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Top 10 Moments of 2009: #2 Whitney Houston 'Survived My Darkest Hour'
Newsroom | Posted on 11/30/09 |
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Everyone loves a comeback, especially when it comes to a woman and voice that has inspired today's movers and shakers including Beyonce, Rihanna, Chrisette Michele, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson and Jazmine Sullivan. In 2009 "The Voice," otherwise known as Whitney Houston, showed up, showed out and rocked the stage with hits like "Million Dollar Bill" and "I Look To You".
Anticipated for some time, Houston's first album to be released in over five years and first effort to be released after a tabloid ridden marriage, drug abuse scandal and a bevy of troubles, finally came to head in August.
Simply singing "I Look To You," a song written by sought after singer/songwriter R. Kelly, Houston returned to the stage putting smiles on the faces of fans who prayed, cried and anticipated her return. But no return is complete without a sit down to once and for all bury the past. Giving an exclusive two part interview with daytime diva Oprah Winfrey in September, Houston for the first and perhaps last time shed light on the often tabloid and blog frenzied marriage to Bobby Brown. But, it was Houston's official testimony about a serious drug addiction and breaking point that really raised eyebrows. Admitting to use of cocaine and other drugs, Houston shocked even the most seasoned when she demonstrated how she would take her drugs and just how much was spent on them. Also sharing the story of a physical altercation with Bobby Brown, who reportedly spat on Houston and drew black eyes throughout their home at one time, Houston told Oprah she would have lost it all had it not been for a strong mother, God and the man that discovered her so many years ago - Clive Davis. With a renewed spirit, second chance granted and an album that has already been certified Gold in the United States, Houston is back on track and reportedly loving life and doing what she loves.
In late 2009 and into 2010 Houston is poised to strike a number of milestones, including a triumphant and award winning return to the American Music Awards (AMA International Artist Award) and the launch of her first world tour in nearly a decade. Like the diva says in the "I Look to You" favorite "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," "I survived my darkest hour… I was not built to break," Houston went through the darkest period of her life, survived and in 2009 reclaimed her spot with "I Look To You".
http://www.singersroom.com/news/483...09-2-Whitney-Houston-Survived-My-Darkest-Hour
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i just love this! Nothing but the truth
http://pdonmegaspotlight.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/the-impersonation-of-a-superstar/
The Impersonation of a Superstar
In Uncategorized on November 30, 2009 at 10:10 am
When I think about what it takes to be a Superstar and I watch the actions of people who are very talented and claim that they want to be famous, that they want to be the best; for the most part all I see is male and female impersonators.
LOYALTY
There is an artist whose name I will not mention that was seated under an artist who is a superstar whose name I will not mention. What I find so outstanding about the relationship between these two people is that the one who is a superstar told the one who became a superstar, when they were not as far along, that they were not ready. However, the apprentice remained faithful to his teacher even though his teacher was not giving him the green light. Too many of you who claim Superstar status or that you're a good dancer, or that you're a good rapper, a good singer, a good football player, a good musician, a great engineer, scientist, writer, a good actor, fighter, or a beautiful model; most of you are compliment motivated.
The person who is leading you right now has a lot of hopes, aspirations, and dreams connected to your talent and in some cases gift. What do you mean? Well, what I mean is this, being talented is one thing being gifted is another.
GIFTED VS TALENTED
Talented people are the audience, the ushers, the town criers, the announcers of the coming of a Superstar; these people, Superstars, are gifted. Talented people come a dime a dozen. Most of the shows you see on television are looking for a Superstar that's why you see so many people get cut, these judges, sponsors, broadcasters, television stations, entertain the company of talent until the arrival of the Superstar. Going back to what I said at first, you're in the company of someone who is leading you right now and they honestly believe that you're committed to them because you have been with them for years; well I have got some bad news, time spent even if it is years is no indication of loyalty. Loyalty can only be determined by time and pressure. You are probably seated right next to someone you believe is loyal but I can tell you how you can best determine whether that is true or false. All you have to do is disagree, the moment you don't agree that is when sparks that turn into blazes are going to start to fly. You won't know exactly what you have until it has been tried by fire. I have seen many relationships in the industry devastated simply because the leaders knew what was best, but the student thought they knew better.
In order to become a painter who is world renown you would have to study and develop the habits of a world renowned painter and the lifestyle of a world renowned painter. This is why I believe that the mass majority of people involved in the entertainment industry are imposters because the lifestyle doesn't match up with what you say that you want to be or what you want to become. How many people do you know who are willing to sacrifice their lives, to give up everything they have to support your talent? How many people rally around you in order to see you succeed? When one falls off will another one pop up to take their place? When decrease comes in one area does increase come in another? If this is not the case you are probably only or barely talented. Why do you say that? I say that because the statement I made prior is closely and more directly related to gifted people. Gifted people have like an anointing they don't have to do as much as a talented person, people naturally want to follow them, but I can guarantee you that even the most gifted people had very strong and influential leadership prior to them taking their place among the stars. Talented people don't always transition well; everything appears to be a permanent set back they are not like water. When you stop water in one direction it finds another path, talented people usually crumble at the first sign of popular consensus.
I don't spend my time searching for talent I am always looking for gifted people, they spend more time immersed in their ability meditating, concentrating, oblivious to everything else around them; they understand the great sacrifice of family, events they won't attend. They understand not being involved in a relationship for long periods of time. They gravitate toward the countless hours of working and working and working and working and working with no rest from one place to another. They have no trouble with leaving everything behind, talented people feel excluded; gifted people exclude themselves simply because of their commitment to the great responsibility. For whom much is given much is required. It is a lifestyle of much silence before the applause. I am quite certain that many of you are talented but as harsh as this may sound you will never be a Superstar. Upon the recital of this statement you will retroactively decide to digress because you will say "All I want to do is" "Everybody doesn't want the same thing" or "I'm not in it to be a Superstar"; your digressions disqualify you for superstardom. The gifted ones can not be silenced they take criticism as a compliment and then they ask for more. You say things like: How more do you think I can take? I deserve some time off! Don't you ever relax? You're too serious. Those are the words that come out of the mouth of people who might be talented but are definitely not Superstar material.
WHITNEY HOUSTON
A great example of the most current gifted demonstration is Whitney Houston; she went down to the abyss, to the darkest place, to a place where most people never return and she was in the public's eye. Even during her setback, she looked awful, she tried to sing and she sounded awful; but there was one thing I couldn't help but notice. It was during all that time there were always people hoping for her return for her to take her place. She visited a country, a town, and a culture that was foreign to her, she went some place where she did not speak the language well and it almost destroyed her, but there was one element that was constantly present; people were always hoping for her return, praying for her resurrection and some how through all that blackness the voices of hope penetrated that dark place and reached her ear canal; she was revived, healed, and restored; as a result she returned to her rightful place. When she sings people cry, she receives standing ovations, it is hard to remain seated in the presence of one who is so gifted, loving and selfless. Whitney Houston is the epitome of greatness her gift can not be silenced. So unless you have the ability to summons the participation of the most unwilling people, unless people are willing to lose sleep over your success, sell their houses, sacrifice their paychecks, and become highly criticized because of their commitment to your gift all you are is talented.



