Gorgeous Whitney Houston in Ebony Magazine

Whitney Houston is back, following a years-long absence from the spotlight, when the only time she would make the headlines would be for issues related to her personal life. Armed with a new studio album of which critics say it will blow fans away, new-found confidence and her almost contagious optimism, the diva opens up now for Ebony magazine, discussing for the first time such topics as her downfall and her family.

It’s only now that Whitney is able to admit out loud that she had a rough couple of years. As she puts it, she had reached the highest of highs and then, once she found herself there, she no longer knew what she was supposed to do, especially since she always had countless people around her telling what and who to be. This way began Houston’s downfall but, luckily, she never lost faith in God, which is why she is now able to make her way back and stand tall once more.

“I shed a lot of stuff, a lot of unnecessary weight in the last three or four years. I left a lot of old luggage behind, and when I did, the blessings just started pouring on me, and the light in my spirit started to lift again.” the diva reveals for Ebony. “I’m really humbled, and I thank God that people love me, but I [really] thank God that God loves me. I thank Him for chastening my heart, for never letting go. What I did sometimes... I went off and did my thing, but He never let me go.” the singer further explains.

However, stepping out of the spotlight was not all about her personal problems, Whitney reveals. “I was just ready to lay back and raise my daughter and just watch her grow and nurture her. And my mother’s getting older. I wanted to spend more time with my mom [because during] most of my 20s and 30s, [I] was dealing with making records and traveling the world and being this thing – icon, you know – whatever this has turned into.” the singer explains, adding that she mostly “retired” from showbiz because she wanted daughter Bobbi Kristina to grow up knowing that she had a reliable mother, which she does now.

Whitney Houston’s comeback album, “I Look to You,” is out today, with critics and fans alike barely containing their enthusiasm as regards the much hyped project. The Ebony issue with the singer is out on newsstands on September 8, so make sure you keep an eye here for more details.