Bobby Brown storms out of Whitney Housten's funeral because he 'refused to create a scene'
WHITNEY Houston's troubled ex-husband, Bobby Brown, left the late singer's memorial service in Newark, New Jersey, just minutes before it began storming out of the New Hope Baptist Church looking visibly upset.
Bobby Brown funeral
WHITNEY Houston's troubled ex-husband, Bobby Brown, left the late singer's memorial service in Newark, New Jersey, just minutes before it began storming out of the New Hope Baptist Church looking visibly upset.
Bobby Brown funeral
Whitney Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown said he left the singer's funeral because he didn't want to make a scene. Picture: AAP
Source: Supplied
Whitney Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown said he left the singer's funeral because he didn't want to make a scene. Picture: AAP
Source: Supplied
Brown turned up at the church shortly before noon with an entourage of about nine people, according to The Star-Ledger.
When the New Edition singer tried to seat them all in the section reserved for Houston's family, he was told they had to leave, but he could stay.
Brown left with the others but was stopped outside the church by the Reverend Al Sharpton, who later tweeted, "I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney!"
Brown later explained his early exit in a statement released by a representative.
"My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions," Brown said in the statement, adding security did not ask anyone else to move.
"Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events.
"This was a day to honour Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."
Houston's friend and lawyer Bryan Blaney told Radar Online, "I saw Bobby leave, and I didn't know what was going on at the time. All I knew is that one moment he was there, and the next minute he was leaving with a lot of people."
After being informed of Brown's statement, he added, "That is truly so very sad. I don't want people to focus on what happened with him today."
Going home: World farewell's Whitney Housten
New Jersey's most famous daughter has been farewelled in an uplifting private ceremony filled with towering songs that went global after the family permitted the funeral to be broadcast on the web.
In what sadly has become Whitney Houston's biggest moment, millions watched an array of celebrities pay tribute to the regal superstar who spent much of the last two decades of her life battling drug abuse and alcoholism.
A huge African-American gospel choir, all dressed in white, brought a sense of elation to the service at Newark's New Hope Baptist Church, which was attended by Ms Houston's mother, Cissy, her former husband, Bobby Brown, and their daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
Brown reportedly left because he felt "disrespected" by the church, though not at her family's request.
Also in attendance were Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder and her cousin, Dionne Warwick. Ms Houston's legendary mentor, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, was unable to attend because of illness.
Whitney Houston
Fans mourn at the funeral service for Whitney Houston on February 18, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. Picture: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
The family called the service a "home going" celebration for the singer, who was sent off with a number of gospel performances with massive crescendos.
"We're here today, hearts broken, but yet with God's strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston," said the New Hope's pastor, the Reverend Joe Carter. "Whitney, you are the only one that could bring all of us together. Whitney, today is your day."Costner's moving tribute
Kevin Costner, who co-starred with her in the film that gave her a true international audience, The Bodyguard, said when they drew up the list of the greatest singers of all time "it will have little meaning to me if her name is not on it".
"Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began," he said, asking people to pause to remember "the sweet miracle of Whitney".
He said Ms Houston was full of self-doubt about her role in Bodyguard.
"Whitney, if I could tell you now, you weren't just good enough, you were great."Actor and producer Tyler Perry said she was a person of deep faith. "I'm just completely thankful to God for all he has done in her life," he said.
He said a grace carried her through her life. "And the same grace carried her home," he said.
Whitney Houston Funeral
A mourner stops at a memorial to Whitney Houston outside New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Picture: AP
Source: AP
'Love is greater than death'
Singer Alicia Keys said Ms Houston was "a really, really caring thoughtful human being" who inspired younger artists such as herself.
"She made us feel strong and capable and loved. She’s been an angel to us.""In moments like this it feels like death has won," said Bishop TD James, producer of Sparkle, the last film she worked on and which is not yet released.
"Love is greater than death."
Whitney Houston
Three gold-colored limousines arrive with family members at Whigham Funeral Home, for a viewing service for Whitney Houston. Picture: AP
Source: AP
Family members had a final viewing Ms Houston's body at the nearby Whigham Funeral Home in Newark on Friday and kept the silver casket closed to the world.
As flags flew at half-mast across New Jersey, police blockaded a six-block radius around the church, where Ms Houston sang in the choir as a child and developed a remarkably powerful mid-range voice that, combined with her style and beauty, brought her worldwide fame.
Ms Houston, 48, died from so-far unknown causes in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last Saturday. Prescription medicines were found in her room but police said there were no suspiciously large amounts of pills.
It is reported that among the drugs was Xanax, an anti-depressant that is hugely over-prescribed in the US and is known, among other effects, to cause drowsiness. Michael Jackson was at one point addicted to Xanax and it was among the array of drugs that killed Australian actor Heath Ledger in 2008.
Whitney Houston
A mourner signs a memorial to Whitney Houston outside New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Picture: AP
Source: AP
The results of her autopsy are not expected for weeks.
Ms Houston is to be buried alongside her father, who died in 2003, in the family plot at Fairview Cemetery, a few kilometres from the church.
The Reverend Al Sharpton said earlier that Ms Houston's death had to be a wakeup call the substance-abuse struggles of high profile entertainers.
Ms Houston was raised in East Orange, close to the church. This part of Newark is poor and run down but many locals, intensely proud of her, said it was fitting she had been brought home.
"God is in heaven and with him is one of our angels," Newark mayor, Corey Booker, told the congregation.
Whitney Houston Funeral
Candles burn at a memorial at a memorial to Whitney Houston outside the church. Picture: AP
Source: AP
Ms Houston's estate is expected to earn huge royalties upon her death. Ms Houston’s cover song I Will Always Love You, from the film The Bodyguard, this week re-entered the Top 10 of the American Billboard charts.
'She belongs to everybody'
One man, a truancy officer named Hussan, who once met Ms Houston when she was just starting out, expressed disappointment after the church's Reverend Carter appeared on the steps this week to announce the funeral would be private.
"She belongs to everybody," Hussan said.
"She's part of this whole country."
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