Whitney Houston was one of the greatest singers of her generation. She burst onto the scene in 1985 with her self-titled debut album and achieved great success.
Her career continued to flourish with one milestone after another. There was her stunning rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, her outstanding version of "I Will Always Love You," and her incredible film debut in The Bodyguard.
Throughout this time, Houston had Robyn Crawford, her close friend and personal assistant, by her side. Crawford was by Houston's side throughout her trials and tribulations, including some of her past romances.
One man Houston was rumored to be involved with was Eddie Murphy. Years after Houston's death, Crawford wrote a memoir about their friendship. In the book, Crawford tells an interesting story of how Murphy's feelings for Houston came to ahead on her wedding day.
Whitney Houston's Friendship With Robyn Crawford
Whitney Houston and Robyn Crawford met in 1980 when they were both teenagers working at a summer camp in East Orange, New Jersey. According to Crawford, it was at this time that she told Houston, "I'm going to look out for you."
Over the years, Crawford did her best to stay true to her word. As Houston's career blew up, Crawford became her personal assistant. She was Houston's closest confidant and friend, sticking by her side every step of the way.
There were a lot of rumors surrounding the two women, particularly in regard to their relationship. For many years, people have suggested that Crawford and Houston were in a romantic relationship. This is something Houston denied in her lifetime, but her own mother Cissy suggested there might be some truth to those rumors after Houston's death.
In 2019, Crawford decided to open up about her relationship with Houston. She published her memoir, "A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston," where she confirmed the two were romantically involved.
"I'd come to the point where I felt the need to stand up for our friendship. And I felt an urgency to stand up and share the woman behind the incredible talent," Crawford wrote.
However, Houston ended their physical relationship soon after signing a deal with Arista Records. Crawford said that Houston's decision was out of fear it would make their "journey too difficult."
"She said if people find out about us, they would use this against us," Crawford wrote. "and back in the '80s, that's how it felt."
Eddie Murphy Tries To Talk Whitney Out Of Marrying Bobby Brown
As Houston's star rose, she was rumored to be dating a few different men in the entertainment business. One of them was comedian and actor Eddie Murphy. Murphy made a name for himself on the show Saturday Night Live and released two outrageous stand-up specials.
In her book, Crawford claims that Houston was infatuated with Murphy, even when being pursued by Bobby Brown in 1989, but the comic was elusive. Crawford claims that Houston "lost herself" when pursuing Murphy.
Crawford also describes one night in particular when Murphy was supposed to visit Houston at her mansion in New Jersey. Houston had prepared the dinner table for Murphy.
"One day when Eddie was supposed to come for dinner, I caught a glimpse of Whitney," Crawford wrote. "She was wearing a black dress and low-heeled slingbacks. For a moment, I thought ‘Boy, I wish she was doing that for me.'"
But, alas, Crawford said their romantic relationship had been over for several years at that point. Ultimately, Murphy never showed up and this rejection left Houston heartbroken.
Therefore, it was surprising when Houston received a call from Murphy on the morning of July 18, 1992, her wedding day.
"[That day] Eddie Murphy called to say she was making a mistake," writes Crawford. "but she pressed ahead."
Whitney Houston'ss Marriage To Bobby Brown And The Aftermath
After Houston married Brown, the media had a field day. There was a sentiment that the two couldn't be more different from one another. A lot of this was based on Houston's image at the time. She was presented as wholesome and family-friendly, while Brown was being arrested at his concerts for doing dance moves that were too provocative.
As their marriage escalated, stories of drug use, abuse, and infidelity dominated the headlines.
However, according to Houston's brother Michael, that's actually not true. Michael claims that he introduced her to drugs during an interview with Oprah Winfrey after Houston's death.
Houston eventually divorced Brown and told Winfrey about their marriage during a 2009 interview. She passed away in February 2012 and her daughter Bobbi Kristina passed several years later.
There are many who believe if Houston had stayed with Crawford she would still be alive today. Some even feel if she stayed with Murphy and ditched Brown she would be alive today.
Unfortunately, it sounds like it was Houston's own demons that got the best of her in the end. But her extraordinary talent and music will live on forever. That is her legacy and it will never be forgotten.