Major Controversies Surrounding Whitney Houston: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Whitney Houston.

Whitney Houston, nicknamed "The Voice," was a highly acclaimed American singer, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Renowned for her exceptional vocal talent and captivating performances, she achieved remarkable chart success and broke down gender and racial barriers in the music industry. Houston remains a cultural icon, recognized as one of the most awarded performers and ranked among the greatest singers of all time.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1989: Criticism at the Soul Train Music Awards

In 1989, Whitney Houston faced criticism at the Soul Train Music Awards when some audience members jeered at her nomination, prompting her to defend her career choices and musical direction.

January 27, 1991: Performance at Super Bowl XXV

On January 27, 1991, Whitney Houston performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV. Though her vocals were pre-recorded, the performance became a chart hit and raised money for the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis Fund.

April 19, 1991: Hotel Altercation in Lexington, Kentucky

On April 19, 1991, at the start of her I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour, Whitney Houston and her brother were involved in an altercation at a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky. She was charged with fourth degree assault.

1992: First film role in "The Bodyguard"

In 1992, Whitney Houston made her film debut in "The Bodyguard," playing a star who hires a bodyguard, portrayed by Kevin Costner, to protect her from a stalker. The movie addressed interracial relationships, sparking some controversy.

1993: Houston addresses controversy over "The Bodyguard" advertising

In 1993, Whitney Houston addressed the controversy surrounding the advertising for her film "The Bodyguard," where some felt her face was intentionally left out to hide the film's interracial relationship.

1996: Heavy Drug Use

In 1996, Whitney Houston told Oprah that drug use was an everyday thing and that she wasn't happy at that point, and that she was losing herself.

1998: Boycotted Grammy Awards

In 1998, Whitney Houston boycotted the 40th Annual Grammy Awards due to not receiving a gospel nomination for The Preacher's Wife soundtrack, despite its success. She was later acknowledged by the Dove Awards and the NAACP Image Awards, where she received the award for Outstanding Gospel Artist.

July 1999: Unsuccessful Intervention

In July 1999, Cissy Houston and others unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Whitney Houston to seek drug treatment in an intervention.

January 11, 2000: Marijuana Found at Airport

On January 11, 2000, airport security found marijuana in Whitney Houston's handbag at Keahole-Kona International Airport in Hawaii. Charges were later dropped.

March 2000: Missed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction and Fired from Academy Awards

In March 2000, Whitney Houston failed to appear to induct Clive Davis into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Weeks later, she was fired from performing at the Academy Awards due to her shaky voice and attitude during rehearsals, despite her publicist citing throat problems.

June 2000: Rolling Stone Publishes Intervention Story

In June 2000, Rolling Stone published a story stating that Cissy Houston and others had held a July 1999 intervention to persuade Whitney to seek drug treatment.

September 2001: Performance at Michael Jackson Anniversary and Re-release of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

In September 2001, Whitney Houston's performance at Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Special led to rumors of drug use due to her thin appearance. She canceled a second performance. Also in September 2001, her rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was re-released after the September 11 attacks to raise funds for relief efforts.

September 2001: Rumors About Houston's Health

In September 2001, Whitney Houston's thin appearance led to rumors about her health. Her publicist cited stress due to family matters. In 2009, Houston confirmed drug use caused the weight loss.

2002: "Crack is Wack" Interview

In 2002, Whitney Houston gave an interview with Diane Sawyer where she famously said, "crack is wack", addressing rumors of drug use. She admitted to using various substances but denied having an eating disorder.

2002: Legal Dispute with John Houston Enterprise

In 2002, Whitney Houston was involved in a legal dispute with John Houston Enterprise, her father's company, which sued her for $100 million, claiming unpaid compensation.

December 2003: Battery Charges Against Bobby Brown

In December 2003, Bobby Brown was charged with battery after an altercation with Whitney Houston where he threatened to beat her and then assaulted her, causing visible injuries.

2005: Cissy Houston Visits Daughter's Residence

In 2005, Cissy Houston visited her daughter's Alpharetta residence and saw spray-painted walls with "evil eyes" and noticed her daughter's head cut out of a framed photo, as described in her 2013 book and confirmed by Whitney in her Oprah interview.

September 2009: Oprah Winfrey Interview

In September 2009, Whitney Houston admitted to Oprah Winfrey that she used drugs with Bobby Brown during their marriage and described her struggles with addiction. She told Winfrey that she had attended a 30-day rehabilitation program. Houston also acknowledged that her drug use had continued after rehabilitation. Houston's mother obtained a court order and the assistance of law enforcement to press her into receiving further drug treatment. Houston's mother recalled the incident in her 2013 book, Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped, in which she came to visit her daughter's Alpharetta residence in 2005 discussing seeing the walls were "spray-painted" with "big glaring eyes and strange faces. Evil eyes, staring out like a threat", as well as noticing most of her daughter's head cut out of a big framed photo of the singer; Houston herself explained it in her Oprah interview. When Winfrey asked Houston if she was drug-free, Houston responded, "'Yes, ma’am. I mean, you know, don’t think I don’t have desires for it.'"

Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped

Check it on Amazon

2009: Houston Acknowledges Drug Use

In 2009, Whitney Houston acknowledged that drug use had been the reason for her weight loss in 2001.

May 2011: Enrollment in Rehabilitation

In May 2011, Whitney Houston enrolled in rehabilitation again due to drug and alcohol problems, as part of her "longstanding recovery process".

March 22, 2012: Cause of Death Announced

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". The manner of death was listed as "accident".