Times Square Gossip

**** THE HAMPTON'S Photos By: Rob Rich / Society Allure **** Ian Duke With Cristine Cuomo Debra Srb With Karina Srb The Purist hosted a reception for the screening of “Whitney: Can I Be Me” at Union Cantina, a modern Mexican restaurant in Southampton, NY. The reception was followed by a Q&A with host and HIFF artistic director David Nugent, executive producer Ben Silverman, and director Rudi Dolezal at the Southampton UA Theater in Southampton. The screening was part of HIFF SummerDocs Series 2017. The acclaimed artist Eric Fischl was also on hand to sign copies of his newly unveiled poster design for the 25th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival. Ben Silverman And Rudi Dolezal Guests mingled at restauranteurs Ian Duke and David Hilty’s hit restaurant Union Cantina while tasting delectable hors d'oeuvres from the innovative Mexican kitchen. Union Cantina boasts award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf from legendary televisi...

**** WHITNEY HOUSTON IMMORTALIZED **** Whitney Houston At Madame Tussa u ds Madame Tussauds Las Vegas unveiled a wax figure of singer, actress and producer Whitney Houston yesterday. The first single from Houston’s second studio album was titled “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and earned the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 30th Grammy Awards in 1988. The song’s accompanying video became one of Houston's best recognized music videos and ran in heavy rotation on MTV, VH1, and BET. At Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, Houston’s wax figure will be styled in the same way she appeared in the video, wearing a tight purple-pink tank dress and blonde curly hair. “We are excited for one of Whitney’s four amazing figures to reside in our music room here in Las Vegas alongside other music legends,” remarked Madame Tussauds Las Vegas General Manager Rosita Chapman.  Photo Courtesy O f: Madame Tussauds/Patrick Gr...

Aretha Franklin Author MARK BEGO did an in-store last week at San Francisco’s Alexander Book Company store, for his two current releases, WHITNEY HOUSTON: THE SPECTACULAR RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF THE WOMAN WHOSE VOICE INSPIRED A GENERATION (Skyhorse Publishing) and ARETHA FRANKLIN: THE QUEEN OF SOUL (Skyhorse Publishing) . Mark was there with Brian Summers, from B.S. Productions (channeling his inner Whitney!)and, Bernard Henderson from the Alexander Book Company. Photo By: RD/Dziekan/Retna  

**** THE DEATH OF A SUPERSTAR **** Whitney Houston Whitney Houston’s powerful voice made her one of the greatest musical geniuses of our generation. Yet even while she attained a level of triumphant success that surpassed all other musical stars, she descended into the pits of an internal hell that finally took her life. While her descent was fueled by drugs and supported by a destructive marriage, “the true cause of her death has never been revealed before now,” says Judith Sherven, PhD. Beginning with early childhood and tracing her life and career, What Really Killed Whitney Houston? (JayEss Publishing) by husband and wife psychology team Judith Sherven, PhD and Jim Sniechowski, PhD examines her life and death through the lens of her unconscious loyalties and explains how these loyalties deprived her of being able to embrace and live inside her success. Best-selling authors, relationship experts, and sought-after keynote speakers Judith & Jim (as they ...

**** TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP MOVIE REVIEW   'Sparkle,' with Irene Cara in the starring role and her interest was indeed sparked! ****  Whitney Houston “Thanks to the premiere of the film 'Sparkle,' Whitney Houston's millions of worldwide fans will get their chance to finally say 'goodbye' to the tragic diva who captured our hearts in the 1980s, and who first dazzled us on the big screen in the 1990s. When Houston was a young girl growing up in Newark, New Jersey, she saw the original film version of 'Sparkle,' with Irene Cara in the starring role and her interest was indeed sparked! In her final film role, as the character Sparkle's world-weary mother, finally Whitney Houston has come full circle. It is a fond and fitting farewell to a true singing legend. Her dynamic acting with Jordin Sparks is totally compelling onscreen. It makes you wonder just what Whitney was capable of in the future. It is a fitting send...

Janet Jackson As friends and family gather Saturday to mourn the death of Whitney Houston, we thought you might be interested in this quote from her friend, Janet Jackson, which will appear in an upcoming exclusive interview with Prevention magazine: "I remember, it was at the Grammys, actually. It was the first time I was performing, actually...and someone from my camp was filming my performance backstage, and she and Luther Vandross were standing there, and you could hear Whitney -- and Luther – in the background – just cheering me on during the whole performance. And I just thought: How sweet. How sweet is that? Such a beautiful soul, such a beautiful soul. And I wish more people would have had the opportunity to get to see that, to know that person, not just the entertainer, not just the voice….I don’t think there will be another like her, honestly. Granted, there will be someone else that comes along with a beautiful voice. But I don’t think a Whitney is gonna happen...

**** The cover story of the new issue of Us Weekly is dedicated to Whitney Houston’s sad, final days. The article details how decades of risk-taking caught up with the pop star with her addiction and out-of-control partying. **** Whitney Houston The cover story of the new issue of Us Weekly is dedicated to Whitney Houston’s sad, final days. The article details how decades of risk-taking caught up with the pop star with her addiction and out-of-control partying. In describing her sad, final days, sources recount a manic round of hard par­tying — with [daughter] Bobbi Kris­tina in tow. The superstar who could thrill audiences with the slightest breath of her mezzo-soprano voice had become a rasping diva in decline. “Whitney was very lonely, and self-medicating at the end,” says a friend of the headstrong entertainer. “She felt she was losing con­trol. Her career, her love life and her daughter. She was numbing herself to it all.” A deadly mix of alcohol and prescription drugs includi...

**** Hollywood Voice Builder Gary Catona Shares His Thoughts on the Legacy of Whitney Houston **** Whitney Houston “I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that I had to train the immortal Whitney Houston, one of the truly great singers in history. In building her voice, I was constantly astounded at how quickly her voice gained in beauty, power, and ability – a testimony to her brilliant gifts. Always bear in mind that singing is a kind of sport and a singer a kind of athlete. In this light, in addition to possessing a voice of uncommon loveliness and feeling, Whitney Houston stands out as one the greatest ‘vocal athletes’ of all time, a singing genius that has set new standards of artistic excellence in pop music and an inspiration to all those who may want to follow in her footsteps.” Gary Catona is an American voice coach and Hollywood’s “voice builder” to the stars. Since 2005, Catona has trained Houston for weeks at a time. Catona’s heralded voice building techniques are no...

**** THE DEATH OF A LEGEND WHITNEY HOUSTON DEAD AT 48 YEARS OLD **** Whitney Houston Whitney Houston died at age 48 yesterday. Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen spoke to the press outside the famed Beverly Hilton Hotel. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating. "There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent at this time," Rosen said. Other media outlets are reporting that prescription drugs could be involved. Beverly Hills Police Department later issued a statement:""Whitney Houston was pronounced dead that the scene by members of her entourage which included friends, co-workers, and family. Ms. Houston's daughter and mother were notified of here death." The statement also added that "the investigation is currently being conducted" and that "there is no additional information at this time." "The actual cause o...

Whitney Houston Uma Thurman Usher Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Clive Davis Janelle Monae Jay Sean Roberta Armani Sade Roland Martin Jane Krakowski Patrick Wilson With Guest Deepak Chopra Deepak Chopra along with Patrick Wilson, Whitney Houston, Usher, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Jay Sean, Roland Martin, Jane Krakowski and many more stars attended the Keep A Child Alive's Black Ball 2010 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City Photos By: RD / Rob Kim / Retna Digital

Whitney Houston Former pop superstar Whitney Houston has canceled the first three British dates of her comeback tour after doctors in Paris diagnosed her with a severe respiratory infection. Whitney canned a show on Tuesday, the first European gig of her Nothing But Love World Tour, after she became sick. Reports in the French press are suggesting the star was admitted to a Parisian hospital, while a representative for Whitney confirms Houston was treated by medics for chronic rhino pharyngitis, a swelling of the membranes in the nose and throat. Whitney has now postponed three of her upcoming shows in the U.K. so she can recover. A statement from Houston's record label reads, "Doctors visited Whitney late last night in Paris and confirmed that she was suffering from an upper respiratory infection. Upon medical advice Whitney has been advised that she cannot perform to allow her time to recover." Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Chaka Khan Singer Chaka Khan and her friendship with pop singer Whitney Houston fell apart after the younger star refused her friends help in beating her drug addiction. Khan helped Houston jump start her career by recruiting the then-teenager to sing background vocals on her 1980 album Naughty and the couple became very close friends. Chaka kicked her own substance abuse problems in the 1990s and offered to help Houston overcome her crack cocaine addiction, but Whitney turned her down. Khan tells Britain’s OK! magazine, "I love her very much, but we’re not close any more. I reached out, but she doesn’t want my help. Maybe she thinks I’m going to confront her, but after what I’ve been though, c’mon…" Photos By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Whitney Houston Singing legend Whitney Houston has revealed her ex-husband rapper Bobby Brown would emotionally abuse her when he was drunk and cut her out of the family photographs. In her first deep interview since divorcing Bobby, the re-invented star told talk show queen Oprah Winfrey her "crazy love" for Brown left her beaten down and abusing cocaine and marijuana. The show, which airs on Monday, Houston reveals she tried to be the perfect wife and for a long time she and Brown "fought hard (and) loved hard." But she struggled to deal with her ex when he drank and became "mean." Houston is also insisting Brown never physically abused her, but he would spit on her and terrify her with crazy behavior. She adds, "He had such hate in his eyes for me, because I loved him so much." She recalls Brown cutting her head off in pictures and drawing "evil eyes" on their bedroom walls with spray paint. Photos By: Sara De Boer/Retna

**** WHITNEY HOUSTON ROCKS CENTRAL PARK **** Whitney Houston NYC Central Park Whitney Houston Pop singing legend Whitney Houston performed in Central Park for ABC's Good Morning America in New York City today. Watch out world, Whitney is back and she is going to rock the world! Photos By: Derek Storm / Retna Ltd.

Whitney Houston Singing legend Whitney Houston is having a blast with her musical comeback. The former troubled star is insisting that picking up the microphone again was like learning to ride a horse. Whitney is preparing for the release of her first album in six years, after cancelling plans to retire from music. Houston admits it wasn’t easy learning it all again, but it soon came back naturally to her. She says, "It’s great to be back, it’s like learning to ride a horse again. A bike you can stop, brake. Sometimes you’ve got to pull the horse reins back, you’ve got to hold the rein a little better." I Look to You is set for release in September. Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Former pop star Whitney Houston is counter suing her aged stepmother for a huge sum of $1.6 million. Whitney is claiming Barbara Houston owes her the money for failing to make mortgage, tax, and condo association payments for the Fort Lee condo where she has lived since 1987. Her stepmother initiated the legal tussle last year when she claimed the 45-year-old singer, who issued the condo mortgage loan, improperly kept proceeds from John Houston's $1 million insurance policy after his 2003 death. Whitney Houston's lawyer says the stepmother is not a poor, elderly widow and that Whitney Houston should not have to subsidize her living expenses. But Barbara Houston's lawyer says there was a verbal understanding that the condo belonged to his client. Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Whitney Houston And Ray J. Whitney Houston Partied Out? Whitney Houston and her boyfriend Ray J partied at Villa Lounge nightclub last night in West Hollywood, California. Whitney and Ray J wore similar outfits: white tops and blue denim jeans. Whitney also wore a navy cap and Ray J was wearing sunglasses. She really looks partied out in this car shot. Are we back to the old tricks? Photos By: Picasso Foto/John Doe/BuzzFoto

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 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 divorc...

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...