TMZ is confirming that Whitney Houston's family has signed on to do a reality television show. On the one hand if it provides a stable future for her daughter Bobbi Kristina that's nice, but on the other hand (the dominant one) this feels like cashing in on her death much like the hanger-ons did to her life. Based on the toxicology results, there is no way her group of 'friends' didn't know about the drug use. No. way. And if Bobbi can't get her alleged drug habit under control, this is only going to give her money to buy tons more of it.

The Lifetime show The Houston Family Chronicles will feature Bobbi and other family members:

The show will focus on Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, Pat’s daughter Rayah, Whitney’s brother Gary, and Whitney's mother Cissy. 

Lifetime's EVP, Rob Sharenow says, "In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow."

There is something about Whitney's sister-in-law Pat, that makes me uncomfortable. This news only seals that deal. Something tells me she's behind this. Is that a ludicrous idea, or does anyone else feel the same way?

What do you think about the decision to do a reality show?

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Sparkle, the new version of the 1976 film often cited in lists of "Bad Movies We Love", has gotten a lot of attention lately, mostly due to the presence in the cast of the late Whitney Houston. While it’s now being touted as what would have been her “comeback” role, unfortunately we can’t know.  Houston, who died on February 12 of this year, hadn’t appeared on screen since 1996 in The Preacher’s Wife. In Sparkle, Houston plays the mother of Jordin Sparks’ character (boy does that make me feel old) and the film was in post-production at the time of her death.

Houston was also one of the executive producers, having purchased remake rights nearly twelve years ago.  Aaliyah was her first choice for the title role, until the singer died in a plane crash in August 2001. Creepy huh?

Set in the 1960s, three sisters form a girl group and soon become Motown sensations, but fame becomes a challenge as the close-knit family begins to fall apart.

A musical prodigy from an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother (Houston), Sparkle (Sparks) struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart.

As she tries to balance a new romance with her music manager Stix (Derek Luke), Sparkle must deal with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters (Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter) strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown era.

Watch the UK trailer and it’s easy to see why Houston felt an affinity with the material (which at the time of the ‘original’ was often unfavorably compared to Dream Girls. Just to strengthen The Supremes connection, check Jordin Sparks' pose on the poster. Mahogany anyone?). 

The movie has a strong cast. Joining Houston, Sparks and Luke, Mike Epps, Michael Beach, Curtis Armstrong, Omari Hardwick and Cee-Lo Green.  Sparkle will open in the US on August 17 and in the UK on 5^th October.

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Iconic singer Whitney Houston died on February 11, 2011 and a week shy of that two-month mark the complete coroner's autopsy results have been released. While we did report the toxicology reports, these are much more in-depth.

TMZ is confirming what they already had told us: cocaine was indeed found in her hotel room along with a rolled up piece of white paper, a small mirror that also contained a white powdery substance and a small spoon with white crystals. The report is 42 pages and these particular details are from the 'scene description' portion of the report. Previously it had been reported that there were no illicit drugs found in her room and that they had been 'removed'. This is not the case at all and in fact the scene suggests major drug use that was not hidden from anyone despite everyone saying they are shocked she was back doing coke.

The report suggests an accidental death due to overdose. In addition they are reporting she died FACE DOWN in the bathtub, this according to the people who found her in the bathtub in water that was 93.5 degrees. In addition to that she had a whole in her septum (nose) from her many years of cocaine use with a "bloody purge coming from her nose.".

They are still listing the main cause of death as drowning.

This just keeps getting sadder.

TMZ has the entire report on their site.

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The toxicology results are in for the death of Whitney Houston and the official cause is accidental drowning according to the Coroner. Cocaine was found in her system and may have resulted in a heart attack that led to the drowning: 'effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use". Traces of prescription drugs and marijuana were also found in her system. 

Some member of her family and media were of the theory that she was murdered but the Coroner has ruled that out stating:  "No trauma or foul play is suspected."

TMZ is reporting that Houston's mother, Cissy, is heartbroken to learn of the cocaine and that she believed her to be clean at the time her comeback movie 'Sparkle' was being filmed. The family has released a statement:

“We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure.” 

Despite it being a month and a half since her death, it still feels raw and is still quite surreal, isn't it? 

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Last night Oprah aired interviews with Whitney Houston's family including daughter Bobbi Kristina on her Oprah's Next Chapter show. The interviews come one month after the shocking death of the iconic singer. Bobbi 19, appears to be coping with her mother's death quite well and has her future planned out:

"I have to carry on the legacy," she explained. "We're gonna do the singing thing. Some acting, some dancing." "It's a lot of pressure," Brown added, "but she prepared me for it."

Her strength seems to come from a deep faith in God but also that she feels Whitney's presence very strongly:

"I'm doing as good as I possibly can at this point. I'm just trying to keep going," "I can sing her music, but to hear it now, I can't. I can hear her voice telling me, 'Keep moving, baby. I got you.' She's always with me. I can always feel her with me. She used to always say, 'Do you need me?' And I said, 'I always need you.'"

"I feel her pass through me all the time. I wake up at night," she said. "She would say at 5 a.m. the saints start praying. I wake up now and look at the clock and it's 5 o'clock. I start praying."

It's wonderful to see Bobbi so strong, isn't it? Throughout the interview there are clips of Whitney and Bobbi and the one, to me, that is so moving is when she sang happy birthday to her from the stage of an award show. Isn't it still so difficult to believe she's gone forever?

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The Material Girl Madonna is known for her strength and unshakeable confidence but when she and Whitney Houston came out as singers around the same time she remembers being blown away by the iconic singer:

 'One thing I was struck by with Whitney Houston is I remember she sort of came out as a singer around the same time I did. I remember looking at her singing and hearing people talk about her, and just thinking, 'Oh my God. She's such a beautiful woman and my God, what an incredible voice. I wish I could sing like that.'

'I just remember being extremely envious of her and also touched by her innocence.

'I was struck by that – how well she started and where she ended up and the tragedy of it.'

She also spoke of the death of Amy Winehouse, but it was Whitney's that remains so shocking:

'I was hit by this shocking sense of disbelief – especially with Whitney Houston.

'It had not been a secret, the struggles Amy had been through – both brilliant, brilliant artists and obviously both huge losses.

'But when these things happen, I'm always shocked by the first thing you say – 'It's such a loss' – which doesn't quite cover it. Then you reflect and you think, 'How did it happen? How did the people around them allow it to happen?''

While I get her point, an addict needs be ready to make changes in their lives before they can. As much as your loved ones may want you to get help, if you aren't ready, chances are you won't succeed in your life of sobriety.

And while she's known as a fitness fanatic, Madonna was quite disgusted to hear that Adele was put down for her weight by Karl Lagerfeld:

 'That's horrible. That's ridiculous, that's just the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

'I don't like it when anybody says anything bad about anyone – I don't like it. Adele's a great talent and how much she weighs has nothing to do with it.'

I love that she's spoken out about weight like that!

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American Idol's Jessica Sanchez performed Whitney Houston's epic hit 'I Will Always Love You' and I don't know about you but to me she is the only person who comes close to singing it as beautifully as Whitney (not that anyone can really even touch the talent that she was). Although some parts of the song in rehearsal seemed better than on stage but overall a stellar performance. The girl is only 16 years old people!

The judges were all blown away by her performance as was the audience. Randy Jackson gave her a lot of yo's so you know he was on the verge of being speechless. Did you watch? What do you think?

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Photo source: Entertainment Weekly

Whitney Houston's will has been filed in Atlanta today and it states that all her possessions (clothing, cars, jewelry etc) be left to her 19 year old daughter Bobbi Kristina.

The money is being held in trust until she turns 21 at which point she will receive a portion with more of it being received at the age of 25 and the balance at the age of 30.

The date the will was signed was February 3, 1993. Bobbi was born March 4, 1993.

Whitney died at Beverly Hills on February 11, 2012. It is hard to believe it's been almost a month already since her death.

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