‘What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words,’ singer says in a statement issued to MTV News. By Rob Markman Ray J and Whitney Houston in 2008 Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage The sudden death of Whitney Houston has left her family, friends and fans broken-hearted. And on Friday (February 17), her close friend Ray J finally ended his silence, releasing this statement to MTV News: “Over the past few days I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon but I lost my close friend. Nippy I miss you so much! You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.” The “One Wish” singer was no doubt close to Houston, and while neither ever confirmed a romance, it was widely speculated that he and Houston were an item. Soon after Houston was found dead in her L.A. hotel room on February 11, reports began to surface that it was Ray J who found her body in a bath tub at the Beverly Hilton. Those reports were quickly refuted by Ray J’s representative. The statement comes just a day before Houston is to be laid to rest following her funeral at Newark, New Jersey’s New Hope Baptist Church Saturday at noon. The funeral is invite-only, but fans will be able to watch an online live stream . New Hope Pastor Joe A. Carter will preside over the ceremony, and gospel singer Marvin Winans will give the eulogy. People magazine reported on Thursday that Kevin Costner, who co-starred with Houston in the 1992 film “The Bodyguard,” will also speak at the funeral. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston Ray J
Singer was born in Garden State and grew up singing in Newark church. By Gil Kaufman Whitney Houston in East Orange, NJ in 1987 Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage When Whitney Houston is eulogized and laid to rest on Saturday in New Jersey, it will complete the circle of her personal and professional lives in more ways than one. Houston, who died at age 48 last Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel room of as-yet-undetermined causes, grew up in New Jersey and cut her teeth singing at Newark, New Jersey’s New Hope Baptist church. It is there that her family and friends will gather to remember a favorite daughter who burst onto the global music scene in the mid-1980s, never forgetting where she came from. Houston was the third and youngest child born, on August 9, 1963, to gospel great Cissy Houston and her late husband John, an entertainment executive and former Army serviceman. The couple raised their brood in what has been described as a strict but loving household in middle-class East Orange, New Jersey, where the family moved in 1967 following six days of riots in Newark tied to a police incident involving a black cabdriver. To her neighbors and childhood friends, Houston was known affectionately by her nickname “Nippy” and for the angelic, powerful voice she shared with them during Sunday worship services. Her Grammy-winning mother led the musical program at New Hope and the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s cousin Dionne Warwick also sang in the choir of the 112-year-old church. Whitney got her start as a soloist in the church’s junior choir at age 11. Houston was just one of the stars to rise from the city of 275,000, located 10 miles from New York City, which also spawned comedian Jerry Lewis and rock icon Paul Simon. According to local media reports, Houston kept those roots strong even after she ascended to stardom, dropping in every so often to sing at Easter Sunday services at New Hope and spending time with neighbors at barbecue and holiday gatherings. The town returned the favor, renaming a local elementary school near her childhood home Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts in 1997. Houston would often drop in and spend time with the pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade students, who gathered for a memorial event on Monday where they heard speeches, released white balloons and listened to Houston’s legendary rendition of the National Anthem from Super Bowl XXV. Her funeral will be a private affair that will be streamed live online and offered to TV networks. New Hope Pastor Joe A. Carter will preside over the small, intimate ceremony, which he said will be a “celebration for one who has left us with so much,” and the eulogy will be given by gospel singer Marvin Winans. People magazine reported on Thursday that Houston’s “The Bodyguard” co-star Kevin Costner will speak at the funeral, which will also feature songs from Houston’s godmother, R&B icon Aretha Franklin, and Motown legend Stevie Wonder, in addition to words from her longtime record boss Clive Davis. New Jersey’s outspoken governor Chris Christie, meanwhile, was forced to defend his decision to have flags in the state flown at half-staff on Saturday following complaints. “What I would say to everybody is there but for the grace of God go I,” he said, according to The Associated Press . Christie brushed aside complaints that Houston, who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction during her life, is not deserving of such reverence. “Whitney Houston was an important part of the cultural fabric of this state,” Christie said. “She was a cultural icon in this state, and her accomplishments in her life were a source of great pride for the people of this state … I am disturbed by people who believe that because her ultimate demise — and we don’t know what is the cause of her death yet — but because of her history of substance abuse that somehow she’s forfeited the good things that she did in her life,” he said. “I just reject that on a human level.” Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
Jennifer Lawrence did not feel any hunger for love on Valentine’s Day. Or maybe she did, but it was satisfied. Okay, we’re just gonna stop. The star of The Hunger Games film adaptation, 21, was photographed sharing passionate kisses with her British beau Nicholas Hoult, 22, on Wednesday. The casually dressed pair, who co-starred together in X-Men: First Class , exchanged their post-Valentine’s Day PDA in L.A., then went for a stroll: Lawrence and her man, who’s currently starring in Skins , will have plenty to celebrate March 23 when her highly anticipated action film hits theaters. It’s not too late to win free tickets to the premiere of the movie event from Lionsgate and our partner site, Movie Fanatic! Just follow the link to enter. [Photo: Pacific Coast News]
On The Today Show this morning, Matt Lauer and Bill O’Reilly engaged in a fascinating debate. It stemmed from the latter’s belief that Whitney Houston had a death wish, that nobody abuses drugs or alcohol in such a way ” if they want to stay on the planet .” Lauer countered this point by saying “addiction is a disease,” but O’Reilly shot back: “It’s a mental disease. You have free will when it comes to addiction. You don’t have free will when it comes to lung cancer.” Matt Lauer Interviews Bill O’Reilly (Audio) The main topic of the discourse, though, centered on the media’s handling of Whitney’s long struggle with substance abuse, with O’Reilly labeling all reports over the years as “sensationalized to exploit the woman’s condition, not try to help her. “You know what we in the media do, Lauer?” he asked. “We wink-wink it. We Snoop Dogg it. We Willie Nelson it. ‘Hey, oh yeah, they’re stoned, that’s fine.'” Is O’Reilly in favor of lowering flags in New Jersey Saturday in honor of Houston’s funeral? Yes, he believes we should respect the singer’s life. But he also believes journalists should have done the same for her before she died by taking a harsher stance on her drug problem. Listen to the audio above and take a side.
There still will be no public memorial service for Whitney Houston , but a publicist for the late singer told CNN that Saturday’s funeral in Newark, New Jersey will be made available for television and web streaming. The services will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, where Houston sang as a child. Services begin at noon. Gospel singer and pastor Marvin L. Winans, a longtime friend of the Houston family, will give the eulogy, while Houston’s godmother, Aretha Franklin, will be among the performers. Winans officiated at Houston’s 1992 marriage to Bobby Brown. Others confirmed on the guest list are Chaka Khan, Bebe & CeCe Winans, songwriter Diane Warren, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, pop singer Darlene Love, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Ray J and Brandy. Houston’s cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, was in New Jersey helping the family with funeral arrangements. Although the family is not commenting on Houston’s final resting place, her death certificate filed Wednesday in Los Angeles lists it as Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey. RELATED: Chaka Khan Questions Why Pre-Grammy Party Was Held After Whitney Houston’s Death [VIDEO] Bobby Brown Dismisses Reports He’s Unwelcome At Whitney Funeral, Says Daughter Is “Doing Better” Aretha Franklin Sings Tribute For Goddaughter Whitney Houston [VIDEO] Whitney Houston Private Funeral Set For Saturday In New Jersey Celebrity Atlantans Remember Former ATL Resident Whitney Houston Whitney Houston May Have Died From Combination Of Xanax & Alcohol [REPORT] Jennifer Hudson Sings Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” At Grammys [VIDEO] New Edition On Whitney Houston’s Death: “We Are Shocked And Saddened” Bobby Declares Love For Whitney On Stage [VIDEO]
With an original release date not set until sometime in the Fall, rumors are circulating that Sony Pictures may release “Sparkle” (in which Whitney Houston stars) as early as Memorial Day due to increased fan interest. SOUCE: L.A. Times On Monday morning, Radar Online quoted an anonymous source at Sony saying the release date for the movie, in which Houston plays the mother of aspiring pop singers, is being moved up from Aug. 17 because of fan interest. The film “could be released as early as Memorial Day,” Radar quoted the source as saying. Shortly afterward, a Sony spokesman said that the report was “not true” and that the film would be released on schedule on the third weekend of August. So for now, it appears to be sitting pat. A remake of a 1976 Irene Cara movie, “Sparkle” is still technically in postproduction, though a rough cut has been completed.
Aretha Franklin will reportedly sing at Houston’s funeral in New Jersey. By Gil Kaufman Whitney Houston in 1995 Photo: 20th Century Fox/Getty Images While Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Remembering An Icon: Whitney’s Top MTV Moments Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
Bentley, who plays Seneca Crane, tells MTV News his beard ‘took two hours to groom every day.’ By Kara Warner with reporting by Josh Horowitz Wes Bentley Photo: MTV News For those of us who’ve been following the news surrounding all the comings and goings of the lucky “Hunger Games” castmembers, one of the most intriguing is Wes Bentley in the role of Seneca Crane . Not only does Bentley bring a sense of gravitas to the character, but as we’ve seen in the released photos, his costume and makeup design is especially interesting. MTV News recently caught up with the “American Beauty” actor to discuss his pivotal role in the film and how much fun he had sporting that curiously shaped beard, which, sadly, he no longer has. “I would have loved to have kept the beard but that beard took two hours to groom every day,” Bentley said. “I don’t want to spend that much time in the bathroom.” We then brought up the fact that the beard has caused quite a stir among fans, spawning its own Facebook page as well as our own tongue-in-cheek interview with the fancy fuzz . “I saw that. I had no idea my beard was so clever,” Bentley said of the interview, adding that he is flattered by all the attention the beard has received. “It’s such a cool look. Ve Neill, the makeup designer, did such an amazing job. It’s exciting that it’s getting that kind of attention.” Bentley insisted that all the credit for the design of the beard goes to Neill, and that all he did was grow out everything as much as it could go. “I usually come to set with a beard and my hair as long as I can get it so there are options. I saw Ve before we started shooting and she was excited I had a beard because she had something special in mind. It was all her. She went at it for like three hours trying to find the right shape; it was cool.” Bentley joked that having the peculiar design on his face did half of his acting work for him and that he sometimes wishes he kept it. “The beard did half the work,” he joked, later admitting that he got a few curious glances whenever he ventured out to run errands during filming. “I did go into Target a few times late at night with the beard, because my son was there, it was a little odd buying baby formula with this beard and some of the makeup on.” What questions do you have for Wes Bentley’s beard? Let us know in the comments section. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Hunger Games’ Related Photos The Hunger Games
The legendary producer relives the pop diva’s 1983 television debut on ‘Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words.’ By Kara Warner Whitney Houston Photo: MTV News There were several noteworthy aspects of MTV News’ special tribute “Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words” Wednesday, such as the rarely seen interview clips of Houston from her network debut in 1986 through her final interview, as well as her unforgettable impact on music as a whole straight from the man responsible for her discovery at age 19, Clive Davis. “The week after I signed her I had an open opportunity from Merv Griffin. He said, ‘Whenever you run across a talent that blows you away, I want you to bring her on my show,’ ” Davis told MTV News of arranging Houston’s memorable 1983 television debut. “Either you’ve got or you don’t have it,” Davis is shown telling Griffin in a clip from that specific show. “She’s got it, wait ’til you hear her,” Griffin said. “Here’s Whitney Houston.” “My introduction of Whitney was that if there’s going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston,” Davis said. The legendary record producer attributed Houston’s genius to her ability to fully interpret and embody a song. “You see the genius that Whitney Houston has as an interpreter of material and you realize why genius can be applied to only a few interpretive performers,” Davis said. “She finds meaning and depth and soulfulness in a song that often the writer and composer never really knew was there. Whitney approached that with her phrasing; she studied hard. She would go into the studio, sometimes she would do it on one take. Once she agrees that the song is special for her, she really does in every matter make it her own.” Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words
Nas, Pitbull, Akon, and Game all have a Behind the Music coming. The hit VH1 show “Behind The Music” is coming back with a number of episodes featuring some of the industry’s biggest Hip-Hop and R&B artists such as Nas, Game, Akon, Brandy, Pitbull, and T-Pa
