Whitney Houston's Public Memorial in Newark, NJ Canceled
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Whitney Houston's public memorial at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, has been canceled, TMZ confirms. The arena sits 18,000 people.
PHOTOS: Whitney Houston's family album
"The Houston family has no plans to set up a public viewing at the Prudential Center this Friday," a rep for mayor Cory Booker tells the site. "In compliance with the family's wishes, the city is not moving forward with any public ceremony."
VIDEO: Remembering Whitney Houston (1963-2012)
Houston -- who was found lifeless in her Beverly Hilton hotel room on Saturday -- was 48 at the time of her death. The "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" singer and six-time Grammy Award winner is survived by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 18, and her mother, Cissy Houston, 78.
PHOTOS: Whitney Houston's career highs and lows
On Tuesday, Houston's rep confirmed to Us Weekly that the singer's funeral will take place at noon Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. The service is invitation-only.
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8So many stars, musicians die of alcohol and drug abuse - why doesn't someone in the media come out and say look what drugs will do to you. One of the best female voices in the past 25 years died using drugs - its BAD people. Lets stop being so sensitive and help someone stay off of drugs by using people like her, Elvis and any other Drug addicted star as an example!
So many stars, musicians die of alcohol and drug abuse - why doesn't someone in the media come out and say look what drugs will do to you. One of the best female voices in the past 25 years died using drugs - its BAD people. Lets stop being so sensitive and help someone stay off of drugs by using people like her, Elvis and any other Drug addicted star as an example!
I disagree with the family; I think Whitney deserves a public viewing just like Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and so many others. Although, it may be a money thing, Whitney did not have the extreme wealth that she once enjoyed. And, her estate is not going to grow like Michael Jackson's did since she did not write or publish her songs. Tyler Perry was generous enough to donate his private plane to send her back home. It would be nice if Dolly who is getting super rich off of her song, â??I will always love youâ?? and George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam on â??I Wanna Dance With Somebodyâ??. How about Oprah, Barbara Walters and Diana Sawyer who made so much money on her interviews. Lots of people have gotten mega rich off of Whitney, where are they now?
I disagree with the family; I think Whitney deserves a public viewing just like Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and so many others. Although, it may be a money thing, Whitney did not have the extreme wealth that she once enjoyed. And, her estate is not going to grow like Michael Jackson's did since she did not write or publish her songs. Nevertheless, there will be more money then the average person will ever accumulate. Tyler Perry was generous enough to donate is private plane to send her back home. It would be nice if Oprah, Barbara Walters and Diana Sawyer who made so much money on her interviews would donate some money for a public viewing.
Whitney was her own person made her own choices, Sometimes our choices aren't always the right ones. She's being publicised enough ! She's made it over her last hurdle in life. Let's continue to love the music she's left for us. May God bless and keep her mother and, daughter in peace during this trying time. God had the final say. To God we look for strength, for our lost is heavens gain.
I agree Kelly. A public memorial has nothing to do with viewing the body. Fans can gather and pay their respects to someone they treasured. Without her fans, she would not have had a career.
It doesn't need to be a public "viewing." MJ was not "viewed" by his fans but at least they had a final moment with him... Fans=$=the life her family now leads.... This coupled with the fact the 911 calls will not be made public b/c "health issues" would be made public.... What are they hiding....
They did the right thing. NO PUBLIC VIEWING.