Whitney was extraordinarily smart, you could see this in her early interviews. As a teen she was poised and could always carry a conversation with virtually anyone - that is a gift. By her own admission she listened to the experience around her - compared to other young women Whitney knew the game before it started - not to mention that it was EFFORTLESS for her. That is a rare amongst female vocalists.

She knew music, but it has been said that she was far too sheltered by her family and it hurt her badly when confronted with serious problems. Sexuality and Drug addiction could not be prayed away. Robyn Crawford said Whitney was in the "Drivers seat," so we believe that. She seemed very happy in the 80's with Crawford, friends that knew their home life said they appeared to be very much in love, Robyn was kind, approachable, protective in a lovingly healthy way. For nearly 22 years Crawford was understanding, utterly loyal and ultimately could no longer standby as Brown dragged Whitney to hell.

Her involvement with Brown was a shock. Reports have surfaced from witnesses that Brown (for a million reasons) began "running Whitney down" and denigrating her as a "Pop Star." So the guy that she married for Street Creds in private life all but called her Whitey! That little Bitch Brown - one hit wonder - was so insecure is it any wonder she turned to drugs in the mid '90's? From a domneering Mother, to running her own show with a trusted beloved partner & very competant biz associates that totally supported her, to a Bad Boy Man Child she loved but was so insecure she had to Elevate him to "Man of Everything."

All the gossip, the emergence of ACTUP, outing of powerful people that neglected the suffering of the LGBT community - Whitney was no way dumping this guy after 2 years of marriage. (She told Oprah she was ready to call it off within a year of the marriage). Bisexual that she surely was, she still had that thing women do that want to "fix those Bad Boys."

She told us why she ramped up the drug escapism:1) hounding Fame 2)Contractual & financial obligations to the Brand and Family 3) Endless tension from her childish, self medicating Bi-Polar husband vs Crawford who prob did her best to keep the peace 4)SUPREME LOVE OF HER DAUGHTER WHICH WAS PROB ALL SHE REALLY CARED ABOUT. Brown routinely embarrassed her in the media - she couldnt catch a BREAK from this guys behavior. Still she loved him. Even today he still blames their marriage for his mediocre career and surely would have dragged her to hell as would his mentally ill lunatic sisters if she left him.

Whitney did a tremendous amount of good in this world - she deserves to be remembered for more than the health problems she suffered in her later years. Whitney remains the Gold Standard for female vocalists, surely this will be the same in decades to come. Whitney smashed the Music industry's racism and stereotyping of African American singers. Whitney made the Bey's, Mariah's happen.

Whitney deserves more compassion for the beauty she contributed to the music, television and film world than this thread delivers.