Houston takes surprise spin to Carousel fundraiser Posted 10/29/2006 7:39 PM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions | Subscribe to stories like this

By William Keck, USA TODAY BEVERLY HILLS — She didn't sing, but Whitney Houston's presence alone made her shine among a room full of glittering stars at Saturday's 17th Carousel of Hope Ball. It was the singer's first step back into the spotlight since seeking treatment for substance abuse and leaving longtime husband Bobby Brown. "I feel great," said a blond Houston, wearing diamonds and black Armani. Sounding more calm and focused than she has in years, Houston clearly was touched by the outpouring of love. "She's looking at the light, instead of darkness," said Houston's pal and the evening's honoree, Quincy Jones, who has known the singer since she was 16. Houston was escorted to the event by music producer Clive Davis, the night's other honoree. He noted, "She's been through emotional trauma, and everybody's rooting for her. We're going to make a killer album." Houston sat at the main table, where Halle Berry (in gold Elie Saab) was seated with boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. The semi-annual event has raised more than $70 million for childhood diabetes, and Berry, a diabetic, said she has been feeling well and remains hopeful for a cure. Also in attendance: Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher, Sidney Poitier, Minnie Driver, Kristin Davis, Hilary Duff and the evening's host, Jay Leno. Sharon Stone, who attended an L.A. event last week holding the hand of her Bobby co-star Christian Slater, playfully snapped, "None of your beeswax," when asked about a possible romance. And Candy Spelling, a familiar face at every Carousel Ball with late husband Aaron, attended this year with companion Mark Nathanson. In the silent auction room before the dinner, Spelling said she had bid on "some fabulous trip that's worth $23,000," though she could not remember the location. Houston's surprise appearance led American Idol's Katharine McPhee to abandon plans to sing her signature Over the Rainbow in place of Houston's I Have Nothing. "It's her first big appearance since the breakup," explained McPhee on the pink arrivals carpet. "I would love to sing with her, but unfortunately all eyes are on me." Houston nodded her head during McPhee's performance and led a standing ovation. Afterward, Davis brought McPhee over to meet Houston, who took McPhee's hands in hers. "She said she was really proud of me," said a tickled McPhee. The event's founder, Barbara Davis, sparkling in $12.5 million in Leviev diamonds, guided Stevie Wonder over to sit with Houston. "This is my baby," said Houston, taking Wonder's hand. "He's my baby, too!" piped Barbara Davis. Later, Barbara Davis ran over to Houston and pointed to a large screen replaying one of Houston's previous Carousel performances (The Greatest Love of All). "Look," said Barbara Davis, "that's you!" Houston smiled, appearing pleased with a reminder of her glory years. Barbara Davis, an American Idol fan, also invited former Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson to preview one of her songs from this December's big-screen Dreamgirls. Idol judge Randy Jackson expressed pride in seeing two of his discoveries invited to share this year's Carousel bill with such established performers as Barry Manilow, Usher and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. As for Hudson's dream, it was one shared by all: "It would be a dream to hear Whitney perform again. She had the greatest voice of all time." http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-29-houston-carousel_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA

 

she did sing i have nothing!!!!!!!!!! **sorry if you guys already knew**

Oh I didn't know because nobody ever bothers to tell me anything! Or listen to what I have to say.

I just saw that in the NEWS section! You beat me to it! That was soo cool. Whitney led the ovation after Kat sang! That is so cool!

Awesome! What a great honor

Very Cool

goes to show u paula randy and simon dont know all, huh? I bet that just tickeled her to no end.

Wow, I didn't know until just now either, thanks for the info. seems that some of our "lip readers" of still images are very very good.

Houston nodded her head during McPhee's performance and led a standing ovation.

Afterward, Davis brought McPhee over to meet Houston, who took McPhee's hands in hers.

"She said she was really proud of me," said a tickled McPhee.

Take that, Simon and Randy and Paula.

I'd love to know what Randy had to say to Kat afterwards.

The judges suck! Aw! I really want her singing IHN again!!

I was serious when I said earlier that I wanted Simon's e-mail address!!!

I am still amazed at the things that are happening for Kat. But then again I'm not suprised.

that's so awesome of kat to do that to honor whitney

what an honor to get to sing her song to her

like everyone else said...that'll show Simon

Wow, what an incredible thing for Kat to be able to sing  one of her own idol's songs directly to her at an affair like this with so many notable people present. Just meeting Whitney must have been a big moment for Kat, but to be able to sing "I Have Nothing" to her must have been an incredibly moving experience for her! For Kat to have gotten a standing ovation, led by Whitney, must have been so moving for her. Bet there were tears in those gorgeous, big eyes of hers!

That is awesome!! Katharine should be very proud of herself!!

Exactly! Even Whitney Houston herself gave Kat a STANDING OVATION!

 

I remember when I heard the comments of those 3 judges ... I was totally speecless ... my expression was like

 

"By choosing that song it is like coming out here and say that I'm as good as Whitney Houston... You're not!" Arrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh .....  .... Simon did the right thing apologizing to Kat for his comments....

A standing ovation led by Whitney... WOW!!!!!!!

Gloating is not good, but those of us who have been p'd off ever since Yellow Dress Night feel a little bit justified now,
I guess. Is there something about that song that requires a dress with a split skirt?

Haha randy must be eating crow now
what an honor for kat to sing that song in front of whitney and to get a standing ovation
speaks miles of her talent

lol at groucho. Would you prefer her not to have the slits in the dresses? That's what I thought.

Think of all the joy that you've had that would be lost from your life if those dresses weren't like that, lmao

AMAZING!!!!! I'm so glad that she got to prove herself with this song!

Wow, Whitney Houston leading a standing ovation... I always thought that Kat's performance of "I Have Nothing" was wonderful, not perfect, but wonderful and one of my favorites. I too thought that the judging of her performance was harsh especially, the "You're no Whitney Houston!" comments from Simon and Randy. I would love to hear last nights performance. Maybe it will turn up on Youtube. For your interest, I've posted her AI performance in the Media Section and yes, IHN was written by David Foster!

I knew we'd get some columnist who'd reveal what that song was--so thanks for posting that USA Today article. What's interesting is that those pictures sort of gave the impression that Kat also sang 'Over the Rainbow.' There's one there of her bending back with arm outstreched (and David Foster looking on at the piano) that reminded me of still shots we've seen of Kat's last note on 'OtR.' But I guess that final "If I don't have you..." line can bring on the same body positions. Besides, that outstretched arm isn't just used on 'OtR.' It can easily be used to convey the fierceness Kat puts into 'IHN.'

Frankly, I'm just as amazed as Katharine herself that Whitney Houston was there and got to meet her. And thanks to those who found the pic of Kat being introduced to her. When Kat sang 'IHN' on 'AI'--a lot of us sort of wrote Whitney as a footnote in music history that we'd probably never see again. All those ridiculous tabloid reports, too, of her being at death's door seemed to plant the image in your mind that she was a legend who didn't even seem to be alive anymore. Little did we know that Whitney was probably sitting at home watching Katharine sing 'IHN' last May...and realizing that Kat could be her torchbearer before long if still maybe a duet partner someday. While I would have thought Katharine would have met Barbara Streisand first (and set off a 'passing the torch' handshake once passed on to Celine Dion )--I'm extremely happy to see Whitney trying to get her life in order and now hooking up a friendship and possible symbolic torch pass to Katharine last night. Whitney really was one of my favourite female singers back in the 80's and early 90's. Her voice was the greatest of her generation. Now, Katharine is...though I'd love to see them do a duet together. That's something I never thought we'd be talking about.

Trying to put this whole event in context is quite overwhelming. I can see the same sentiments in other people's posts who are struggling to put it all together and weighing the magnitude of what Kat did last night. It's truly the beginning of something huge here--even beyond what we probably thought. Seeing that list of people who saw Kat sing only gives you more goosebumps, because many of them are already popular singers/actors in Hollywood who will be competing against Katharine. I don't like to bring up the 'envy' card...but some of those female singers and actresses there last night must feel a bit threatened that Kat got over (what is it up to now?) 100 pictures on Wireimage and was really being primed as a force to be reckoned with. I'm sure they truly love her though, even if some don't admit it. Even Paris Hilton probably feels like crawling into a cave somewhere after that performance. And maybe we can pay her to do that.

By the way, Kat changing from 'OtR' to 'IHN' at the last minute is absolute performing brilliance and bravery rolled into one. Only Kat could spontaneously get up there and do that in front of a legendary crowd. She's truly the most in control when on a performing stage.

Now, if we can just find a vid of Kat singing 'IHN.' I have a feeling there were no recording devices allowed though. But we need another performance of 'IHN'--especially with the shot of Whitney giving her a standing O. Yes, Randy probably had to eat several hats after the party was over last night. We have to remember, though, that I think the judges said their critical comments just to stir the pot for ratings and may not have been their true feelings. Any lamebrain who wasn't wowed by Kat's 'IHN' on 'AI' is probably a corpse.

Kat makes a last minute switch to that controversial little number WITH Randy in the audience, and scores a standing O.

Isn't Karma wonderful sometimes?

As John Lennon once sang:

"Instant Karma's gonna get you ... gonna knock you off your feet.
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet

How in the world are you gonna see
Laughing at fools like me
Who on earth do you think you are? A superstar?
WELL RIGHT YOU ARE!

Well we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Everyone, come on!"


LOVE IT!

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

She sang IHN - awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I dont know why, but I see shades and splashes of YELLOW in front of me now.....

cheers

I am so proud of Katharine. That is so amazing!!! Katharine singing "I have Nothing" is perfect.

 That's awesome, I soo want to hear /see this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A8Q6cC52KM
eat crow judges! =>

Katharine is a person of such exceptional character and her opting to sing INH at this event is yet another example!I am so touched by Kat's choices and here, the misguided AI judges were treated to a touch of poetic justice with an encore performance!!Cheers to you,Katharine...for all the honorable things you do!!!!