Whitney Houston's mom exploiting daughter's death for cash

Whitney's mother - Cissy Houston

Whitney Houston's mom is pulling a Joe Jackson -- cashing in on her child's tragic death ... that's what some family members think of Cissy Houston's plans to write a tell-all book.

Sources close to the Houston family tell TMZ ... Cissy's new publishing deal with Harper-Collins for a memoir is merely a lame attempt to make money -- since Whitney left everything to Bobbi Kristina -- and not at all about honoring the late singer.

One source said the book -- which is slated for release next year -- could also be a PR move for Cissy, claiming ... "She will try to come out looking like the world's greatest mom, when in actuality, she wasn't." TMZ

Whitney Houston's last recording 'Celebrate' released

Whitney Houston

Tue May 22 13:15:00 SAST 2012

Whitney Houston's last recording - a new duet with "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, produced by R. Kelly - has been released ahead of the singer's upcoming film, "Sparkle. "Celebrate," produced by R. Kelly for "Sparkle" which will hit movie theaters on August 17, was recorded by Houston shortly before her sudden death aged 48 in February.  

 

The uptempo track features disco beats and a positive message, as Sparks and Houston sing lyrics such as "I'm going to celebrate, celebrate you." Sparks throws in "We love you Whitney" at the end of the song. Enjoy the track below:

 

'There will never be another one': Bobbi Kristina Brown delivers touching tribute to Whitney Houston at Billboard Awards

Bobbi Kristina

She has had a troubled time since the death of her mother three months ago. But Bobbi Kristina Brown tonight delivered a touching tribute to Whitney Houston at the Billboard Music Awards.

The 19-year-old accepted the special Millennium Award on behalf of her late mother, after she was escorted onto the stage by her adopted brother Nick Gordon and received a quick kiss from him. The teen had been reduced to tears while watching an emotional video dedicated to the singer.

Family battles on who will receive Whitney Houston's Tribute Award

Pat Houston and Bobbi Kristina

Whitney Houston's sister-in-law -- Pat Houston -- is waging war against Bobbi Kristina because she desperately wants to accept Whitney's Billboard Music Award on her behalf ... and only BK is standing in her way.

Whitney Houston's body to be 'encased in concrete to stop grave-robbers stealing $750,000 worth of diamonds she was buried in'

Late Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's relatives are planning to encase her body in concrete to stop people stealing the £500,000 worth of jewellery she is buried with. At the moment the legendary singer's grave is under 24-hour guard at Fairview Cemetery in New Jersey but it is thought her mother Cissy can't afford to keep up the security.

New Poster for Whitney Houston's Last Film - Sparkle

It was Whitney Houston's final film before her untimely death in February. And with anticipation for Sparkle building, an appropriately dramatic poster has been released, featuring stunning full-length shot of Jordin Sparks. 

Whitney Houston Items Go For More Than $82,000 At Auction

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston may be gone, but her presence is still being felt. Particularly on the auction block. A number of items once belonging to the deceased singer, who died in February at age 48, commanded slightly more than $82,000 at an auction this weekend, with most items drawing much higher bids than they were originally estimated to bring in.

'I took just as much cocaine as Whitney, it's a miracle I am not dead': Elton John's startling confession

Whitney Houston and Sir Elton John

Elton John has revealed he took so much cocaine it's a 'miracle' he didn't end up dying an addict, like Whitney Houston. As the 65-year-old confessed if he hadn't kicked his drug habit in 1990 he would be dead, rumours began circulating that the singer and husband David Furnish could be having another child.

WHITNEY HOUSTON Cocaine in System At Time of Death

Late Whitney Houston

TMZ reports Whitney Houston had cocaine in her system when she died -- this according to the L.A. County Coroner.

The L.A. County Coroner has just released the singer's official cause of death --accidental drowning ... but the report also notes heart disease and cocaine use were contributing factors to Whitney's demise.

'I miss my friend': Ray J opens his heart

Ray J and Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's boyfriend Ray J has finally opened his heart and revealed he looks at a picture of the singer on his phone for comfort. Kim Kardashian's former lover said he is still in pain after a 'tough' few weeks.

Despite earning millions Whitney left $29k in her bank

Whitney and Bobbi

It has emerged Whitney Houston had just $29k in her bank account while having debts of more than $4m. The late singer's financial situation was disclosed during her divorce from Bobby Brown in 2007, and it showed how she had managed to blow many of the millions she had earned during her career.

WHITNEY's brother - I Don't care About Being Left Out of Will

Gary Houston

Whitney Houston's brother Gary Houston isn't bothered one bit that Whitney snubbed him in her will -- telling TMZ, "I dont concern myself with any of that [will stuff] ... All I know is my sister's gone."

Gary just arrived in New York from Atlanta -- where a hearing was held yesterday naming his wife Pat the executor of Whitney's estate -- and we asked him about Whitney naming her daughter Bobbi Kristina as the sole beneficiary of her estate.

Gary left the airport with his wife Pat by his side -- who tells us, she's coping with Whitney's death "day by day." As we previously reported, if Bobbi dies before probate is completed -- Whitney's assets will be split among her ex-husband Bobby Brown and several relatives. (TMZ)

Whitney Houston's will Validated by Judge

Whitney and Bobbi

Whitney Houston's will has been validated by a judge, and now her daughter Bobbi Kristina stands to inherit her mom's fortune.Under the will, Bobbi Kristina is Whitney's sole beneficiary. But the will -- which was amended in 2000 -- provides that if the 19-year-old dies before probate is completed, ex-hubby Bobby.

Jermaine Jackson 'had a year-long affair with Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson

Jermaine Jackson had a year-long affair with Whitney Houston, it has been claimed. The older brother of  Thriller singer Michael Jackson is said to have inspired the video for late singer Whitney's 1985 single Saving All My Love For You, which tells the story of a woman's romance with a married man, with the singer even hiring a lookalike of Jermaine for the footage.

And The Sun Sunday claim that while Jermaine and Whitney's affair ended after a year, the pair never lost touch - with Whitney comforting Jermaine following Michael's death in 2009. So when Whitney tragically lost her life last month, Jermaine was left grief-stricken by the passing of his close friend and alleged former lover. A source told the newspaper: 'Her death has devastated Jermaine because of the history between them. 

Bobby Brown’s sister claims Whitney’s death was not accidental

The late Whitney Houston

She said: “I believe Whitney’s death was not accidental. No.”vShe refuses to speculate about who she thinks is responsible, but added: “My attorney has advised me not to get into that at all, but, it’s very important to know that she did not just pass away like that. No. And if it’s the last thing that I do, I’m going to find out what truly happened to my sister.”

Whitney and Jacko were once in love

The late Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson

AS Whitney Houston was buried last weekend it was claimed that she and the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had once been "very much in love". The claim was made by David Gest, a concert promoter described as a friend of both stars. Gest, the former husband of singer Liza Minnelli, told The Sun newspaper that Houston had loved Jackson and he had "adored" her.

Whitney Houston laid to rest

Following a very public farewell to Whitney Houston at a funeral attended by thousands yesterday, the late singer was laid to rest surrounded by just a select few in New Jersey today. The star was buried in a private ceremony at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield where her father, John Russell Houston Jr., was interred in 2003.

More photos when you continue...

'Rest my baby girl in peace': Mother's tearful tribute to Whitney

Whitney Houston laid to rest

Whitney Houston's mother paid an emotional tribute to her beloved daughter today as family, friends and some of the biggest names in the music world gathered at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, for the singer's funeral. 

Ray J, Breaks silence on Whitney Houston's death

Ray J and Whitney Houston

Ray J has broken his silence on Whitney Houston's death, saying, "Over the past few days, I've tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend."

Ray J continues, "Nippy, I miss you so much!" Nippy was a nickname Whitney's dad gave her. And Ray J adds, "You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever." Ray J was dating Whitney in the months before she died.

Whitney Houston's Funeral Will Be Live Streamed Online

Gone too soon: Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's family may have may have nixed public ceremony plans at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. in place of a private invite-only ceremony at the New Hope Baptist Church, but that won't stop fans from seeing the funeral in real time. 

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster announced that there will be an internet live stream of the event for fans wishing to pay their respects, The Telegraph reported. 

Anyone wishing to see the funeral can watch on livestream.com/aplive. A few satellite providers will be showing the services as well. (Businessinsider.com)