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Rare chance to buy Whitney Houston’s former home

<p dir="ltr">The former home of Whitney Houston is available to buy for the first time in over a decade - and you’ll only need $US 1.6 million ($AU 2.1 or $NZ 2.3 million) to snap it up.</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with its claim to fame, the home includes something made with Houston in mind: a personalised built-in recording studio which she often used.</p> <p dir="ltr">The singer and <em>Bodyguard </em>star bought the ranch in Mendham, New Jersey, in 1993 for $US 537,000 (or $US 1.06 million today) and reportedly used it as her guest house for 17 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was then sold to the current owners for $US 940,000 in 2010, according to the <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2022/04/06/whitney-houstons-nj-home-and-studio-lists-for-1-6m/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Post</a></em>, two years before her death aged 48.</p> <p dir="ltr">With just one storey, the sprawling three-bedroom, four-bathroom home sits on a five-acre property which also includes a hot tub, tennis court, and backyard with enough room for a pool or “playing your favourite team sport”, according to the <a href="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-84435-zxe5rr/1-cross-way-mendham-nj-07945" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">There have been some renovations inside since Houston’s time, including converting the indoor pool into a three-season great room which opens out to the backyard.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, the owners say the recording studio has remained mostly untouched, having been used as a “sound-proof home office” with tributes to the iconic singer on the walls.</p> <p dir="ltr">The primary suite, last renovated in 2016, comes with its own dressing room and ensuite and is located in a private side hallway in its own ‘wing’.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the east wing, there is a den, two bedrooms, and a full bath.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0d7e5d43-7fff-c835-0e52-d0a5daa60e1b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images, Sotheby’s International Realty</em></p>

Real Estate

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Brian Houston resigns from Hillsong amid more scandal

<p dir="ltr">Brian Houston’s reign as the head of Hillsong Church has come to a shocking end, after it was announced he resigned from the global megachurch.</p> <p dir="ltr">The church’s founder resigned as Global Senior Pastor after an internal investigation into two incidents involving Brian found he had breached the church’s code of conduct, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hillsong-church-brian-houston-resigns-as-head-of-megachurch/f4ead2f0-5292-418f-a38a-5c579ee2680b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dear Church, we would like to advise you that Pastor Brian Houston has resigned as Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church and the board has accepted his resignation,” a statement from the church read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Irrespective of the circumstances around this, we can all agree that Brian and (his wife) Bobbie have served God faithfully over many decades.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We ask that you continue to pray for them, and the entire Houston family, during this challenging time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The church revealed last week that Brian had breached its moral code following the investigation.</p> <p dir="ltr">He allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to a staff member a decade ago, and entered a woman’s room at a conference in 2019 after mixing medication and alcohol.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The first issue was approximately a decade ago and involved inappropriate text messages from Pastor Brian to a member of staff, which subsequently resulted in the staff member resigning,” last week’s statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the time, Pastor Brian was under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hillsong said Brian apologised to the staff member and received help from the church for his use of sleeping pills.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Following an in-depth investigation, it was found that Pastor Brian became disoriented after a session at the Hillsong Conference, following the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol,” the statement said of the second incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This resulted in him knocking on the door of a hotel room that was not his, entering this room and spending time with the female occupant.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Although members of the church were likely rocked by the news on Wednesday afternoon, this moment has been a long time coming for critics of the church and its leader.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brian Houston‘s resignation as Global Senior Pastor of the church comes just a month after he stepped down as the church’s figurehead last month while facing charges of concealing historic child sex abuse offences committed by his father, Frank.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence of another person in October last year, pleading not guilty to the charges after he returned to Australia from the US.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hillsong’s external legal counsel gave the board advice regarding the current charge I’m facing and that it would be best practice for me to step aside completely from church completely during court proceedings,” Brian previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">These aren’t the first scandals Hillsong has been embroiled in either, with accusations of homophobia, celebrity pastor infidelity, and the accepting of millions in tax-free donations from attendees being just a few.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With that tax-free status must come greater responsibility. If you don’t pay taxes, like you and me, then you ought to be more accountable,” former Senator Nick Xenaphon told <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/hillsong-church-critic-reacts-to-leader-brian-houstons-resignation/fe878186-9fa6-4b1b-adf1-345478595282" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Obviously there’s a lot to unravel here but if you’re the leader then the buck must stop with you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With Brian’s resignation, Phil Dooley and his wife Lucinda have now taken over leading the church.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it’s still possible that this will simply be an interim measure until a new leader is appointed.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b1858bb-7fff-6b2b-a4e0-f89b17a71040"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Hillsong founder will “set the record straight’ on new charges

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brian Houston, the founder of the Hillsong Church, has said he will fight to clear his name after he was charged with allegedly concealing information about child sex abuse committed by his father.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Police will allege in court the man knew information relating to the sexual abuse of a young male in the 1970s and failed to bring that to the attention of police,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His father, Frank Houston, was a Pentecostal Christian pastor who faced multiple allegations of child sex abuse in the years leading up to his death in 2004.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frank Houston admitted to the abuse at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, which occurred several decades ago in Australia and New Zealand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before the abuse became public, Frank Houston was allowed to retire from the church.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brian Houston was charged following a two-year investigation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After police served his Sydney-based lawyers, Mr Houston, who received an exemption to leave Australia with his wife during the pandemic, released a statement concerning the allegations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“These charges have come as a shock to me,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a statement, Hillsong said it was “disappointed” that Mr Houston had been charged.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“[We] ask that he be afforded the presumption of innocence and due process as his right. He has advised us that he will defend this and looks forward to clearing his name,” the church said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Given that this matter is now before the court, neither Pastor Brian or Hillsong Church will be making further statements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We thank all who are part of our church for their support and prayers at this time.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Houston will be required to appear before a Sydney magistrate at Downing Centre Local Court on October 5.</span></p>

News

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“It will be an incredible show”: Whitney Houston set to have hologram tour in the works

<p><a href="https://www.musicweek.com/live/read/whitney-houston-hologram-tour-to-launch-in-uk/077282"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Music Week</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have confirmed that a hologram version of Whitney Houston will be going on tour in the UK next year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Houston is the latest artist to get the hologram tour and the show is being staged by Base Entertainment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The company have worked on hologram productions which include Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Amy Winehouse.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Amy Winehouse production is still currently in development, but the Whitney Houston hologram production is ready to go.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B09SHAAjv-Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B09SHAAjv-Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">We’re overwhelmed with all of the love and support around Whitney’s birthday! Continue celebrating all weekend long by listening to her essential tracks on @AppleMusic!</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/whitneyhouston/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Whitney Houston</a> (@whitneyhouston) on Aug 9, 2019 at 2:00pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It will be an incredible show,” said Seth Faber from music publishing company Primary Wave, who have recently partnered with the Houston estate. “So much effort has gone into making the show as authentic as possible. It’s going to be a phenomenal experience.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not the first time a Houston hologram has been in the works.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2016, a tour that was organised by a different company was set to go ahead but didn’t go ahead due to the estate pulling their approval at the last minute.</span></p>

Music

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The fascinating life of Whitney Houston

<p>It is without a doubt that Whitney Houston was one of the greatest entertainers of our time. Her powerful voice and stage presence ensured that she sold out stadiums around the world, as fans flocked to see the legend up close.</p> <p>Now, seven years after her passing, we take a look at the life the singer lived, and while it wasn’t always rainbows and sunshine, this was the legacy she left behind.</p> <p><strong>She came from a family of singers</strong></p> <p>It’s no wonder she was gifted with a beautiful voice, as it’s practically in her blood. Her mother, Cissy Houston was a Grammy-winning gospel singer and also worked with Elvis and Aretha Franklin as a backup singer.</p> <p>Aretha was also Whitney’s godmother.</p> <p><strong>She grew up on the rougher side of town</strong></p> <p>During her childhood, Whitney didn’t live a lavish lifestyle, with the performer recalling ducking from gunfire during the 1967 riots in Newark, New Jersey – her hometown.</p> <p>“I grew up in the ghetto,” she said in her biopic titled <em>Whitney</em>.</p> <p><strong>Those closest to her called her “Nippy”</strong></p> <p>The nickname was given to her at a fairly young age and was later on used as an alter ego for Whitney to get away from the fame and drama that came with being in the public eye.</p> <p><strong>She dated high-profile men</strong></p> <p>In the early years of her career, Whitney was linked to a string of famous men, including Eddy Murphy, restaurateur Brad Johnson, Robert DeNiro and American football quarterback Randall Cunningham.</p> <p>She went on to marry Bobby Brown in 1992, with the couple sharing a daughter together.</p> <p><strong>She was considered to be a beacon of hope for the black community</strong></p> <p>Despite being bullied for being lighter-skinned, Houston was eventually embraced by the African American community after she catapulted to fame.</p> <p>Her defining moment came after she appeared in the movie <em>The Bodyguard</em> alongside Kevin Costner, a film that broke social norms by showing a mixed-race couple at the forefront.</p> <p>"The idea that she was my leading woman seemed to be a very big deal in the black community. I never saw that, I simply saw she was the cutest, most beautiful girl who could sing, and she happened to be black," recalled Costner.  </p> <p>"Then I realised that she asked the plane to stop and she ran down the steps that every white woman has run down to kiss Cary Grant or whatever, and the camera went around, the way it went around white people kissing throughout the history of Hollywood and we forgot about what colour everyone was. That did change everything."</p> <p>In 1994, Houston went on to play in post-apartheid South Africa where she dedicated her performance to Nelson Mandela. All proceeds were donated to local children’s charities.</p>

Movies

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Madonna slams Whitney Houston in never-before-seen letter

<p>A never-before-seen letter of Madonna criticising Whitney Houston and Sharon Stone is up for auction.</p> <p>The singer allegedly penned the letter to actor John Enos in the early 1990s, describing both Houston and Stone as “horribly mediocre”.</p> <p>Madonna begins the letter by explaining that she’s been in a “foul mood lately” and is “so uncomfortable in my own skin right now”.</p> <p>The star then goes on, venting: “I have made so many people angry that I’m being punished and basically made to be quiet and sit in a corner, whole other less interesting and exciting people are reaping the benefits of the roads I’ve paved.</p> <p>“It’s so unequivocally frustrating to read that Whitney Houston has the music career I wish I had and Sharon Stone has the film career I’ll never have. Not because I want to be these women because I’d rather die, but they’re so horribly mediocre and they’re always being held up as paragons of virtue and some sort of measuring stick to humiliate me.”</p> <p>She continued: “Everything I do is so original and unique and I put so much of myself into it like my book and record and it’s only brought me heartache and pain”.</p> <p>We assume she’s referred to her controversial 1992 Sex photo book and accompanying Erotica album. Madonna faced a wave of backlash after the sexually explicit works were released.</p> <p>“I don’t think I can play the game to be accepted,” she wrote, “I’m too intelligent, I have too much pride”.</p> <p>Madonna suggested to Enos that she was “born in the wrong place and time and probably the wrong sex” before ending the letter pessimistically, writing, “I feel like I have no career, no family, nothing permanent or tangible.”</p> <p>“My outlook on life is black black black that’s why I’m no good for you or anyone else right now. I have to regain my sense of power and my joy for living.”</p> <p>According to the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.gottahaverockandroll.com/lotdetail.aspx?inventoryid=21110&amp;seo=madonna_handwritten_love_letter_to_john_enos">auction site</a></strong></span>, the letter comes from Darlene Lutz who is described as “a long-time personal friend of Madonna’s from her innermost circle”.</p> <p>The two-page letter is expected to fetch between $US3000-$5000 when it goes to auction. </p>

Music

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7 hit songs turned down by other artists

<p>From time to time, we all wonder what might have been if we’d just done something differently. In the world of music, it turns out this happens quite frequently! So many of the classic songs we loved in their heyday could have sounded much differently if the producers had gotten their way. Could you imagine what these hits would have been like if they were picked up by the artist who turned them down?</p> <p><strong>1. “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith was originally offered to Celine Dion</strong></p> <p>The pop legend’s incredible vocals could have certainly handled the lead track for the 1998 film <em>Armageddon</em>, but we simply can’t imagine it sung by anyone other than Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler, who skyrocketed the tune to number one in several countries, including Australia and the US.</p> <p><strong>2. “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston was originally offered to Janet Jackson</strong></p> <p>As talented as Janet Jackson is, there’s just no topping the powerhouse that was Whitney Houston. The 1985 song quickly became one of Houston’s biggest hits. Jackson turned it down, claiming it was “too weak” in comparison to the rest of her music. Bet she thinks differently now!</p> <p><strong>3. “Holiday” by Madonna was originally offered to Mary Wilson of the Supremes</strong></p> <p>This catchy 1983 tune was Madonna’s first hit on the mainstream charts, but it might have sounded a lot different. Turned down twice by Phyllis Hyman and former Supremes singer Mary Wilson, the critically-acclaimed “Holiday” helped launch Madonna to stardom.</p> <p><strong>4. “Call Me” by Blondie was originally offered to Stevie Nicks</strong></p> <p>Okay, this is one song we think both artists could have rocked. Producer Giorgio Moroder first approached Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and asked her to help write a song for the 1980 film <em>American Gigolo</em>. After declining, Debbie Harry came on board and the rest, as they say, is history!</p> <p><strong>5. “Hero” by Mariah Carey was originally offered to Gloria Estefan</strong></p> <p>Carey wrote the song for the 1992 movie Hero, intending for it to be performed by Gloria Estefan. However, she was persuaded to keep it herself by then-fiancé, Tommy Mottola, former CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, who told her “This is too good. Mariah, you have to take this song.”</p> <p><strong>6. “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue was originally offered to S Club 7</strong></p> <p>Could you imagine S Club 7 taking on the Pop Princess’ hit 2001 song? They almost did, after producers Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis put the song together. However, the band’s manager felt it wasn’t right for them. Sophie Ellis-Bextor also turned it down, leaving it to become Kylie’s signature song.</p> <p><strong>7. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds was originally offered to The Fixx, Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol</strong></p> <p>We can’t believe so many artists turned down what would become one the most iconic songs of the ‘80s. In fact, Simple Minds themselves declined to record it, but were contractually obligated to by their label. Lucky they did, because the 1985 hit is by far their most well-known and beloved songs.</p> <p>Which of these songs was your favourite? Let us know in the comment section below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/06/original-names-of-famous-bands/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The surprising original names of famous bands</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/05/actors-turned-musicians/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>7 actors we didn’t know were also musicians</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/05/1970s-songs-that-defined-a-decade/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1970s: songs that defined a decade</span></em></strong></a></p>

Music