Whitney Houston: Born to Sing

She was not the standard Jersey girl. Her world was a roller coaster ride plagued by drugs, drama and untimely death. Yet a happy childhood was rooted in gospel song with the New Hope Baptist Church choir at only age five. Teen years were marked by backup singing at her mother, Cissy’s cabaret club then modeling for glamorous fashion magazines. Eleven #1 records, 6 Grammies and 16 Billboard Awards would follow. Neither music nor movies would provide salvation from a toxic marriage to Bobby Brown coupled with years of substance abuse. Houston’s only daughter would also die in a drug-induced bathtub accident. Rich, soulful vocals remain her abiding legacy.