<\/p>\n
FILE – Whitney Houston performs at the pre-Grammy gala & salute to industry icons with Clive Davis honoring David Geffen in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2011.<\/p>\n
Mark J. Terrill\/AP Photo\/Mark J. Terrill<\/p>\n
A Whitney Houston Barbie doll appears in New York on July 30, 2026. (Photo by Matt Licari\/Invision\/AP)<\/p>\n
Matt Licari\/AP Photo\/Matt Licari<\/p>\n
This album cover image released by Arista\/Sony shows \u201cWH1TNEY,\u201d featuring songs by Whitney Houston. (Arista\/Sony via AP)<\/p>\n
Arista\/Sony via AP<\/p>\n
A Whitney Houston Barbie doll appears in New York on July 30, 2026. (Photo by Matt Licari\/Invision\/AP)<\/p>\n
Matt Licari\/AP Photo\/Matt Licari<\/p>\n
FILE – Pat Houston accepts the lifetime achievement award on behalf of Whitney Houston during the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2026. (Photo by Richard Shotwell\/Invision\/AP, File)<\/p>\n
Richard Shotwell\/AP Photo\/Richard Shotwell<\/p>\n
NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 It was four decades ago next year that Whitney Houston released \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),\u201d a timeless hit in a career made up of them. And it is just one of her 11 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, all of which have been compiled into a new album, \u201cWH1TNEY,\u201d released Friday.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The record is part of ongoing birthday celebrations for Houston, who would’ve turned 63 on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
There’s also the fifth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala, taking place Saturday night, and a Whitney Houston Barbie \u2014 her first, ever, courtesy of parent company Mattel \u2014 releasing Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a dream come true,\u201d says Pat Houston, the executor of Whitney Houston\u2019s estate and her sister-in-law.<\/p>\n
In this interview, Pat Houston discusses the No. 1 hits collection, the new Barbie, if a \u201cMichael\u201d-style biopic is on the table and more. It has been edited for clarity and brevity.<\/p>\n
AP: Why a collection of her No. 1 hits and why now?<\/p>\n
HOUSTON: Whitney always believed that the ultimate collection represented the very best of her career. And you know, it brought together songs that defined generations. It broke records. It touched hearts around the world. And those kinds of hits were not just chart toppers, they were the soundtrack to millions of lives and a testament to a voice that will never be duplicated. So, you know, celebrating her No. 1s is really a no-brainer.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
AP: There’s also the first Whitney Houston Barbie arriving Sunday. She’s wearing her 1987 \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody\u201d music video look.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON: It is her first ever Barbie. And let me tell you something, what made this journey special is because Whitney and I had conversations about Barbie more than 20 years ago. And to see this vision finally come to life decades later is both emotional and very much inspiring. You know, it served as a beautiful reminder that some dreams take time. And when they\u2019re rooted in love and purpose, you can transcend generations and that\u2019s what this Barbie is doing.<\/p>\n
Visiting the showroom and working hand-in-hand with Mattel\u2019s talented team, it was an honor to witness how much they care about the creativity and the commitment they had behind celebrating Whitney\u2019s legacy to make this such a meaningful experience.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
AP: Music industry giant Clive Davis died in June. His legacy is inextricable from Whitney Houston’s legacy. How do you view him?<\/p>\n
HOUSTON: You can\u2019t mention Whitney Houston and not mention Clive Davis and you can’t mention Clive without mentioning Whitney Houston. Every conversation that Clive Davis has in music, he ultimately speaks about Whitney Houston. He played a very, very important role in her life. And it went beyond the music. They truly loved one another. He was a part of her and still is a part of her legacy.<\/p>\n
Whitney would tell you herself, \u201cI had the talent and the craft, but this is someone that revered my career.\u201d And he did until the day that he died. And I so appreciate that from Clive.<\/p>\n
AP: Next year is the 35th anniversary of \u201cThe Bodyguard.\u201d Any big plans?<\/p>\n
HOUSTON: There are some things that we\u2019re working on. Until the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed, I never like to say.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
AP: The Michael Jackson biopic was a smash this year. Would you want to do something similar with Whitney? Maybe a two-part film?<\/p>\n
HOUSTON: Whitney\u2019s catalog is incredible and that voice is matchless. Of course there\u2019s plenty of things that can be done, but you don\u2019t want to do an overkill. You don\u2019t wanna oversaturate the industry without having purpose. It has to have purpose in order for us to put something out there or deliver something to you.<\/p>\n
But yes, different things come to the table all the time, but we\u2019re cautious and careful.<\/p>\n
![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784369837_599_rawImage.jpg\" "\\"#\\"")
<\/p>\n
Smart, funny and sometimes unhinged look at the week that was.<\/p>\n
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use<\/a> and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n