On Febuary 11th the world lost another pop ledgend. Iconic singer and actress Whitney Houston died at The Beverly Hotel in Los Angeles shortly before the 2012 Grammy awards ceremony. Like Michael Jackson, Whitney left the world in mourning and disbelief. There are some people who say that her untimely passing was inevitable due to her past, however I disagree.

The moment I heard about Whitney Houston’s passing I instantly thought of Michael Jackson.  Why did two iconic celebrities both on the verge of  a comeback suddenly die depressed, alone and addicted to  drugs? Why was the road they both took so similar? Why didn’t anyone see the signs of self destruction? Does society even care? Celebrities, we put them on a pedestal, worship them,  use them up, and then toss them to the side when someone new comes on the scene (even if the newbie is not as talented). We love a celebrity when they are hot and relevant, but why can’t we continue to love and support a celebrity when their down and in trouble. Unfortunately I think that there is something else at the root of this epidemic of fallen stars. Here is my observation between two of  the biggest stars in the world.

Although other celebrities have suffered the same fate as Michael and Whitney I have chosen to focus on the two biggest and influential celebrities that have ever lived.  Just to get some of you to ask yourself s, Why? Leave me your comments.

If you were not aware of the similarities between these two iconic figures……..now you know.

xoxo,

Sophia Lenore

© by sugar36535

When did a tragedy in life come with a recovery routine? I am talking about when tragedies happen to celebrities and socialites of course.

Lately, I can’t help but notice that when bad things happen in the life of celebrities they don’t take time to themselves or turn to family and friends only to get them through the pain. Instead they turn to Oprah and the public! It has become so routine that you can almost predict who a celebrity is going to turn to during their time of need based on the tragedy or based on who the celebrity is.

It has become expected or normal to share your pain with the world even when the tragedy or situation is considered very personal by most people. Why has painful experiences and personal strife become necessary public knowledge. This is not therapeutic or helpful for the celebrity. If a person needs to talk to someone to cope with a tragedy they should go to a professional therapist or psychologist. Although Oprah and the ladies at The View are very mothering and they APPEAR to be concerned, the fact is they are not professional therapists or psychologists, they are simply professional conversationalist! So why would anyone put their person pain and grief on display only for public speculation, opinion, ridicule and judgement. More importantly when did this become an acceptable way of life or the routine.

If you have never noticed this before or did not know this at all, now you know……………

xoxo,

Sophia Lenore

ForTheLoveofRayJ2

Singer Ray J decides to open up to the public about his grief over the loss of Whitney Houston.

The 31-year-old singer spoke about his grief at a charity event for the Brotherhood Crusade and Mothers In Action.

Ray J told waiting reporters: “I know why a few of you came out so, I will address the issue as respectable as I can; I really miss my friend. I really do.

“I’m still hurting… I just wanna say, like Whitney, I love giving back to the community.”

Ray J added: “I’ve been through a lot in these past two weeks. I’m able to look at life in a whole different way.

“I always look at my phone because I’ve got a picture of somebody that I really love and it helps me through the day. But for the most part, I’m just here for the kids. I’m here to give back.

“I’m really emotional right now… what I will say is that I love and I’m hurt, but I enjoy being around people that support me and give me a sense of peace and that’s what the Brotherhood Crusade does for me.”

Ray J previously described Houston as being “so happy and full of love”.

Ray J also made a statement released shortly after Whitney Houston age 48, passed on February 11, he said: ”I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words.”

Ray J has been trying to clean up his reputation, he no longer wants to be known as the guy who filmed himself having sex with Kim Kardashian. Ray J is giving back through the Brother Crusade; He donated school supplies, including Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones, clothes, backpacks and notebooks via the organization. It seems as though he is trying to walk a more clear and righteous path.

“The most important thing of all is that God is talking to me. God is talking to me right now, and now is the time to listen. My ears are open.” -Ray J.

(c)By canburak

Whitney Houston suffered a heart attack due to prolong atherosclerotic heart disease.  After several weeks of waiting and speculation, the coroners office finally released the singer’s autopsy report stating that this was the official cause of death.

Whitney’s death was also due to an accidental drowning, as well as years of cocaine abuse. It is suspected that Houston’s cocaine abuse lead to the development of heart disease — specifically, atherosclerotic heart disease.

At 3:01 p.m. PST  

The Houston family released a statement to The Associated Press :

“We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure.” -Patricia Houston,  sister-in-law & manager

Q: What exactly is atherosclerotic heart disease? How did it contribute to Houston’s drowning?

A: Atheresclerotic heart disease occurs when plaque hardens within the arteries, narrowing them and limiting the flow of blood to other organs in the body and can lead to heart-attack, stroke and even death.

There are a several factors that can contribute to the diagnosis of a heart condition. Some of the causes are: lack of exercise, poor diet and alcohol abuse. However Whitney Houston’s condition was exacerbated by years of cocaine use. The constant use and exposure of the chemical make-up of cocaine within the blood vessels often lead to multiple scarring in the heart and arteries. Unfortunately it is most likely that Whitney’s heart condition triggered a heart attack after the singer took her final hit of cocaine. This caused her to have heart failure while she was in the bathtub, which then led to her accidental drowning.

The 48-year-old singer openly struggled with drug abuse throughout her life, she spoke candidly on the subject during her 2002 interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer. However due to Whitney’s heart condition the repeated use of cocaine caused a severe impact on her heart.

Whitney Houston’s body was found submerged under water in the bathtub of her suite at the Beverley Hills hotel on Feb. 12.  The singer died on the eve of the 2012 Grammy Awards. Although the autopsy report states that the cause of death was due to a heart attack the toxicology tests did report that cocaine and other drugs where found in Whitney’s system.  Based on the toxicology report Whitney had marijuana, Flexeril (the muscle relaxant) , Xanax (the anti-anxiety medication) and  Benadryl (allergy medicine). The other drugs that were found in Whitney’s hotel room were Ibuprofen and Midol.  However none of these drugs contributed to the singers cause of death. Investigators found NO EVIDENCE of cocaine in the hotel room.

Law enforcement at the crime scene stated from the beginning that they did not suspect foul play, officers suspected early on that the singers death was not a homicide.

Whitney Houston’s family members were upset to learn that the singer had drugs in her system. However the Houston family had doubts about Whitney’s demise — suggesting there may have been foul play.

The coroner’s office did not say how much cocaine was found in Houston’s system, but it was noted that there were signs of both recent and chronic use. It will be a couple weeks before the coroner’s office can reveal exactly how much cocaine was in Houston’s system.

Meanwhile, Whitney Houston’s friend and reported one-time beau, Ray J, told TMZ on Thursday that he had no idea the 48-year-old singer was using cocaine again. Whitney and Ray J were spotted together during the days before her death. Singer-producer Ray J was not at the Beverly Hilton hotel where Houston died. Houston died just hours before she was expected to appear at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Awards party.

This is a very sad ending to a iconic career. I will always love Whitney, her lagacy will live on in her music and in her fans (like me). Whitney fans will get to see Houston in the movie “Sparkle,” due out this summer.

If you did not know, now you know….

xoxo,

Sophia Lenore

The Movie Poster for "Sparkle"

The Today Show, aired the highly anticipated trailer for the remake of the musical “Sparkle.”

The movie stars the late Whitney Houston as the mother of three young girls who go into the entertainment business. The girls struggle with romance, fame, and drug issues on their road to sucess. The first trailer for the film debuted on “The Today Show” this morning.

“I always knew you had the gift,” Houston’s character says in the trailer. “It makes me feel I’ve done something right. Don’t lose it.”

The movie “Sparkle” will premier on August 17, 2012. “Sparkle” the movie co-stars Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, and Mike Epps. Enjoy the trailer.

xoxo,

Sophia Lenore

Whitney Houston and Actress Jordin Sparks as Sparkle

Whitney Houston, Mike Epps and Jordin Sparks

The Cast of "Sparkle"