2001: Nippy News Release Articles

Whitney Is Alive And Well
submitted by: Jaymes, Tyree, Lisa D.
source: Electronic Urban Report, ABC News, Reuters
Date: September 13, 2001

Nancy Seltzer (public relations) spoke to Whitney Houston personally this morning. She is fine. She doesn't know how rumors like this can get started at a time like this. Whitney would like everyone to focus their attention on what's really important: Saving lives. Whitney's Houston's heart, thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering. [From Platinum Club]

WHITNEY IS **NOT** DEAD
Whitney Houston is alive and well. Not the victim of overdose

(Sep. 13, 2001) "No one is checking sources! Whitney is fine."

*"This is not a good day, this is not cute this is not funny." Lionel Ridenhour, Executive VP/Arista Records fires off in response to the rumor flying around the country that songstress Whitney Houston died of drug overdose early this (Thursday) morning.

"I was on the phone with LA (LA Reid) when he spoke to her this morning, she is fine." Ridenhour is so angry he is sputtering.

"People don't have sh*t else to do right now and everybody is trying to run with things and nobody is checking sources, with all this craziness its easy for some sh*t like this to take on a life of its own. I'm very disappointed in people because we should be concentrating on the things that are really important right now, like the victims and the families with the tragedies here in New York and Washington."

Whitney is aware of the rumors, and according to a statement, she is fine and at home with her family. Maybe it is Whitney's waning appearance, (she seems to be disappearing right before our eyes) which could've be prompted the rumors.

In any case, while the rumors are being 2-wayed, faxed and phoned across the country, Ridenhour says the label and Whitney are negotiating to re-release her soul-stirring rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" (sung and recorded during the Gulf War) with proceeds of the sale going to the Red Cross to aid in the relief of the victims of the tragedy in New York and Washington.

Here is Arista's official statement:
Whitney Houston is fine. This is a rumor and it's not true. She thanks everyone for their concern. She is fine and at home with her family.

Whitney Houston's rep issued a shocked denial today to counter reports that the singer/actress has died.

In a statement, her publicist, Nancy Seltzer, said, "I've just spoken to Whitney. She is perfectly fine and does not understand why, with everything going on in the world right now, they have to find new rumors to dig up. She is home in New Jersey with her family."

Seltzer said people were calling the singer at home and sobbing, after apparently having heard reports of her death over the radio. According to the rumors, Houston had died of a drug overdose.

Fans and the media have speculated about Houston's health after her performance at Friday's Michael Jackson tribute concert at Madison Square Garden, where she appeared shockingly thin, even skeletal. The singer then bowed out of the second night of the concert without explanation, prompting heightened speculation about her health.

Houston has long been rumored to have drug problems, and in Tuesday's edition of the New York Daily News - which was evidently published before horrific terrorist attacks brought the city to a standstill - Seltzer denied fresh reports that her celebrity client was on drugs.

"Whitney has been under stress due to family matters, and when she is under stress, she doesn't eat," Seltzer told the New York tab at the time.

ABCNEWS.com's Buck Wolf contributed to this story.

Houston spokeswoman denies fatal overdose rumor

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop singer Whitney Houston's spokeswoman Thursday denied rumors that the superstar had died of an overdose.

"Whitney Houston is fine. This is a rumor and it's not true. She thanks everyone for their concern. She is fine and at home with her family," spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer said in a statement.

The source of the rumors was unknown. Said an official at Seltzer's office: "It's a very, very bad rumor that happened at a very, very bad time."

Houston, 38, performed during the tribute concert for Michael Jackson last Friday, when observers commented on her seemingly emaciated condition. She did not appear on the second night of the tribute the following Monday.

Houston was charged with marijuana possession after security personnel at an airport in Hawaii allegedly found a small quantity of the drug in her bag in January 2000. A judge later dismissed the charge.

The singer, whose No. 1 hits included "Saving All My Love For You" and "I Will Always Love You," last month signed a rich contract extension at Arista Records, reportedly worth more than $100 million. Arista is a unit of German media giant Bertelsmann AG.

Reuters/Variety REUTERS