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Top 20 Interesting Facts About Whitney Houston

Originally published by Beatrice J in November 2022 and Updated by Beatrice J in January 2024

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer and actress, born on the 9^th of August 1963. She began her singing career was back in her local church. At just the age of eleven she performed her first solo in the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark.

Whitney has received several awards and honors for her singing career. Guinness World record has listed her as the most awarded artist of all time. Her music has been regarded as iconic and has been matched with other legend in the music industry.

1.Whitney Houston comes from a family of singers

Whitney was born in a middle income neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. Her father, John Russell Houston was an ex-Army serviceman and Newark city administrator. Her mother on the other hand was a gospel singer.

Emily Houston was an American soul and gospel singer. After her successful career in singing backup she embarked on her own journey to sing solo. Emily has won two Grammy Awards for her own solo work.

Surprisingly her elder brother, Michael is a songwriter. Her half-brother, Gary Garland is a former basketball player and singer. Some of Whitney`s close relatives have also embarked into the musical career.

Read more about top 10 famous people from New Jersey here.

2.Whiney started singing in church as a child

American singer Whitney Houston performing on Good Morning America, photo by Asterio Tecson.

Whitney`s interest in singing began way back when she was just a child. She began her singing while in church. This was where she realized that she had a massive interest in singing.

At just the age of eleven years old she began performing as a soloist in the junior gospel choir at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. She had her first solo performance in the church while performing Thou Great Jehovah.

She was later on listed as among the first black women to appear in the cover of Seventeen after she became a model. She signed into Arista record where she began her singing career officially.

3.Houston’s middle name is Elizabeth

Whitney Houston’s complete name is made more elegantly formal by the addition of her middle name, Elizabeth. Many countries have adopted the custom of including Elizabeth, who is frequently picked for her ageless and elegant qualities. It contrasts with Whitney, her first name, which has a contemporary and lively vibe, making for a well-balanced and harmonic combination.

Whitney Houston’s accomplishments and influence on the music industry, along with her extraordinary talent and illustrious career, provide the name an air of regality.

The use of Whitney Houston‘s middle name may serve as a reminder of the deeper aspects of her identity and possibly a connection to her personal views or familial lineage, even if the public often associates Whitney Houston with her powerful voice, successful profession, and personal struggles.

4.She was a model before pursuing  music 

The fact that Whitney Houston dabbled in modelling before pursuing a career in acting and singing demonstrates the variety of her interests and skills. This side of her life sheds light on the variety of career paths that people in the entertainment business frequently take.

Whitney Houston started off as a model before capturing the hearts of viewers with her strong voice and endearing on-screen persona. In addition to physical attractiveness, poise, style, and the capacity to communicate a variety of emotions through visual expression are highly valued in the modelling industry. Houston’s polished and sophisticated look throughout her career was probably influenced by her previous experience as a model.

5.Houston holds the record for the most consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

Whitney Houston’s continued popularity and influence are demonstrated by her record-breaking number of weeks spent at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is now unquestionably among the most prosperous and significant musicians in popular music history as a result of this achievement.

The particular achievement alluded to is the number-one position achieved by Whitney Houston’s classic performance of “I Will Always Love You.” Houston’s stirring and intense rendition of the song, which was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton, was included on the soundtrack of the 1992 movie “The Bodyguard,” in which she also starred. The song dominated the charts and became an instant classic.

6.She became the first artist to have seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

Whitney Houston’s feat of being the first performer to have seven number-one hits in a row on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is a stunning example of her unmatched popularity and supremacy in the late 1980s and early 1990s music industry. Her status as a pop music legend and one of her generation’s most influential performers is cemented by this achievement.

Her debut hit Saving All My Love for You in 1985 marked the start of an incredible run that included the songs How Will I Know, Greatest Love of All, I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), Didn’t We Almost Have It All, So Emotional, and, lastly, Where Do Broken Hearts Go. Houston’s passionate delivery, broad appeal, and varied vocal range were all on display in these tunes.

7.Houston won numerous accolades

Through history, Whitney Houston has won several accolades, including 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 2 Grammy Hall of Fame honors, 14 World Music Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music Awards.

Other than these accords she tied with Michael Jackson for winning the most American Music Awards received in a year. In the year 1993 Houston won a record of 11 Billboard Music Awards.

Guinness World record has listed her as the most awarded artist of all time. Houston music has been regarded as iconic and has been matched with other legend in the music industry.

8.Houston was the first African American woman to grace the cover of Seventeen magazine

One of the most significant moments in the history of fashion and representation is Whitney Houston’s status as the first African American woman to appear on the cover of Seventeen magazine. This landmark was reached in the 1980s, a time when Houston was becoming known for her versatility and demonstrating her presence in the entertainment and modelling industries in addition to her singing skills.

There was a marked absence of diversity on magazine covers at this time, and Caucasian models dominated how beauty and fashion were portrayed in the mainstream media. With her cover photo for Seventeen, Whitney Houston defied these established conventions and took a big move in the direction of more diversity in the fashion industry.

9.Whitney Houston’s debut album has been listed as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Whitney Houston, photo by PH2 Mark Kettenhofen.

Whitney Houston began her singing in church as a child and became a background vocalist while in high school. She later on decided to venture into the career.  At just the age of 19 with the guidance of Arista Records chairman she was signed into the label.

 Her first two studio albums, Whitney Houston and Whitney were both peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. This was just the take-off of her career as she kept on producing albums that drew crowed from all over.

Rolling Stone listed Whitney’s debut album as one of the top 500 greatest albums of all time. in addition to that, she also holds a place in the coveted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Definitive 200 rankings.

10.Whitney Houston wed singer Bobby Brown in 1992, and they had a daughter named Bobbi Kristina Brown

The 1992 marriage of singer Whitney Houston to Bobby Brown signalled a turning point in her personal life. With the arrival of their daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, the couple gave Houston’s well-known profession a personal touch.

The public’s and media’s intense focus on the union influenced how people perceived Houston’s personal difficulties in the years that followed. The sometimes turbulent family dynamics sparked public interest and shaped Houston’s personal story as well as the larger dialogue about celebrity relationships.

11.The iconic single I Will Always Love You is one of the best-selling singles of all time

Throughout the history of popular music, Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” is among the most recognisable and financially successful tracks. Houston’s rendition of the song, which was first written and sung by Dolly Parton, served as the main theme for the 1992 movie The Bodyguard, in which she costarred with Kevin Costner.

When I Will Always Love You was released as a single, it quickly gained popularity. The song’s strength comes from Whitney Houston’s unmatched vocal performance as well as its emotionally driven lyrics. Millions of people all over the world are moved by her performance, which turns the song into a timeless anthem of love and loss.

12.Whitney Houston was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020

Whitney Houston’s posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 marked her lasting legacy as one of the finest vocalists in popular music history as well as her significant influence on the music business.

Houston’s contributions to the R&B genre and her ability to transcend musical borders with her powerful and soulful voice were recognised with her induction. Houston’s legacy extended beyond classic rock & roll, demonstrating how the Hall of Fame acknowledged the varied and extensive effects of her contributions.

Numerous feats, such as multiple chart-topping hits, Grammy Awards, and record-breaking successes, characterised Houston’s career.She pioneered the genre by skillfully fusing pop, R&B, and gospel influences into her songs, opening the path for upcoming musicians.

13.Whitney Houston’s Super Bowl XXV national anthem performance is considered one of the best.

Many people consider Whitney Houston’s 1991 Super Bowl XXV performance of the national anthem to be one of the best and most memorable anthem performances ever. Her impassioned and powerful performance struck a chord with the crowd during the event and has since been hailed as a model for anthem performances.

Houston’s performance is highly regarded for its emotional richness, vocal ability, and enduring impact to the Super Bowl’s cultural significance. Her status as one of the best vocalists of her generation was further cemented by this performance, which is now remembered as a pivotal moment in the annals of sports and music.

14.Whitney, a fashion icon in the ’80s and ’90s, set trends with her glamorous red-carpet looks and on-stage outfits

Whitney Houston was a fashion star in the 1980s and 1990s, and her influence went beyond only her music. Houston, who was well-known for her glitzy red carpet appearances and on-stage attire, not only enthralled listeners with her vocals but also established fashion trends.

She became a source of inspiration for the fashion industry as well as fans due to her unforgettable, sophisticated, and stylish style. Whitney Houston’s wardrobe selections were an essential element of her image, whether she was playing on stage or attending award ceremonies. This helped her make a greater cultural influence outside of the music industry.

15.Whitney announced as the most awarded artists by the Guinness World Record

Whitney Houston in Milan, photo by Luca Viscardi.

Whitney is regarded as a renowned artist of all time. Her music still remains iconic even after her death. She has been regarded as the most awarded female artist in history.

Guinness World record has listed her as the most awarded artist of all time. Throughout her career she won a whopping 415 of them, including 2 Emmys, 6 Grammys, 16 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards.

Her music has been matched to other iconic artist in history. She sold over 200 million records worldwide. Houston began singing in church as a child and became a background vocalist while in high school. She grew from there to become an icon.

16.Houston set the record for the most WMA`s in a single year

Whitney Houston has gone in record for the most WMAs won Single year. She began her career in singing way back at the age of eleven where she was the soloist of her church choir. She has gone into record as the most WMAs won having won five awards in a single year.

The WMA is a series of audio codecs and their corresponding audio prosperity technology. She received this honors at just the age of 37years.This was a huge accomplishment in her career.

She remains the youngest person to have received the award. Houston made great accomplishments in her career while she was still young. Other than this award she was the second recipient of the BET walk of Fame at just 2 years. She considered these huge milestones in her musical career.

17.In 2002, Whitney Houston became embroiled in a legal dispute with Kevin Skinner

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on

Kevin Skinner was the president of the John Houston Enterprise that took charge of Whitney`s musical career. The company was initially created by Whitney`s father John Russell Houston to manage her career.

The daily running of the company was under the control of Kevin.. Kevin filed a civil suit against Whitney for failing to pay compensation for helping negotiations with Arista Records. The company had undertaken to negotiate a $100 Million deal with the record company on behalf of Whitney.

Whitney subsequently failed to pay the compensations and therefore forced the director to move to court for compensation. Fortunately enough the lawsuit was dismissed in 2004 after her father`s death the previous year. Unfortunately Kevin did not receive any compensation from the lawsuit.

18.Whitney admitted to using drugs in an interview

Photo by Alexander Grey on

Several allegations had come up that Whitney had been using drugs in the 1980`s and 1990`s. there had been drastic changes in her behavior over the years. She was often hours late of interviews, rehearsals and photo shoots.

She had even canceled and postponed concerts and talks.in 2000. While she was traveling with her husband, security guards discovered half an ounce of marijuana. Just two years later in an interview she confirmed the rumors and stated that she had been using alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and pills.

She further acknowledged that her mother had made efforts and urged her to seek help regarding the matter that was slowly destroying her career.

19.Whitney was found dead at the Beverly Hilton

Whitney Houston, photo by PH2 Mark Kettenhofen.

Two days before Whitney`s death, she appeared disheveled and erratic. She made her last performance with Kelly Price on the stage in Hollywood, California. The two renowned artists sang the song, Jesus loves me.

On the 11^th of February, Houston was found unconscious in her suit at the Beverly Hilton. She was submerged in the bath tab when the paramedics arrived at the scene. They made efforts to perform CPR on her but with no success. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 Pm.

After further investigations by the local police officers, they made a conclusion that there were no obvious signs of criminal intent. Read more about the top 10 world celebrities who tragically died here.

20.A memorial service was held to celebrate the life lived by Whitney Houston

On the 18^th of February, 2012, her childhood church, New, Hope Baptist Church held a memorial service to honor her life. Whitney had begun her career on the stage of the church at a young age. She was only eleven years old when she was the soloist of her church choir.

The service had been scheduled for two hours however it took up to four hours to end. Several artists performed in the service. Among those who performed are, Stevie Wonder, CeCe Winans, Alicia Keys, Kim Burrell, and R. Kelly.

Whitney Houston is truly one of the best musicians in the entertainment industry. Her music was iconic and it still remains to be even years after her unfortunate death.