by JULIA BACCHETTI Social Media Specialist
New Jersey native, Whitney Houston, died late Febuary 11 in a Beverly Hills hotel, hours before attending a pre-Grammy’s party. The 48 year-old was found in her bathtub by on-again off-again boyfriend, singer Ray J. Houston died from mixing Xanax and other powerful prescription drugs with alcohol. Shortly after suffering the effects of the cocktail, she fell into her bathtub. Her lungs did not have enough water in them to be the cause of death. Reports explain that she died before she had fallen. As a long time crack-cocaine user, her addiction to drugs potentionally lead to her death, and the downfall of her career. Houston grew up in a Newark, New Jersey middle-income neighborhood with her family. Her early music genres included Gospel. Down the road, she performed at small night clubs with her mother, Cissy. Eventually getting her big break with music producer and mentor Clive Davis, she went on to become a Grammy award winner. Houston is also the only artist to have seven number one hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 hits. Houston was married to R&B singer Bobbi Brown. The two had a child together, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown. Brown had multiple run-ins with the law, and drug-related problems during their marriage. Soon after, Houston also showed signs of drug use. She had extreme weightloss, her voice was shaky during perfomances, and she seemed jittery. Many in the music world looked up to Houston. She paved the way for young African-american singers. She inspired Jordin Sparks, winner of the 2007 season of “American Ido”l. The two met on Houston’s final movie “Sparks”. After the funeral service, Sparks tweeted, “We laid a beautiful angel to rest today. You’re at peace now, singing in the heavens in His loving arms. I love you so much Mama Whitney.” Aside from Houston’s personal struggles, her legacy will live on. Her voice and presence will go down in history. She will always be remembered, and honored, for her astounding talent.
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