What is it about the death of a celebrity, or otherwise famous public figure, that moves us so deeply? How can we feel the loss of someone that was never really ours to lose? I cried yesterday, and intermittently today thinking about Whitney Houston's death. I wondered whether I was crying for the loss of a life, or for the loss of her talent. I've never met Whitney, and even if I had, it would've been no more than a chance encounter between performer and fan. There would not have been a friendship, or any continued interaction to bind us together. And yet, I feel some type of grief at her death. I felt this way about Michael Jackson, Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopez, and John Denver.
There is a certain power in music that enmeshes it with our very souls. There is not a time period in my life that I can't fill with a musical history. I agree not everyone is as affected, moved, or influenced by music as others. But I absolutely believe you can be if you let yourself. I remember my friend's mom took us to see Whitney Houston in Providence, RI when I was about 12 years old. It was my first pop concert, and I couldn't believe how beautiful this woman was, and how awesome it was to hear her music so loudly! I also remember it was the first time I smelled pot. Somehow, I just knew what it was. The whole experience is a memory etched into my mind, even though I can no longer describe many of the details.
The life of a celebrity must be so difficult. The money, the houses, the luxuries...they seem appealing. But they come at such a cost. You spend your life singing, or dancing, or playing your instrument, because you love it so much. People pay you to do it! Then they demand that you do it. And because they buy your records, they feel entitled to dictate how your life should look. They feel entitled to claim your privacy. And now, this thing that you have always loved becomes co-owned by your fans. You have no life. The pressure must be unbelievable.Whitney Houston was a phenomenally talented singer. I don't know a thing about her as a person, other than what the media wants me to know. All my opinions about her as a person are shaped by the media, and there is no way they could ever truly portray who she is. Even personal interviews are edited, scripted, and cut to paint a very controlled image. I have a heart full of sympathy and compassion for the struggles she faced. The demons that must have been such a part of her addictions... I can't even fathom. But I also have respect and admiration for the doors she opened for Black female artists. I appreciate her talent, and the many ways it is a part of my life. I am grateful for the emotions she has made me feel.
I hope that her soul is at rest, free from the heaviness she must have carried in her life. Most importantly, however, I hope that her legacy of beautiful music is never overshadowed by the mess that has been so public for so long.
"There comes a point when we exhale..."
Rest in Peace... Whitney Houston... February 11, 2012
11 comments:
I cried when Michael Jackson died and your tribute here has me a but teary eyed as well. I was watching VH1 last night as they were playing her videos back to back and was thinking about all the many many songs she had that I just loved. She was just amazing and I loved her smooth unmistakable voice. I will miss her. Good post Andrea :-)
Well said. I completely agree.
Saving All My Love For You was the first cassette I bought. I learned how to play her songs on the piano...that's how my mom got me to practice.
It is an amazing phenomenon to feel a physical pain in your heart for someone you really don't know. Love her. Her talent, without a doubt will be her legacy. And the bar which every singer will measure themselves.
Have you checked your email? I sent you an amazing recording. :)
Beautifully said. She was beautiful, talented, and brought joy to so many. I wish her peace now. I will miss her voice, but will always enjoy the music she left us.
I must be the most callused person ever because celebrity deaths just make me feel, "of course! everyone knows that fame and money don't make you happy!"
I don't feel bad about it. Just intrigued that once again my priorities are correct and fame would suck. Money without fame would be Ok with me though.
I'm sorry you feel badly about this.I do miss freaky Michael J.
"I wanna dance with somebody" keeps playing through my mind and watching that video for the first time on MTV is forever etched in my mind. I loved her outfits in that video, especially the giant bow on her head. I thought she was beautiful and I loved belting her songs pretending that I sounded like her.
Great post. Amen Sista. Amen.
She just might be chillin' with my mother in law right now ;)
Great post Andrea. I loved Whitney! It is so sad her life ended so early. She was so talented.
I commend this post in every way shape and form. I felt this loss with MJ, Princess Diana, and strangely enough Steve Irwin, the crocodile man. People are people, and when they leave we can be affected by the emptiness of them that's left behind. I can leave the judgement to the haters, and simply pay tribute to her enormous legacy, beauty, and music.
This was such a great post. It really words well why we love celebrities so much...they really are part of our lives...somehow woven into the everyday human experience.
I can see why you cried. It is just so sad.
I'm with Jessica A. I remember watching the Dance with Somebody video over and over when I was young and spry. Sad that she seemed so unhappy and unsettled in her final years.
Beautifully said.
Beautifully said!
Well put Andrea. My kids, my daughter especially, are enthralled with the glamour of famous people. I try to use each of their tragedies, where appropriate, to discuss with my eight and six-year old, that fame is not all that it's cracked up to be. It comes with many sacrifices, including not knowing who your real friends are. I think this is where they connect, friendship is something even the youngest among us understand.
I hope to someday expand the conversation to the crutches people rely on when they feel they have no where else to turn. People say celebrities aren't role models, but I disagree. Kids can learn a lot from celebrities lives, if they have a grown up to guide the discussion, rather than People Magazine.
Myself, I've always been a bit star struck, and often wondered if I could resist the trade offs of fame....were I so "fortunate" to be offered them. How about you?
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