Whitney Houston’s photographer, Bette Marshall, tells her story of capturing the singer during her earlier years prior to becoming a legendary star. Marshall wants the readers to see what she saw in the moments that she took the photos of Whitney through recollections of her memories from the past.
Marshall, a writer hailing from Hallandale Beach, Florida, is a celebrity portrait photographer who followed Houston in the 1980’s. She mentions meeting Houston’s family and being granted permission by them to photograph the singer during her rise to fame.
As she recalls, Marshall arrived to the Houstons’ home in New Jersey excited to meet Whitney, who then revealed her nickname to be Nippy. Marshall says her encounter with Houston was a memory of a young girl who was fun, sweet, and polite.
Bette Marshall has many photographs of the “Wanna Dance With Somebody” singer that have not been published. Several of these photos are in organic settings, such as Whitney’s home, church, and the music video set of “Greatest Love of All.”
A documentary film based on Bette Marshall’s book is in production with narrator and executive producer Audra McDonald, a Tony and Grammy-winning singer and actor.
Although the tragic death of the late Whitney Houston, who was 48-years-old at the time she was found unresponsive in a bathroom at a Beverly Hills Hotel, was a sorrowful shock to the music industry and world, it would not overshadow her many accomplishments throughout her life and career.
To name a few, Whitney Houston was considered “The Voice,” for her ability to effortlessly belt out notes in various octaves giving music listeners goosebumps. With 8 Grammy Awards, 14 World Music Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, and 28 Guinness World Records entered into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame 2014 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020. She also held the record for most American Music Awards received in a year by a woman in 1994.
It all started from that day she received a standing ovation when she sang lead of the song “Tomorrow,” an opportunity that Cissy Houston gave to her daughter Whitney, who sang powerful backing vocals for quite some time. The moment would be a memory for Marshall which she has never forgotten even a decade after Houston’s passing.
Details of Marshall’s encounters with Whitney Houston are documented in the forthcoming book Young Whitney. Fans can obtain a copy for $29.95 when it is released Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the online Grammy Museum Store.
