WHITNEY HOUSTON AND LEONA LEWIS DUET

Leona Lewis

Always troubled singer Whitney Houston is planning to duet with hit British singer Leona Lewis and is hoping it will help her comeback, according to media reports. Houston is back on stage this year, after a lengthy break to battle alleged drug addictions, and a new album is being planned for release later in 2008. Now her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis, wants to give her a helping hand by teaming her with Bleeding Love pop sensation Lewis, reports the New York Post. Since winning British talent show The X Factor in 2006, Lewis has stormed the charts in both Britain and the United States and drawn numerous comparisons to Houston and Mariah Carey.But the 23-year-old will have to overcome her nervous disposition if she wants to perform with her idol - she suffers from stress-related chronic throat problems, which doctors have confirmed can only be cured permanently by surgery.

BRITNEY SPEARS VS WHITNEY HOUSTON

Britney Spears

Toxic singer Britney Spears is set to go against pop singer Whitney Houston in a chart battle later this year, when both stars release their forthcoming albums around Christmas. Houston has reportedly been working on her seventh studio album since 2003, and has even called on R&B star John Legend and rapper Will.I.Am to help her stage a comeback record climb to the top of the charts. But the 44-year-old’s chance at a return may be thwarted by the Toxic singer, who is also set to release a new album next December. According to media reports, bosses at 26-year-old Spears’ record label are so impressed with her new demo tracks, they want her to rush out a finished LP this winter. A label source tells Britain’s The Sun newspaper, "Britney has been on fire in the studio of late¡­ she is determined to make a triumphant comeback." Both singers have been surrounded by controversy in recent years, with Houston battling drug addiction and going through messy divorce with singer Bobby Brown, and Spears visiting rehab and fighting a bitter custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

WHITNEY HOUSTON'S LONDON COMEBACK

Troubled singer Whitney Houston is trying a comeback. She had a well-received live performance at a charity ball in London last night. Trying to prove she has put her troubles behind her, the singer went on the stage at the Caudwell Children Legends Ball last night where she wowed the packed venue with her greatest hits.Wearing a full-length gown decorated with sparkling Chopard diamonds, Houston performed before a host of celebrity guests, including Sir Elton John’s partner, film producer David Furnish. Furnish says, "I have seen Whitney sing live in New York about 10 years ago or 11 years ago at Sting and Trudie’s Rainforest Party and she was fantastic."She hasn’t been doing much live performing since then so I think this is a real coup to get her out and performing live again." And Furnish insists the 44-year-old doesn’t need to prove herself in order to relaunch her career. He adds, "I think relaunch is the wrong word, I think when you have someone like Whitney who is spectacularly talented, I think they can take as much time off as they want and if they get the right songs they can come back and sell lots of records." Houston has been in the studio with her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis, working on her seventh studio album, due this winter.

WHITNEY HOUSTON LOSES VOICE IN TOBAGO

Troubled singer Whitney Houston once again disappointed fans at a concert in The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago yesterday, when she lost her voice.The pop diva was nearing the end of a 30-minute performance at the Plymouth Jazz Festival when her voice became so raspy she was unable to hit the high notes of her hit single I Will Always Love You. And the star’s vocal problems was not her only embarrassment of the evening.The star, who cashed in a reported $3 million for the little gig, gave her thanks to the crowd at the show’s finale, shouting repeatedly, "I love you, Trinidad," despite performing in the southern Caribbean island of Tobago.

WHITNEY HOUSTON STUNS LONDON SHOW

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston stunned stars at the Swarovski Fashion Rocks party with a surprise appearance the other night. The troubled singer amazed guests when she walked on stage at London's Albert Hall in a stunning diamante-encrusted white Valentino gown to introduce the final catwalk show of the night.Whitney - who has battled an addiction to crack cocaine and whose divorce from Bobby Brown was made official earlier this year - flew in from New York for the event and had been in hiding at a London hotel to avoid ruining the surprise. Arriving on the red carpet at around 11.15pm, she said: "I know it's been said before but I want to say it again - thank you for your support and, yes, I will always love you."Uma Thurman - who hosted the charity fashion show with Samuel L. Jackson - also caused a stir on the red carpet when she arrived in a risqué see-through black dress revealing her breasts. The evening - held in aid of Prince Charles charity The Prince's Trust - saw the worlds of music and fashion brought together in spectacular style. Acts including Dame Shirley Bassey, Alicia Keys, Lily Allen, Joss Stone and Timbaland, provided the soundtrack for the various catwalk segments from top designers including Burberry, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Gucci, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Lauren.The Sugababes and soul singer Patti LaBelle wowed the audience with a surprise performance of 'Lady Marmalade' for Swarovski's time on the runway.Celebrity presenters included Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Watts, and Kate Moss completed the glamorous guest list.The catwalk queen arrived in a £40,000 (U.S. $80 thousand) bespoke Topshop gown adorned with 60,000 beads, which was to be auctioned on eBay to raise money for The Prince's Trust.

RAY J LOVES OLDER WHITNEY HOUSTON

Singers Whitney Houston and Ray J

WHITNEY HOUSTON’s toyboy lover RAY J has no problems with the 17 years between himself and the soul diva because he has always dated older women.The R+B hunk was just 16 when he had his first encounter with a much older woman, who bathed him in rose petals.Ray J, who is singer Brandy’s little brother, says, "I got bathed in roses and she had this all white house and all white furniture and she always wore white clothes."I can’t say her name because she might get in trouble."

WHITNEY HOUSTON FIGHTS BOBBY BROWN

Whitney Houston with Bobby Brown and daughter Bobbi Christina

Whitney Houston has been awarded custody of her daughter in her divorce from Bobby Brown.The 'I Will Always Love You' singer's divorce was approved yesterday by Judge Franz E. Miller in California's Orange County court and will be finalised on April 24. Whitney, 43, will have custody of 14-year-old Bobbi Christina, her daughter with 40-year-old R'n'B star Bobby.The singer dabbed her eyes with a tissue during the hearing and declined to comment on the proceedings as she left the courthouse. Bobby's lawyer said the 'My Prerogative' singer will file a petition to overturn the judge's decision.Whitney initially filed for legal separation from Bobby on September 8 last year and then followed with a divorce request in October. But on December 28, she requested a default judgment to fast-track the dissolution of the marriage. The couple married in 1992 when Whitney was at the height of her success. During their marriage Bobby has been arrested for drugs and alcohol related charges and Whitney has twice entered rehab to be treated for addiction to crack cocaine. Since their separation she has been recording a new album with J Records president Clive Davis in Los Angeles. Despite their split, Whitney and Bobby have been seen together on several occasions dining with their daughter.

WHITNEY HOUSTON LEAVES WITH DOGGYBAG

Whitney Houston meets Ray J for dinner at Lawryís Steak House in Beverly Hills, CA. Whitney Houston was shocked to see the paparazzi there that she went back into the restaurant to hide out. On her second attempt, she hid her face as she got in the car. What would have made a nice photo would have been her leaving holding Ray J. Better yet a photo of her tossing the Doggie Bag at the Dog Pack of Paparazzi.

Photo: Buzz Foto

BOBBY BROWN ARRESTED AND RELEASED

Bobby Brown Taken Away

Bobby Brown was released from jail the other day after a radio station paid his outstanding child support for him.The rapper was arrested on Sunday and detained in Massachusetts Norfolk County jail for failing to pay $19,150 in late child support and court fees.Washington D.C. radio station Hot 99.5 FM paid the fees in return for Brown agreeing to appear on air. One of the station's hosts, Kane, said: "In exchange for the money, he agreed to be an employee of our radio station for one week."The DJ revealed the R'n'B star will give a frank interview live on air, in which he hopes Brown will talk about his failed marriage to Whitney Houston and turbulent private life. He said: "We are going to have a very open and candid conversation."Brown - who was arrested while watching his daughter's cheer leading competition at a local high school - will appear on The Kane Show on Monday morning. Kane added: "Once Friday rolls around, he's done and released - and he's on his own,"Brown's lawyer, Phedra Parks, claimed the singer was struggling to make monthly payments to Kim Ward, the mother of his two teenage children, LaPrincia and Bobby III. Parks said: "Although this agreement was put in place when he was Bobby Brown the star, this agreement is being enforced when he is not always able to find work."He hasn't made an album in quite some years."In October, Brown paid $11,000 in late child support after a judge ruled he would be arrested if he entered the county of Massachusetts without paying what he owed. Brown and Houston, who have a 13-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, are currently in the process of getting divorced.

WHITNEY HOUSTON WANTS FAST DIVORCE

Whitney Houston has asked a court to fast-track her divorce from Bobby Brown, according to court papers. The singer filed for divorce in October, but papers obtained by CelebTV.com reveal Houston requested a default judgement on December 28, in a bid to speed up proceedings. Documents show the 43-year-old checked a box to reveal there are "no issues of division of community property." Houston is seeking full custody of the couple's 13-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, with Brown being granted visitation rights. The news comes just weeks after the diva was spotted socializing with R&B star Ray J -- prompting rumors of a romance.