Whitney Houston – We Will Always Love You

The world is mourning the untimely death of cultural icon Whitney Houston.

The “I Will Always Love You” singer was found dead in her Beverly Hilton Hotel room bathtub.

While reports are saying the star died from a lethal mixture of pills and alcohol, the official cause of death is still unknown. It will take at least four to six weeks after the toxicology reports are complete to get an official report.

Her body arrived in New Jersey on Monday courtesy of Tyler Perry, on his private jet. Lines of fans watched as Houston’s body was carried in a hearse to the funeral home that is in charge of the arrangements.

Initially, fans thought there would be a public funeral or memorial to pay their respects to one of the greatest singers of our time. However, the Houston family quickly shut those rumors down and asked the city of Newark not to proceed with any public memorial, reportedly rumored to be at the Prudential Center.

The family though, has stated there will be a private ceremony at Houston’s childhood church in Newark, NJ. The ceremony will be invitation only with roughly about 300 guests.

While fans await the details on Houston’s death, you cannot forget the real people that are hurting; her family. It was reported Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was rushed to the hospital due to anxiety. Only one can imagine the heartache and pain she is feeling right now. They were best friends. The two were inseparable. From interviews, you could tell Whitney really loved her only child Bobbi. The pain of losing a mother at a young age is like no other. I know first hand. I lost my mother when I was 14 years old. Today, I am 26, and it still hurts on this very day. So I feel the hurt she is going through and I uplift her in my prayers.

Then there is her mother, famous gospel singer, Cissy Houston. A parent should never have to bury their child. While I do not know what this feels like, I can’t imagine the pain she is feeling as well.

I have followed the various other websites. Most of them have made a spectacle out of Whitney’s death. I chose to opt-out of out reporting various speculations and the story around Bobby Brown. What I will say is I hope the family gets it together. He is family too.

Some have asked me why I haven’t posted minute-to-minute updates on Whitney Houston, since we are New Jersey based. For one simple reason, I have too much respect for her and the family. Unheard Voices will not make a spectacle out of her death.

As official details emerge, we will post it. I want to remember the Whitney Houston who had a great command in her voice. The unique talent that when she guest appeared on a song or show, I knew it was her. I’m a 80s baby, and I grew up on Whitney.

Just like Michael Jackson, Whitney was ‘family in our heads’. The closet I was ever to her was when I did a website for a friend and hairstylist of hers during her career. I just knew I knew Whitney, lol. Seriously, from watching television or seeing her in concert, you can feel the warmth and love from her. Even though many didn’t know Whitney personally, she was like family.

When Whitney was going through her trials and tribulations, I always stood by ‘my girl’ as I called her. She experienced something I called life. In this world, there is no one who is perfect. It is the imperfections in one that makes that person beautiful, and beautiful is what Whitney was.

We will always love you Whitney.

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