Can we finally talk about it now? Has enough time passed so we can in earnest address 
the more substantive issues? I would suggest that we’ve had more than enough time to forward Whitney’s obituary to every friend we had, post every imaginable link to our “favorite” moments of her funeral. We surely had heard every conceivable argument as to why or why we shouldn’t blame Bobby presently or previous to this moment regarding Whitney’s demise.
Usually when we toss around the phrase “too soon,” it is in relation to questionable jokes and semi-classless humor regarding the recently departed. Mo’Kelly had no idea it also applied to the more serious issues.
Can we finally address the issue of substance abuse, or is it still “too soon?”
Keep in mind, this is not just a “Whitney death” issue, it was a Michael Jackson issue. We can run the list. David Ruffin. Rick James, Teena Marie. And yes, it was a Vesta Williams issue too. Despite what some have mentioned in the press that Williams died because of an “enlarged heart,” there was no autopsy or toxicology report released to support the claim.
That was not by accident.
There was no acknowledgment of the obvious, that years and years of cocaine abuse (admitted by Williams) inevitably leads to an “enlarged heart.” There was no explanation of the very detailed hotel setting, complete with empty pill bottles found at the scene of her death either.
Are we ready to start telling the truth now?
And don’t get Mo’Kelly started on Pastor Zachery Tims and the mother who is blocking the release of his toxicology report after her “former” addict son was found dead in a New York hotel room with a “powdery substance” on his person.
We enable the drug habits (both illicit and prescription) and when he/she/they die we are “shocked” and seek to blame the enablers while not recognizing them when we pass the mirror. We then want to make sure not to speak ill of the recently departed, whitewashing the truth of both their life and death. If that weren’t enough, we also try to browbeat and verbally annihilate those who aren’t down with the revisionist history program.
Shortly after Whitney passed, a few media outlets approached Mo’Kelly to give remembrances and speak on her passing. I turned down each request because I had no desire to lie. That, and it was evidently “too soon” for some people to hear the truth.
Here’s what I mean…
I interacted with/met Whitney Houston on only two occasions; the first was at 8:30 in the morning exactly 16 years ago to the day in 1996. While working for the Grammys (NARAS), Whitney and Cece Winans were rehearsing on stage for an upcoming Waiting to Exhale medley.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKszYRNlTXU’]
Upon walking in Madison Square Garden, everyone in the house was instructed not to photograph or engage Whitney. A visibly hungover, crashing, sunglass-wearing, disheveled Houston stumbled through the rehearsal, complaining about the stage lights affecting her “headache.”
There was no mistaking her condition…note the year of 1996.
The other time in which I spent time with Whitney (and Bobby) was in 2000. It was the album release party for “Mr. Dalvin,” Dalvin Degrate…better known as the least known and least talented member of Jodeci. (Yes, he had his own album once upon a time.)
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyDrlSnnpPM’]
Anyone at the Playboy Mansion that night could tell you of both Whitney and Bobby stumbling around the party with odd, drug-induced behavior, often singing gospel songs back and forth…not quite remembering all the lyrics or recognizing the oddity of belting out gospel in the middle of the Playboy Mansion (of all places) to nobody in particular.
Those are my only two firsthand memories of Whitney Houston…drunk, hungover, high or some sordid combination of all three. The outlets wishing to interview Mo’Kelly clearly weren’t looking for those stories.
I only spoke with her twice in life and both times she was high. I could lie and say she wasn’t but lying is what indirectly led to her death. It’s time to start telling the truth.
Outsiders knew Whitney Houston was an addict ever since the infamous Diane Sawyer interview; two years after my final encounter with her. Music insiders knew she had been hooked for many, many years. As in, many years before Bobby Brown was in the picture.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEE0CZORZAg’]
There is a verifiable history of abuse dating back to the mid 90s that I personally am aware. It likely was even longer. But it is safe to say we had at least 16 years to save her, and we failed. We spent more time hoping she’d divorce Bobby Brown, make a comeback or some well-timed combination of both.
And before you go there, anybody familiar with The Mo’Kelly Report knows that I had been tireless over the years in my attempts to get traction on issue of Whitney’s addiction, to no avail. And it goes without saying, I’ve broached the subject a number of times with singer El DeBarge and Michael Jackson. This is nothing new.
Hopefully the response from our community will be (something new).
How many more of our favorite artists must die untimely deaths before our community has an honest and open discussion regarding addiction and its connection to mental health and depression?
The only earnest discussion regarding artists and addiction that I’ve seen on a national level was between Bill Maher and Dr. Drew Pinsky. Maybe the discussion is being had in our community, but it doesn’t exist on both a national and substantive level.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKT3o2af44′]
So instead of finding fault with Bobby Brown for “Being Bobby Brown” or again forwarding copies of Whitney’s obituary to everyone on your Facebook friend list, ask yourself…challenge yourself as to what you could have done differently in the past 10 years that might have saved Whitney. What might you be able to do moving forward to save another one of our treasured artists?
If the only discussion we’re willing to have is how drugs (illicit and prescription) or Bobby Brown ruined her career, then we’ve missed the point; and Whitney’s death…and Rick James’…and Teena Marie’s…and Michael Jackson’s…and David Ruffin’s…and Dorothy Dandridge’s…and Billie Holiday’s…and Vesta Williams’…and Phyllis Hyman’s…and Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s…and Gerald Levert’s…and Amy Winehouse et al. were all meaningless.
The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit https://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at [email protected].
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37 responses to “Can We FINALLY Tell the Truth Regarding Whitney Houston?”
Hey Professor Mo: Your Whitney observation is spot on. She has been a “train wreck” that everybody (including her family (including the Winans) has observed up close and personal for years. I was not shocked at all when I heard about her sudden death. The entire country for the most part, has been in denial over the last week or so and now the real truth is about to slap them in the face. Drugs are a significant part of the entertainment industry and aint going no where soon. I don’t know what it will take for society to own that. It looks like Whitney and Bobby’s daughter is about to board her own “train” and follow in her parents footsteps. What a tragedy.
I couldn’t agree with you more…it’s time for some open & honest conversations to be had. The only problem I see is that after the conversations have been had, what next? All the celebs mentioned had a choice. No matter how much we desire for them to walk the straight & narrow, at the end of the day they have a choice…just as we do. I’ve seen the impact of drug & alcohol addiction up close and personal in my own family. I would love for my family to choose a different route. I try to be an example…and at best I’ve become the ‘boring’ one. It doesn’t bother me. I do still want the best for them. They have to want the best for themselves.
Well said. I mean there is really nothing you can do, as it has to be their choice (as you said)
I definitely think we need to have an open and honest discussion because drugs (any self medication) is usually band-aid for other mental issues (i.e. depression) and the topic of mental illness in our community, has always been swept under the rug.
This statement I have a hard time with, though:
“what you could have done differently in the past 10 years that might have saved Whitney.”
If you mean that having an open discourse about mental health and addiction could have possibly had an affect on many of these celebrities, then yes, I can see how that would be helpful (and maybe take away some of the shame they felt, in getting help). But at the end of the day, none of us, could have done anything to save Whitney except for Whitney.
There was no one in the world that Whitney loved more than Bobbi Kristina and she couldn’t even do it for her. That is how addiction is. You can’t do it for anyone else. It has to be YOUR choice and NO ONE, not your fans, not your Mama, not your child, can make that choice for you. They can support you, in YOUR choice, but its on you.
So, although, I agree with the core of what you said I’m not quite sure how we (her devoted fans)could have saved her. Robyn Crawford (her longtime friend) said it best, “make no mistake, Whitney was always in the drivers seat.” WE could not have saved her. She needed to save herself.
Let’s look at this from another vantage point. Despite the popularith of pro football, a movement took place to highlight the seriousness and consistent cover up of concussive injuries.
Because of the public outcry from those inside and outside of football…literally the rules of the game have changed to protect players short and long term.
You suffer a concussion…you don’t play period until you pass a series of tests. There should be some sort of similar limit to Whitney as part of her multiple rehabs. Clive Davis funded her comeback(s). It should have been with caveats and sobriety clauses.
Fan outrage can go a long way. The salient point I was making is that if fans used social media for the purpose of shedding a light of truth on addiction, depression, mental illness and the people who enable it…instead of fawning over funeral clips…things can change.
Mo, the same questions you ask about celebrities can be asked of the families of not-so-famous drug and alcohol addicts. Families get together, see the impaired individual on a regular basis, and say nothing, it becomes the elephant in the room that nobody sees. Of course, everyone is so sad when the person meets an early death, but what could have been done to save the person? Addiction, depression, and mental illness need to be brought into the light for all, and we must courageously confront these issues despite the likelihood that we will get cussed out for our efforts.
If you’re going to tell the whole truth on everybody, please note that Teena Marie had epilepsy. Her death was not caused by current drug use, or linked to past drug use. She had a Tonic–clonic/Grand Mal seizure. The only drug found in her sysyem was the anti-seizure medication she had been prescribed, also no alchhol or other subtances of any kind. As much as you might like to be informative, entertainers like Teena Marie, have family. Teena has a daughter a mother, brothers and sisters. Please stop and do a fact check before you spread hurtful liee.
I just left you a really long post on FB that I probably should have posted over here. Sorry. 🙂
Thanks Caleb…but nowhere did I say she DIED specifically from drugs. But without a doubt drugs were a contributing factor to an early demise. But since you want to talk about “facts” let’s go there.
Decades of habitual drug use (admitted) plays into anyone who dies at 54 from weakened organs. It is a fair implication.
You know like Vesta Williams who died of an “enlarged heart.” I’m clear on the facts. You just didn’t read very closely.
And “technically,” Billie Holiday died of “Liver failure” due to alcoholism. But decades of heroin use played a “teentsy weentsy” factor.
I’ve checked my facts. But thanks for asking.
Oh…LOOKIE HERE, L.A. Times acknowledges Teena Marie’s long battle with prescription drug addiction. How about THOSE facts?!
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/26/local/la-me-teena-marie-20101227
Do I really need to also post links correlating the habitual use of drugs and death by seizures…do I really need to go through that trouble too?
http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/drugs.html
But I’m guessing her “family” already knew that…only you didn’t.
Mo, Thanks for your civil tone on this issure. Teena Marie admitted to her drug issues. She did become addicted to drugs when Rick James died, and it is true she had used drugs in the past. The fact is, she was not a drug addict, neither was she a habitiual drug user. Her seizure disorder was condition she kept private because, and yes, her family did know of it. It was under control until the last year of her life. Teena’s father alos died young of a heart attack. He was younger than Teena was at the time of his death, and he wasn’t an addict, either. If every entertainer who used drugs at some point in the past died an early death, there wouldn’t be any entertainers over the age of 50 left alive.
Caleb,
You said…
” She did become addicted to drugs when Rick James died, and it is true she had used drugs in the past. The fact is, she was not a drug addict, neither was she a habitiual drug user.”
If you become addicted to drugs (your words, Teena’s words and the L.A. Times’ words)…then you are a drug addict.
I don’t see how you can make a distinction between becoming addicted to drugs yet NOT being a drug addict.
Great article. I was wondering if you have ever met her. Very sorry that this gorgeous, talented woman fought such demons and she is not alone.
[…] a Comment Is it okay now? No? Too soon? Well too bad. I read an article today on the Mo Kelly Report and I was inspired. Mr. Kelly had some very staunch opinions on the matter and I can’t say […]
Thanks for these words. I struggle with the lack of awareness surrounding mental health in the African-American Community. But most importantly I thought the other day if all these people had cried out to Whitney before she died, maybe, just maybe, she might have heard the cry however in the end she still would have had to take the first and admitted she needed some help.
It’s going to take a major shift in our communities belief system around mental health in order for us to make a greater impact.
Mo’Kelly
I know the list goes on and on, but you forgot to mention Bobby DeBarge(El’s brother).
He died of AIDS which he got from sharing needles while taking heroin.
Oh I know…the list is long. But point is well-taken.
This is a story that should have been written when she was still alive. If you had 2 encounters with Whitney when she was high and never wrote about it, you became part of the "coverup". Writing the story now is just a slick way of enveloping facetious concern around 2 juicy tidbits.
Darrell, I guess you’re not familiar with my work or didn’t read the piece too closely. I indicated in the piece that I’ve written extensively on this issue, not limited to but including Whitney, El DeBarge, Michael Jackson and others.
I just never included the specifics of having met Whitney, it wasn’t germane to the article(s). I’d really rather not dig up all the links, so just take my word for it. Just because you’re late to The Mo’Kelly Report does not mean Mo’Kelly was late in his reporting. Two different things.
Here’s a link for you to peruse…just my latest in a SERIES of pieces on addiction, African-American artists and what we should be doing. It’s about El DeBarge, but references a LIVING Whitney and other addicts. This is a recurring theme here…even if you’re not aware of such.
https://mrmokelly.com/2011/07/dear-el-debarge-fans-its-full-time-sobriety-or-its-death/
Some others in your free reading time…
http://mokellyreport.blogspot.com/2008/03/la-toya-jacksonmokelly-is-sorry-part-ii.html
https://mrmokelly.com/2009/06/michael-jackson-goes-the-way-of-elvis-not-a-good-thing/
But thanks for chiming in.
this story should have been written while she was a live.
Interesting story. Agree with you 100% Tony. My only comment is Whitney pre-Bobby appeared to have everything together. Seems like the decline started after Whitney got married. I agree that the artists referenced in the article had substance abuse issues; however, I am a firm believer that you have to be selective about the people you allow into your life. I still believe that had Whitney married someone like Randall Cunningham she would still be alive. Perfect example is Mary J. Blige. She was with K.C. from Jodeci and she was at the bottom and headed down a similar path like Whitney but she met someone that could build her up, be a positive influence in her life and encourage her. Now look at Mary J. she's back on top.
Tony…it pretty much was, read my response to Darrell.
Thank you for the truth.
I agree the story should have been written when she was alive and Mo'Kelly you are just as guilty as the rest of us for covering up what was really going on with Whitney; you seen it firsthand. But regardless, I get the point of this article and I feel we have to stop worshiping these stars and realize, that they are just people too. We have to start calling them out, when they exhibit questionable behavior of any kind, because they are role models for our young people, who are easily influenced.
I guess certain people refuse to read the links I’ve provided. So no, I’m not as guilty.
As someone who didn't know Whitney Houston personally, but loved her voice and music, I can't even claim to be a fan because I couldn't run a music list if you asked me too!
Witnessing her progression though and as a Black female becoming successful in her own right, I instinctively felt that she was someone special – and was a hope and inspiration to me growing up in the Uk, were Black people in this country are in the minority and particularly Black females!
I am the same age as Whitney Houston by the way, and so her sudden death and outside of the perimeters of understanding what was happening to her was a shock to me, because the misconception and of someone so great is that they will live for ever!
My understanding of Whitney further suggests, that she was quite open and honest in her drug abuse issues, and as some of the television interviews reveal.
I don't believe that it is down to other people to tell her story either! She was telling her story, but people weren't listening to her! The reason why no one was listening to her and as she did suggest in her interview with Diane Sawyer, was down to the instant gratification and somewhat perverse way to sustain the music industry's insatiable appetite.
When you take a step away from the cocktail of the Elvis Presley's and Marlyin Monroe (kick starting the whole prescription drug tidal wave) Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Gerald Levert, Teena Marie, Vesta Williams and most recent casualty Whitney Houston.
You start to see the pattern forming, you start to see how the system of a different form of oppression working it's way not only into these talented individuals, but you start to see the reversed effects and forms of slavery too!
I know why the story hasn't been told because it is an inconvenient story (aka inconvenient truth staring us right in the face), and if revealed will tell all the other stories. Human beings are not meant to be used, but to be loved and cherished. This is the question that really should be asked, and that's were you will get your healing!
Very well said, Ayo. You see the pattern. In addition, yes, her story can finally include the truth and nothing but the truth. Whitney will save more lives in death than she could ever have saved in her lifetime. I hope every entertainer, the names of those listed in your post along with Michael Jackson, etc. and know that they can do what they do because that was their destiny.
Hello M. Kelly 🙂
I read one of the links in a reply which lead to a post on El DeBarge.
In the middle of it, you mentioned Whitney and the fact that “nevertheless, she’s alive”.
That was quite bitter to read… as if what you were afraid would happen to El, turned out to Whitney.
At the very end it reads:” For El DeBarge the man, it must be full-time sobriety, or it will be death. Somebody has to “love” him enough to make it plain. It clearly is not his family or his fans as their agendas and motivations are quite questionable. It might as well be me and you can be mad all you like. I want him to live and will in no way be party to the enablers”.
My humble sentiment is that this could have perfectly applied for Whitney.
I have been a long time fan, she’s actually the first artist that triggered my passion for singing (was already into music).
Many more artists have fueled it since but SHE was the first chronologically.
Thus she held a special place in my musical experience, though this I know is true for a boatload of musicians.
As the rest of the world did, I witnessed her downfall and felt sympathy, because, as you express for El, she a human being after all.
And you must be in quite a distress to put yourself through such a misery (as in, drug addiction).
So I fully co-sign your statement, no matter who it was directed to: I wanted her to LIVE, my wish was that she recovered as an individual, regardless of where her career was headed to.
Matter of fact, I wish this to ALL the artists still alive and kicking that have drug related issues or any kind of mental health issues, which are
making them loose their peace of mind and heart.
Course, I would have loved for Whitney to get back in shape so to hear her perform (well) again – who wouldn’t?
Nonetheless I would have been totally satisfied with her being well and at peace, enjoiyng her senior years, though not making music anymore
(let’s face it, she’s been a cash cow for her label for decades! Time to give her a break, geez).
Not sure as a European fan, what I could have done personally to change the course of history… as Questlove said, hopefully this will be a wake-up call for musicians and artists alike, to make a change in their lifestyles.
And maybe to start talking openly about the addiction problems in the music industry?
Enjoyed Toure’s article – he makes a point.(http://ideas.time.com/2012/02/14/after-whitney-houston-musicians-wonder-whos-next/)
This won’t bring back Whitney though… may you rest in peace.
Word!
I read the articles, and I feel the same. If you didn't find your encounters germane to a story while she was alive, how was it germane after she passed, particularly when the instances you noted occured before her admissions of drug use to Diane Sawyer and Oprah Winfrey? The truth as you identify it, was common knowledge whether it be with Whitney or El DeBarge. As Whitney herself said, the biggest demon wasn't the coke, the weed, or the booze, it was her. No one, no matter how much they try or pray, can stop an addict , but the choice of that addict. I'd take that into account before playing loosely with the term enabler, especially when watching a mother walk behind her daughter's casket. The idea that a fan can be an enabler to a star with whom they have no personal connection is silly when taking into account the number of addicts in this country would indicate that many people are struggling with a close personal connection to someone who is an addict. For those who deal with an addiction directly, or indirectly, it is sad, frustrating, devastating, and not something to be dealt with with some aimless crusade.
You can feel the same, but the difference is the FACTS don’t change. If you want to write your own column about Whitney, I suggest you do that. But my recorded and written history on artists, their addictions and impending outcomes is clear.
In 1996 there was no social media and barely internet. I have at least another 6 articles I’ve done on this issue, some referencing Whitney, some do not.
I wrote as per the link in 2011 regarding El DeBarge and specifically citing the ultimate ending to ANY story regarding rehab, relapses and comebacks. I detailed Michael Jackson…rehab, relapses and comebacks. I correlated El DeBarge to WHITNEY in the piece, July 2011.
That would qualify as Whitney still being alive. That’s a fact and inarguable.
I don’t need to self-aggrandize to prove the most salients points here. I met Charlie Wilson (while he was high), do I need to put that in the piece too?
Do I need to do a piece on when I met Chaka Khan also while working for NARAS and for a breakfast luncheon she came in drunk and possibly high?
No, the stories don’t necessarily add to the point. THAT would be self-serving.
The point is, I’ve been CONSISTENTLY writing on the issue, you’ve only been commenting, possibly not even more distant than this week. My record is clear and inarguable, that’s the beauty of the internet. I have written on Whitney, addiction and death plenty of times before now. Me telling my firsthand accounts in addition to my stories prior to now would have only been self-serving.
I was tackling domestic abuse issues too with El DeBarge YEARS before anyone thought of Chris Brown and Rihanna. I will continue to address these issues as they relate to the African-American community.
I don’t know how many times I’ve written about NAS, illiteracy and voting indifference. I tackle SUBSTANTIVE issues every day.
The slogan has NOT changed since 2004 when my column first appeared with regularity on EURWEB.
“To inform, infuse and incite MEANINGFUL discourse…”
Like I said, you’re just not familiar with my work. But that doesn’t change the FACTS of what is already in existence.
This is not some “aimless crusade” as I’ve written on this for years. I’ve just now hit your radar. Big difference. What IS self-serving is the person with ZERO record of doing ANYTHING on ANY level wants to Monday morning quarterback me because you love Whitney. I was working Wednesday through Sunday prior to your Monday Morning QB session.
You…not so much.
The links are clear, even though you are seemingly still confused.
Maybe I should detail the time I met Mariah Carey in my discussion on mental illness and depression. Have a story for that too.
If your “requirement” is for me to mention each time I interact with a celebrity for anything I say to have merit, then that’s a you problem, not a Mo’Kelly problem. In most cases it doesn’t make any piece more effective. It only seems like bravado.
Maybe I should’ve also told the story of meeting D’Angelo when he was high…just in case he dies. And just FYI, it was the same night and same conversation with Mariah Carey.
Maybe I should in my next editorial regarding gay marriage and Prop 8 should list all of the gay celebrities that I know.
Or maybe…never mind.
The point and process of telling the Whitney stories in this instance was to provide a timeline. It was RELEVANT to the story. There were plenty of stories written about Whitney’s addiction in 2002 right AFTER the Diane Sawyer interview. In fact I did one as well. If you think Whitney’s addiction was some secret from 2002 – 2012, you’re not living in reality.
People were forwarding the idea that she had NOT been an addict prior to Bobby Brown. That’s where my stories come in and were relevant.
People were under the misconception that nobody knew about her addiction prior to the Diane Sawyer interview. That’s where my stories come in.
These misconceptions only really became main issues AFTER her death, the revisionist history in which I referred. The stories DEBUNK those lies and misconceptions. They were necessary.
They aren’t necessary in 2009 and have no place. It’s fine for you to tell me how you “think” I should have written the story, but you aren’t tasked with signing your name to it and being authentic in its creation. Sometimes it TAKES death to get people’s attention.
Because clearly, all the times I addressed it prior to Whitney dying, you and others didn’t take notice. Thank you for proving my point.
You shouldn’t need a moderately-known writer to tell you about seeing Whitney High in 1996 and 2000 when you had a WORLDWIDE ABC INTERVIEW WITH DIANE SAWYER IN 2002. Like I said in the piece, my last meeting with her came two years BEFORE that interview. THAT interview you heard it from HER mouth.
But you needed to hear my stories for my point to be more impactful?
Oh please.
Are you saying that you never heard of or saw the Diane Sawyer interview prior to me posting it? Are you saying that Diane Sawyer is less-well-known than I am?
Because that’s the ONLY way anything you say makes any sense. If you didn’t figure it out after Diane Sawyer, don’t expect my two anecdotal stories about the Grammys and Dalvin Degrate to make a difference.
You will have to do better than that to make your point.
And by the way…show me YOUR works between 2002 and 2012 on this subject.
I’m here all day, everyday.
This is what I do.
The admission on the Diane Sawyer interview was a confirmation of what was long rumored, not a shock. There's a reason she and Denzel made only the Preachers Wife together even though they were supposed to have a multi film deal in the works. Canceling shows, not showing up, etc etc, she exhibited all of the signs. Of course these were things that occured in the 90's. It wasn't her Diane Sawyer national tv appearance that put everything out there anyway, it was her appearance at the Michael Jackson Anniversary Special before, that had everyone on notice that her long rumored usage had hit the next level. Now to quote you "People were forwarding the idea that she had NOT been an addict prior to Bobby Brown. That’s where my stories come in and were relevant". Ok, my fault. I was under the impression that the subject of your piece was to tell the truth about Whitney Houston. I didn't pick up on the defense of Bobby Brown portion. But even if I missed out on that, it definitely escape my attention that the two stories you used to show that Whitney was an addict BEFORE Bobby Brown each occured AFTER they were married. In fact the Playboy story INCLUDED BOBBY BROWN! That's what I mean when I mention an aimless crusade. I'm not a writer, so you won't have to worry about me producing my Whitney works, but I am a lifetime reader. I grew up reading the New York Post, so I know exploitative writing when I see it. Nice of you not to mention your encounters with the other artists you mentioned ( I guess that means you've mentioned it now). Maybe you were waiting for an opportune time like this one.
Hi Darrell, I tried to message you but could not get the message through. I thank you so very much for your consistency and your analytical comprehension of this story.
Thank you for telling the truth as you know it.
Go for it!
Mo, I wrote this article after T. D. Jakes’ interview on HLN the day following Whitney’s death. His response to a question posed to him during an interview following the death of Whitney Houston left me disappointed to say the least. http://www.examiner.com/christianity-in-charlotte/t-d-jakes-did-not-sparkle
While I think that your tone is respectful, I beg to differ w/your timeline of her addiction. I, too, met Whitney Houston on only 2 occasions.
Mo Kelly…I was doing some reading on Gerald Levert in anticipation of his Unsung episode this Monday and came across your article. Wanted to know if you are aware if Gerald was actually addicted to pain medications prior to his death or was this a one time incident that resulted in his death. The Unsung advertisement is implying he was dealing with some demons.