14 DAY TRIAL // Detractors that have long said that Whitney Houston’s voice no longer has the clarity and same impressive strength she had years ago, and who prophesized that she would fail at her attempt of a glorious comeback will probably have a field day in light of the singer’s pre-taped performance for Good Morning America. The diva was supposed to do a four-track set in front of the live audience, but showed that she was not yet ready for the comeback ahead of her when her voice cracked halfway through the first song, Rolling Stone informs.
Fans had lined up since the early hours of night to catch a spot for the free performance at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield, where Houston took the stage shortly after 12 at noon. They were, as reports would have it, ecstatic to have had the chance of seeing the diva perform for the first time in so many years – part of a historical moment, as it were. Soon, when Houston took the stage, they all realized that perhaps the comeback was too soon for the artist, as her voice began to crack as early as the first song, the music magazine says.
“As her band kicked in with the Alicia Keys-co-written new single ‘Million Dollar Bill,’ her voice began to crack and she sounded out of breath halfway through the track. It was a trend that continued throughout her 1998 hit ‘My Love Is Your Love’ which also featured a brief cameo by her daughter Bobbi Kristina.” Rolling Stone writes, saying that, all the while, Houston’s attitude seemed the exact opposite: she was energetic and cheerful. The singer also took long breaks in between songs, the same magazine says, which further fueled fans’ mumblings of how she was no longer able to carry two songs without interrupting herself.
“Following another brief side-of-stage break, the six-time Grammy winner apologized to the crowd for her voice and explained that she had recorded her forthcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey yesterday. A high-note-free finale of ‘I’m Every Woman’ went some way towards placating an already disappointed crowd but it seemed that this four-song set was too much, too soon for the diva.” the aforementioned mag adds. Fans who have seen videos available online believe the same: the older Whitney would probably be ashamed of having to have her audience sing the high notes for her, like it happened on “I’m Every Woman.”
Still, others say, things change and the same goes for Houston’s voice. Hating her and bringing her down because she is seemingly no longer able to sing the way she used to would be like hating someone for simply growing old – and just as absurd and useless. In the end, fans will decide for themselves. See Whitney Houston performing “I’m Every Woman” below.