Funeral services for Whitney Houston have just begun, and CNN is covering the scene in Newark:
Hand-clapping choirs performed gospel standards Saturday as celebrities and parishioners filled the New Jersey sanctuary where singer Whitney Houston will be remembered through song, tears and praise to the Lord.
Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Forest Whitaker, Spike Lee, Kevin Costner and Houston’s former husband, Bobby Brown, were among those who arrived shortly before the noon homegoing service at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston got her start in the choir.
And:
The service will feature performances by Stevie Wonder—singing one of his hits, “Ribbon in the Sky”—R&B star R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and gospel greats Kim Burrell and BeBe Winans.
The New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir and the New Jersey Mass Choir will open the service. Pastor Marvin Winans will deliver the eulogy. Bishop T.D. Jakes will deliver remarks, along with Costner, Houston’s co-star in the movie “The Bodyguard;” her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis; and director-producer Tyler Perry.
Patricia Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and former manager, will speak at the end of the service, followed by Houston’s cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, according to the program.
Multiple media outlets reported this morning that Aretha Franklin has cancelled her appearance at Houston’s funeral, as she began experiencing “foot and leg problems” last night.
Houston’s family and friends attended a private wake last night.
CNN is airing the funeral live on television and streaming on its website; the CBS Ustream is embedded above.
The media knew before the family, as they announced her performance at the Going Home Service, they were told, she was a no-show. Hours after she canceled an appearance at Houston’s service, because of spasms in her legs…she was quick on her feet, feisty in voice and sassy in spirit at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday night. Than, she urged the crowd, twice, to go to Walmart and buy her latest record to heal. “I hope that there’s something I will sing, or I have sung, that will lift all of our heavy hearts today,” she said near the beginning of the show.Can we say GREEDY! IS THAT WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR?