BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK SPOTLIGHT: All things WHITNEY… and a resurgence on Disney+!

She’s regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time and today, we honor the legendary Whitney Houston for Black History Month on Throwback Nation. Houston came from middle-class beginnings in New Jersey, the daughter of an Army serviceman and a gospel singer, but her musical roots went deep – she’s the first cousin of Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and her honorary aunt was Aretha Franklin. By the age of 15, she was singing background vocals for Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls.

Before she became the legendary singer that we all know today, she was paving the way for women of color in the modeling world – after being discovered by a photographer at Carnegie Hall in the early 80s, Whitney became the first black woman to be featured on the cover of Seventeen.

Of course, one of her most famous songs is I’m Every Woman, which she recorded for the soundtrack for The Bodyguard where she starred alongside Kevin Costner. If you’re looking to enjoy a different kind of Whitney movie magic, check out her role as the fairy godmother in the made-for-TV adaptation of Cinderella alongside singer Brandy. You can enjoy it now on Disney+. We will always love you, Whitney!