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France: Whitney Houston estate disputes Oprah drug claim

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France – Whitney Houston’s estate has publicly challenged a recent account by U.S. television host Oprah Winfrey concerning the late singer’s condition and behavior during a 2009 appearance tied to the promotion of Houston’s final studio album, “I Look to You.” Speaking on June 23, 2026, at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France, where she received the LionHeart award, Winfrey recalled her final, highly publicized interview with Houston and alleged that the star later performed while under the influence of drugs and fell off the stage during a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey said she had developed such a level of trust with her studio audience that she was able to ask them not to disclose the incident, and that it did not leak to the media at the time. United States – Within hours of video of Winfrey’s remarks circulating online and being published by industry trade outlets, the Whitney Houston Estate issued an exclusive, formal statement disputing her version of events. The estate, managed by Houston’s sister-in-law Pat Houston, strongly rejected the suggestion that Houston fell from the stage during the show as a result of drug use and directly challenged Winfrey’s description of the incident. The statement framed the estate’s response as a defense of Houston’s legacy and the public record of her final major promotional tour, while underscoring that Winfrey’s new comments conflicted with the estate’s understanding of what occurred during the 2009 taping.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

2009 Houston promotes final album, I Look to You
2009 Houston appears on Oprah’s television show
2009 Interview covers drug use and marriage
2009 Alleged on-set fall during performance taping
June 23, 2026 Winfrey speaks at Cannes Lions
June 23, 2026 Remarks about Houston incident recorded
Hours later Houston estate issues formal denial
Following day Media outlets report intensifying dispute

Why This Matters to You

If you're a fan of Whitney Houston, this dispute might affect how you remember her legacy. It's a reminder to consider multiple perspectives when hearing about public figures. You can check the original Oprah interview and compare it with recent claims.

The Bottom Line

The Whitney Houston Estate is defending her legacy against Oprah's recent claims. The truth of what happened in 2009 is still unclear. If you care about Houston's memory, this is worth following. Send this to someone who loved her music.