Mariah and Whitney Houston were my goddesses growing up.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
When I was really little, I loved Whitney Houston. I thought she was the prettiest thing in the world.
My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston.
I've always looked up to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey for their outstanding vocal performances. I've always been inspired by them.
I loved Michael Jackson and Madonna. I styled my hair like Whitney Houston.
One of my biggest inspirations growing up was Whitney Houston, so I was devastated to hear about her passing. I'm from East Orange, New Jersey, and started singing at New Hope Baptist Church, so she was like my fellow Jersey girl.
Madonna and I worked very closely. I was more like the big sister to her.
Whitney Houston's voice was the very first voice I fell in love with. She was the voice that made me want to become a singer.
Growing up, my ideals were Barbra Streisand, Cher, and my mom.
While other girls swooned over The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, I worshipped Rudolf Nureyev and Isadora Duncan.
As a little girl growing up in a small farming town in Michigan, my idols were women like Marlene Dietrich and Rita Hayworth.