By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
What's really going on with Whitney Houston?
Said to be on the comeback trail, the Grammy Award winning diva is back in the news again -- in good ways, and bad.
Last week, the former top-charting chanteuse was made headlines.
And she also made head turns, as well.
According to 'Fox News' gossip guru Roger Friedman, sources said that the 'I Will Always Love You' singer looking "stoned" at Stevie Wonder's lavish 57th birthday celebration during the star studded opening of The Cove in The Bahamas.
But a record label source dismissed that talk.
"Whitney ... is straight as an arrow, not doing drugs and working hard in the studio. That's the word from her record company Monday in response to my weekend report," Friedman wrote two days later.
Okay.
Back at the ranch, her ex-husband Bobby Brown filed papers in California's Orange County Superior Court recently challenging the terms of his April 24 divorce. According to 'MTV News,' the former pop star turned reality TV personality is claiming he was distraught, depressed and so strapped for cash at the time that he couldn't afford a lawyer. He's now specifically trying to contest a judge's decision to grant physical and legal custody of the pair's 14-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, to his ex-wife.
'Access Hollywood' obtained papers that support Brown claims. The documents reportedly claim that "Whitney repeatedly assured Bobby that he need not file a response and that reconciliation was possible," and that "Whitney did so at a time when she knew that Bobby was particularly vulnerable."
A June 15 court date has been set for Brown's new case.
And while Whitney is done with Bobby, Verizon is officially done with Akon.
But she said to be ready to make musical magic with the Senagelese singing sensation -- even after the telecommunications giant dropped him as a spokesperson (thanks to the internet footage of him in a comprising position with a minor.)
The 'Locked Up' crooner has reportedly signed on to write and produce material for her big comeback project. According to 'Billboard,' Akon says the songs will most likely represent everything she's been through over the years, as well as where she is now in her life.
The album, which may feature collaborations with Ne-Yo, Diane Warren, R. Kelly, Jermaine Dupri, Jennifer Hudson and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, is expected to be released later this year.
Comments: (67)
Add a comment
By: Robbie Rob on 5/21/2007 10:07AM
Whitney is such a talented artist....one of the best from her generation. She's the only artist in history who ever sang the national anthem and turned it into a number one hit! I've certainly always been one of her biggest fans and I've prayed for her peace to be restored throughout this whole marriage and drug ordeal. With so much to offer, I hope we're given the opportunity to enjoy her gift to the world....much love to you Whitney and God Bless!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Greta Johnson on 5/21/2007 10:32AM
Bobby Brown ended up with WHAT he asked for. I saw him on the Word Network TV ad. What a mess !
FOR HOME BASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITES, Full SPONSORSHIP Available by Me ! You won't go alone
http://LittleBlackLady.com
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Beatrice on 5/21/2007 11:00AM
There is no singer like Whitney I have been waiting for her new song to come out so i can be one of the first people to buy it.I'm not one for buying music I only listen to it in my car or when I'm cleaning my house but when it come to her I will buy it because it is her. I pray for you and I know you will be ok, you are a strong person and have a gift that came from god.I like to tell all of you people out there that like to put people down and just try to sell paper of have yourself heard. just think someone could be writing lies about you and you wouldn't like that so try to help and not hurt. There is too much hurt that is going on in the world today and a kind word would go a long way.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Mahogany on 5/21/2007 12:12PM
I wish the best for Whitney, and I can't wait for her new cd to come out. I know it will be great if Akon has his hands in it, he's great!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: carley on 5/21/2007 2:02PM
I wish whitney all the luck in the world.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ro on 5/21/2007 2:07PM
Whitney Houston is one of the best singers of all time...her voice is a gift..not manufactured in a studio..you can't "buy" pipes like this!..it's unfortunate that she got sidetrack with drugs and whatever else tabloids report...bottom-line..the girl can sing...even on her worst day, month, year or whatever..she can sing better the girls/guys the music industry puts out today...so say what you will...but when the music stops...the resonance in this woman's voice is beautiful...turn off the background beats on some others and it's as "soul-stirring" as watching paint dry....
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jake on 5/21/2007 3:01PM
Gosh look at her. like a shining jewel in that pic. thank GOD shes away from bobby. u see how she looks when hes out of her life. Shes gonna make a killer album. Clive and all of them know she has to deliver. and they know what to put out to make he do jus that.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Wolfgang Pit Bullington, III on 5/26/2007 12:53PM
Whitney Houston has stellar accomplishments, her family has given all of us so much. She has great parents. I love her mother, Dr. Cissy Houston, her song "Break It To Me Gently" is so beautiful and emotional, I listen to it every day. Lets not be so quick to throw manure into her face, because when we point a finger at her there are three fingers pointing back at all of us. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Lets facilitate her strength where she is weak, and help to build her up where she is torn down. Black women in our country have nourished, nurtured and sacrificed for us all. Like you enjoy your coffee, they have demonstrated beyond a doubt that: "They are strong and black!" In order for us to began the healing process in black America we have to look beyond each others faults and see our needs. We all will be beneficiaries because of the trying times her family is going through if we are willing to listen and learn. Whitney, ask for the strength and keep on toiling. We are here for you. The imperishable glory of black women will never fade and is eternal! Curtis Mayfield sang, "I've got my strength and it don't make much sense not to keep on pushing!There are so many young, talented, black men incarcerated for the crime of "being black", what a sham! Mr. Brown, we support you too. Where is Robera Flack when I need her to sing: "Be Real Black For Me?"
You've got soul and everybody know that its allright! I refuse to byte such a great and loving black woman. Wolfgang Pit Bullington, III
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ladyzgotgame2 on 5/22/2007 5:15AM
That is one talented lady!!! And Bobby is one ugly dude!! Thank God she got away from him!! Do your thing girl
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Sexcess1 on 5/22/2007 6:31AM
Whitney Houston is the GREATEST SINGER EVER period. like the previous poster said even on her worst days when her voice wasn't at her peak it was still music to my ears. God's gift can never truly be taken away, although the devil may try to destroy it. Sadly I had written her off as dead by the end of 2006. But thank you for making a liar out of me and the Devil!!!!! Brooklyn's #1 Whitney fan now and forever.
Anxiously awaiting new music
R. Samuel
******IMPORTANT*******
If there are any BMG employees reading this, Whitney and Jennifer should cover Dionne and Whitney's duet,"Love will find a way" with the parts reversed this time, that really is a beautiful song with great lyric that never really got the exposure it needed. It's also speaks to the struggle that Whitney has endured, it will really speak to her moreso than the first time. And I want Whitney to cover "A Song For You" (a studio version) for BobbieKris. Just mu personal request :-)
Reply to this Comment | Report This