Whitney Houston Cannot Sing Anymore – Watch Her Try on Dancing with the Stars

Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 01:26 AM | Dancing with the Stars
Tags: Dancing with the Stars 9, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Million Dollar Bill, Ryan Conferido, Video, Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston Cannot Sing 01-2009-11-25.jpg

Sadly, Whitney Houston has lost her ability to sing. She tried to sing “Million Dollar Bill” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” on Dancing with the Stars which was pre-taped last Monday — and failed.

She was off-key and hoarse in most parts of “Million Dollar Bill” — which had only a few notes of melody to sing — and in “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” she wasn’t singing at all — it was almost spoken word. She can’t hold notes anymore and is out of breath. This is so tragic.

Does she really need the money? Can’t she just live off her royalties or something? Or is it an ego thing?

Like many of you, I grew up with Whitney Houston music playing on the radio, and to see her like this is really sad. I would like her to succeed in her comeback, but there is no comeback to be had if the instrument that made her famous and successful all those years is gone. Yup, it’s gone. I know that you lose your vocal ability as you age, but this is highly unusual since Whitney’s not that old.

Don’t do drugs kids. And save your money.

Oh, btw, Ryan Conferido — my favorite bboy dancer! — from Quest Crew and So You Think You Can Dance was one of the dancers. And Gev Manoukian from SYTYCD was there too.

Watch the video here:

Ryan Conferido 01-2009-11-25.jpg

Gev Manoukian 01-2009-11-25.jpg

Million Dollar Bill

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

29 Comments for Whitney Houston Cannot Sing Anymore – Watch Her Try on Dancing with the Stars

1

Sadly Whitney has distroyed her voice with smoking drugs. She can’t sign good enough to go on American Idol. I feel sorry for her, I do hope somebody finds a line to hawk on QVC coz she still has style.
Nothing but good wishes for the closed eyed gal.

Blondie on November 25, 2009 at 1:50 am
2

She is a cautionary tale about not doing drugs…

So sad to see all that talent frittered away… I just remember explosive and powerful she was.

Her voice really is gone.

jiggamang on November 25, 2009 at 1:56 am
3

I Love Whitney Houston….
She can sing, she was tired in this day, but in other shows she sing best….

Whitney the best…

Thiago Vinicius on November 25, 2009 at 3:08 am
4

WTF.. Wow.. I really hope she was just tired during this performance cause she tried rushing that song with minimal effort.

JayeSD on November 25, 2009 at 3:53 am
5

Well, at least she looks better.

Klope62 on November 25, 2009 at 5:30 am
6

This is the 4th live show I’ve seen her on during this CD comeback and she can no longer sing. She is not tired. She’s a drug burn out. She can’t come back. It’s that simple. Quit with this public appearance charade Whitney. Stay home.

wayno10 on November 25, 2009 at 6:00 am
7

yeah agree. I have seen on several times now since her comeback and she is def. not tired. She just haven´t got it anymore thanks to the drugs. She sounds really bad here.

mike on November 25, 2009 at 6:22 am
8

Earth to Rickey: Read Roger Friedman at showbiz411.com, he’s been covering Whitney for a while. She’s broke. She only gets royalties on “old” records as an artist. She hasn’t written much as far as song, if anything. She lost a couple of homes a few years ago. The crack chewed up her pocketbook.
Yes, she needs the money. She probably needs to act vs. sing, but singing is the best way back to the spotlight. There was a gossip item that she was being considered for Desperate Housewives. Maybe?

Marie Ruffin on November 25, 2009 at 7:01 am
9

Based on that performance, she cannot carry a concert. She told Oprah that “she forgot the voice” while she was doing drugs.

However, if you look at someone like Aretha Franklin, she too cannot hit those notes and have not been able to for a good 10 years, but she knows how to “entertain”. And that’s what Whitney will have to do. There are a lot of singers that don’t “sing”, but can get the audience “involved”….she’ll be fine. She’s got Clive at her back.

Marie Ruffin on November 25, 2009 at 7:24 am
10

She looked good anyway, she can still rock a tight dress. And she still has that wedding ring. Looked like she’s having fun and glad to be back.

Her first concert is in Russia, it will be interesting to see if she can get the interest back here in the U.S. I would pay to see her.

Marie Ruffin on November 25, 2009 at 7:37 am
11

She looks better. She sounded OK comparing to how she’s sound on the promotion for this album.

That said it’s undeniable that her voice and overall health has been damaged by the chronic pot (lasted with rock cocaine) smoking. She’s frequently out of breath which is more concerning than the rough vocal.

Anyone know if she does any smoking at all these days, even tobacco?

druzilla on November 25, 2009 at 7:53 am
12

Compare to this live 1989 performance of the same song on the Top of the Pops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECM0DCGkw6A

druzilla on November 25, 2009 at 7:55 am
13

I don’t understand how it’s drugs that have ruined her voice? I have known some TRUE crack addicts who have maintained their voice after doing SERIOUS crack. Im not getting how it’s drugs that have ruined her voice. I’m thinking it was an operation or something gone awry. I mean what famous musician hasn’t had a serious drug problem, but they seemed to have maintained theirs.

Either way present Whitney is a #FAIL

Mr. FAMU on November 25, 2009 at 8:16 am
14

The biggest SHOCK to me is how people actually give her new CD good reviews. It’s AWFUL. It’s poorly sung and poorly produced. Yet it’s sold nearly 800,000 copies, so far, without a hit.

DJ Jayito on November 25, 2009 at 10:22 am
15

Whitney didn’t sound good on the AMA’s neither. Some people lose their high notes when they get older, or perhaps she did something that wasn’t good for her health. In either case, her song had more emotion in it than actual good singing. Didn’t care for her performance. Too bad.

Shirley on November 25, 2009 at 10:27 am
16

Oh my…my worst fears for Whitney may be realized. This is only the 2nd time I’ve heard her sing live since her horrible concert on GMA. I just figured she was hoarse back then. Now, hearing her last night…I was shocked…but presumed she was hoarse again.

But it sounds like, from what some of you have written…every recent live performance has sounded like last nights. That’s not good…not good at all.

Deborah Cox…I hope you’re ready to step up your game…you’ve been flying below the “Whitney” radar for all these years. You have the chops to take over where Whitney has stumbled. The time has probably past you by for the young folks market…but us more mature folks still need a hot soulful female siren!

feaqs on November 25, 2009 at 10:35 am
17

I agree…I am also a Whitney Houston fan, however, I have been anxiously watching her recent television appearances and I too, have been very disappointed, almost shockingly!!! I don’t believe she can sing anymore either, her voice is SHOT…so husky, deep and hoarse. On DWTS, she wasn’t even singing I Wanna Dance With Somebody…it was mostly the backing vocalists! She cant hit or hold her notes…it is sad. I also don’t believe she should go on a world tour either at this point…someone should stop her from doing so cuz I doubt she will hold up let alone sing night after night. Its sad…and I empathize with her.

Malik Sinclair on November 25, 2009 at 10:51 am
18

oh gosh. the comments are so bad, i can’t even bring myself to listen to her, lest i’m devastated.

yingzhi on November 25, 2009 at 10:51 am
19

It’s time to retire gracefully.

Cremant on November 25, 2009 at 10:56 am
20

Cremant: Did you know that Whitney was also an “actress”? She can act, she can make appearances, she’s got a lot to offer. Singing is just one of her talents. Give her credit for coming back, not as strong, but coming back.

FAMU: She told Oprah that while she was doing crack or whatever, “she forgot about her voice”…this was a signal that her voice wasn’t up to what it was years ago.

Did anyone see the EW (or was it Rolling stone) article about singers who have lost their voice over the years….because of drinking, drugs, or just age? It was quite interesting. But the artists are still pulling people into the concert halls.
Roger Daltry was one of those mentioned.
Whitney will do just fine. When she tours in the U.S. again, she will pull in the audience. Now, the one thing she won’t be able to do is “special” events, like what Jennifer Hudson is doing; and “corporate” events. They want top quality singers at those corporate and white house events.

Marie Ruffin on November 25, 2009 at 12:20 pm
21

Whitney may have unwittingly become a poster child for Just Say No to Drugs.

steve on November 25, 2009 at 1:29 pm
22

The last time i’ve checked Whitney released a new album “I Look To You” which debuted at Billboard at #1 and I’ve seen her performed “LIVE” at so many occasions since then. and definitely SHE CAN SING!

Why everytime whitney houston sang there would always be this someone writing things about her performance? Well maybe because of so much expectations from a name Whitney Houston. I mean, madonna for instance can’t definitely sing now! she’d lip synched most, if not all of her recent (2009) performances. Janet Jackson lip synched. Mariah Carey lip synched too. I mean what’s wrong with whitney’s voice? Atleast she’s giving us true music by singing live!

This woman is not the same woman 20 years back. So move on. At least she’s still delivering music for us! And please don’t say she can’t sing anymore. You’ve just watched her sing. and whom do you want to see singing now eh? don’t write as if you’re a great critique or has a reputation to do so.

Daniel on November 25, 2009 at 10:27 pm
23

Well, she can still sing on pitch, that is something. She is just singing the wrong songs.
She just is not a power ballad singer anymore and she’s not an up-tempo singer.

She needs a song that is written specifically for her, for her abilities. I mean, she is still better then Brittany live! She CAN make a comeback, just do it smart.

awau on November 26, 2009 at 12:42 am
24

Whitney Houston can no longer sing. There’s no point in comparing her to Brittney, Madonna, or any other artist who never could sing anyway. If it wasn’t for their outlandish antics, most of them would never have had a career. Whitney Houston was a singer’s singer. Live, recorded, it didn’t matter, she was definitely one of the best voices of all time. She’s horrible now. She can’t even sing mid-range notes. Now, her family should be able to recognize this and all the hugging the posing for the cameras doesn’t change what everyone else can see. They should tell her to bow out gracefully. And she can’t act either. I don’t empathize or sympathize with her. She had it all and she pissed it away.

Miss B on November 26, 2009 at 11:41 am
25

My wife and I were shocked at just how bad her voice is now. We saw her on both the music awards and Dancing with the Stars.

We were embarrassed for her. Somebody should advise her NOT to do any more live performances.

Just from what I saw, live, I would definitely not buy her new CD.

And from reading these comments I’m not alone.

Whoever wants to be in denial and defend her, I say wake up and take off those blinders.

Sorry to say…

Vinny

Vinny on November 26, 2009 at 4:36 pm
26

I couldn’t believe the performance on “Dancing with the Stars.” It was as though her dress was too tight and she couldn’t take a deep breath. She was taking breaths after every couple words in several places. I agree, the backup singers were carrying the song. Very sad, her voice was soooo amazing, and now there’s nothing. I also didn’t like how her face didn’t change expression, it was very frozen. Just a shame how things have worked out for her.

Elaine on November 29, 2009 at 4:23 am
27

What is sad is how negative and judgemental all of these comments are. Houston’s CD “I Look To You” debuted at number #1. Not only in the US but in 6 other countries. Her record sale totals are close to 800,000. Whitney’s CD is really good and that is why people are buying it. Whitney’s performances on the X-Factor in the UK and Italy were good. Especially, the performance in Italy. A country where they adore her. Whitney was the one that everyone was waiting to see on the American Music Awards. And her performance was exceptional and very emotional. I enjoyed her performance on DWTS. I think she was tired but I also think she was pissed off at the audio editing. Imagine that, after 7 years away she returns with a #1 CD. Better thank Mariah Carey and Madonna. Whitney is a singer’s singer and she will never lip synch. Regardless of the naysayers, her CD is already successful. And, if you choose not to buy it, I consider it your loss. Whitney can still sing……Nothing out there compares to her and there is no one who can take her place. No one.

Princess P. on November 30, 2009 at 12:16 am
28

she needs to sit her pot belly on down. She cannot sing anymore. She is just a big disappointment. I hope she puts this pity album money to some use. PITIFUL!!!

kreshong on December 3, 2009 at 3:35 am
29

I grew up listening to Whitney. Her voice was one of the magical and angelic I had ever heard. For my generation Whitney set the standard for what a real diva should sound like. But that is all behind her now. She abused herself and it cost her dearly. Poor Whitney must be singing for ego now, and the sad thing is people are letting her embarrass herself. Fans, her record label and anyone within ear shot, can tell her voice is gone. Whitney knows her gift is gone too, she just has to admit it and walk away from the spotlight.

TLF on December 10, 2009 at 4:38 pm