Whitney Houston’s mom Cissy Houston a gospel singer spoke out about Whitney being inducted into the hall of fame Saturday.
“I’m so very, very proud that Whitney’s being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Cissy Houston, 87, said in a video clip from the induction ceremony on HBO. “She wanted to be something, not anything.”
The singer’s sister-in-law and manager, Pat Houston, also shared what the award would have meant to Houston.
“This is something that Whitney always wanted,” Whitney Houston’s mom continued. “I remember in 2009 we were in London and Whitney looked at me, and she said, ‘This is really special, but there’s only one thing missing: I’ve got to get the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.’”
“Yeah, she did it,” Cissy Houston chimed in.
Her posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is one of hundreds of awards that represent her legendary career. She has also won six Grammys, 22 American Music Awards, an Emmy and countless other accolades.
“This moment right now proves it all, that there’s only one matchless Whitney Houston,” her sister-in-law said during Saturday’s ceremony. “Tonight, she would be very proud and honored to receive this award.”
“What can I say now?” Houston’s mother said, as she reflected on accepting the honor on behalf of her daughter. “If I talk too long, I’ll cry. I don’t want to cry. So thank you.”
The special aired on HBO and streamed on HBO Max at 8 p.m. EST. On November 7th, 2020. HBO is owned by CNN’s parent company.
During the ceremony, which was broadcast on HBO, Keys paid tribute to the late star, who died in 2012. “Whitney Houston is one of one,” she said. “There is no one like her and there never will be.”
Keys spoke of Houston’s influence on her life and career, recalling “listening to her music and dancing around the house and jumping on my bed singing her songs into my hairbrush”. “This golden voice with range and runs and power like none and a face and a presence like royalty,” she said. “She was every little girl’s admiration.”
