Something went seriously wrong when Cissy Houston entered her daughter Whitney Houston’s house and noticed unsettling pictures painted on the walls. Examine their relationship’s highs and lows more closely, as well as Cissy’s struggles to keep her daughter from abusing drugs.
The gospel icon Cissy Houston, who had a lengthy and fruitful career, just passed away. She was also well-known for being Whitney Houston’s mother and for having a significant impact on the life of the singer of “I Will Always Love You.”
Whitney’s mother was unable to overlook the mounting human hardship that lay behind her celebrity. When Cissy went to visit Whitney, she saw something incredibly unsettling: pictures that indicated the severity of her daughter’s problems.
When Cissy was forced to make a tough choice, she acted bravely in an effort to provide her daughter the assistance she required. Explore what happened and Cissy’s battle to keep her daughter safe by reading on.
On May 28, 1985, Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston posed for a picture in their West Orange, New Jersey, backyard.
Bobby Brown’s Tribute and Cissy Houston’s Demise
Cissy Houston, 91, departed from this life on October 7. She fought Alzheimer’s illness and passed away while receiving hospice care. Cissy left a lasting impact on the music industry; she collaborated with legendary performers like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, and her commanding vocals paved the way for a seven-decade career.
Cissy was born Emily Drinkard in September 1933 in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in a pious Christian home. Early on, her father, Nicholas Drinkard, encouraged her to pursue her musical gift by pushing her to sing and give performances in churches.
Her upbringing in the Methodist Episcopal faith had a significant impact on both her faith and her subsequent musical career. Eventually, her passion for gospel music developed when she was appointed Minister of Sacred Music at New Hope Baptist Church.
She received widespread recognition for her assistance in her daughter’s ascent to the status of one of the greatest pop icons of all time. Whitney’s 1985 self-titled first album featured Cissy as backup vocalist on several tracks, including “I Know Him So Well” and “Who Do You Love?”
Cissy stood by Whitney amid her meteoric rise to fame, which included Grammy Awards, millions of recordings sold globally, and personal hardships, including a tumultuous marriage to her ex-husband Bobby Brown.
Bobby wrote a tribute to Cissy after her death, stating, “My condolences and best wishes are with the Houston family during this difficult time. I hope she rests in power and peace.
She received widespread recognition for her assistance in her daughter’s ascent to the status of one of the greatest pop icons of all time. Whitney’s 1985 self-titled first album featured Cissy as backup vocalist on several tracks, including “I Know Him So Well” and “Who Do You Love?”
Cissy stood by Whitney amid her meteoric rise to fame, which included Grammy Awards, millions of recordings sold globally, and personal hardships, including a tumultuous marriage to her ex-husband Bobby Brown.
Bobby wrote a tribute to Cissy after her death, stating, “My condolences and best wishes are with the Houston family during this difficult time. I hope she rests in power and peace.
On June 12, 1997, in East Orange, New Jersey, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, and Cissy Houston attended the Franklin School Renaming Announcement.
Whitney Houston and Cissy’s Complicated Relationship
Whitney’s battles with drug addiction increased in tandem with her professional success in the 1990s. For years, Cissy had heard whispers about her daughter’s drug usage, but Whitney’s immediate circle frequently kept the true scope of the issue hidden from her mother.
Whitney Houston and Cissy at the pre-party for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in New York on February 24, 1998.
When she visited Whitney’s Atlanta home in 2005, her worst fears were realized. The odd and eerie images that were spray-painted on the walls and doors of the completely disorganized residence.
Cissy described how the house was covered in drawings of “big glaring eyes and strange faces.” The image of a family photo with Whitney’s face removed was possibly the most unsettling.
To Cissy’s dismay, her daughter’s drug use had become dangerously out of control. Cissy went back to Whitney’s residence with two sheriff’s deputies, determined to take action.
She knew she couldn’t wait any longer, so she insisted on taking her daughter to the hospital. Whitney became enraged, calling her mother names and declining assistance, but Cissy didn’t waver.
On May 30, 1990, in New York, Cissy and Whitney Houston left the 21st Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Awards Dinner.
She understood that it was the only thing she could do to keep her daughter safe, even though it damaged their connection. Whitney eventually accepted the intervention and said that her mother’s deeds had spared her life.
Cissy’s worries for her daughter’s welfare extended beyond Whitney’s drug abuse. She was also uneasy about the singer of “I Will Always Love You” being married to Bobby.
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown at the 26th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California, January 5, 1994. | Source: Getty Images
Throughout their 15-year marriage, there have been numerous allegations of substance usage, disputes in public, and legal troubles, all of which have been highlighted by the media. Bobby, on the other hand, eventually acknowledged regret for the part narcotics played in his marriage falling apart.
“We always believed that our love was powerful enough to get past whatever challenge that faced us,” he remarked. “We would still be in a relationship if drugs weren’t involved. “Drugs simply overtook us,” the R&B singer said.
Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston on February 28, 1994, in New York, during the Clive Davis Arista Records Pre-Grammy party. | Source: Getty Images
After Whitney and Bobby were divorced in 2007, Cissy laughed and said, “I’m sure no one else was able to get a prayer in,” since she was so grateful to God.
Whitney, regrettably, continued to struggle, and her untimely passing in 2012 at the age of 48 shocked and devastated her family as well as her devoted followers worldwide. Later on, Cissy talked about the factors she believed led to her daughter’s premature passing.
She described Whitney as a nice, compassionate person who “got caught up somewhere” and ultimately took the wrong turn. “My child made an attempt. Yes, she did. You know, she simply chose the wrong spouse.
Even though Cissy and Whitney had a tense relationship during the most trying years of her daughter’s addiction, Cissy’s love and dedication to supporting Whitney remained unwavering.
Even if they were occasionally unpleasant and challenging, Cissy’s attempts to support Whitney came from a place of profound love, and her legacy as a mother who battled for her daughter to the very end endures in addition to her contributions to the music industry.
