Whitney Houston…The Fallen Diva

By: Joy Thiel

Drugs are one of the most prominent failures in the American society. They not only impact individual lives but also relationships and families. Some of the most amazing people have had success turn into failure because of drug use. One of the prominent singers whose life has been turned upside down because of drugs is Whitney Houston.

Whitney Houston is one of the most popular female artists, selling 170 million records, and receiving six Grammys, two Emmys, and 21 American Music awards, totaling the highest number of awards ever received for any female recording artist. Whitney first began her career in the early 80s, with the help of Clive Davis, one of the most prominent music producers. Her success in music eventually led her to Hollywood. Starring in and making soundtracks for movies such as The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher’s Wife. Whitney had it all! A successful career, a good marriage, a supportive family, and stardom like no one had ever imagined, but somewhere in the middle all of this success, Whitney lost herself. With numerous show cancellations, drug charges, and constant signs of anorexia, it looked as if there was little hope for Whitney. What had happened to the amazing diva, known as the beautiful girl who didn’t just sing the ballads, but tore them from her heart?

Whitney Houston got her big break in 1983, when Arista Records president Clive Davis, first spotted her performing at nightclub, and signed her almost on the spot. Soon after they began working together, they appeared on the Merv Griffin Show, on national television. Davis introduced her by saying, “For the next generation, there’s a singer that combines the fiery gospel of Aretha Franklin, with the stunning elegance and beauty of lyric phrasing of Lena Horne, and she is Whitney Houston”.

With so much talent to offer, Whitney could not prevail through her struggles. Her alleged insanity and drug problems began when she married former New Edition member, Bobby Brown. He brought out the worst in her, and in the years of trying to help him with his drug problem, she eventually developed her own. In her dramatic interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer last December, Whitney spoke highly of Bobby and said, “ When we first met he was sexy, smooth, a gentleman, and a nice guy. Treated me like a lady. We’re opposites in so many ways, but we’re so much alike. He’s family oriented, I am. And they didn’t give us six minutes to last. We’ve gone ten years.” Throughout the ten years they’ve separated twice, but have always managed get back together.

In January 2000, Whitney and Bobby were accused of marijuana possession in a Hawaii airport; security found 15.2 grams of marijuana in her purse, but Houston and Brown left before the police arrived, according to authorities. In spite of this, Whitney told Jet magazine in 2000 that, “I’m not a drug addict and neither is my husband.”

But if it’s not drugs what is it? Whitney says its emotional stress that’s making her act, look, and even sometimes sings the way she does. “I’m the kind of person, if I have a day that is nerve-wracking or my week has been bad, I won’t eat. Some people eat, I don’t eat. And it shows in my physical frame”, said Whitney. Whitney said to Sawyer that, “This is my time, now. You know, love me or leave me, but love me, ‘cause I love you.” So maybe there’s hope for the fallen diva known as Whitney Houston. Only she can change her future, and it will hard work, and admitting that she has problem. Many people in society can learn from her mistakes and better their lives, by admitting they have a problem and getting help.