Fans of late renowned American singer and actress Whitney Elizabeth Houston are today, August 9, celebrating the life and legacy of the powerhouse singer.

Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, to parents Emily ‘Cissy’ and John Russell Houston.

The I’m Every Woman singer is said to be one of the best-selling musical performers of the 1980s and 1990s, selling more than 200 million records worldwide. As the world celebrates the singer’s 61st birthday, Our Today has put together five interesting facts that you may not have known about the musical legend.

She came from a musical background

Whitney seemed to have gotten her musical talent from her mother, Emily ‘Cissy’ Houston, who is a soul and gospel singer.

During the early stages of her career, Cissy sang backup for well-known singers such as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, and others.

She has also won two Grammy awards.

Cissy Houston is the aunt of Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

First solo performance was in church

If you should ask some of the most popular singers today where they begin singing, they would tell you in church. This was a similar situation for Whitney Houston.

She made her first solo performance at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where her parents sang in the choir. It was at New Hope that Whitney also learned to play the piano.

Fashion

We all know Whitney is a woman who wore many hats, such as being an actress, film producer, and philanthropist, but did you know she was a fashion model?

Houston became a fashion model in 1980 and later moved on to become one of the first African American models for Seventeen magazine. She was one of the most sought-after teen models during her time.

Whitney and the big screen

Houston made her debut in the film world in 1992 with the release of the romantic thriller The Bodyguard. She played the lead role alongside Kevin Costner. The film is centred around the plot of a famous actress and singer who hires a former US Secret Service agent to protect her from a stalker.

She also appeared in other films, such as Waiting to Exhale, Cinderella, and The Preacher’s Wife.

Legacy

Years after her death, Whitney Houston remains one of the most influential singers of all time because of her contribution to the industry. She was among Forbes’s top ten highest-earning posthumous celebrities in 2023, earning US$30 million.