Whitney Houston's Mother Criticizes Bobby Brown in New Book

Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images; Ben Gabbe/Getty Images

Whitney Houston's mother Cissy writes in her new book that she doubted from the start whether Bobby Brown was right for her daughter, and adds that Whitney might not have ended up so "deep" into drugs if they'd separated earlier, The Associated Press reports. 

"I do believe her life would have turned out differently," Houston writes in Remembering Whitney. "It would have been easier for her to get sober and stay sober. Instead she was with someone who, like her, wanted to party. To me, he never seemed to be a help to her in the way she needed."

100 Greatest Singers: Whitney Houston

In an interview, Houston said she has had no contact with Brown and said she has no reason to reach out to him. "How would you like it if he had anything to do with your daughter?" she asked.

Released today, about two weeks shy of the one-year anniversary of Whitney's death, the elder Houston said she wrote the book so that the people would not believe the worst about her daughter. Houston was found drowned in a hotel bathtub in Beverley Hills, California, last year, with authorities saying her death was complicated by cocaine use and heart disease. While Cissy writes that Whitney – whom she often refers to by her childhood nickname, Nippy – could be "mean" and "difficult," even questioning in her darkest moments whether her daughter loved her, she also remembers her as "almost always the sweetest, most loving person in the room." 

As for Brown, Cissy paints him as childish and impulsive, even jealous of Houston's success. In 2005, Cissy visited the couple's home in Atlanta to find the walls spray-painted with "big glaring eyes and strange faces" and Whitney's face cut out of a framed family photo. The next time Cissy returned she came with two sheriff's deputies who helped take Whitney to the hospital. 

"She was so angry at me, cursing me and up and down," Cissy Houston writes. "Eventually, after a good long while, Nippy did stop being angry at me. She realized that I did what I did to protect her, and she later told people that I had saved her life." 

Cissy says she was "extremely relieved" when Brown and Houston divorced in 2007, and is certain that if Whitney were alive she would still be making music. Cissy also added that she has seen Whitney's posthumous performance in Sparkle, saying she enjoyed it though the "whole movie was hard to get through."

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Whitney Houston's Mother Criticizes Bobby Brown in New Book

Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images; Ben Gabbe/Getty Images

Whitney Houston's mother Cissy writes in her new book that she doubted from the start whether Bobby Brown was right for her daughter, and adds that Whitney might not have ended up so "deep" into drugs if they'd separated earlier, The Associated Press reports. 

"I do believe her life would have turned out differently," Houston writes in Remembering Whitney. "It would have been easier for her to get sober and stay sober. Instead she was with someone who, like her, wanted to party. To me, he never seemed to be a help to her in the way she needed."

100 Greatest Singers: Whitney Houston

In an interview, Houston said she has had no contact with Brown and said she has no reason to reach out to him. "How would you like it if he had anything to do with your daughter?" she asked.

Released today, about two weeks shy of the one-year anniversary of Whitney's death, the elder Houston said she wrote the book so that the people would not believe the worst about her daughter. Houston was found drowned in a hotel bathtub in Beverley Hills, California, last year, with authorities saying her death was complicated by cocaine use and heart disease. While Cissy writes that Whitney – whom she often refers to by her childhood nickname, Nippy – could be "mean" and "difficult," even questioning in her darkest moments whether her daughter loved her, she also remembers her as "almost always the sweetest, most loving person in the room." 

As for Brown, Cissy paints him as childish and impulsive, even jealous of Houston's success. In 2005, Cissy visited the couple's home in Atlanta to find the walls spray-painted with "big glaring eyes and strange faces" and Whitney's face cut out of a framed family photo. The next time Cissy returned she came with two sheriff's deputies who helped take Whitney to the hospital. 

"She was so angry at me, cursing me and up and down," Cissy Houston writes. "Eventually, after a good long while, Nippy did stop being angry at me. She realized that I did what I did to protect her, and she later told people that I had saved her life." 

Cissy says she was "extremely relieved" when Brown and Houston divorced in 2007, and is certain that if Whitney were alive she would still be making music. Cissy also added that she has seen Whitney's posthumous performance in Sparkle, saying she enjoyed it though the "whole movie was hard to get through."

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Bobby Brown Arrested on New DUI Charge

Bobby Brown was arrested and charged with drunken driving this morning in Los Angeles, E! reports. It's the singer's second DUI arrest this year, and it comes after a stint in rehab. Brown was reportedly spotted weaving between lanes around 1:43 a.m. local time and pulled over. After smelling alcohol, police officers gave Brown a sobriety test, which the singer failed. Booking records indicate Brown remains in jail on $25,000 bail. No court date has been set.

Brown entered rehab earlier this year as part of a plea deal stemming from a March arrest for drunken driving. Brown was also convicted on a DUI charge in 1996 after getting arrested in Georgia.

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Bobby Brown Arrested on New DUI Charge

Bobby Brown was arrested and charged with drunken driving this morning in Los Angeles, E! reports. It's the singer's second DUI arrest this year, and it comes after a stint in rehab. Brown was reportedly spotted weaving between lanes around 1:43 a.m. local time and pulled over. After smelling alcohol, police officers gave Brown a sobriety test, which the singer failed. Booking records indicate Brown remains in jail on $25,000 bail. No court date has been set.

Brown entered rehab earlier this year as part of a plea deal stemming from a March arrest for drunken driving. Brown was also convicted on a DUI charge in 1996 after getting arrested in Georgia.

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Bobby Brown Charged With DUI

Bobby Brown performs with New Edition at NJPAC in Newark, New Jersey.

Bobby Brown was charged with three misdemeanor charges including drunken driving yesterday, the Associated Press reports. The singer, who was arrested on Monday afternoon in suburban Los Angeles, faces two DUI-related counts and another charge for driving on a suspended license. Brown allegedly had a blood alcohol level of more than 0.08 percent, which is over the level determining whether a driver is under the influence.

Brown was released from jail without having to post bail. His attorney, Tiffany Feder, would not comment on the case, but she did say that Brown is "taking this matter seriously" in a statement before he was charged. The singer faces up to six months in jail on the DUI counts if convicted on the charges.

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Bobby Brown Charged With DUI

Bobby Brown performs with New Edition at NJPAC in Newark, New Jersey.

Bobby Brown was charged with three misdemeanor charges including drunken driving yesterday, the Associated Press reports. The singer, who was arrested on Monday afternoon in suburban Los Angeles, faces two DUI-related counts and another charge for driving on a suspended license. Brown allegedly had a blood alcohol level of more than 0.08 percent, which is over the level determining whether a driver is under the influence.

Brown was released from jail without having to post bail. His attorney, Tiffany Feder, would not comment on the case, but she did say that Brown is "taking this matter seriously" in a statement before he was charged. The singer faces up to six months in jail on the DUI counts if convicted on the charges.

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Bobby Womack Released from Hospital

Bobby Womack performs with Gorillaz in Indio, California.

R&B legend Bobby Womack has been released from the hospital following a successful treatment for pneumonia, the Associated Press reports. The singer, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, is expected to undergo surgery at a later date.

Womack's cancer diagnosis was revealed to the singer's fans in a Facebook post by his close friend Bootsy Collins on Sunday. The singer, who was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, is a successful songwriter responsible for many hits, including "It's All Over Now," the Rolling Stones' first Number One single in the United Kingdom. More recently, Womack appeared on the Gorillaz hit "Stylo" along with rapper Mos Def.

Despite his illness, Womack is set to release a new album called The Bravest Man in the Universe on June 12th on XL. The record was produced by Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn and XL label boss Richard Russell. You can hear the album's first single, "Please Forgive My Heart," below.

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Bobby Womack Released from Hospital

Bobby Womack performs with Gorillaz in Indio, California.

R&B legend Bobby Womack has been released from the hospital following a successful treatment for pneumonia, the Associated Press reports. The singer, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, is expected to undergo surgery at a later date.

Womack's cancer diagnosis was revealed to the singer's fans in a Facebook post by his close friend Bootsy Collins on Sunday. The singer, who was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, is a successful songwriter responsible for many hits, including "It's All Over Now," the Rolling Stones' first Number One single in the United Kingdom. More recently, Womack appeared on the Gorillaz hit "Stylo" along with rapper Mos Def.

Despite his illness, Womack is set to release a new album called The Bravest Man in the Universe on June 12th on XL. The record was produced by Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn and XL label boss Richard Russell. You can hear the album's first single, "Please Forgive My Heart," below.

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Bobby Brown Arrested for DUI: Report

Bobby Brown performs in Newark, New Jersey.

Bobby Brown has been arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence in Los Angeles, TMZ reports. The singer was reportedly busted by cops in Reseda, California just after noon for driving while talking on a cell phone.

According to TMZ, the singer is in custody at a jail in Van Nuys. So far it has not been revealed what substance – or substances – police believe he was using before driving his car. Brown was previously convicted for a DUI from an arrest in Georgia in 1996. He plead guilty to that charge and served eight days in prison.

Brown's ex-wife, Whitney Houston, drowned to death with cocaine in her system on February 11th. Brown was turned away from the hotel in Los Angeles where she died, and was asked to leave her funeral service after a confrontation with her family.

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Bobby Womack Diagnosed with Colon Cancer

Bobby Womack performs with Gorillaz at the O2 Arena in London.

Soul legend Bobby Womack is suffering from colon cancer, says longtime friend Bootsy Collins. "I JUST SPOKE TO OUR FRIEND BOBBY WOMACK," Collins wrote on Facebook yesterday. "He Wanted You All to Know That He Loves You & Thxs for the Prayers. Docs Says He Is In 1st Stage of Colon Cancer, He is Very Up Beat About His Future, we laughed & joked before we hung up. Thxs Funkateers, we will get him Back on the One!" Earlier in the day, Collins revealed the singer had been hospitalized for pneumonia.

Womack, who was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, has an enormous body of work as a singer, sideman and songwriter. His hits as a vocalist include "Woman's Gotta Have It," "Lookin' For a Love," "That's the Way I Feel About Cha" and "If You Think You're Lonely Now." He penned hits for many other acts, including "It's All Over Now," the Rolling Stones' first Number One hit in the United Kingdom. More recently, Womack appeared on two tracks from the Gorillaz's 2010 album Plastic Beach, including the hit "Stylo."

Womack will release a new album produced by Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn and XL label boss Richard Russell, The Bravest Man in the Universe, on June 12th. You can listen to the record's first single, "Please Forgive My Heart," below.

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Bobby Womack Diagnosed with Colon Cancer

Bobby Womack performs with Gorillaz at the O2 Arena in London.

Soul legend Bobby Womack is suffering from colon cancer, says longtime friend Bootsy Collins. "I JUST SPOKE TO OUR FRIEND BOBBY WOMACK," Collins wrote on Facebook yesterday. "He Wanted You All to Know That He Loves You & Thxs for the Prayers. Docs Says He Is In 1st Stage of Colon Cancer, He is Very Up Beat About His Future, we laughed & joked before we hung up. Thxs Funkateers, we will get him Back on the One!" Earlier in the day, Collins revealed the singer had been hospitalized for pneumonia.

Womack, who was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, has an enormous body of work as a singer, sideman and songwriter. His hits as a vocalist include "Woman's Gotta Have It," "Lookin' For a Love," "That's the Way I Feel About Cha" and "If You Think You're Lonely Now." He penned hits for many other acts, including "It's All Over Now," the Rolling Stones' first Number One hit in the United Kingdom. More recently, Womack appeared on two tracks from the Gorillaz's 2010 album Plastic Beach, including the hit "Stylo."

Womack will release a new album produced by Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn and XL label boss Richard Russell, The Bravest Man in the Universe, on June 12th. You can listen to the record's first single, "Please Forgive My Heart," below.

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Bobby Brown Arrested for DUI: Report

Bobby Brown performs in Newark, New Jersey.

Bobby Brown has been arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence in Los Angeles, TMZ reports. The singer was reportedly busted by cops in Reseda, California just after noon for driving while talking on a cell phone.

According to TMZ, the singer is in custody at a jail in Van Nuys. So far it has not been revealed what substance – or substances – police believe he was using before driving his car. Brown was previously convicted for a DUI from an arrest in Georgia in 1996. He plead guilty to that charge and served eight days in prison.

Brown's ex-wife, Whitney Houston, drowned to death with cocaine in her system on February 11th. Brown was turned away from the hotel in Los Angeles where she died, and was asked to leave her funeral service after a confrontation with her family.

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Bobby Brown Leaves Whitney Houston's Funeral Over Seating Dispute

Bobby Brown arrived at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark today for the funeral of his ex-wife, Whitney Houston. He left the church after just fifteen minutes, however, following a dispute over seating arrangements. 

Us Weekly reported that a visibly distraught and red-eyed Brown had arrived at the private service with a large entourage and tried to take seats in the front row. While Brown, who was married to Houston for 15 years, had been invited to the service, his nine guests were not admitted and when his guests were turned away, Brown left too. 

The Rev. Al Sharpton wrote about the incident on Twitter: "I am at Whitney's funeral. I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney!" Sharpton followed up on the incident later in the day, tweeting "We are out of the service. I don't want anyone distorting Bobby Brown. He has shown love and respect today. Stop hatin.'"

Brown later released a statement addressing his departure:

"My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife  and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."

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Bobby Brown Leaves Whitney Houston's Funeral Over Seating Dispute

Bobby Brown arrived at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark today for the funeral of his ex-wife, Whitney Houston. He left the church after just fifteen minutes, however, following a dispute over seating arrangements. 

Us Weekly reported that a visibly distraught and red-eyed Brown had arrived at the private service with a large entourage and tried to take seats in the front row. While Brown, who was married to Houston for 15 years, had been invited to the service, his nine guests were not admitted and when his guests were turned away, Brown left too. 

The Rev. Al Sharpton wrote about the incident on Twitter: "I am at Whitney's funeral. I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney!" Sharpton followed up on the incident later in the day, tweeting "We are out of the service. I don't want anyone distorting Bobby Brown. He has shown love and respect today. Stop hatin.'"

Brown later released a statement addressing his departure:

"My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife  and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."

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Bobby Brown Pays Tribute to Ex-Wife Whitney Houston During Concert

Bobby Brown was on stage performing with New Edition at a show in Mississippi just hours after his ex-wife Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel Saturday.

Us Weekly reports that Brown missed the first song of the set, but then joined New Edition onstage. At one point in the concert, a teary Brown shouted "I love you, Whitney!" and blew a kiss toward the sky. While performing "Tenderoni," Brown broke down, sobbing and asked the crowd to sing along.

Brown and Houston were married from 1992 to 2007. They have one daughter, Bobbi Kristina, born in 1993. Their relationship was chronicled on the reality TV series Being Bobby Brown in 2005.

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Bobby Brown Pays Tribute to Ex-Wife Whitney Houston During Concert

Bobby Brown was on stage performing with New Edition at a show in Mississippi just hours after his ex-wife Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel Saturday.

Us Weekly reports that Brown missed the first song of the set, but then joined New Edition onstage. At one point in the concert, a teary Brown shouted "I love you, Whitney!" and blew a kiss toward the sky. While performing "Tenderoni," Brown broke down, sobbing and asked the crowd to sing along.

Brown and Houston were married from 1992 to 2007. They have one daughter, Bobbi Kristina, born in 1993. Their relationship was chronicled on the reality TV series Being Bobby Brown in 2005.

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