Interviewer: Great! Whitney Houston—we know how much love and advice you gave her during her time here. But what about the lessons she left for you?
Kim Burrell: Oh my goodness, there are so many. I’m glad you asked because I’m finally getting ready to share it. I’m writing a book.
Whitney and I—we had a life together. She was like a sister to me. It’s still hard to talk about her because I miss her so much. Especially during the holidays, when her laughter and joy were such a big part of everything. I think about her every single day.
We just said goodbye to her precious mother, and honestly, that’s the only reason I feel ready to release this book. It’s because of the loyalty and deep friendship Whitney and I shared.
Narrator: Gospel legend Kim Burrell recently announced she’s writing a memoir about her bond with Whitney Houston. Fans of the late superstar may be thinking, Do we really need another book about Whitney?
But Kim’s announcement has sparked curiosity. People are wondering what she’ll reveal about their friendship. Was it close enough to fill a memoir? To stand out, Kim might need to include new or deeply personal stories.
There’s already speculation. Will she address the alleged domestic violence between Whitney and Bobby Brown? The rumors about an affair with Kevin Costner? Or the heartbreaking tragedy surrounding Bobbi Kristina?
Some are even questioning the timing. Did Kim wait until Whitney’s mother passed away because she might have objected to the book?
Over the years, Whitney’s life has inspired several memoirs. In 2013, her mother, Cissy Houston, published Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped. In 2020, Whitney’s close friend and creative director, Robyn Crawford, released A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston, which gave an intimate look at their relationship. Gospel singer Bebe Winans shared his perspective in The Whitney I Knew, describing their bond and how he processed his grief after her loss.
Even David Roberts, Whitney’s former bodyguard and the inspiration for the movie The Bodyguard, has teased plans for a tell-all book. He’s shared stories about a note Whitney gave him back in 1988 during their time in Hong Kong—a keepsake he still cherishes.
Kim Burrell: Whitney and I made a promise to never share certain things about our friendship while she was alive. But now, I think it’s the right time to let people in on the bond we had.
“I love your music and your relationships with other stars,” the interviewer said. “People are still fascinated by your sisterhood with Whitney.”
Kim smiled. “Oh my goodness, there are so many memories. I’m finally ready to share them in a book. Whitney and I shared a life, a sisterhood. It’s hard to talk about her because I miss her so much, especially around the holidays. She brought so much laughter and joy into my life.
“We just said goodbye to her beautiful mother. That’s the only reason I feel I can release this book now—because of the loyalty and love between Whitney and me.”
Narrator: So, what can readers expect? Will Kim dive into Whitney’s struggles in her marriage to Bobby Brown? Bobby has spoken openly about his substance abuse and even admitted to physically hurting Whitney. It’s been reported that the two would isolate themselves in one part of their home, leaving nannies to care for their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in another.
Whatever Kim decides to share, one thing is certain: her book will reignite the world’s fascination with Whitney Houston, one of the most beloved and complex icons of our time.
Whitney Houston’s family has long denied the idea that Bobby Brown introduced her to drugs, but their volatile relationship undeniably contributed to some of her struggles. If Kim Burrell was as close to Whitney as she claims, her memoir might reveal new details about this period in Whitney’s life.
Fans are also wondering if Kim will touch on the heartbreaking story of Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina. Bobbi passed away six months after being found unresponsive in a bathtub. Medical records attributed her death to a mix of cannabis, alcohol, and sedatives, with immersion associated with intoxication listed as the cause.
Kim has spoken about Bobbi Kristina a few times in the past, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she reflects on her in the book. And then there’s the decades-old speculation about Whitney’s relationship with Kevin Costner, her co-star in The Bodyguard. Could Kim shed light on those rumors?
Kevin has always spoken warmly about Whitney. In interviews, he’s called her “so beautiful” and admitted he saw her as “the one.” After her passing in 2012, Kevin referred to Whitney as his “one true love” and expressed guilt over not being able to save her. “I let her down,” he said. “I saved her then; I should have saved her now.”
There were even whispers of an on-set romance during The Bodyguard, though Whitney was preparing to marry Bobby Brown at the time. Kevin himself was in a rocky marriage. If Kim and Whitney were as close as Kim suggests, maybe she knows what really happened.
Another big question is whether Kim will address the circumstances of Whitney’s death. Official reports stated that Whitney accidentally drowned in her hotel bathtub, but toxicology findings raised eyebrows. Small amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and prescription medications like Xanax were found in her system. Some speculated that a heart attack caused by mild heart disease and arterial blockage might have led to her drowning, but the autopsy didn’t confirm this.
Adding to the mystery, reports indicated there wasn’t enough water in Whitney’s lungs to definitively call it a drowning, sparking theories that she might have been placed in the tub after she passed. Could Kim’s memoir provide new information about these unresolved questions?
But Kim’s story doesn’t stop with Whitney. Some believe she should open up about her own life, too. For years, there have been rumors of a romantic relationship between Kim and Whitney, especially during Whitney’s final tour, when she asked Kim to join her. Kim has also faced criticism for her comments about the LGBTQ+ community, with some suggesting she should address her own sexuality in the book.
At the same time, many are questioning Kim’s motives. Was she really as close to Whitney as she claims? The timing of the book, coming shortly after the death of Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston, feels opportunistic to some.
So, what do you think? Is this memoir a heartfelt tribute or a messy attempt to cash in on Whitney’s legacy? Will it bring new insights or just more speculation? Let us know your thoughts.
