The estate of Whitney Houston has publicly denied Oprah Winfrey's recent statements alleging that the singer was high when she fell off a stage on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Clarifying the Incident
In a statement shared on Houston's official Instagram account, the estate confirmed that Houston did fall off the stage, but attributed it to the darkness of the area and her unfamiliarity with the stage during a sound check. 'She was absolutely not high,' the post emphasized, addressing media outlets that have circulated Winfrey's comments. The estate acknowledged Houston's personal battles but insisted it is 'inaccurate and unfair' to link her struggles to every aspect of her life.
Oprah Winfrey's Claims
Winfrey made the remarks at the Cannes Lions event on Tuesday, discussing what she described as Houston's final performance on her show. 'Whitney did what I think was her last show with us, and she had gone back on drugs,' Winfrey stated. She claimed that during the performance in front of an audience, Houston was not sober and fell off the stage. Winfrey shared her concerns about the potential impact of the incident if the story became public, stating she asked the audience not to release any photos or videos to protect Houston.
Response from Houston's Estate
Houston's estate further commented on the presence of the studio audience during the fall. The statement highlighted that what occurred on stage was a testament to Houston's 'discipline, talent, and commitment,' not 'the assumptions others project.' It concluded by calling for respect and truth in representing Houston's legacy, recognizing both her triumphs and struggles.
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Oprah Winfrey's representatives for additional comments but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/whitney-houston-estate-oprah-show-fall-not-high-1236630307/
