"REMEMBERING WHITNEY" comes out today (Jan. 29, 2013)... two weeks before her death (February 11, 2012) at the Beverly Hilton on the eve of the Grammy Awards in California.
The book by her mother, Gospel singer, Cissy Houston is revealing in many ways BUT it was her televised interview with Oprah (1/28/2013) that shed new, almost startling information, about Whitney Houston and drugs.
First, her brother Michael reveals that he's the one who got her started using drugs; he admits the first time she did "crack" it was with him. And tearfully, he adds that the drug use "just got out-of-hand."
Second, he reveals that he tried to kill himself, with drugs, after her death and that he's been sober for three months.
Third, he admits that he feels "guilty" for her death AND "is living, but not alive" since her death.
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These two who were called "twins" were so close when growing up did everything together that it does, indeed, makes you wonder if Whitney might have been killed because of Michael's drug problem. He told Oprah, in his first interview since "Nippy's" death that the last thing Whitney told him before getting on the plane last year was:
"I've got you covered."
What's astonishing is that Cissy and others continue to blame Bobby Brown even though it's now clear that Whitney's drug use was initiated and encouraged by her "big brother, Michael." And since her big brother - Gary - also was into drugs in his youth, one might conclude that drugs had become a family affair for the superstar.
In the meantime, Whitney's daughter finds the book her grandmother wrote, rather disrespectful. Bobbi Kristina asked her Twitter fans not to read it when she said:
"Anything concerning my grandmother's book, I and @nickgordon of course personally have nothing to do with. I ask you please respect that. Haven't read [it] and won't... I find it to be disrespectful to my mother and me being her daughter won't tolerate it."
It's going to take a whole lot of soul searching and forgiving in the Houston family - of each other, as well as of others. For now, there's no doubt that Whitney's huge voice and talent are being missed. The world is fortunate, though, that the 48-year old singer, actress, producer, director, and business woman who provided work for thousands over the years... left so much music and good memories.
Rest In Peace, WHITNEY HOUSTON!
Coming Up on February 10, 2013.... a special tribute at the Grammy Award Show.
