June 25 (THEWILL) — The estate of Whitney Houston has denied Oprah Winfrey’s claim that the late singer was under the influence of drugs when she fell during a 2009 appearance connected to “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
The issue arose after Winfrey spoke at the Cannes Lions festival in France, where she recalled Houston’s final appearance on her talk show. Winfrey claimed Houston had relapsed at the time and “fell off the stage.”
She also said she asked audience members not to share photos or details of the incident because she believed it would damage the singer’s reputation.
In a statement posted on Houston’s official Instagram account, the estate said Winfrey’s version of events was inaccurate.
“From the 2009 interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Whitney absolutely fell off stage, but it was during a sound check and it was due to the darkness of the area and her unfamiliarity with the stage,” the statement said.
The estate acknowledged Houston’s past struggles with addiction but said it was unfair to connect every incident in her life to those challenges.
“Like many people, she faced personal battles, but it is inaccurate and unfair to attach that struggle to every performance or every chapter of her life,” the statement said.
The family added: “What the studio audience witnessed on stage was the result of discipline, talent, and commitment, not the assumptions others project.
Whitney’s humanity included triumphs and struggles, but on that day, she showed up as the professional and gifted artist she always worked to be. We owe her the dignity of telling the truth, not repeating myths.”
Winfrey made the comments during a conversation after receiving the Cannes Lions LionHeart Award. She has not publicly responded to the estate’s statement.
Houston died in February 2012 at the age of 48. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
