Marc Malkin
EXCLUSIVE: Read it here first...
Who Wants a Whitney & Jennifer Hudson Duet?
Patrick Demarchelier
While Whitney Houston's voice may appear to have been hurt by years of drug use, one of her megaproducers says we shouldn't underestimate the diva.
"You know, with age things change," says Akon, who collaborated with Houston on "Like I Never Left" on her new chart-topping album, I Look To You. "She has to adjust like everyone else…Honestly, when I was working with her in the studio, it was like she was still 19."
We're happy to report that Akon had no problems with Houston when they recorded together...
Whitney Houston: "I Felt Kind of Lost"
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Whitney Houston's comeback album drops in just six weeks.
And it was the superstar diva herself who best summed up the excitement for her return when she took center stage at last night's VIP-only album listening party in Beverly Hills.
"I'm back home," she said. "I'm back home where I belong."
Among the VIP guests packed into a ballroom at the Beverly Hilton hotel to hear nine songs from I Look to You were Halle Berry, Stevie Wonder, Magic Johnson, Barry Manilow, Penny Marshall, model Beverly Johnson and a slew of music industry heavyweights.
Who was the Hollywood legend Houston met for the first time at the soiree? And how was Houston looking and sounding? Read on to find out.
Whitney Houston's Return to Music
Whitney Houston is back. And it that was clear last night, when music legend Clive Davis hosted a listening party in Beverly Hills for her upcoming album, I Look To You.
Click today's videoblog to find who was there and how Whitney is doing these days. I'll have more of my report for ya later on, so make sure to come on back.
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Robin Thicke on J.Hud: Touring Will Be Cathartic
Lisa O'Connor.ZUMAPress.com; George Pimentel/Getty Images
Teaming up for a nationwide tour with Jennifer Hudson was a no-brainer for Robin Thicke.
They first collaborated on "Giving Myself," a beautiful track from her self-titled debut album.
"Luckily, her voice is ready to go at all times," Thicke told me earlier today. "She showed up, I had this great little song in the spirit of Whitney Houston, and she sat down next to me and I started singing it for her, and she loved it right off the bat. We got her behind the microphone and she Jennifer Hudson-ed it."
The two kick off their coheadlining six-week tour on March 31 in Albany, N.Y.
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Whitney Houston, We Don't Have a Problem
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Whitney Houston is back! The legendary singer returned to the Hollywood stage last night to perform at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
She was the last to go on in a lineup that included Rod Stewart, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Kings of Leon, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Barry Manilow and the incomparable Jennifer Hudson, among others.
Ms. Whitney started off with a snippet of "I Will Always Love You" followed by "I Believe In You and Me" and "It's Not Right, but It’s Okay." She finished off the set with “I’m Every Woman.”
So how did she sound? Incredible! Was she back to the days when she was in top high-note-hitting form? No, but close.
Whitney sounded a bit restrained, as if she wanted to hit her signature jaw-dropping notes but something was holding her back. Maybe it was nerves. No doubt the pressure was on big-time. Plus, she didn't go on until after midnight! (Check out a fan's phone video of Whit's set from the party on the jump. It's a little hinky in spots, but it gives you the flavor.)
Whitney not only looked fabulous in a tight animal-print dress but appeared healthier than I have ever seen her since she began on her road to recovery.
Of course, Whitney wasn't the only thing happening at the party, which for the first time was cohosted by the Recording Academy.
I twittered from start to finish—keep reading for all my tweets right after the video.
New Whitney Houston Song Leaked on Internet
Whitney Houston says it all in a new track making the rounds online.
"I want you to love me like I never left," the legendary songbird trills in the aptly titled "Like I Never Left."
MIA from the music scene since her private life went on a roller-coaster ride full of substance-abuse problems and a trainwreck marriage to Bobby Brown, Ms. Houston hasn't released a new tune in approximately forever—or at least since 2003's "One Wish (for Christmas)."
While "Like I Never Left" is technically a love song featuring Akon, the lyrics couldn't be more perfect for her return to recording. In one verse from the three-minute, 39-second cut, Houston coos, "Yes, your girl is coming back."
Whit is expected to release her new—and much anticipated—album this coming fall.
Welcome back, Whitney! And please stay this time.
Whitney Houston's Singing Is Fly
Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
Who needs movies on a plane when Whitney Houston's sitting nearby?
The “I Will Always Love You” songstress was on a New York to L.A. flight earlier this week with daughter Bobbi Kristina when they gave an impromptu concert to at least one passenger within earshot.
