In the world’s eyes, Whitney Houston was the celebrated music icon with the voice of an angel.
To Aretha Franklin, godmother, she was simply ”Nippy.”
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In a recent interview with Al Roker on Today, Franklin reveals the way she found out about Houston’s shocking death.
“I had just finished watching George Clooney in ‘The Descendants,’ and I flipped back to the regular TV and maybe two minutes after I did that it, came across the screen,” she said. ”I just jumped up off the side of the bed. [...] This could not be.”
Franklin said she believed Houston had “conquered her challenges” and was on her way to making a big comeback. But sadly, her life was cut short.
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Franklin, along with Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, is expected to sing at Houston’s private funeral Saturday that will be broadcast worldwide. She explains to Roker how difficult the task will be.
”It’s not going to be easy,” said the Queen of Soul. “But Cissy asked me to and I’m just going to try to do my best.”
She goes on to discuss Bobby Brown‘s responsibility for daughter Bobbi Kristina, the pressure on Houston and her legacy.