Iconic singer Houston will be remembered

Amanda Muramoto, editor

“I was shocked, but not surprised,” MHS fashion and health and nutrition teacher Jodi Akasaki said about the recent death of singer Whitney Houston.

Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her Beverly Hilton guestroom on February 11, and the cause of death is still unknown. She was 48 years old. Some believe that the singer, who had a history of drugs and alcohol, died from overdose of prescription drugs. Close family and friends of Houston gathered at her funeral service on February 18. The private service was held in Newark, New Jersey, at New Hope Baptist Church.

Aretha Franklin, the singer’s godmother, and Stevie Wonder are said to sing there. The church was also where Houston sang as a child in the junior gospel choir. A few days before her sudden death, the singer acted erratically. She walked into her mentor Clive Davis’ televised interview. Houston also appeared disheveled at a pre-Grammy party on February 9 while singing with Kelly Price “Jesus Loves Me.” It would be her last public performance.

Houston was the daughter of John and Cissy Houston, a gospel singer. As a teenager, she went to nightclubs to accompany her mother, who performed. In the early 80’s, the singer was discovered by a photographer who saw her at Carnegie Hall. She appeared in magazines, and also landed the cover of Seventeen magazine. Not only did she model, she was also a singer and actress.

Houston was one of the world’s best-selling artists, and had sold 170 million albums, singles, and videos worldwide.

Although she is gone, she is not forgotten. At the 54th Grammy Awards, Jennifer Hudson paid a tribute to Houston and sang her song “I will always love you.”

Houston leaves behind her 18 year old daughter Bobbi Christina, ex-husband Bobby Brown, mother Cissy, and millions of fans around the world.