Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Whitney Houston, 48, Reported Dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel [UPDATED]
Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48, the singer's publicist confirmed with the Associated Press this evening.
The singer's publicist Kristen Foster wouldn't say how the singer died or where she was found. However, TMZ is reporting that she died while she was at the Beverly Hilton Hotel this afternoon. Sources tell the gossip site that Houston was found unresponsive in her hotel room, but paramedics could not revive the singer. CNN reporter Justin Lear tweeted that her on-again, off-again boyfriend Ray J is the one who first came upon her.
Gossip site Hollyscoop noted that Houston gave a rare performance this week in anticipation of tomorrow's Grammy Awards. She wowed the crowd with her singing, but she seemed to be acting erratically afterward. TMZ just posted some pictures of Houston looking pretty rough on Thursday night.
UPDATE 7:30pm: Conflicting reports! TMZ says the party is still going on as planned—it's just that Davis will not be in attendance. Houston was supposed to open the party tonight with a performance.
Sponsored message
UPDATE 7pm: Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick and her mother Cissy Houston both spoke with the singer on the phone just before she died today, but neither of them noticed anything unusual, TMZ reported. They spoke to Houston about going to Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party later tonight. It has since been called off because of Houston's death.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
