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Whitney Houston: Chaka Khan Reveals What 'Killed' Icon

Posted Feb 14th 2012 3:10PM by Contessa Gayles
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Chaka Khan Whitney Houston Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

As reported by AOL Music, after pulling out of a last-minute Whitney Houston tribute during Sunday night's (Feb. 12) Grammy Awards, soul legend Chaka Khan is speaking out about what she believes could have saved the icon's life.

Chaka is convinced that a throat specialist could have helped Whitney regain her once pitch-perfect voice -- thus curing her of the depression-fueled drug addiction that was ruining her life. Houston's friend recalled her own experience with vocal problems in the '80s as a result of drug, alcohol and cigarette use. A doctor eventually discovered polyps in her throat and once they were removed, Khan's singing voice recovered brilliantly.

"When I did not know what my diagnosis was, I just thought I was losing my voice. I couldn't hit any high notes, I had a lot of troubles with low notes ... I started actually considering, 'What else can I do for a living?' I was devastated," Chaka admitted on CNN's 'Piers Morgan Tonight.'

Khan insists that Houston's problems could have been similarly resolved with visits to a throat doctor. "I think that with Whitney, it would have probably been ... a very similar scenario ... She probably got a few polyps on there [her throat]. It [must have] killed her," Khan speculated, attributing Whitney's dependence on drugs and alcohol to a feeling of hopelessness concerning her music career.

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"The last time I saw her was at my gig with Prince here in Los Angeles on May 5 (11) and when I was singing I saw her in the audience ... and I could see in her eyes she just wanted to sing. All we wanna do is sing," Chaka revealed.

Aside from music, Houston did have other projects in the works, including producing and starring in the movie 'Sparkle,' due out Aug. 17. There was also television offers on the table for the diva. 'The X Factor' host Simon Cowell recently revealed that he planned a meeting to discuss recruiting Whitney to be a mentor on the show, which was scheduled for Monday (Feb. 13), just two days after her shocking death.

Watch 'Simon Cowell Confirms Whitney Houston Was Up for U.S. 'X Factor''

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3 Comments

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elegancespirit

Yeah, at some point you have take responsibility for yourself. There
was so much more that she could have done to continue being n the industry,
she love sooo much. I am glad
Chaka and others caught themselves too, before it was too late.

February 15 2012 at 1:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

scallywag

Ultimately though one is forced to wonder how many times one can keep watch over an afflicted individual if they lack the commitment or resolve to stay the course, but then again what does it mean staying the course when arguably the best years of your life are behind you and the best you can hope for is something to lift you for a moment when you so desperately need it….

At least Chaka caught herself in time.

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/02/chaka-kahn-whitney-and-i-got-high-together/

February 15 2012 at 6:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

amlngn

Boy, that makes perfect sense really, was there any finding post mortem about her vocal chords? very interesting and makes sense as to how she could have lost her voice.

February 15 2012 at 3:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply