“Life is life,” he continued
(CBS/AP) Police have one message for Whitney Houston fans: Stay home. Officials have warned fans to steer clear of the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., on Saturday, and instead watch the memorial service from home.
Houston’s family has asked for privacy, and authorities say there’s nothing for fans to see, as they can’t even get within six square blocks of the church, located in Houston’s hometown.
CBSNews.com will stream the service live starting at 11 a.m. ET. The funeral is expected to begin at noon. You can watch it live here: bit.ly/CBSBreaking
Below are more details about the memorial, 광주출장샵 taking place a week after Houston died in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the age of 48.
More in Whitney Houston: Death of a pop diva
Who will be there?
Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will sing at the private funeral on Saturday in what promises to be a very musical service.
Invitations went out to Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown; her co-star in “The Bodyguard,” Kevin Costner; and Oprah Winfrey.
Houston’s longtime musical mentor, Clive Davis, will speak at the service..
Others who will be part of the program include Donnie McClurkin, Tyler Perry, Kim Burrell, Rickey Minor, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick and Cece Winans. Also expected are Elton John, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Bill Cosby, according to some media reports.
Ray J, who spent time with Houston a few days before she passed, is also expected to attend.
TMZ.com reports that family members invited Mel Gibson to the memorial, but he can’t make it due to a family commitment.
But will Bobby Brown attend?
Brown has been invited to Houston’s funeral, according to his publicist. He has a New Edition show the same night in Connecticut, which he plans to attend.
He paid tribute to Houston again in concert on Thursday night while on stage with New Edition.
“I’d like to say thank you for your prayers,” he told the crowd, according to the New York Daily News. “Life is life,” he continued. “You have to move on sometimes. I love her like I love God.”
What will the service be like?
Houston’s family is gathering in Newark, N.J. on Friday night for a private viewing of the late singer. Her childhood church, New Hope Baptist, will host the memorial on Saturday with about 1,500 guests.
The eulogy will be given by gospel singer Marvin Winans, a Grammy Award winner and longtime family friend. When asked why there’s no public service, Winans told CNN that Houston’s family didn’t “want to have a parade.”
Houston’s final resting place will be next to her father, John Russell Houston Jr., who was buried there in 2003. She’ll be will be laid to rest at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, N.J. after funeral services on Saturday.
What’s the latest with medical records and toxicology report?
In Los Angeles, investigators for the coroner’s office have subpoenaed records from the singer’s doctors and pharmacies who dispensed medication found in the hotel room where she died.
A source told CNN that Houston was drinking heavily in the days before her death. She was spotted ordering alcoholic beverages by the pool and in the lobby as early as 10 a.m., according to the insider.
Officials said there were no signs of foul play or trauma on her body when an autopsy was conducted on Sunday.
It will be weeks before toxicology results reveal the medications and quantities, if any, that were in Houston’s system when she died. The Grammy winner’s history of substance abuse has added to the speculation that her death may have been caused by prescription drugs.
Houston’s death certificate listed her cause of death as “deferred,” so authorities will wait for the toxicology report.
When will “Sparkle” be released?
The late songstress leaves behind a large catalogue of music, and this summer fans will get to both hear and see more of her.
Sony has confirmed that the musical-drama, “Sparkle,” is on track for an Aug. 17 release.
In the remake of the 1976 movie, Houston portrays the mother of three sisters in a musical group, who are dealing with the fallout from fame and drugs. It co-stars Jordin Sparks, Cee Lo Green, Mike Epps and Derek Luke.
She also contributed music to the soundtrack, leaving yet another lasting mark on her legacy.
Tell us: Will you be watching the memorial on Saturday?
No comments