The official list of speakers and performers for Whitney Houston’s funeral has just been announced:
The invitation only funeral, which is scheduled for Saturday at noon, will be held at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J.
The memorial will take place at the very church where Whitney got her start singing in the choir. The funeral will be live-streamed on the internet as well.
STORY: Newark Cancels Public Memorial For Whitney Houston! (DETAILS)
#RIPWhitneyHouston
UPDATE: 1:14pm
According to TMZ.com Oprah Winifrey has been invited to the funeral for Whitney Houston.
UPDATE: 4:01pm
Jay Z, Beyonce, Bill Cosby and Elton John will all be in attendance of Whitney Houston’s funeral. Singers Chaka Khan, Brandy, Cece Winans, Darlene Love and song-writer Diane Warren have also been invited to the pop-diva’s homegoing.
UPDATE: 2/17/2012 @ 2:34pm
According to TMZ.com
Mel Gibson was invited to Whitney Houston‘s funeral … and the family extended the invite because Mel tried to help the singer during a very dark period in her life … TMZ has learned.
Sources tell us … several years ago, when Whitney was about as bad off with drugs and alcohol as she ever was, Mel quietly intervened and spent a lot of time with her, trying to help her break the addiction cycle.
We’re told Whitney’s family is “extremely appreciative” and wanted Mel at tomorrow’sfuneral, but because of family plans he can’t attend.
SOURCE: TMZ.COM
UPDATE: 10:45am 2/18
According to CNN.com
“Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin will sing the Whitney Houston hit “The Greatest Love of All” at Houston’s funeral Saturday, in what is sure to be an emotional moment during the three-hour service.
The service will feature performances by Stevie Wonder — singing one of his hits, “Ribbon in the Sky” — R&B star R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and gospel greats Kim Burrell and BeBe Winans.
The New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir and the New Jersey Mass Choir will open the service. Pastor Marvin Winans will deliver the eulogy.
Bishop T.D. Jakes will deliver remarks, along with Kevin Costner, Houston’s co-star in the movie “The Bodyguard;” her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis; and director-producer Tyler Perry.
Patricia Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and former manager, will speak at the end of the service, followed by Houston’s cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, according to the program.
A source close to the Houston family provided CNN with a program of the funeral, taking place Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where Houston got her start.
UPDATE 10:56am 2/18
According to CNN: Aretha Franklin will not perform at Whitney Houston’s funeral she has fallen ill.
SOURCE: CNN.com
