“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>Fans of iconic performer Whitney Houston delivered a gasp that could be heard around the globe when her family announced that there would be no public service in the wake of her tragic, unexpected and untimely death at the age of 48.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In a bit of a compromise, provisions were made for cameras to film the service being held on Saturday at Houston’s home church of New Hope Baptist in Newark, N.J. – a small sanctuary that barely seats 300.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The world tuned in as some of the biggest names in entertainment gathered to say goodbye and subsequently sat in virtual pews. They watched and were blown away by what is standard operating procedure for the Black Church – a soulful send-off to heaven.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” CNN’s Piers Morgan said. “Apparently they call this a homegoing celebration in the Baptist church.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>A long goodbye marked by songs and touching words by many is not exclusive to the Baptists. It is a tradition within the black community, regardless of the denomination. It is nothing new for many – including the big names in the building early Saturday morning for a touching and mostly personal service for Whitney Houston.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Whitney’s impact on the music industry was felt long before the speeches and musical selections presented by her peers.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the opening selection an anonymous soloist belted lead vocals that were all but identical to Houston’s delicate vibrato, with perfect pitch and acrobatic vocal riffs. The song was not a part of the late Houston’s catalogue. But this unknown singer achieved what many of the music divas in the “post-Whitney” generation have attempted – masterfully predicting how Houston might interpret a song.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Over the course of nearly four hours, the “who’s who” of black entertainment and the black church stood together to memorialize her.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>T.D. Jakes, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Kim Burrell, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly, Donnie McClurkin stood center stage, while guests like Oprah Winfrey, Chaka Khan, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton sat among Houston’s family and friends.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“There are two constants that I know about Whitney Houston, and one is there was a grace that kept on carrying her all the way through – all the way to the top of the charts and to sing for presidents,” Perry said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“This is the other thing I know about Whitney Houston that was more important to her than anything else and that is Whitney Houston loved the Lord. What I know is nothing – no matter what she was going through – separated her from the love of God. And if there was a grace that carried her through, it was the same grace that carried her home. Y’all can say what you want about Whitney, but God was with her and now she’s singing with the angels.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Clive Davis – whom Houston often referred to as her “industry father” – talked about how Whitney was preparing herself for an August comeback.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Whitney, I’m holding you to it,” Davis said. “I want you to be ready to blow God away by what he created in you as a part of heaven’s choir.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Highlights of the services included CeCe Winans singing “Don’t Cry for Me” and Kim Burrell’s modified rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The lowlight of the service was Pastor Marvin Winans’ message. He never even mentioned Houston’s name during the entire eulogy as he spoke of prosperity.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>But her co-star Kevin Costner provided an “unofficial eulogy” with his nearly 20-minute speech. He admitted he shared “roots” with Whitney as a product of the Baptist Church. He spoke of his unyielding determination to have Houston co-star in The Bodyguard – despite the obstacles that instantly went up because of Houston’s race, inexperience and hectic touring schedule.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He gave a step-by-step account of Whitney’s screen test for the role and how she longed to be perfect.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Whitney was scared,” Costner said. “Arguably the biggest pop star in the world didn’t think she was good enough.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The audience laughed as he talked about how she had put on too much makeup and how it had melted under the cameras.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The Whitney I knew despite her success and worldwide fame wondered, ‘Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?’” Costner said. “It was the burden that made her great and the one that made her stumble in the end. Whitney, if you could hear me I would tell you, ‘You weren’t just good enough. You were great.’”
