My Biography
On
“Whitney Elizabeth Houston”
(Nippy)
By:
Ashanna D. Lee
Date: 2/10/14 (rough drafts)
2/17/14 (final drafts)
Subject: Library Class
Instructor: Ms. Bee

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, known to many as Nippy, was born on Aug. 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. Houston began singing at a young age in her church choir within her hometown and released her debut album at the age of (22). During this time, she scored three #1 singles, delivered four more #1 titles, and earned her first Grammy. When Whitney married singer Bobby Brown in 1992, her career got off track. She made a major comeback, which probably would have been one of many if not for her early departure, with one of her #1 titles: “I Look to You”. Houston died on Feb. 11, 2012.
Early Life/ Influences Whitney Houston, born on Aug. 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey, almost seemed destined from birth to become a singer. Her mother Cissy Houston, her cousin Dionne Warwick, and her godmother Aretha Franklin are all legendary figures in American Gospel and Soul Music. Whitney’s mother Cissy was the choir’s Minister at New Hope Baptist Church, and it was there that young Whitney got her start. By the time she turned fifteen, Whitney was often performing with her mother and trying to get a record deal of her own. Around the same time, she was discovered by a photographer who was amazed by her natural beauty. She soon became a well-known teenage model and one of the first women to appear on the cover of Seventeen Magazine. When Whitney turned nineteen, she was discovered in a night club by the renowned Clive Davis of Arista Records, who signed her immediately and took her career to new heights.
Interests and Hobbies Even though Whitney enjoyed modeling, singing was her true love and passion until the day she departed. She loved singing above modeling and acting. An additional #1 aspect in her life, even above singing and acting was her only child and daughter Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown. Whitney has always been a committed singer and actor, but an even more committed mother. Even when things were rocky and complicated within her life and career, she always made sure that her daughter was safe, stabled, content, and secured; mentally, financially, and emotionally. One of the things Houston loved the most in life was traveling, spending time, and setting good examples for her daughter, even during her weak and hard times.
Challenges
Throughout her life and career, Whitney suffered with long-term drug and alcohol abuse. The fact that her husband Bobby Brown was also a drug and alcohol abuser, totally contributed to the couple’s failed marriage. Through this troubling time, Whitney’s drug and alcohol abuse increased, her and Bobby’s marriage detteriated , and their daughter had to spend substantial amounts of time with Whitney’s brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Patricia Houston temporarily. Not until she parted with Bobby, reconnected with her daughter, and sought professional help, things started to look up in both her personal and professional life. Throughout her life, Whitney continued to struggle with drug and alcohol abuse until she departed in 2012.
Contributions to Society During 1987, after the release of “Whitney”, Houston appeared at a concert for Nelson Mandela’s birthday and founded The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, a nonprofit organization that funds projects to help needy children all over the world. Whitney’s voice within itself was and still is a gift that just keeps on giving.
Personality Traits and Evidence By 1992, Whitney Houston was on top of the world, but her life became very complicated, very quickly. This year she married R &B singer Bobby Brown, formerly of New Edition, after a three year engagement. At first the marriage was passionate and loving, but things turned sour as the decade passed, and both Brown and Houston battled substance abuse and showed increasingly erratic behavior; especially in public. As time progressed, the public began to notice the change in behaviors dealing with the both of them: When Brown and Houston were clean and sober; they acted humane. When they both were intoxicated and using; their behaviors were wild and erratic. In addition to their behavior, the couple has also been caught numerous times in possession of drugs and narcotic. Only Brown has ever been arrested and charged with drug and alcohol charges.
Other Interesting Facts In spite of growing personal troubles, Whitney Houston continued to progress in her career, crossing over successfully into acting in 1992. In addition to her debuts on television shows such as Oprah, Diane Sawyer, and Merv Griffith, Whitney also performed in five movies: “The Bodyguard”, ”Waiting to Exhale”, “The Preacher’s Wife”, “Cinderella”, and “Sparkle”; which gained her many Grammies and helped her with the distribution of hundreds of millions of records sold within her lifetime.
Death and Legacy Before her passing in 2012, Houston worked on the musical and film “Sparkle”. She had reportedly been approached to join the singing competition “The X Factor” as a judge, but died before she could put her expertise on this project. Whitney Houston died on Feb. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. Houston had been seen out in the days before her death, including at one of the pre-Grammy Award parties. According to the coroner’s report, Whitney’s official cause of death was accidental drowning. The effects of heart disease and cocaine found in her system were contributing factors. With her passing, the music world has lost one of its most legendary stars.
Student: Ashanna D. Lee

WHITNEY ELIZABETH HOUSTON
(AUG. 1963-FEB. 2012)
FROM BEGINNING TO END
“MAY YOU REST IN PEACE”

MY CLASS: PLEASE VISUALIZE WITH ME!

Ashanna D. Lee

Ashanna D. Lee