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| Bobbi Kristina Brown |
Whitney Houston’s funeral was attended by her Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Ray J, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Diane Sawyer, her cousin, Dionne Warwick, mom Cissy Houston, her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown and many more.
The nearly four hour ceremony saw performances by the Winans, R Kelly, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder. Tyler Perry, Dionne Warwick and Kevin Costner gave touching testimonials of the woman everyone loved and missed.
Denise Council who attended the funeral at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J. told People the ceremony “…was really beautiful … a lot of people were crying.” According to Denise “Bobbi Kristina broke down, but she was good. She was up in the first row … and [did] pretty good, all considering. [Whitney's mother] Cissy was wonderful.”
Another source added that Cissy broke down at the end when Whitney’s casket lifted, “She was held up by two women, she wailed, “My baby! My baby!” as she was led out the church behind her daughter’s body. A few steps behind her was Bobbi Kristina, also crying uncontrollably as she was comforted by Houston’s close friend, Ray J.”
Aretha Franklin, who Whitney often referred to as ‘Aunt Ree’ was noticeably absent but she released a statement “Regretfully, I am so sorry that I was unable to be with you at Whitney’s service today. I had every intention of being there. But unfortunately I had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4 a.m. this morning following my concert last night, which I’ve been having for the last few days.”
During the testimonials Tyler spoke of Whitney’s undying faith,
“The other thing I know for sure – and this is more important than anything that she’s done in her life – Whitney Houston loved the lord.”
Kevin Costner also gave a memorable testimonial as he spoke of Whitney’s insecurities despite her immense talent and beauty as she prepared for the role of her life in the film ‘The Bodyguard’,
“It’s a tree we could all hang from – the unexplainable burden that comes with fame. Call it doubt. call it fear. I’ve had mine. And I know the famous in the room have had theirs.”
Costner assured Whitney, “You weren’t just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. And people didn’t just like you Whitney. They loved you.” In the end Kevin Costner spoke to Whitney Houston’s daughter and millions of other aspiring pop stars and said,
“And so to you, Bobbi Kristina and to all those young girls who are dreaming that dream, that maybe thinking, are they good enough? I think Whitney would tell you, ‘Guard your bodies, guard the precious miracle of your own life, and then sing your hearts out,’ knowing that there’s a lady in heaven who is making God himself wonder how he created something so perfect.”
In the end, Whitney Houston was ushered out to the sound of her own voice as the speakers blared “I Will Always Love You.”