TMZ says Coroner’s officials have told icon’s family she likely died from drugs and alcohol; daughter Bobbi Kristina released from hospital. By Jocelyn Vena Whitney Houston Photo: Epsilon/ Getty Images On Sunday night, the life and impressive career of Whitney Houston was celebrated at the 2012 Grammy Awards , with everyone from Bruno Mars to host LL Cool J and Jennifer Hudson recalling the immense talent of the late icon. Since her passing on Saturday, more reports have surfaced about what might have contributed to her death . After initial speculation that she might have drowned in the bathtub of her Beverly Hills hotel room, a new TMZ report suggests that prescription drugs and alcohol might have played a bigger part in her death than originally believed. Sources tell the site that L.A. County Coroner’s officials have told Houston’s family that despite earlier drowning reports, it’s likely she died of a combination of Xanax, other prescription drugs and alcohol. There wasn’t enough water in her lungs to suggest that drowning played a part, the report says, and she might have died before her head was submerged in water. Her body was reportedly found by her aunt, Mary Jones, who entered the bathroom to check on the singer. Houston’s body will be flown to Atlanta once it is released from the coroner’s office, sources said. Meanwhile, Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina , has been released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after being treated for a stressed-induced panic attack shortly after her mother’s death. Since Houston’s passing, Bobbi Kristina’s father, Bobby Brown, has flown to L.A. to be with his daughter, E! News reports. According to a People.com eyewitness, when he landed in L.A., “Bobby had a blank stare and looked exhausted … His friends seemed concerned about him and they surrounded him as they walked through the airport.” He had been on tour with New Edition when he left the trek to join Bobbi Kristina. Sunday’s hospitalization allegedly wasn’t the only health scare for the 18-year-old over Grammy weekend. TMZ reports that she had fallen asleep in the bathtub Friday at the same hotel where her mother was found dead the next day. Bobbi Kristina’s friends reportedly called security to unlock the door and help them remove her from the tub. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos 2012 Grammy Awards: Backstage And Audience Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
What type of fool sells a gun at a church?!?! Authorities say the daughter of a pastor was accidentally shot in the head at a church in St. Petersburg. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Grace Connection Church Sunday at about 12:24 p.m. Sunday. Investigators say Moises Zambrana was showing his gun in a small closet to another church member interested in buying a firearm. Zambrana reportedly took out the magazine of the Reuger 9mm weapon but did not know there was a bullet in the chamber. The gun went off and fired through a wall, striking 20-year-old Hannah Kelley. She was transported to Bayfront Medical Center to undergo surgery and remained in critical condition late Sunday. Deputies said Zambrana has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. No charges have been filed Damn shame…SMH Source More On Bossip! All The Single Ladies, All The Single Ladies: A Gallery Of The Most Eligible Celebrity Bachelorette Bangers Basketball Wives Season 4 Extended Trailer: Evelyn Tries To Jump Jennifer Williams And More Scraps Than The Previous Seasons Put Together! [Video] Would You Wife This? Lindsay Blowhan Shows Off Body In Photo Shoot…And Doesn’t Look Horrible! We Know What You Like: These Celebrities Seem To Date A Certain “Type”…And We Think We’ve Figured Them Out!
Late singer showed dignity and vulnerability in films like ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale.’ By Ryan J. Downey Whitney Houston in “Bodyguard” Photo: Warner Bros. Whitney Houston will be remembered for her voice, her hit songs, her charismatic presence. As someone who has spent my life sharing equal passion for music and movies, it’s particularly noteworthy to me that the biggest hit I associate Houston with is intrinsically tied to a film. Judging by the number of “Whitney, I will always love you” tweets from celebrities and fans on Saturday, I’d say I’m not alone in thinking of her big voice mostly in “I Will Always Love You,” which is inseparable from “The Bodyguard.” My late mother was a huge fan of Dolly Parton, who originally wrote and recorded the song that would become a huge hit for Houston on the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard,” in which she starred (years before people ran around saying “meta”!) as a pop singer. The stepmother who came into my life when I was a teenager passed away herself a couple of years ago. The first Christmas present I ever bought for her growing up was a copy of one of Whitney’s albums on cassette, so I experienced a variety of emotions and memories about important women in my life as my Twitter feed blew up with reports of the troubled star’s untimely passing. Nobody knew Houston could act (a bit part on an episode of the corny sitcom “Gimme a Break!” was certainly no barometer) when director Mick Jackson cast her to play Rachel Marron, a singer in need of protection from a stalker, in “The Bodyguard.” Big marquee name Kevin Costner played the title role of an ex-Secret Service agent turned private protector. The two characters, against the odds and against the rule, become more than co-workers as the story unfolds. The movie is cornball, sure, but Houston was quite fun. Lawrence Kasdan, who put his stamp all over my childhood as a writer on “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Return of the Jedi,” reportedly conceived the script in the ’70s as a vehicle for the legendary Steve McQueen and Diana Ross. I was actually at the Grammy Special Merit Awards watching Ross accept a Lifetime Achievement Award when I saw the guy in front of me show his girlfriend a tweet about Whitney Houston’s death, which is how I first learned the news. Perhaps in some roundabout way you could call that my Six Degrees of Kevin Costner with this story. It’s not unusual to look for “signs” and coincidences when we try to process death around us, whether it’s a loved one, acquaintance or a public personality we never knew. “The Bodyguard” had action, romance and behind-the-scenes drama involving the entertainment industry, all of which are some touchtone topics that have followed me in life. I worked part-time in a record store when the movie came out and I vividly remember handling copies of the soundtrack on CD and cassette (remember those?) as patron after patron brought up a copy for me to ring up. The movie, the songs (“I Have Nothing” was no slouch!) and the CD were all intertwined, intermingled, wrapped up together to me. Houston’s performance displayed a certain tenderness combined with an elegant toughness that recalled screen sirens from mid-century. True, she was drawing from some life experience by playing someone so close to her comfort zone. But in 1995, she did it all over again in “Waiting to Exhale” and this time opposite acting heavyweight Angela Bassett (and directed by Forrest Whitaker!). “Exhale” shot straight to #1 at the box office, while Houston’s single from the movie did the same thing on Billboard. Last spring, Bassett did an interview in which she talked about a sequel reuniting the director and stars. Of course, that couldn’t happen now. Too many pop stars, rock idols and rappers trying their hand at acting have made the whole concept a joke to some people. And granted, not every musician who switches gears turns out to have chops (and vice versa in the actors-turned-musician department). But Penny Marshall certainly wouldn’t have put Houston next to Denzel Washington and Gregory Hines in “The Preacher’s Wife” if she’d watched “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale” and thought the singer hadn’t pulled off the jobs. The remake of the 1947 film “The Bishop’s Wife” may have included some hokey fantasy elements, but it still became the best-reviewed movie Houston made. Sure, both “Bodyguard” and “Exhale” are “rotten” according to Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates reviews from major film critics. I’m not going to try to pass either of them off as particularly great films. But “The Bodyguard,” my favorite of the two, is an inoffensive confection that rises above the phrase “guilty pleasure” ever so slightly even after repeated viewings and even after all of this time. There’s no denying Houston’s likability and watchability in all three of her major film roles. She was dignified, strong and yet vulnerable in the sort of way that made you want to sweep her up like Kevin Costner on the movie poster. Houston’s final film, “Sparkle,” is set to be released in August, and indeed, there is nothing the specter of addiction can do to erase her sparkle on the silver screen. We’ll miss you, Whitney. MTV News’ Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12 starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music’s biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch Reactions and Remembrances at MTV.com. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
Wiz Khalifa, Ne-Yo, LL Cool J and ‘Sparkle’ co-star Tika Sumpter all pay tribute to the late icon. By Kelley L. Carter Clive Davis and Diddy onstage at the pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Saturday night (February 11) before the Grammys is supposed to be a celebration. Instead, on the red carpet at LL Cool J ‘s pre-Grammy dinner party and Clive Davis’ annual soiree, tribute was paid and tears were shed after the news that Whitney Houston was found dead earlier that day. With the news so fresh in their minds, Houston’s celebrity friends were feeling the loss immensely. “I remember hearing her voice and thinking it was the most amazing and powerful voice I’d heard in my life. To this day, it can’t even be matched,” rapper Wiz Khalifa told MTV News on the Clive Davis red carpet. ” … We’re going to celebrate her life and the great things that she’s done. This is her night.” Inside the Clive Davis party, Houston’s mentor took a moment to share some words about his most famous discovery. “Whitney loved music and loved this night that celebrates music,” he told the crowd of celebrities and industry insiders. “Whitney was a beautiful person with talent beyond compare. She gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Her family asked that we carry on.” Diddy shared his memories of Houston onstage: “If you sat next to Whitney anywhere, you knew she was in for a good time. … She gave you a grandma hug that shook your body.” When Alicia Keys performed at Davis’ party, she spoke of her “kindred sisterhood” with Houston, whom she has collaborated with in the past. “The same man who helped her dreams come true helped my dreams come true,” Keys’ said of sharing mentor Davis with the late singer. Tony Bennett also toasted Whitney, singing in her honor Frank Sinatra’s “Music Never Ends,” which he said “Frank asked me to sing. … Dedicated to Whitney, the greatest singer I ever heard in my life.” “There was nothing she couldn’t do except conquer that demon that we all were aware of,” former late-night talk-show host Arsenio Hall told MTV News at the LL party. “Whitney could sing. Whitney could act. Whitney was incredibly funny. I remember nights hanging out with Whitney and just laughing until your stomach hurts.” LL, who had just come from his final rehearsal before hosting Sunday’s Grammys , said the show will be changed to honor Houston. He didn’t want to divulge specifics, except to say “of course it affects it. How could it not affect it? But we’ll, as a team … everybody involved with the Grammys, we want to give her respect. We’ll do something.” The rapper and actor also talked about Houston’s rich legacy, saying, “She was the pop queen. All the little girls wanted to sing like her. She was just like a member of a lot of people’s families. It’s devastating. … A great artist, great person. We go through so many ups and downs in life, but you just remember that voice.” At the Clive Davis event, singer/songwriter Ne-Yo echoed LL, saying, “Any little girl that wanted … to be a real singer — not a pop star, but a singer — there’s no way that that little girl can say that she wasn’t influenced by Whitney Houston. No possible way.” NBA legend Magic Johnson said he was longtime friends with Houston. He smiled when thinking about her and said he rarely missed a show when she performed in Los Angeles. Johnson said Houston had recently performed “Happy Birthday” for his wife, Cookie. “That’s who she was. She had a good heart. We shared so many moments with her. She thrilled us with being onscreen with her movies and everything. She always wanted to know how my theaters were doing, especially when she had a movie. She’d check and be like, ‘How’d it do at the box office?’ She was a great woman. It’s sad that this had to happen. This is tough for everybody,” Johnson said. Actress Tika Sumpter, who recently worked with Houston in the forthcoming “Sparkle,” was crying and said it was hard to smile on the red carpet. She plays one of Houston’s daughters in the film, alongside Jordin Sparks and Carmen Egojo. Sumpter said she hadn’t spoken with any of her castmembers since learning of Houston’s death earlier that day. “It’s so hard to talk about this right now. I got to work with her. And she’s an awesome woman. I thought of her as a second mom, and she thought of us as her daughters,” she said. “I’m excited for people to see how brilliant she is in it. I’m just happy that I was able to play her daughter.” Join us for a tribute to Whitney Houston with non-stop music videos on MTV Hits and MTV Jams, all day Sunday. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston Diddy
Wiz Khalifa, Ne-Yo, LL Cool J and ‘Sparkle’ co-star Tika Sumpter all pay tribute to the late icon. By Kelley L. Carter Clive Davis and Diddy onstage at the pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Saturday night (February 11) before the Grammys is supposed to be a celebration. Instead, on the red carpet at LL Cool J ‘s pre-Grammy dinner party and Clive Davis’ annual soiree, tribute was paid and tears were shed after the news that Whitney Houston was found dead earlier that day. With the news so fresh in their minds, Houston’s celebrity friends were feeling the loss immensely. “I remember hearing her voice and thinking it was the most amazing and powerful voice I’d heard in my life. To this day, it can’t even be matched,” rapper Wiz Khalifa told MTV News on the Clive Davis red carpet. ” … We’re going to celebrate her life and the great things that she’s done. This is her night.” Inside the Clive Davis party, Houston’s mentor took a moment to share some words about his most famous discovery. “Whitney loved music and loved this night that celebrates music,” he told the crowd of celebrities and industry insiders. “Whitney was a beautiful person with talent beyond compare. She gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Her family asked that we carry on.” Diddy shared his memories of Houston onstage: “If you sat next to Whitney anywhere, you knew she was in for a good time. … She gave you a grandma hug that shook your body.” When Alicia Keys performed at Davis’ party, she spoke of her “kindred sisterhood” with Houston, whom she has collaborated with in the past. “The same man who helped her dreams come true helped my dreams come true,” Keys’ said of sharing mentor Davis with the late singer. Tony Bennett also toasted Whitney, singing in her honor Frank Sinatra’s “Music Never Ends,” which he said “Frank asked me to sing. … Dedicated to Whitney, the greatest singer I ever heard in my life.” “There was nothing she couldn’t do except conquer that demon that we all were aware of,” former late-night talk-show host Arsenio Hall told MTV News at the LL party. “Whitney could sing. Whitney could act. Whitney was incredibly funny. I remember nights hanging out with Whitney and just laughing until your stomach hurts.” LL, who had just come from his final rehearsal before hosting Sunday’s Grammys , said the show will be changed to honor Houston. He didn’t want to divulge specifics, except to say “of course it affects it. How could it not affect it? But we’ll, as a team … everybody involved with the Grammys, we want to give her respect. We’ll do something.” The rapper and actor also talked about Houston’s rich legacy, saying, “She was the pop queen. All the little girls wanted to sing like her. She was just like a member of a lot of people’s families. It’s devastating. … A great artist, great person. We go through so many ups and downs in life, but you just remember that voice.” At the Clive Davis event, singer/songwriter Ne-Yo echoed LL, saying, “Any little girl that wanted … to be a real singer — not a pop star, but a singer — there’s no way that that little girl can say that she wasn’t influenced by Whitney Houston. No possible way.” NBA legend Magic Johnson said he was longtime friends with Houston. He smiled when thinking about her and said he rarely missed a show when she performed in Los Angeles. Johnson said Houston had recently performed “Happy Birthday” for his wife, Cookie. “That’s who she was. She had a good heart. We shared so many moments with her. She thrilled us with being onscreen with her movies and everything. She always wanted to know how my theaters were doing, especially when she had a movie. She’d check and be like, ‘How’d it do at the box office?’ She was a great woman. It’s sad that this had to happen. This is tough for everybody,” Johnson said. Actress Tika Sumpter, who recently worked with Houston in the forthcoming “Sparkle,” was crying and said it was hard to smile on the red carpet. She plays one of Houston’s daughters in the film, alongside Jordin Sparks and Carmen Egojo. Sumpter said she hadn’t spoken with any of her castmembers since learning of Houston’s death earlier that day. “It’s so hard to talk about this right now. I got to work with her. And she’s an awesome woman. I thought of her as a second mom, and she thought of us as her daughters,” she said. “I’m excited for people to see how brilliant she is in it. I’m just happy that I was able to play her daughter.” Join us for a tribute to Whitney Houston with non-stop music videos on MTV Hits and MTV Jams, all day Sunday. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston Diddy
Within minutes of news spreading that Whitney Houston had passed away , the Twitterverse was filled with condolences from a wide variety of celebrities. Read on for a collection of their messages… Whitney Houston: Her Final Performance Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey): “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.” Katy Perry (@KatyPerry): “So devastating. We will always love you Whitney, R.I.P.” Justin Bieber (@JustinBieber): “just heard the news. so crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family.” Christina Aguilera (@TheRealXTina): “We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney’s family. She will be missed.” Nicki Minaj (@NickiMinaj): “Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time.” Lea Michele (@MsLeaMichele): “I’m speechless. Such sad news about Whitney Houston.”‘ Serena Williams (@serenawilliams): “Wow just wow. This has ruined my whole day. #Iwillalwaysloveyou. #OneMomentInTime has propelled me to many of my grand slams victories.” LeAnn Rimes (@leannrimes): “Whitney Houston was the first cd I ever bought. She had a God given gift. Hopefully, she’s singing with angels now.” Chloe Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz): “Omg.. whitney houston died..we’ve lost another amazing singer.” Rihanna (@Rihanna): “No words! Just tears #DearWhitney” Matthew Morrison (@Matt_Morrison): “I’m very sad to hear about the passing of Whitney Houston, may she rest in peace.”
The lovely Rosa Acosta shows us how she gets down in the kitchen. Peep the B.T.S. footage of the dime piece from her photo shoot with clothing brand Two In The Shirt (T.I.T.S.). Yes Lawd, please and thank you! Watch the video at HipHopWired More On Bossip! All The Single Ladies, All The Single Ladies: A Gallery Of The Most Eligible Celebrity Bachelorette Bangers Basketball Wives Season 4 Extended Trailer: Evelyn Tries To Jump Jennifer Williams And More Scraps Than The Previous Seasons Put Together! [Video] Would You Wife This? Lindsay Blowhan Shows Off Body In Photo Shoot…And Doesn’t Look Horrible! We Know What You Like: These Celebrities Seem To Date A Certain “Type”…And We Think We’ve Figured Them Out!
A Range Rover completely wrapped in Louis Vuitton logos was spotted in the UK, and it’s not even owned by a rapper (we hope). The Daily Mail reports that the customized Range was spotted on a street in Westbourne, Bournemouth. Louis take the wheel??? See the pictures at HipHopWired More On Bossip! All The Single Ladies, All The Single Ladies: A Gallery Of The Most Eligible Celebrity Bachelorette Bangers Basketball Wives Season 4 Extended Trailer: Evelyn Tries To Jump Jennifer Williams And More Scraps Than The Previous Seasons Put Together! [Video] Would You Wife This? Lindsay Blowhan Shows Off Body In Photo Shoot…And Doesn’t Look Horrible! We Know What You Like: These Celebrities Seem To Date A Certain “Type”…And We Think We’ve Figured Them Out!
Taylor Lautner is not gay , but he is now 20 years old! Indeed, The Twilight Saga stud muffin celebrates a birthday today, which comes at a perfect time: in between installments of his record-breaking franchise, Taylor can kick back, relax, maybe go on vacation. Unlike co-stars Robert Pattinson ( Bel Ami ) and Kristen Stewart ( Snow White and the Huntsman ), Lautner has no movie scheduled to come out before the November release of Breaking Dawn Part 2. So you might not be seeing a lot of him over the next couple months. Don’t worry, though. While you come up with birthday wishes to pass along, we’ll honor Taylor here with a photo montage. Get your fill of the hunk by clicking around now:
Most of the time, we hear about avoiding processed foods because they’ll turn us into chubby lumpkins . But a new video of what happens in your body when you eat Top Ramen and Gatorade vs. homemade noodles and drinks gives us a whole new reason to avoid it: We can’t even digest it properly. Just plain ole nasty! More On Bossip! All The Single Ladies, All The Single Ladies: A Gallery Of The Most Eligible Celebrity Bachelorette Bangers Basketball Wives Season 4 Extended Trailer: Evelyn Tries To Jump Jennifer Williams And More Scraps Than The Previous Seasons Put Together! [Video] Would You Wife This? Lindsay Blowhan Shows Off Body In Photo Shoot…And Doesn’t Look Horrible! We Know What You Like: These Celebrities Seem To Date A Certain “Type”…And We Think We’ve Figured Them Out!
