Kevin Costner, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder Pay Tribute at Whitney Houston Funeral
Some 1,500 invited guests descended upon Newark, N.J. to pay their final respects to music legend Whitney Houston on Saturday, with Kevin Costner, Tyler Perry and Alicia Keys paying tribute to the pop diva. The funeral, called her "home going" ceremony on the invitations to the service, took place at New Hope Baptist Church, the same church where Houston first sang as a young girl.
"Whitney, you are the only one that could bring all of us together," Rev. Joe A. Carter said during his opening remarks. "Whitney, today is your day. We celebrate."
Following an opening from Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Rev. Donnie McClurkin's rendition of "Stand," Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick introduced filmmaker Tyler Perry, who discussed Houston's devotion to the Lord. "I'm completely thankful to God for all that he has done in her life," Perry said. "God was for her, and she is resting, singing with the angels."
Warwick then introduced a very emotional Bebe Winans, a longtime family friend and gospel singer who lightened the mood when he recounted a story of a younger Houston who, at the height of her career, wanted to sing backup for him and his sister CeCe Winans because she knew they were poor. "I'm gonna miss crazy Whitney," he said. After the laughter died down, he then sang "I Really Miss You."
"In moments like this, it feels like death has won," Bishop T.D. Jakes said following Winans. "You will find that people that you really love, they may leave you outwardly, but they never leave you inwardly."
After Rev. Kim Burrell honored Houston with a personalized rendition of "A Change Is Gonna Come," Kevin Costner stepped up to the podium to pay respects. The actor recalled his time with Houston on the set of The Bodyguard, how the song "I Will Always Love You" initially wasn't meant to be in the film, and how he and Houston bonded over their Baptist backgrounds. "Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began, and I urge us all inside and outside, across the nation and around the world to dry our tears, suspend our sorrow, and perhaps our anger, just long enough to remember the sweet miracle of Whitney."
Costner went on to discuss Houston's journey in getting cast in The Bodyguard and how production was postponed for a year while she went on tour. However, those involved in the making of the film had doubts about her and decided she needed a screen test. "Whitney was scared," he said. "Arguably the biggest pop star in the world wasn't sure if she was good enough. She didn't think she looked right... I held her hand and told her she looked beautiful... that everyone there wanted her to succeed... Whitney, if you could hear me now, I would tell you, you weren't just good enough, you were great."
Aretha Franklin was scheduled to perform at the service, but Rev. Jesse Jackson told CNN that she had suffered leg spasms the night before and therefore was unable to attend the services. Alicia Keys stepped in, recalling how she and Houston used to call each other "Mima." "She just crept into everybody's heart," Keys said through tears before singing "Prelude to a Kiss."
Among the other guests in attendance were Houston's family, including daughter Bobbi Kristina, as well as Mariah Carey, Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige.
More details to come...
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