May 2002 Nippy News (Part II)

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2002/5/30
More Album Confusion: According to a BMG web site, Whitney's album release date may have been pushed back to October 8, which would match two initial schedules that BMG and Arista provided earlier this year. Following those initial reports, Arista revised its tentative release date to August 6 two weeks ago. Of note, the August 6 date appeared on the BMG site before it was ever publicized, and was changed to October after that date was provided to MTV two weeks ago. A BMG error may be to blame, or it could signify a later release. (Thanks Dzemil) On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" moves up the Billboard sales chart again and earns another bullet. Read the details released today. Divas in Germany: "Divas Las Vegas" will air June 30 at 8 p.m. on MTV in Germany. (Thanks Christoph)
2002/5/27
New RealVideo and Screen Captures: You can view and listen to Whitney singing "Everybody Rejoice" in concert from "The Wiz" in 1986. The clip was part of an A&E Biography 1986 show covering major events of that year, and Whitney's debut was included among them. The segment also includes part of an interview with Whitney from that year, and footage of Whitney rehearsing for Arista's 15th Anniversary special in 1990. Divas in Canada: "Divas Las Vegas" will air on June 9 at 9 p.m. ET on MuchMoreMusic. For more Whitney appearances, check the Nippy Events Calendar. Check out Fernanda's Brazilian fan site, Central Whitney Houston.
2002/5/26
From the New York Daily News: If Mary J. Blige wanted "No More Drama" at the "Divas Live" concert, she shouldn't have invited Whitney Houston to sing a duet with her. Blige and VH1 producers were said to be furious when Houston failed to show up for a rehearsal the day before the Thursday show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which also featured Cher, Shakira, Celine Dion and the Dixie Chicks. "Everybody was waiting and waiting for Whitney, and she never showed," a backstage source tells us. "The VH1 people were pulling their hair out." "Mary J. asked Whitney four times to perform with her," says another source. "She finally said yes. Did Mary J. and Whitney have an argument because of the delay? Yes. But they worked it out." Houston eventually sent word that she wasn't feeling well and made arrangements for a Thursday run-through of their duet on Blige's "No More Rainy Days." Houston's rep Nancy Seltzer said, "She was terribly sorry she missed the rehearsal. She apologized to Mary J." Blige's sister Latanya insists, "Mary wasn't upset with Whitney. I guess VH1 had some previous problems with Whitney. But Mary knew she was going to show up, and she assured them everything would be okay." A VH1 spokesman says producers had no complaints about Houston, who was looking much healthier than she did in her appearance with Michael Jackson at Madison Square Garden in September. "She looked and sounded fabulous," admitted one cynic. Larry A. has redesigned his site, A Shrine To Whitney Houston. Check it out.
2002/5/24
'Divas' in the News: Whitney's appearance at VH1 "Divas Las Vegas" led virtually all entertainment news reports about the event. Access Hollywood led its broadcast with "No more rainy days for Whitney Houston" and interviewed Mary J. Blige and Celine Dion for the segment. Mary said, "My friend, Whitney Houston, she's someone that I really love and I've always looked up to and appreciate, so that's really why I'm so happy is that she's here with me." The program added that Mary believes people shouldn't buy into the Whitney rumor mill. "Whitney is beautiful. Whitney is strong, regardless of what people think or what may be the case, she's still one of us, and somebody has to reach out and embrace someone some of the time. We can't always just beat up on each other every time something goes wrong because everybody has something go wrong with them. I guess I'm a living example of things going wrong, and right now, God has given me favor and boosted me up spiritually to a level where I can say, 'Here's my hand, let's go.' And that's what it's about." Celine said, "It was truly a wonderful thing to see Whitney so beautiful and so happy and back. When she came on, we were all crying because she's not only singing her soul out, she's singing her heart and soul, she's transparent. She forgets about performing, she's into the song and the joy, the pain. She's an incredible performer." Whitney also led the news on Entertainment Tonight, which showed clips of her performance and the audience reaction. ET correspondent Roshumba Williams interviewed all the stars backstage. She mentioned that Whitney arrived several hours ahead of time to rehearse with Mary J. Blige. When Mary was asked about the duet, she said, "Whitney, I love you, you're my dog, you're my dog...and can't nobody keep a good woman down." (Thanks Lee) More Divas Live Pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Divas in Europe: After e-mailing VH1-Europe to complain that "Divas Las Vegas" isn't on their current schedule, they replied that the show will air Saturday, June 1 at 14:00 and 20:00 CET, and Sunday June 2 at 15:00 and 19:00 CET. (Thanks Ioana) Check out Juan-Manuel's Whitney Only web site in French and Spanish!
2002/5/23
Divas Live RealVideo: Whitney sang "Rainy Dayz" with Mary J. Blige at VH1 "Divas Las Vegas" tonight. You can click the link to watch and hear the clip. Whitney begins to sing about 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the song. Screen Captures: Click here or on the thumbnail at the left to view nearly 80 pictures of Whitney singing tonight! Additional Photos: You can view Divas Live-related photos below that were taken by professional photographers: Whitney and Mary J. Blige following rehearsal - Pictures 1 & 2 (Thanks Dave) Onstage Pictures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" slips a bit on this week's Billboard sales chart. Read the details released today.
2002/5/22
Divas Las Vegas! Whitney will be making a special appearance on VH1's Divas Las Vegas, performing a duet with Mary J. Blige. Tune in to see which song Whitney will be performing from one of Mary's albums! This year's divas also include Cher, Celine Dion, The Dixie Chicks and Shakira. Divas Las Vegas will air live from the MGM Grand on Thursday, May 23 at 9 p.m. ET on VH1. In other news, Whitney is still recording for her upcoming release. She will soon be entering the studio with her good friend Babyface to work on a few tracks! [From the Platinum Club] Believe: This morning, Radio 3FM (The Netherlands) interviewed a Dutch producer who said he worked with Whitney on a song entitled "Believe," for her new album. When the radio DJ said he didn't like Whitney's attitude, the producer said she's okay when you know her a little longer. I don't remember the producer's name. (Thanks Foekje) Note: If you heard this interview on Radio 3FM, please e-mail the Nippy News if you know the producer's name or can provide additional information. Divas In U.K.: "Divas Las Vegas" will be shown in the U.K. on Friday, May 24 at 19:00. Two other shows including Whitney also will be shown that day: "The History of Divas" at 15:00 and "Viva Diva" at 18:30 and 22:00. (Thanks Luke M.) I can't vouch for the original source of the following report because it comes from the World Entertainment News Network (WENN), which often copies stories from tabloids. The story below appears to have come from a newspaper, but I'm not completely certain -- Songwriting Collaboration: Whitney Houston's comeback album will be produced [in part] by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and she has recruited Terry Lewis and Jimmy "Jam" Harris as songwriting partners. Lewis and Harris, who are most famous for co-writing Janet Jackson's megahits, are excited about working with Whitney - but determined to do things their way. Harris says, "Instead of just delivering songs that are ready to be recorded, we'd like to have her write, or at least be there when we write the song, so we can get a real sense of Whitney and the vibe she wants the song to have." (Thanks David)
2002/5/20
New Screen Captures: You can view a few clear pictures of Whitney and Bobby's five-second cameo from Ja Rule's "Down 4 U" video, which premiered on BET's "106 & Park" today.
2002/5/19
TV Reminder: Whitney and Bobby's five-second cameo in Ja Rule's "Down 4 U" remix video airs tomorrow during BET's "106 & Park," which runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, for those who would like to record it. For other TV appearances, check the Nippy Events Calendar. VH1 Diva Poll: You can vote for Whitney as the biggest diva in a new VH1 poll. She is currently in third place with Cher in the lead. (Thanks Mario)
2002/5/17
Album Coming In August Following confusion about Whitney's projected release date, MTV says her new album will be released in August: Look for Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston to share a toast on the beach in the upcoming video for Ja Rule's "Down Ass Chick" remix. Houston's own video shouldn't be out before too long; her label, Arista Records, said her next LP is scheduled for August 6. (Thanks Carl, Garret, Dora) Whitney On Divas Live From VH1: Divas Las Vegas is coming! See it live from the MGM Grand on Thursday, May 23 at 9/8c on VH1. And the Divas are: Cher, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, The Dixie Chicks, and Shakira. VH1 Divas Las Vegas will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, with announcer Wayne Newton. Also with special guests Anastacia, Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper and Whitney Houston performing with Mary J. Blige. (Thanks Garret, Michael, Dannie C., Dan L., Jennifer) Whitney Concert DVD: As expected, the "Live In Concert" DVD that has been listed for sale at several online stores is Whitney's "Welcome Home Heroes" HBO concert from 1991. The concert was issued on DVD by BMG Hong Kong, playable on Region 1 (U.S./Canada) machines. You can click here to view the cover. There are no extra inserts within the case or extra footage on the disc, and no interactive menu is included. The 80-minute tracklisting is shorter than the 96-minute VHS version that was released in 1991 because tracks like "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" are not included: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) Saving All My Love For You How Will I Know Love Medley - Didn't We Almost Have It All/A House Is Not A Home/Where Do Broken Hearts Go All The Man That I Need My Name Is Not Susan Anymore A Song For You Revelation Who Do You Love I'm Your Baby Tonight Greatest Love Of All (Thanks Lisa A.) Check out Sid's Brazilian Whitney Houston The Best web site!
2002/5/16
On the Charts: Whitney's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" climbs a bit on this week's Billboard sales chart. Read the details released today. If you missed the earlier Nippy News, use the News Archive or the newslog.