Challenges Faced by Whitney Houston: Obstacles and Turning Points
Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Whitney Houston. A timeline of obstacles and growth.
Whitney Houston, an iconic American singer, actress, and producer, nicknamed "the Voice," is celebrated as one of the most awarded artists ever. Her success transcended genres, breaking down racial and gender barriers in pop culture. Renowned for her exceptional vocal talent and captivating live performances, she was recognized as one of the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023. Houston's influence on music and entertainment remains profound.
1989: Soul Train Music Awards Criticism
In 1989, at the Soul Train Music Awards, Whitney Houston faced jeers from some audience members when her name was announced for a nomination. This reflected criticism from some black critics who felt she was "selling out" and that her recorded music lacked the soul of her live performances.
1993: Mixed Reviews and Accolades for Whitney Houston's Role in "The Bodyguard"
In 1993, Whitney Houston received mixed reviews for her acting in "The Bodyguard," with some critics finding her performance lacking. However, she also earned several favorable acting nominations, including at the NAACP Image Awards and MTV Movie Awards.
July 1994: Miscarriage
In July 1994, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage during her marriage to Bobby Brown.
December 1996: Miscarriage
In December 1996, Whitney Houston suffered another miscarriage during her marriage to Bobby Brown.
1996: Drug Use Escalation
Whitney Houston revealed that by 1996 her drug use had become an everyday thing. She revealed she was no longer happy at this point in time and that she was losing herself.
July 1999: Unsuccessful Intervention
In July 1999, Cissy Houston and others held an intervention for Whitney Houston, attempting to persuade her to obtain drug treatment, but were unsuccessful.
January 11, 2000: Marijuana Incident at Airport
On January 11, 2000, airport security discovered marijuana in Whitney Houston's handbag at Keahole-Kona International Airport in Hawaii while traveling with her husband Bobby Brown; however, charges were later dropped.
March 2000: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Academy Awards Incident
In March 2000, Whitney Houston failed to show up to induct Clive Davis into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was fired from performing at the Academy Awards due to erratic behavior, though she did perform at Arista's 25th-anniversary celebration.
May 2000: Robyn Crawford Resigns
In May 2000, Robyn Crawford, Whitney Houston's executive assistant and friend, resigned from Houston's management company. Crawford stated she left because Houston declined help for her drug dependency.
June 2000: Rolling Stone Publishes Intervention Story
In June 2000, Rolling Stone published a story detailing a July 1999 intervention where Cissy Houston and others unsuccessfully tried to persuade Whitney to seek drug treatment.
September 2001: Michael Jackson Anniversary Performance and 9/11 Re-Release
In September 2001, a performance at Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Special led to rumors of drug use due to Houston's thin appearance. Also in September 2001, her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was re-released after the September 11 attacks, with proceeds donated to relief funds.
2002: "Crack is Wack" Interview
In 2002, Whitney Houston gave an interview with Diane Sawyer where she addressed rumors of drug use, famously saying, "crack is wack", and admitted to using substances.
2002: Release of "Just Whitney" album
In 2002, Whitney Houston's album, "Just Whitney", was released but received mixed reviews, and her drug use and tumultuous marriage began to overshadow her music career.
December 2003: Battery Charge Against Bobby Brown
In December 2003, Bobby Brown was charged with battery after an altercation where he threatened to beat Whitney Houston and then assaulted her, leaving visible injuries.
April 2004: Lawsuit Dismissal
In April 2004, the lawsuit against Whitney Houston by John Houston Enterprise, which was started by her father, was dismissed with no compensation awarded.
2005: Vocal Problems
In 2005, voice coach Gary Catona began working with Whitney Houston, stating she had lost nearly all of her voice due to lifestyle choices and could barely speak or sing. He helped her recover an estimated 75 to 80 percent of her former vocal capacity.
September 2009: Oprah Interview
In September 2009, Whitney Houston gave her first interview in seven years on Oprah Winfrey's show, admitting to drug use with Bobby Brown during their marriage and describing her struggles with addiction.
May 2011: Rehabilitation
In May 2011, Whitney Houston enrolled in rehabilitation again due to drug and alcohol problems.
March 22, 2012: Cause of Death Reported
On March 22, 2012, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office reported that Whitney Houston's death was caused by drowning and the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use", with the manner of death listed as "accident".
