Kaiser and I have been frankly appalled at some of the coverage of Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, following her mother’s untimely death. Tabloids are pointing out that she’s been looking drugged-out, and that she was “wasted” at Whitney’s funeral. The consensus among a lot of people is that the poor girl’s mom just died and she deserves some compassion. I think it’s fine to report the facts, that she was understandably upset after her mom died (who wouldn’t be, my God) and that she passed out in a tub at the same hotel prior to when her mother was found to have died under sadly similar circumstances. To speculate on her drug use while she’s grieving, or to even report on it using solid sources, just seems to go too far. Even when it’s couched in concern, like this comparatively mild story in US Weekly, it bothers me. They do an ok job at sounding sympathetic, but I want Bobbi to have some privacy at this very sad and heartbreaking time for her. Here’s US‘ coverage, and they’re not the source we’re really talking about when we pose this question.
Prayers for Bobbi Kristina.
As the only child of the late Whitney Houston and Bobbi Brown reels from her mother’s sudden Feb. 11 death, her family members — including maternal grandmother Cissy Houston and cousin Dionne Warwick– are gravely concerned for the 18-year-old aspiring singer.
Multiple sources tell the new Us Weekly that the aspiring singer — who watched both of her parents struggle with substance abuse — has turned to drugs, and her loved ones are urging her to go to rehab.
“Whitney’s passing is sending Bobbi off the deep end,” one insider says, adding that her family is “shocked” by the scope of her issues.
“Bobbi’s problems are out of control,” the insider notes.
[From US Weekly]
I’m in my late 30s. If my mom died now I would be a total wreck and would probably go “off the deep end” too. I wouldn’t do drugs, but I would probably drink too much for a while. If my mom died when I was all of 18 I would have been on whatever anyone handed me. I don’t think it’s fair to report Bobbi Kristina’s issues or to scrutinize what she’s doing.
That said, I hope Bobbi gets to rehab if she needs it, but she needs friend and family around her at this terrible time, and rehab may be too isolating. A friend of the family, “Aunt Dolly” was on Extra! and she revealed that “the family is looking after” Bobbi and that “everybody is really around her, lifting her spirits up. Talking about her mom, and how much her mom loved her.” Just hearing that breaks my heart. Aunt Dolly also said that Bobbi “will have a chance to be around her cousins. To be around Cissy [her grandmother] more.”
Here’s one of my favorite comments on US Weekly:
This young lady has suffered an insurmountable loss … and worst yet, she has had to endure this tragedy under the microscope of the media. The best thing that you can do is not assume that demons are making their way into her life … let her mourn the loss of her beloved mother and grieve. None of us knows what it is like to be the child of a celebrity and then have to share ever waking moment of your existence with the world watching. Leave Bobbi Kristina alone because at the rate that the media/press is going, you’re going to push her down that path of destruction just for the sake of escaping you!
[From commenter Kimberly]
The tabloids have no shame… Tha national enquirer even went as far as to recreate Whitney death scene
I saw that at the grocery store too and was disgusted, those people are the lowest of the low I don’t see who people believe what the print let
alone buy that trash.
That’s the thing, NE is rabid, and gets into everyone’s business. To really obnoxious and violating extent.
But knowing what we all know about the family, I sometimes get scared for Bobbi Christina, and simply wish for her to be truly surrounded by people who care for her… And are not around to take advantage of her. Because let us face the truth, that family was not able to help Whitney, and some members of that family took full advantage of her financial means when she used to get really high. Bobby Brown seems to have taken his life in charge and quit the drugs, but doubt Whitney has gotten there yet.
Whatever the situation may be, I truly wish Bobbi Christina to be surrounded by caring HEALTHY people. And I want that girl to go to SCHOOL! Get an education. Get some self-esteem, and self-worth on her own.
I just read that Bobby plans on releasing a Whitney tell all. He exploited her in life, and continues to do so in death. Let’s not pretend he’s above it all.
Read that too. He is not above it, at all. He just seemed to have gotten over the drug abuse, and was getting on with his life.
Whitney sadly was still fighting hard. But like Bobby, she was an adult, and responsible for her life decisions.
Bobbi Christina however, is still young, and kind of think she didn’t get a real chance at being raised in a normal environment. That is why I truly wish for her to be surrounded by people who really care, not leeches.
@Mag, ITA. Sadly, she’ll be surrounded by the very same sycophants and enablers that turned a blind eye to Whitney’s drug abuse. Let’s hope she finds the strength within herself to overcome her issues, because I’m not counting on those same people who failed Whitney to take charge and get her through this.
Not surprised Bobby’s writing a book. He was Whitney’s biggest enabler. A blood thirsty leach. I don’t know how sober he is either, but he is certainly not above it all.
@Whatever – I would normally agree, about enabling Whitney, but like a lot of past drug addicts have said, no one enables you except you.
And the proof is Bobby having turned his life around after, finally, him and Whitney split up for good. Whitney however, still kept on enabling herself.
This of course does not mean that Bobby Brown will not try to cash in any way he can. He’S been trying for too long to make it again, like in the early days of this past glory.
There is one thing really-really bothering me in this whole story. I believe Ray-J was an enabler as well. Everytime they broke up, Whitney pulled her life back from the brink. Around the time Whitney passed away, she was back with Ray-J.
I just personally really despise Ray-J. A disturbing piece of dog diarrhea.
How do you know Bobby Brown is completely clean? or are you just assuming. He was her biggest enabler,watch her interview with oprah and you would see this.If he really cared about making it on his own, or preserving Whitney’s legacy he would focus on himself, rather that trying to cash in on her story. Why isn’t he focusing on trying to help his daughter rather than his own selfish reasons.
I agree. She should be left alone. I lost my mum when I was 32 (just over a year ago) and it was terrible. It was not unexpected like Whitney’s death and I know that would make it a little harder to deal. I think that the tabs need to just stop. I think the poor girl needs to cope with the death of her mother with her family by her side and not have magazines talking trash about how she is coping (ie. with drugs, booze, etc.)
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Yes. Very sorry for your loss.
Thank you 🙂 I wasn’t expecting that…
@Happy21 so sorry for the loss of your Mom. I’m glad Bobbi K has family to support her, I hope they can keep her on the right path n b drug-free.
I feel so badly for this girl. She’s the same age as my daughter. I cannot imagine losing my mom at my age, let alone at hers. (Mom lost her mom at 17; she died in my mom’s arms. Blood clot to the lung.)
The media machine needs to back up off this girl and let her mourn; let her grieve; let her recover in peace, whatever peace she’s able to find. (Hopefully not booze & drugs.)
And NO TABS using the excuse that “she’s 18, an adult, so she’s fair game.” NO. SHE’S NOT.
Being an adult has nothing to do with it the pain of loosing a loved one let alone a mother know no age, I think celebrities and their family should all be left alone by the media in thier time of grieving.
Agreed.
I agree that grief at any age is devastating and that celebs should be allowed to grieve in peace, but I think that your ability to cope with it usually increases as you grow up. I also think that losing your mother when she is still serving a care-taking role is different than losing her when you are established as an adult fully capable of caring for yourself.
I absolutely do not mean to detract from anyone’s experiences though. I’m sorry for anyone’s loss. But I think if I lost a parent at 18, it would be a lot harder to handle than if I lost them at 35 or 40. Not necessarily more painful, but I would have a more difficult time coping.
All that to say, I agree that the media scrutiny Bobbi Kristina is facing is totally uncalled for. Poor girl just lost her mother. But I appreciate the tact CB displayed in this post.
Wow bells, that’s so sad.
Yeah, I never knew either of my maternal grandparents. My grandfather died when Mum was 12; grandmother when Mum was 17. I had an amazing great aunt & uncle though!
Without my mother, I’d be lost.
If she looked great, put together and calm, the tabs would have a field day with that too.
It’s a tough road. I wish her peace and healing.
IMO, the tabs took it too far when they took pictures of the bathtub she died in and those photos of her being rolled out. This poor girl just lost her mother, despite whatever problems she may have or her mother had she does not have to grieve under the public eye especially if she does have the problems that everyone says. That makes this is an even more sensitive situation and the tabloids need to respect that. There comes a time when lines get crossed but the whole Whitney Houston tragedy crossed the line the first night. I have straight up lost my respect for both Radar and TMZ over how they have handled reporting on Bobbi Kristina.
It’s the parents’ fault. They had the kid on their reality tv show. They raised her in a world where her parents were drug addicts and constantly promoting themselves (and her) for publicity and money. I really believe the girl has a drug problem too — but how is “family” supposed to help her when “family” are drug users too?
And as far as how difficult it is for her to lose her mom – YES, it is difficult, but again, who’s fault is that? It’s not like Whitney died of cancer or something. When society says drugs are bad, THIS is the type of thing we are talking about. You’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting innocent people too, like your children.
I do feel sorry for Bobbi. But the tabloids didn’t cause her problems. The blame for that lies at home.
I totally agree.
Everything you say is so very true and given the families history of drug problems and the people she has as friends I don’t hold much hope for Bobbi Christina’s future. But now is not the time for the tabloids to go after Bobbi Christina, she just lost her mother they should leave her alone to grieve.
Wait a minute – arent you being a little hypocritical? It was at this site that I first learned about her drug use – should this not be mentioned now? I think it should be because maybe it will get her into rehab – this is the perfect opportunity – instead of pretending it doesnt exist, the rehab now might actually help her out.
Word. Bobbi wasn’t on my radar at all until I read about her walks on the dark side on this site. I was shocked that she was drinking, drugging and tried to commit suicide all before the age of 18. She’s clearly not stable, so let’s hope her family doesn’t love her to death like they did Whitney and gets her the help she needs.
I agree with all of you. Everyone should have privacy while grieving no matter who they are. It is just so disrespectful and mean-spirited what some tabloids are doing right now.
I agree. Let her grieve in peace.
I agree too. Leave her alone.
I lost my dad when I was 20 and my mom when I was 24. Both deaths were excruciating and devastating for me, and it took me a long time to come to terms with my losses. I’m 49 now, and it’s been so long that it’s tolerable now, but at the time of loss it hurts like HELL. I can’t imagine having to deal with such a loss while under so much public scrutiny. I wish this young woman all the best and that she gets the comfort and help she needs.
I lost my mom to cancer at 17. I can’t even describe the loss. The way the world shifts under you from safe and known to utterly moorless. The one person who loves you best, who’s job it is create a safe place is gone. I feel for her. She obviously had a childhood marked by uncertainty and mood swings (2 addict parents) but at least she knew she was was loved immensely by her mom. Now even that small comfort is gone. She deserves to grieve privately. Grief is personal everyone grieves in her/his own way and it’s wrong to hold it up for public scrutiny.
Whoa whoa whoa ! Bobbi Kristina courts fame. She’s shopped more than one reality show. She’s always mentioned as an aspiring actress/singer. She’s snorted lines on film. She was with her trainwreck of a Mother the night before Whit’s death, stumbling out of a club, looking a mess as well. This is a girl who for years has used with her Mother while the press never gave Whitney any crap about hooking her daughter on God knows what…. How is leaving her alone going to help her. Whitney had notorious drug problems. Bobbi Kris has at the very least not so secret drug problems. The family was useless at saving Bobbi Kris from Whitney’s awful influence. THE FAMILY was surrounding her when she was hospitalized multiple times within 48 hrs of Houston’s death. Presumably they were surrounding her while she got mega tanked for her Mother’s service. Maybe just maybe an all out tabloid call out might save this poor child. Ignoring the problem in the media isn’t going to HELP her any. Yes, normally a child should be left to grieve in peace but this isn’t a normal child under normal circumstances. This is a child who will surely OD sooner rather than later unless drastic DRASTIC interventions are made. You don’t let an addict with serious chemical dependency dna who is living a tragedy and has a crap support system just sweep everything under the rug because of a national case of the sads with a side of guilt complex. This child needs help. A lot of help. STATT. Ignoring the obvious issues – celebrity magazines ignoring the issues isn’t going to do this child any favors.
None of those things matter now. Her mother is no longer around, any one with a heart will understand that this girl is going through tough times. Leave the girl alone already. ANd no one is saying to ignore her problems, but when you place in on top of magazine covers for someone her age, it comes across as rather cruel. They’re not doing it to help, they’re doing it to sell magazines.
By saying leave her alone – you are in fact saying ignore her drug problem. Addicts love to pretend nothing is wrong. Is that you below blaming the tabloids for Whitney’s death?
I’m not saying the family should leave her alone, If she has issues I hope she seeks help. But since when has the tabloids actually helped anyone handle addiction? They usually make it worse. They’re doing it for profit, not because they sincerely care for the well being of this girl.So lets not pretend that being pictured on the tabloids is some sort of intervention because its not.
Lem you say Bobbi Christina “courts fame” and talk about her drugging, drinking and clubbing but please be fair on a girl – what other life has Bobbi ever known? Her entire 18 years has been filled with nothin’ but Hollyweird, drug culture and violence – it would be an actual miracle if this girl did not have drug and emotional problems. I agree someone (NOT the gossip rags) needs to step in and take some drastic measures to help this kid, but unless Bobbi wants to talk publically about it it should be kept as private as possible for now. Tabloids talking down about her and finger pointing certainly won’t help especially right now when her world is already falling apart.
UNLESS ANY OF US WERE WITH WHITNEY AND/OR BOBBI KRISTINA I THINK WE ARE ALL SPECULATING. THERE ARE ALWAYS 3 SIDES TO EVERY STORY, THE STORY ON THE LEFT, THE STORY ON THE RIGHT AND THE TRUTH. Even with reality shows they are scripted. We will really NEVER know the whole truth. The question is why is everyone so hung up on this. If you care PRAY FOR HER, don’t criticize her, and don’t judge her. We have not walked in her shoes so stopped trying them on. The Bible says “Judge not lest you be judged.” That means only God can judge us, that you, me or anyother living human being. PRAY FOR HER
Sick speculation.
I’m lucky to have both my parents, but my friend lost her (adopted) mother at 18, and it was rough for her. I don’t think you ever get over losing a parent no matter the age. Nobody is ever ready.
Leave her alone. The grief is raw right now. She suddenly lost her mother in the blink of an eye. How devastating for someone so young and who was so close to her mom.
I lost my mother within a few months of a cancer diagnosis and I was shoving sleeping pills and anxiety pills down my throat trying to sleep (yet never sleeping) and to help me not break into fits of hysterical sobbing while at work during her illness and trying to give her a few months extra by taking her to treatment and doctors. I was not much older than her, and it brought me to my knees facing losing the person who loved me most.
These people are so sick. The tabs had a hand in her mother’s death, and I hope BK can stay strong throughout this trying times.
She’s 18, an adult. I think pp should stop treating her like a child.
I completely agree that this girl needs and deserves privacy to deal with the devastating loss of her Mom, but her drug use started long before this. I recall hearing about her drug problems at least 2 years ago. She needs rehab and soon but I agree it’s important she have this time with her family first.
She is such a beautiful young lady.
This entire family has been involved in and surrounded by drugs and alcohol for years. It looks as if history is repeating itself with Bobbie Kristina. I hope for her sake she gets help, stays away from people that do not mean her well and get’s through it.
Who cares what she or her parents have done? She just lost her mom. Leave her alone, I say. Nobody deserves to have their privacy violated at such a time, ESPECIALLY not a troubled kid.
This site isn’t helping matters to be honest. I think most of us are in agreement that this child(18 is adult, but mentally she’s still a baby) is going through tough times, Everyone should let her grieve and hopefully she’s in some sort of counseling.
Poor girl.
I doubt B-K is reading tabloids right now. Maybe Whitney’s FANS are offended because tabloids are speculating about B-K’s drug problems at a sad time. But B-K herself isn’t reading the tabloids, especially at this time. So I don’t think we need to be offended on her behalf.
Also, as far as grieving privately, the whole funeral was a big show-biz “production.” This family does not want privacy. Again, we shouldn’t be offended on their behalf.
Despite the issue of drugs Whitney loved Bobbi Kristina so much that is very clear. To the tabloids please put yourself in Bobbi Kristinas place. A young girl losing her mother and best friend basically her world and the only thing you can focus on is drugs!!! If you continue to print these constant negatives YOU the tabloids will be responsible for her reaction so please back off!!! Leave it to God to help her through
@Julie….you are clueless.
Both my parents died when I was 18 years old.
Right now she feels like a little child again. 18 is NOT emotionally an adult.
She is not old enough to be without her “mommy”.
I understand the horrible pain she is in and she will act out unless strong loving TRUSTING people keep her held together.
No, Lem, what I’m saying is let her suss it out on her own; minus the endless tab covers about how she’s on this, that, or the other.
It’s not going to benefit BK to have her drug/booze business plastered all over the EVERYWHERE while she’s trying to mourn the loss of her mother.
From what I’ve read (yes, I’m aware of how hypocritical that sounds), Whit’s family is afraid of pushing BK further into drugs by confronting her (since she’s 18 now).
And BB is worried about her as well.
There is no “easy solution” to this.
I Love u Whitney even though I never met u…keep ur head up Bobbi Kris I feel ur pain baby girl…& the media needs to leave her alone & let this poor lady grieve like a normal human being…1/2 of y’all mite be on drugs & u don’t see nobody putting y’all business out in the world!!!! [man give her respect]