whitney houston

Whitney Houston’s Estate Launches The ‘Whitney Houston Hotel’ For Grammy Week And Fans Are Confused

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Whitney Houston 42nd Annual Grammy Awards 2000
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The 65th Annual Grammy Awards are just weeks away. Many of the biggest names in music gather for a week full of events across Los Angeles, California ending with the coveted ceremony on February 5, 2023, hosted by Trevor Noah. However, since the tragic death of the late singer Whitney Houston prior to the 2012 ceremony, a dark cloud has continued to hover over the event.

The late singer’s recent biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody starring Naomi Ackie, authorized by Houston’s estate, was a surface examination of the complexities of her life and career. Now, the estate has launched the Whitney Houston Hotel to dive even deeper look into her illustrious career, life, and her impact that was left out of the biopic. Noted as one of music’s greatest voices, the week-long event will center Houston’s music.

Partnering with Primary Wave and presented by Sony, the Whitney Houston Hotel, held inside the W Hotel in Hollywood, will host a week full of events, including live musical performances by Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child), Amber Riley, Baby Tate, Teddy Swims, Coco Jones, Georgia Ku, Kiana Ledé, Natalie Jane, a memorabilia exhibit, a pop-up shop, and more. See below for the full schedule.

While fans of the late Houston see this as another gross exploitation to capitalize on her death at the industry event, the family may be using this as an opportunity to change the narrative around it. However, considering the location and cause of her death, the framing presents as problematic at best. As distasteful as comedian Jerrod Carmichael’s joke about Houston’s accidental drowning at the Beverly Hilton, it is just a recent reminder of how the industry has continued to gloss over her troubling end.

Wednesday, February 1

  • The official unveiling of the Whitney Houston Hotel
  • Opening of the Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge
  • Opening of the Whitney Houston Pop-Up Retail Shop
  • Opening of the Whitney Houston Gallery featuring rare and iconic photos, as well as several gowns worn by Whitney throughout her career

Thursday, February 2

  • Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge Artist Showcases

Friday, February 3

  • Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge Whitney Houston Brunch and Panel Discussion Panel hosted by Kevin Frazier
  • Artist Showcases

Saturday, February 4

  • Primary Wave 16th Annual Pre-Grammy Carpet & Party

The Whitney Houston Hotel is sponsored by MAC Cosmetics, Proflowers, and City National Bank.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Jerrod Carmichael Makes Whitney Houston Joke At The 2023 Golden Globes +Twitter Reacts

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Jerrod Carmichael

Actor Jerrod Carmichael hosted the 2023 Golden Globes, where he cracked a dark joke that many fans on social media felt were insensitive, particularly joking about the late singer Whitney Houston. This year’s Golden Globes was hosted by actor and comedian, Jerrod Carmichael, who cracked a joke about the late singer Whitney Houston, which caught […]

The post Jerrod Carmichael Makes Whitney Houston Joke At The 2023 Golden Globes +Twitter Reacts appeared first on SOHH.com.

Clive Davis Said Whitney Houston Was in Rehab Before Her 2012 Death

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Clive Davis Partners With Whitney Houston's Estate for Official Biopic

The new Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody is in theaters. With the film hitting screens, some close to Houston are remembering moments with her. One of which is Clive Davis, the film’s co-producer, who detailed to Page Six that he was shocked to hear about her death and was with her just days before.

Davis said, “it never occurred to me” that Houston would die 48 hours after he was with her and was currently working on her sobriety.

“She was showing me what she had done in rehab,” Davis said. “How she had given up smoking, how she had cleared her throat of nicotine. And she was wanting to start going in the studio….I never would have thought 48 hours before her death, that she would pass, that there would be that horrendous, premature end to her life.

“She was making a valiant attempt during that period to give up drugs and rehabilitate herself.”

Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hilton suite in February 2012. She was noted to have died accidentally by drowning and the combination of “effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.”

The post Clive Davis Said Whitney Houston Was in Rehab Before Her 2012 Death appeared first on The Source.

Clive Davis Says Whitney Houston Attempted To Give Up Drugs Before Her Death 

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Clive Davis is opening up about Whitney Houston’s last days. The infamous music exec recently revealed that he was shocked by Whitney’s 2012 death. Davis says Houston made a “valiant attempt” to give up drugs before she died. 

“I was with her 48 hours before her death,” Davis told Page Six. “It never occurred to me [that she would die two days later].” The record producer signed Houston in 1983 when she was just 20 years old. He continued, “She was showing me what she had done in rehab. How she had given up smoking. She had cleared her throat of nicotine. And she was wanting to start going in the studio. I never would have thought 48 hours before her death, that she would pass, that there would be that horrendous, premature end to her life.”

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Producer Clive Davis (L) and singer Whitney Houston speak onstage at the 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
Read More: Clive Davis Explains Whitney Houston’s Love Affair With Robyn Crawford

The 90-year old legend added that Whitney was looking forward to the next chapter of her life. “She was making a valiant attempt during that period to give up drugs and rehabilitate herself.” Whitney was found unconscious in a Beverly Hilton suite, submerged in the bathtub on Feb. 11, 2012.

The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office claimed that her death was caused by effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.” Additional drugs were also found in the late singer’s system at the time of her death, including Benadryl, Xanax, and cannabis. Davis says he knew from the first time he met Whitney that she was a star. “That voice that was the finest of her generation, and is up there with the two or three best of all time. That is what the film does.”

His interview comes amid the premiere of the Whitney Houston biopic, I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” which he co-produced. Catch the Kasi Clemmons directed film in theaters now. 

Clive Davis Explains Whitney Houston’s Love Affair With Robyn Crawford

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As I Wanna Dance with Somebody receives mixed reviews, Clive Davis sheds light on Whitney Houston and her personal life. Davis is responsible for shaping the superstar careers of legendary artists, including Houston. For years, he has teased he would produce his own Houston biopic, and finally, the music executive delivered.

Davis recently sat down with Extra to speak about his close, decades-long friendship with the late star. During the conversation, Houston’s rumored, secret romance with Robyn Crawford was mentioned.

“They did have a teenage, one-year affair,” Davis confirmed.

Robyn Crawford, left, and American singer Whitney Houston (1963 – 2012), circa 1988. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Read More: Whitney Houston’s Best Friend Robyn Crawford Details Romantic Relationship

He also mentioned those speculative reports about Houston’s personal struggles.

“There have been so many articles that have…attempted to trace her addiction to being a frustrated lesbian,” said Davis. “Or never [dating] a man before Bobby, all of which was totally inaccurate.”

“I know of several men that she dated before Bobby,” he added. “I mean, she did see Jermaine Jackson for two years.”

Read More: Rosie O’Donnell Says Whitney Houston Was “Conflicted” By “Gay Part Of Her Life”

February 2022 marked 10 years since Houston passed away. Davis recalls their final conversation as Houston was scheduled to perform at his coveted, annual pre-Grammy event.

“My real last conversation with her was 48 hours before she passed away. I was in L.A., we were getting ready… [for] my Grammy party,” he said. “I didn’t know she was going to surprise me and sing there. We spent the whole afternoon together. She wanted to assure me… and this is hard to express… that she had beaten her addiction. Not only to drugs, but to cigarette smoking. I had no clue that her passing was abruptly to come.”

I Wanna Dance with Somebody hits theaters tomorrow, December 23.

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EXCLUSIVE: SOHH Tells All About The Red Carpet Premiere For Whitney Houston’s  “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”

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Whitney Houston biopic

SOHH had the amazing opportunity to watch an early screening of Whitney Houston’s biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Here are some of the positive and negative takeaways from the anticipated film. The highly-anticipated biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, had outstanding celebrity support. Musical artists Rotimi and Da Brat, including media personality TS Madison […]

The post EXCLUSIVE: SOHH Tells All About The Red Carpet Premiere For Whitney Houston’s  “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” appeared first on SOHH.com.

Here’s Where To Rewatch Whitney Houston’s Iconic Super Bowl National Anthem Performance

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The latest biopic exploring the life of the late Grammy-award-winning singer Whitney Houston, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, is hitting the theaters this Friday, December 23. After news of the film began circling the web, fans of the vocalist had several questions. The first and most crucial question was, who would play the legendary recording artist? With the trailer’s release, we now know Rise of Skywalker actress, Naomi Ackie, will star as the Newark, New Jersey native.

Second, who will cover the revered vocalist’s songs for the film? Canadian singer Deborah Cox did the honors for the 2015 Lifetime tv film, I Will Always Love You: The Whitney Houston Story. However, this production’s executive director and Houston’s former mentor, Clive Davis, thought it would be best to keep Houston’s original vocals. Or, as he told USA Today, “We just didn’t think anyone could capture her vocal genius.”

Fans may be torn on the film’s casting, but they overwhelmingly agree with Davis’ decision to keep Houston’s original vocal in the feature film. After all, Houston is considered the greatest vocalist of all time. With such a long list of groundbreaking singles to her name, including her cover of Dolly Porton’s “I Will Always Love You,” the song viewers are looking forward to the most as part of this film is the national anthem.

Previewed in the trailer, Houston’s 1991 performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV has remained the gold standard for decades. Unfortunately, the footage hasn’t been remastered for streaming services, but thanks to archival VHS footage, you can now watch Houston’s performance on YouTube.

Watch the full performance above.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody is set to hit the theaters on December 23. To grab your tickets, click here.

Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Biopic: All To Know Including The Release Date And Cast

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Whitney Houston
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We’ve been flush with well-made music biopics on legendary talents as of late. 2018’s Bohemian Rapsody told the story of Queen’s Freddie Mercury, 2019’s Rocketman likewise did the same for Elton John, and most recently, Baz Luhrmann gave us an exhaustive look at Elvis this year. Now the latest musical biopic to be announced is Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and the iconic singer’s story definitely bears telling.

Houston will be played by Naomi Ackie, but her singing voice will still be all Whitney Houston’s original vocals. “When it came to Whitney, we just didn’t think anyone could capture her vocal genius, so it will be the Whitney voice in the film,” executive producer Clive Davis said in an interview with USA Today. So what else is there to know about the film? Well, everything. Check out our guide below to the release date of I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the plot, cast, and trailer.

Release Date

I Wanna Dance With Somebody will be in theaters on December 23. It’ll be exclusively in theaters (at least at first), so just in time for a holiday trip to the movies with the fam.

Cast

The role of Whitney Houston will be played by Naomi Ackie, who you might know from her role as Jannah in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. Stanley Tucci (of the popular Searching For Italy food documentary series) plays music executive Clive Davis, credited with discovering Houston. Also included in the main cast are Ashton Sanders, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams, and Clarke Peters.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody will be directed by Kasi Lemmons (Harriet) and the screenplay was written by Anthony McCarten, who was nominated for an Oscar for Bohemian Rhapsody. Clive Davis executive produced the film.

Plot

The official plot of I Wanna Dance with Somebody calls it, “A powerful and triumphant celebration of the incomparable Whitney Houston.” It elaborates further, adding that, “The film is a no-holds-barred portrait of the complex and multifaceted woman behind The Voice. From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time, audiences are taken on an inspirational, poignant—and so emotional—journey through Houston’s trailblazing life and career, with show-stopping performances and a soundtrack of the icon’s most beloved hits as you’ve never heard them before. Don’t you wanna dance?”

Trailer

Watch the trailer for I Wanna Dance With Somebody below.

How To Watch Whitney Houston’s Biopic, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’

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In recent years, it has paid off to land the leading role in a musician biopic. Rami Malek won his first Oscar for playing the late Freddie Mercury in 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Jennifer Hudson was hand-selected by the late Aretha Franklin to portray her in last year’s Respect. Austin Butler is enjoying a career breakthrough in 2022 because of his titular star turn in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. Naomi Ackie is next up.

It’s been two years since Ackie was cast as Whitney Houston for I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the long-gestated Houston biopic. The first official trailer was released by Sony in mid-September, showing Ackie as Houston wowing Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) and ascending as the voice of a generation. The two-minute teaser ends with Houston’s famed 1991 performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV. A second trailer arrived in early November, which spotlighted Houston standing against unjust criticism for not being “Black enough” and meeting resistance after starting her tumultuous relationship with Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders). But when and where will we be able to watch the Kasi Lemmons-directed film in its full glory?

I Wanna Dance With Somebody will almost undoubtedly be available to stream at some point, but to start, it’s set for an exclusive theatrical release beginning on December 23. Tickets are available here.

The world premiere happened on Tuesday, December 13, in New York City.

“When I first found out I got the part, I think this was actually the scariest part for me, knowing that everyone would see it at some point,” Ackie told Vogue ahead of the premiere. “But I’ve been with it long enough now that I’m really ready to share it with the world. I’m so proud of what we achieved with it, and there’s a lot of love in there. It’s a lot of pressure, and you can’t help but feel slightly stressed by the magnitude of it, but this is the last piece of the puzzle, in a way.”

Houston tragically passed away on February 11, 2012, at 48. Her official cause of death was an accidental drowning in a Los Angeles hotel bathtub. The beloved icon was in LA ahead of that year’s Grammys and had been expected to attend Davis’ annual pre-Grammys party that night.

Who Sings As Whitney Houston In Her Biopic, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody?’

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whitney-houston-top
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Baz Luhrmann is back with his latest biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody. The film will trek through the rise and fall of pop superstar Whitney Houston.

Former Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker actress Naomi Ackie has been tasked with Houston’s performance. Joining her are Ashton Sanders, Stanley Tucci, and Law And Order: Special Victims Unit alum Tamara Tunie.

While Ackie’s portrayal seems spot on, judging by the trailer released this past September, the actress won’t be singing in the movie. Clive Davis, Houston’s longtime producer, and collaborator, recently shared that only Houston’s vocals will be used in the film.

“When it came to Whitney, we just didn’t think anyone could capture her vocal genius, so it will be the Whitney voice in the film,” Davis told USA Today.

Davis will serve as the film’s executive producer. Alongside him are Kasi Lemmons (Harriet), who will direct, and Oscar-nominated Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody).

Here is the film’s synopsis, per Sony Pictures:

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a powerful and triumphant celebration of the incomparable Whitney Houston. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, written by Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten, produced by legendary music executive Clive Davis, and starring BAFTA Award winner Naomi Ackie, the film is a no-holds-barred portrait of the complex and multifaceted woman behind The Voice. From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time, audiences are taken on an inspirational, poignant — and so emotional — journey through Houston’s trailblazing life and career, with show-stopping performances and a soundtrack of the icon’s most beloved hits as you’ve never heard them before. Don’t you wanna dance?”

I Wanna Dance With Somebody will be in theaters on December 23.