Grammy award winning singer and actress Whitney Houston, who has sold over 170 million albums worldwide, died today at age 48 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Though her publicist Kristen Foster confirmed the death, she did not reveal the cause. She was pronounced dead at 6:55 pm E.T. despite resuscitation efforts. A police spokesperson said there appears to be no obvious signs of criminal intent, though it will still be investigated. Her death comes on the eve before the Grammy Awards, where she dominated as one of the top pop/R&B singers for decades, starting in the mid 1980s.

Houston’s private life was often made public. She battled a drug addiction for years and had a tumultuous marriage with ex-husband Bobby Brown, with whom she has a daughter. She staged a comeback in 2009, though she didn’t achieve the success she experienced at her peak.

She recently filmed Sparkle with Jordin Sparks, which is set to arrive in theatres on Aug. 10. The film is a remake of the 1976 hit.

The social media world erupted with reactions to her death. Music producer Russell Simmons wrote he was “deeply saddened by the death of Whitney Houston.” Quincy Jones, said he was “absolutely heartbroken” and that “she was a true original and a talent beyond compare.”

Over the span of her career, the music legend won six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music awards. She also claims the first female album to debut at #1 on Billboard.

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Following the recent pandemonium (19 points!) – sorry, the last article still has me using big girl words – that had Alec Baldwin kicked off a plane for honestly the dumbest reason ever, I’d compiled a list of other celebrities who have been yanked from the jets.

Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was once escorted off a Southwest flight after refusing to pull up his pants. It’s not like he was just finishing his induction into the Mile High Club either, it’s just that his underwear was showing. A flight attendent brought it to his attention and the “Walking Contradiction” singer lashed out and then got the boot. More like a walking opposition.

Country singer and Celebrity Apprentice winner John Rich was kicked off a plane earlier this week for being too drunk. Oh, I should point out this flight was at 10 in the morning! Reports say the bumpkin got in a verbal argument before he even boarded the Nashville-bound plane. I assume the talk when a little bit like this: “Listen, steward, I swear to drunk I’m not God! Hey, Pan Am got cancelled, so why are you still here?!”

It was a close call for Whitney Houston earlier this year. She almost got thrown out of a plane (while it was still on land, of course) for not buckling up. On a Delta flight, leaving Atlanta for Detroit, the singer got “all diva” on the crew when they repeatedly insisted she buckle her seatbelt. Delta needs to cool it. It’s one thing to get mad about not buckling up but a whole other thing to get mad if she was caught smoking in the bathroom, right girl?

The man famous for his character Silent Bob definitely made a loud reaction when he was kicked off a plane for being overweight. Southwest Airlines were adamant that Kevin Smith should purchase two seats instead of one, simply for his size. He tweeted immediately, “I know I’m fat, but was Captain Leysath really justified in throwing me off a flight for which I was already seated?” If Southwest Airlines have taught me anything, it’s that they’re huge dicks. No, actually they’re just dicks that hate huge people. Following his immediate removal, Kevin Smith proceeded to laugh all the way to the bank.

Five years ago, all these snakes on this mother truckin’ plane flying from Honolulu to Los Angeles were gently removed (and by that I mean violently killed) no thanks to Samuel L. Jackson.

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Whitney Houston is set to return to the big screen for the first time in 15 years, reports CTV.

The 47-year-old singer-and-actress will be reuniting with her former ‘Waiting To Exhale’ castmates to create a sequel to the 1995 hit movie, in which she played unlucky-in-love television producer Savannah Jackson.

Actress Angela Bassett, who portrayed Bernadine Harris in the film, explained director Forest Whitaker is in the process of altering author-and-screenwriter Terry McMillan’s follow-up to the movie.

“It’s preliminary, but it’s going to happen, ‘Waiting to Exhale 2′. McMillan wrote ‘Getting to Happy’ and she’s written the screenplay … Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Whitney, Forest. Forest is working on the script now.”

In others news, a representative for the superstar singer confirmed today that Houston is undergoing treatment. Kristen Foster says Houston is in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment. She says it is a voluntary measure and part of Houston’s “long-standing” recovery process.

Houston has battled problems with drug addiction for years. But in 2009, as she released a comeback album, she declared herself healthy and clean.

However, her 2010 tour overseas was trouble. Houston cancelled some dates due to illness and received negative reviews from fans who were disappointed in the quality of her voice and performance.

It’s unclear how long Houston will be in rehab or where she’s being treated. But before she takes on the stress of doing huge films, it’s good she clears her mind and focuses on herself first.

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Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Robbie Williams are just a few of the superstars planning to record numbers for an upcoming Michael Jackson tribute album, reports the Daily Star. Whitney Houston, Usher and 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi of Britain’s Got Talent will also reportedly be featured alongside legends like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

“The idea came from the memorial concert,” said a source. “Many fans asked if cover versions would be released and it seemed a wonderful idea. Some of the biggest stars in the world have indicated they’d like to take part to pay their own respects and tribute to the King of Pop. This cover album is sure to be a massive worldwide hit with fans and could raise a fortune for Michael’s favourite charities.”

Jafargholi, who performed “Who’s Loving You” at the memorial held for Jackson in Los Angeles, will record that track, as well as the song “Ben.” Carey will be singing “I’ll Be There,” while Williams will perform “Man in the Mirror.”

Williams said his new studio album will also pay tribute to the late pop star. “It’s all so very sad,” he said. “I couldn’t get a lyric to fit on one of the new songs, so when Michael passed away I rewrote it with him in mind.”

Williams and Houston have been asked to perform some of the dates planned for Jackson’s 50 day run at London’s O2 Arena. A live concert involving the Jackson family and other guests is being planned at the venue for August 29, which would have been the singer’s 51st birthday.

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Denzel Washington is sick of starring in action films.
The 53-year-old actor says he is worn out after being cast as a tough guy in his last few films and is desperate to play a slob in his next movie.

Denzel said: “For some movies you have to be in shape but sometimes you don’t want to do that. I’d like to play a guy who’s a little beat-up and overweight, who’s desperately trying to hang on to his woman. It’s a cheap excuse not to work out.”

The Oscar-winning actor’s recent films include “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Man on Fire” and “Inside Man.”
Denzel recently praised Whitney Houston for overcoming her crack cocaine addiction.

He starred with Whitney in 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife” and the pair have remained friends ever since.

Denzel said: “I’ve talked with Whitney. She’s made a decision to turn her life around and I’m just praying for her. She’s been clean and clear for months now and I just know her career is going to explode again.

“People love her. She’s got one of the greatest voices of her generation and she’s had a rough life. But she’s on the right path and I just pray she continues on that path.”

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Whitney Houston’s New Jersey mansion is to be sold at auction because she is so behind on her mortgage and taxes.

The house will be sold on Jan. 4 sale by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, CNN reports.

A sale could be averted if Houston reaches a settlement with the service agent, Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Ackerman told The Star-Ledger.

Houston owns two lots, and the sale would be of the lot assessed at $889,300. The adjacent lot is valued at more than $5.6 million.

Houston bought the two lots in 1987 for $2.7 million, but is now more than $1 million US behind on her mortgage payments.

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Well it’s (almost) official.

The Associated Press is reporting that singer Whitney Houston filed divorce papers against her husband, Bobby Brown, in Orange County District Court this week.

It was only a month ago that Houston filed for a separation, while Brown’s camp maintained it was only a separation, despite Houston’s camp saying she was going through with a divorce.

The couple have been married for 14 years and have one daughter, whom Houston has asked for custody of.

Houston’s reps confirmed the divorce papers being filed, while Brown’s refused to comment.

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Whitney Houston has filed for divorce from hubby Bobby Brown.

E! Online reports that the diva’s rep confirmed that Houston is seeking a divorce after 14 years with Brown.

The paperwork was reportedly filed in Orange County on Friday. The paperwork was for a legal separation, but Houston’s rep said divorce is her intent.

Brown’s lawyer says that the couple has not gotten to the point of divorce yet.

“It is a legal separation. It is not a divorce or a divorce petition,” Phaedra Parks, Brown’s lawyer, told the Associated Press.

Court hearings between the couple are expected to begin next month. There is no word on who will get custody of the couple’s 13-year-old daughter.

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Osama bin Laden is so obsessed with singer Whitney Houston, he wants to kill her husband Bobby Brown.

Yes you read that right.

According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, the plot was revealed by Kola Boof, a Sudanese poet and novelist, who also claims she was bin Laden’s sex slave 10 years ago.

The allegations about bin Laden wanting to kill Brown were revealed in the novelist’s memoirs. She says bin Laden said the singer was “the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.”

She also claims she was raped and held captive by the Afghan terrorist and that although he hated American music, including Houston’s, he was infatuated with her.

“He explained to me that to possess Whitney he would be willing to break his colour rule and make her one of his wives. Whitney Houston’s name was the one that would be mention constantly. How beautiful she was, what a nice smile she has, how truly Islamic she is but is just brainwashed by American culture and by her husband Bobby Brown, whom Osama talked about having killed, as if it were normal to have women’s husbands killed,” Boof writes.

She also says that bin Laden regularly read Playboy and Star magazine, and that his favourite television shows were “The Wonder Years,” “Miami Vice,” and “MacGyver.”

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Reports – though none credible – indicate that producers of American Idol are eager to replace Paula Abdul as a judge on the next season of the hit show.

According to Star Magazine, aliens are invading… sorry wrong page… producers have asked Whitney Houston to be the new judge.

Whitney is crazy, unpredictable, and unreliable. Potential disaster? No. Best move ever.

Let’s take a look at Paula vs. Whitney:

Paula has been a “judge” for four years. She loves everyone who takes the stage, so she’s not really a judge at all. She’s already had the affair with a contestant, so it’s not like she’s going to shock you anymore in future seasons. How’s she going to top the affair? Anything short of snorting cocaine live on the air will be a disappointment.

Which is exactly why Whitney will be a great judge.

Whitney’s going to be just as fed up as you are hearing contestants sing Alicia Keys’ Fallin’ a million times, and she’s going to speak up, unlike Abdul who will send them to Hollywood, and maybe even offer them a room. Whitney will get in their face and yell at them for having the nerve to sing such a tired song. Every week, she’ll have you guessing what her current problem is: Eating disorder? Domestic abuse? Drug problem? Maybe all three!

American Idol is boring. It was exciting the first season to see what Simon would say, but it became obvious that it was just a gimmick during the middle of that season. The first and second seasons were memorable, not because of the judges, but because they had great singers. Seasons three and four had weaker singers, and a fifth season needs something fresh.

The talent isn’t going to get any better; Ryan Seacrest will still be Ryan Seacrest; so the only fix is to get Whitney Houston.

I have to follow the music industry every day, and I am proud to admit that I haven’t watched American Idol in two years (aside from the last 5 minutes of the finales).

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns (and taken the abuse after I said so), I hate country music. But I can’t say I hate season four winner Carrie Underwood because I’ve never actually heard her sing (and I think I’m a happier person because of that).

(As a follow-up to a past column: I have heard Shania Twain sing and I still dislike her music. Feel free to email your complaints. And don’t tell me she’s a pop singer. I know she has pop elements to her music, but telling me she is a pop singer is insulting your intelligence.)

I’ve stumbled off the point. The point is American Idol has lost its relevance. Its only chance of survival is making the show interesting again, and who is more interesting than Whitney Houston? If after five seconds, you can’t think of anyone, the only move is to give Whitney a job. And I can promise you one thing, Idol would have at least one more viewer.

Complaints can be sent to adam(AT)andpop.com.

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If you thought Britney and Kevin were bad…it’s about to get much worse. The notorious husband-wife duo of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston is the latest celebrity couple to take on the small screen with their very own reality series, “Being Bobby Brown.”

Just in case reading about the pair’s drug busts and domestic abuse didn’t already send you reeling, you can now watch every scandal unfold in Technicolor each week on Bravo.

For six months, cameras trailed Brown and his wife for the show, which premieres this Thursday (10 p.m. ET). As for why the two singers would so readily give up their privacy, Brown told Dateline NBC that it’s because he wants to set the record straight and show the world what he’s really about.

“It’s easy for people to just have the freedom to be able to say things about me, and me not say anything. That’s the easy part,” he said on the interview that aired yesterday night. “But the hard part is to show them me, because I’m scared of being myself, sometimes.”

Brown first landed in the music scene with R&B group New Edition in the ’80s, before marrying singing sensation Houston in 1992. Drug and alcohol problems and spousal abuse accusations put the couple under much media scrutiny in the ’90s.

In December, 2003, police were called to the couple’s Georgia home. Houston alleged that Brown had hit her in the face. But Brown was quick to dismiss the abuse issue on Dateline: “Me and my wife play a lot. It was just a misunderstanding. I mean, we slap box, and she hits hard, hard.”

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