatow|first=Joel|date=February 13, 2012|title=Whitney Soars in Our Hearts|url=https://www.riaa.com/blog.php?content_selector=riaa-news-blog&blog_selector=Whitney-Soars-&blog_type=&news_month_filter=2&news_year_filter=2012|access-date=February 24, 2012|publisher=Record Industry Association of America|archive-date=June 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616140258/http://www.riaa.com/blog.php?content_selector=riaa-news-blog&blog_selector=Whitney-Soars-&blog_type=&news_month_filter=2&news_year_filter=2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2026, she is ranked as one of the [[List of best-selling music artists in the United States|best-selling]] artists in the United States by the RIAA with 62 million [[RIAA certification|certified albums]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|publisher=Record Industry Association of America|language=en-US|access-date=October 16, 2019}}</ref> Houston released seven studio albums and two soundtrack albums, all of which have been certified diamond, multi-platinum or platinum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/search/whitney+houston/|title=Search – Whitney Houston|publisher=Record Industry Association of America|access-date=December 7, 2019}}</ref>

Houston became the first female artist to go diamond with an album after her [[The Bodyguard (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to ''[[The Bodyguard (1992 film)|The Bodyguard]]'' went ten-times platinum in November 1993. In January 1994, her debut album ''[[Whitney Houston (album)|Whitney Houston]]'' was the first studio album by a woman to be certified ten-times platinum, making her the first solo artist to receive two diamond-certified albums. When her second album, ''[[Whitney (album)|Whitney]]'' (1987), was certified diamond in October 2020, Houston became the first black recording artist in history to have three diamond-certified albums.<ref name="whitneycert"/> Those three albums are also among the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling albums of all time]]. Houston is the only [[List of best-selling albums by women|black female artist with six albums to sell more than ten million units worldwide]], the third most in general by a female artist. ''The Bodyguard'' remains the best-selling soundtrack and best-selling female album of all time, with global units of over 45 million, while "I Will Always Love You" remains the best-selling single by a female artist at 24 million units worldwide. In addition, her [[The Preacher's Wife (soundtrack)|soundtrack for ''The Preacher's Wife'']] is the best-selling [[gospel music|gospel]] release ever.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/03/24/2634072/0/en/Whitney-Houston-s-Gospel-Legacy-Lives-On-with-New-Album-and-Documentary-I-Go-to-the-Rock-The-Gospel-Music-of-Whitney-Houston.html |title=Whitney Houston's Gospel Legacy Lives On with New Album and Documentary, 'I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston' |work=GlobeNewswire.com |date=March 24, 2023 |accessdate=February 28, 2025}}</ref>

She held an honorary Doctorate in Humanities from [[Grambling State University]], Louisiana.<ref name="Company1990hg">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8tMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA138|title=Daddy's Girl|magazine=Ebony|date=June 1990 |pages=138–|issn=0012-9011|access-date=February 13, 2012}}</ref> Houston was inducted into the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=2013 Inductees|publisher=New Jersey Hall of Fame|url=http://njhalloffame.org/inductees/|access-date=January 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417212545/http://njhalloffame.org/inductees/|archive-date=April 17, 2014}}</ref> She was inducted into the official [[National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame|Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame]] in its second class in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/08/rb_hall_of_fame_sets_big_weeke.html |title=R&B Music Hall of Fame sets big weekend to induct sophomore class featuring Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Norm N. Nite and more |date=August 19, 2014 |work=The Plain Dealer |access-date=September 4, 2014 |first=Chuck |last=Yarborough}}</ref> In 2020, Houston was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] after her first nomination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/2020-nominees|title=Class of 2020 Nominees|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|language=en|access-date=October 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/arts/music/rock-roll-hall-of-fame.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115132008/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/arts/music/rock-roll-hall-of-fame.html |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Whitney Houston and Nine Inch Nails Make the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |date=January 15, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Coscarelli|first=Joe |access-date=January 15, 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, the music video for "I Will Always Love You" surpassed 1&nbsp;billion views on YouTube, making Houston the first solo 20th-century artist to have a video reach that milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' Hits 1 Billion Views On YouTube |url=https://etcanada.com/news/706729/whitney-houstons-i-will-always-love-you-hits-1-billion-views-on-youtube/ |access-date=September 4, 2021 |website=ET Canada |last=Curran |first=Sarah |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904142349/https://etcanada.com/news/706729/whitney-houstons-i-will-always-love-you-hits-1-billion-views-on-youtube/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In May 2023, Houston was one of the first of 13 artists to be given the [[Brits Billion Award]] by the BPI for reaching 1 billion career streams in the United Kingdom.<ref name="BritsBillion">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/brit-billion-award-streaming-mariah-carey-lewis-capaldi-whitney-houston-1235321745/ |title=BRIT Billion Award, Marking 1 Billion Career UK Streams is Unveiled |last=Grein|first= Paul |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 4, 2023 |accessdate=May 4, 2023}}</ref> Houston is one of only a handful of artists from the [[20th century in music|20th century]] to have multiple songs streamed a billion times on [[Spotify]] with her 1987 hit, "[[I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)]]", and her posthumous 2019 hit, "[[Higher Love#Kygo and Whitney Houston version|Higher Love]]", reaching the feat in 2023 and 2024.<ref name="SpotifyBillion">{{Cite tweet |user=popbase |number=1678554888966422528 |date=July 11, 2023 |accessdate=July 12, 2023 |title=Whitney Houston's classic hit 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' has surpassed 1 BILLION streams on Spotify. It is the first song by an female artist who debuted in the 80s to achieve this.}}</ref><ref name="BillboardGreatest">{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/whitney-houston-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-greatest-pop-song-all-time-1235445511/ |title=The Story of Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', the Billboard Staff's No. 1 Pop Song |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Kyle|last=Denis |date=October 19, 2023 |accessdate=December 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://edm.com/news/kygo-whitney-houston-higher-love-spotify-billion-stream-club |title=Kygo and Whitney Houston's Higher Love Joins Spotify's Billion-Stream Club |work=EDM.com |author=Jason Heffler |date=November 6, 2024 |accessdate=February 28, 2025}}</ref> In September 2025, Houston was inducted into the Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame at St. Louis, Missouri.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cbs4indy.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/819379292/the-gospel-music-of-hall-announces-its-2025-inductees-with-more-than-100-record-breaking-inductions|title=The Gospel Music of Hall Announces its 2025 Inductees with More than 100 Record-Breaking Inductions|website=CBS4Indy|date=June 5, 2025|accessdate=June 7, 2025|archive-date=June 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608220317/https://cbs4indy.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/819379292/the-gospel-music-of-hall-announces-its-2025-inductees-with-more-than-100-record-breaking-inductions/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/33506/20250905/whitney-houston-inducted-into-the-gospel-music-hall-of-fame.htm |title=Whitney Houston Inducted Into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame |work=Jubilee Cast |date=September 6, 2025 |access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref> In January 2026, Houston received the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/2026-recording-academy-special-merit-awards-full-list/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |title=Whitney Houston, Cher, Carlos Santana & More to Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards from Recording Academy: Full List |date=December 19, 2025 |access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/chaka-khan-cher-whitney-houston-fela-kuti-get-grammys-life-achievement-awards/article_dd967812-6dc6-55f4-90b0-23eab8e1ca5a.html |title=Chaka Khan, Cher, Whitney Houston, Fela Kuti get Grammys Life Achievement Awards  |work=[[Associated Press]] |author=Andrew Dalton |date=February 1, 2026 |access-date=February 1, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/34451/20260201/whitney-houston-honored-with-grammy-lifetime-achievement-award.htm |work=Jubilee Cast |title=Whitney Houston Honored With GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award |author=Timothy Yap |date=February 1, 2026 |access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref> In February 2026, Houston's music video to "[[I Have Nothing]]" surpassed a billion views, her second video to do so.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/whitney-houston-i-have-nothing-video-billion-views-youtube-1236186890/ |title=Whitney Houston Lands a Second Music Video from 'The Bodyguard' Soundtrack in YouTube's Billion Views Club |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |author=Annie Harrigan |date=February 25, 2026 |access-date=February 26, 2026}}</ref>

== Commemoration ==
[[File:Whitney E Houston Academy for the Performing Arts in New Jersey.jpg|thumb|Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts]]
* In 1997, the Franklin School in [[East Orange, New Jersey]], which Houston attended as a child, was renamed to the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts.<ref name="WHAcademy">{{cite news |date=June 13, 1997 |title=Whitney Houston Attends Elementary School Naming Ceremony |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/zh3myi/whitney-houston-attends-elementary-school-naming-ceremony |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603235829/https://www.mtv.com/news/zh3myi/whitney-houston-attends-elementary-school-naming-ceremony |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |accessdate=December 18, 2023 |work=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>
* In 2014, the Hatfield Orchids registered a new cymbidium hybrid orchid in the [[Royal Horticultural Society]] (RHS) under the name ''Cymbidium Whitney Houston'' named after Houston.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://orchidroots.com/display/summary/orchidaceae/100973058/ |title=Cymbidium Whitney Houston, Hatfield Orchids 2014 (RHS) |work=Orchid Roots |access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://orchidex.org/registrant/Hatfield%20Orchids |title=Hatfield Orchids |work=Orchidex |date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=January 14, 2026}}</ref>
* Four posthumous albums have been released, including two compilation albums and two live albums. A posthumous concert tour, [[An Evening with Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour]], featuring a projected image of Houston, ran from 2020 to 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/whitney-houston/hologram-tour-evening-with-tickets-dates/ |title=An Evening with Whitney hologram tour is coming to the UK - here's how to get tickets |first=Tom |last=Eames |date=September 18–19, 2019 <!-- "18 September 2019, 09:06 | Updated: 19 September 2019, 09:24" --> |website=[[Smooth (UK radio network)|Smooth Radio]] |publisher=[[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]] |access-date=November 27, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Madame Tussauds]] unveiled four wax figures of Houston in 2013, inspired by her looks from the music video of ''I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)'', film ''The Bodyguard'', album cover of ''[[I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston]]'' and ''The Star-Spangled Banner'' performance at the 1991 Super Bowl.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/386136/whitney-houston-s-wax-figures-unveiled-see-the-pic |title=Whitney Houston's Wax Figures Unveiled—See the Pic |website=E! Online |date=February 7, 2013 |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref>
* In 2015, [[Lifetime Channel|Lifetime]] premiered the biographical film ''[[Whitney (2015 film)|Whitney]]''. Houston was portrayed by model [[Yaya DaCosta]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ashley |last=Lee |title=Lifetime's 'Whitney': What the Critics Are Saying |magazine=[[Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2015-01-17 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/whitney-lifetime-review-what-critics-764525 |access-date=18 January 2018 |archive-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120053/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/whitney-lifetime-review-what-critics-764525 |url-status=live }}</ref>

* In 2016, Houston's musical legacy was honored at the [[National Museum of African American History and Culture]] at the [[Smithsonian Institution]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], with several artifacts of Houston throughout her career donated from her estate being displayed in its Musical Crossroads gallery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/collection/search?edan_q=*:*&edan_fq[]=topic:%22Music%22&edan_fq[]=name%3A%22Houston%2C+Whitney%22 |work=[[National Museum of African American History and Culture]] |title=Collection Search Results |access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.edu/object/american-music-award-trophy-given-whitney-houston%3Anmaahc_2014.161.6#:~:text=Object%20Details&text=An%20American%20Music%20Awards%20trophy,is%20covered%20in%20black%20felt. |work=[[Smithsonian Institution]] |title=African American Museum: American Music Award trophy given to Whitney Houston |access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref>
* A television documentary film entitled ''[[Whitney: Can I Be Me]]'' aired on Showtime on August 25, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=6 Things We Learned From the Heartbreaking Whitney Houston Movie |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/08/25/whitney-can-i-be-me-documentary-6-takeaways/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Dan |last=Heching |date=August 25, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> The film was directed by [[Nick Broomfield]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Farber|first1=Jim|date=April 26, 2017|title=Nick Broomfield on his damning Whitney Houston film: 'She had very little control over her life'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/25/nick-broomfield-on-his-damning-whitney-film-she-had-very-little-control-over-her-life|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* ''[[Whitney (2018 film)|Whitney]]'', a documentary film based on Houston's life and death, premiered at the [[2018 Cannes Film Festival]] and was released internationally in theaters on July 6, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 5, 2018 |title=Whitney Houston film trailer: Biopic reveals all in HEARTBREAKING new home videos |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/941774/Whitney-Houston-film-trailer-release-date-Biopic-home-videos-died-drugs |access-date=September 7, 2021 |first=Stefan |last=Kyriazis |website=Daily Express}}</ref>
* In 2019, Houston and [[Kygo]]'s version of "[[Higher Love#Kygo and Whitney Houston version|Higher Love]]" was released as a single.<ref>{{cite web|last=White|first=Jack|date=June 27, 2019|title=Whitney Houston's first posthumous release in seven years announced as Kygo collaboration Higher Love|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/whitney-houstons-first-posthumous-release-in-seven-years-announced-as-kygo-collaboration-higher-love__26740/|access-date=June 27, 2019|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> It reached number two on the [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="copsey"/> and reached the top 10 in several countries.<ref>"[http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kygo+x+Whitney+Houston&titel=Higher+Love&cat=s Swisscharts.com – Kygo x Whitney Houston – Higher Love]". [[Swiss Hitparade|Swiss Singles Chart]]. Retrieved August 13, 2021.</ref><ref>"[https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kygo+x+Whitney+Houston&titel=Higher+Love&cat=s Swedishcharts.com – Kygo x Whitney Houston – Higher Love]". [[Sverigetopplistan|Singles Top 100]]. Retrieved August 13, 2021.</ref><ref>"[https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kygo+x+Whitney+Houston&titel=Higher+Love&cat=s Norwegiancharts.com – Kygo x Whitney Houston – Higher Love]". [[VG-lista]]. Retrieved August 13, 2021.</ref>
* Lifetime released the documentary ''Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn't We Almost Have It All'' in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/lifetime-documentary-trailer-whitney-houston-bobby-kristina/ |work=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] |title=Watch The Trailer For Lifetime's Whitney Houston And Bobbi Kristina Documentary |access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref>
* A mural of Houston, made of hand cut glass by artist Maude Lemaire, was installed at 45 Williams Street, [[Newark, New Jersey]], in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/grammy-museum-experience-prudential-center-and-prudential-financial-inc-announce-plans-for-whitney-houston-mural-in-newarks-central-ward/ |title=GRAMMY Museum Experience, Prudential Center AND Prudential Financial, Inc. Announce Plans For Whitney Houston Mural In Newark's Central Ward |website=Whitney Houston |date=October 19, 2020 |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref>
* On August 11, 2021, Houston was the first profile of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] documentary series, ''[[Superstar (American TV series)|Superstar]]'', with interviews from [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]], [[BeBe Winans]], [[Chaka Khan]], [[Narada Michael Walden]], [[Darlene Love]] and [[Savion Glover]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc.com/news/af98c5c7-0a78-4944-8956-8b3a3bdd8f3a/category/1138628 |title=Watch "Superstar: Whitney Houston" - Part of a New Television Event Premiering TONIGHT on ABC |work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=March 7, 2026}}</ref>
* On the tenth anniversary of her death, [[ESPN]] ran a 30-minute documentary of Houston's acclaimed performance of [[The Star Spangled Banner]] at [[Super Bowl XXV]] in 1991 titled ''Whitney's Anthem''.<ref name="whitneysanthem">{{cite web |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/02/whitneys-anthem-new-espn-e60-traces-backstory-of-singers-epic-super-bowl-national-anthem-performance/ |title=Whitney's Anthem: New ESPN E60 Traces Backstory of Singer's Epic Super Bowl National Anthem Performance |work=[[ESPN]] |date=February 7, 2022 |accessdate=November 7, 2023}}</ref>
* Starting in February 2022, on the tenth anniversary of her death, [[Funko#Product lines|Funko Pop!]] released the first of what would be four Funko Pop figurines of Houston in her outfit from the "[[How Will I Know]]" music video, followed by her [[Super Bowl XXV]] tracksuit outfit the following March, her laid back pink gown from her [[Whitney Houston (album)|debut album]] that June and her outfit from the "[[I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)]]" music video that August, on the day before what would've been her 59th birthday.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houston-how-will-i-know-funko-pop-icon/ |work=WhitneyHouston.com |title=Whitney Houston ‘How Will I Know’ Funko Pop! Icon |date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houston-super-bowl-funko-pop/ | work=WhitneyHouston.com |title=Whitney Houston Super Bowl Funko Pop! |date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houston-debut-album-funko-pop-icon/ |work=WhitneyHouston.com |title=Whitney Houston Debut Album Funko Pop! |date=June 6, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitneyhouston.com/news/whitney-houston-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-funko-pop/ |work=WhitneyHouston.com |title=Whitney Houston 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' Funko Pop! |date=August 8, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2026}}</ref>
* ''[[Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody]]'', a biographical film, opened on December 23, 2022, with Houston being portrayed by [[Naomi Ackie]]. It grossed around $60 million.<ref name="BOM">{{Cite Box Office Mojo|id=12193804 |title= Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022) |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NUM">{{Cite The Numbers |id=Whitney-Houston-I-Wanna-Dance-With-Somebody |title= Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Financial Information |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>
* In December 2023, the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]] unveiled the Whitney Houston Service Area, formerly known as the Vauxhal Service Area at the [[Garden State Parkway]].<ref name="WHServiceArea">{{cite news |url=https://www.njarts.net/whitney-houston-exhibit-unveiled-at-garden-state-parkway-service-area/ |title=Whitney Houston exhibit unveiled at Garden State Parkway service area |work=NJArts.net |first=Jay |last=Lustig |date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref> The New Jersey Hall of Fame explained that the renaming was part of their "ongoing program to honor its inductees by renaming Garden State Parkway service areas after them, and building displays about them".<ref name="WHServiceArea"/>
* In May 2025, it was announced by Houston's estate that ''The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration'', which integrates Houston's vocal recordings with the backing of an orchestra, will embark on a full length North American tour starting in September 2025.<ref name="whitneysymphony">{{cite news|url=https://people.com/whitney-houston-estate-announces-the-voice-of-whitney-a-symphonic-celebration-fall-north-american-tour-exclusive-11736663|title= Whitney Houston's Estate Announces 'The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration' Fall North American Tour (Exclusive)|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|first=Marina |last=Watts|date=May 19, 2025|accessdate=May 19, 2025}}</ref>
*In September 2025, [[Calum Scott]] released a reimagined duet ballad rendition of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" with Houston.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/releases/calum-scott-whitney-houston-cover-2025 |title=Calum Scott Duets with Whitney on "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" Cover |work=[[Hits Daily Double]] |date=September 11, 2025 |access-date=September 16, 2025}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Whitney Houston albums discography|Whitney Houston singles discography|l2 = singles discography|List of songs recorded by Whitney Houston|l3 = songs recorded}}

* ''[[Whitney Houston (album)|Whitney Houston]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Whitney (album)|Whitney]]'' (1987)
* ''[[I'm Your Baby Tonight]]'' (1990)
* ''[[My Love Is Your Love]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Just Whitney]]'' (2002)
* ''[[One Wish: The Holiday Album]]'' (2003)
* ''[[I Look to You]]'' (2009)

== Filmography ==
{{Main|Whitney Houston filmography|Whitney Houston videography|l2 = videography|}}

'''Films starred'''
* ''[[The Bodyguard (1992 film)|The Bodyguard]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Waiting to Exhale]]'' (1995)
* ''[[The Preacher's Wife]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Cinderella (1997 film)|Cinderella]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]'' (2012)

'''Films produced'''
* ''[[Cinderella (1997 film)|Cinderella]]'' (1997)
* ''[[The Princess Diaries (film)|The Princess Diaries]]'' (2001)
* ''[[The Cheetah Girls (film)|The Cheetah Girls]]'' (2003)
* ''[[The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement ]]''(2004)
* ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]'' (2012)

'''Documentaries and others'''
* ''[[Nora's Hair Salon]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa|The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)]]'' (2024)

=== Biographical adaptations ===
==== Documentaries ====
* ''[[Whitney: Can I Be Me]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Whitney (2018 film)|Whitney]]'' (2018)

==== Feature films ====
* ''[[Whitney (2015 film)|Whitney]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody]]'' (2022)

== Tours ==
{{Main|List of Whitney Houston live performances}}

===Headlining tours===
{{div col}}
* [[US Tour]] (1985)
* [[The Greatest Love World Tour]] (1986)
* [[Moment of Truth World Tour]] (1987–1988)
* Feels So Right Tour (1990)
* [[I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour]] (1991)
* [[The Bodyguard World Tour]] (1993–1994)
* [[Pacific Rim Tour]] (1997)
*  The European Tour (1998)
* [[My Love Is Your Love World Tour]] (1999)
* [[Nothing but Love World Tour]] (2009–2010)
{{div col end}}

=== Tribute tours ===
* [[An Evening with Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour]] (2020–2023)

===Co-headlining tours===
* [[Soul Divas Tour]] (2004)

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|New Jersey|Pop music|R&B and soul music|United States}}
{{div col}}
* [[List of American Grammy Award winners and nominees]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart]]
* [[Artists with the most number-ones on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart]]
* [[European Hot 100 Singles#Most number-one singles|List of artists with the most number-one European singles]]
* [[List of artists who have spent the most weeks on the UK music charts]]
* [[List of accolades received by Whitney Houston]]
* [[List of best-selling albums]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists]]
* [[List of best-selling gospel music artists]]
* [[List of best-selling singles]]
* [[List of largest music deals]]
* [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book
|last1=Cox
|first1=Ted
|title=Whitney Houston: Black Americans of Achievement
|year=1999
|publisher=Chelsea House Publishers
|isbn=0-7910-4456-4
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last1=Heppermann
 |first1=Christine
 |author-link=Christine Heppermann
 |title=Whitney Houston: Recording Artist & Actress
 |year=2012
 |publisher=ABDO Publishing
 |isbn=9781614801733
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last1=Parish
 |first1=Robert
 |author-link=Robert Parish
 |title=Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography
 |year=2003
 |publisher=Aurum Press
 |isbn=1-85410-921-9
}}
* {{Cite book
|last1=Seal
|first1=Richard
|title=Whitney Houston: One Moment in Time 
|year=1994
|publisher=Britannia Press Publishing
|isbn=0-9519937-8-X
}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last1=Ammons |first1=Kevin |last2=Bacon |first2=Nancy |year=1998 |title=Good Girl, Bad Girl: An Insider's Biography of Whitney Houston |location=Secaucus, NJ |publisher=Carol Publ. Group |isbn=978-0-8065-8012-8 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bowman |first=Jeffery |year=1995 |title=Diva: The Totally Unauthorized Biography of Whitney Houston |location=New York |publisher=Harper |isbn=978-0-06-100853-5 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Halstead |first=Craig |year=2010 |title=Whitney Houston: For the Record |location=Sandy, Bedfordshire, UK |publisher=Authors OnLine |isbn=978-0-7552-1278-1 |oclc=751138536 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Houston |first=Whitney |date=March 1999 |title=My Love Is Your Love: Piano, Vocal, Chords |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Alfred Publishing Co. |isbn=978-0-7692-7734-9 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick |year=2022 |title=Didn't We Almost Have it All: In Defense of Whitney Houston |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0bcdEAAAQBAJ |location=New York |publisher=Abrams |isbn=9781419749698 |oclc=1289268049 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Parish |first=James Robert |date=September 2003 |title=Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography |location=London |publisher=Aurum Press |isbn=978-1-85410-921-7 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Parish |first=James Robert |date=April 2010 |title=Whitney Houston: Return of the Diva |location=Chicago |publisher=John Blake |isbn=978-1-84454-919-1 |ref=none}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q34389|c=Category:Whitney Houston|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{AllMusic|artist/whitney-houston-mn0000820434}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|0001365}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=89490%7C0|name=Whitney Houston}}
* {{NYTtopic|people/h/whitney-houston}}

{{Whitney Houston|state=expanded}}
{{Whitney Houston singles}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Whitney Houston|Awards for Whitney Houston]]
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Song}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song}}
{{American Music Award of Merit}}
{{Billboard Millennium Award}}
{{EmmyAward VarietyPerformance 1976–2000}}
{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year 1990s}}
{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1990s}}
{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best R&B}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Moment}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}
{{2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Articles related to Whitney Houston
|list =
{{UK best-selling singles (by year)}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one albums}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one singles}}
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}}

{{Authority control}}

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