BeBe Winans Recalls Whitney Houston Pulling A White Woman’s Ponytail For Telling Her To ‘Shut Up:’ ‘Jersey Is Present’
Legendary gospel singer BeBe Winans knew groundbreaking vocalist Whitney Houston very well — and he has the stories to back it up.
During an episode of 'Sway's Universe,' the 'I Found Love' singer expressed that despite the two vocal talents crossing paths, they had very different backgrounds, describing Houston as a straight up "Jersey girl, no matter how many gowns you put on her."
Winans recalled one of his "favorite stories" when the "I Will Always Love You" legend joined BeBe and CeCe Winans for a movie. The trio entered the movie theater after the lights had already gone down, citing Houston's megastar status.
Winans recalled a white couple within earshot who grew frustrated with Houston's talking during the film. "The lady kept on turning back because she was annoyed at them talking, which I understood," Winans, 61, began.
"It just boiled over and that woman turned — she had a ponytail — she turned around and said, 'Would you shut up! Would you just shut up!' And... I just went to praying, 'Oh God... Oh Jesus' cuz' I knew Jersey is present," he joked.
The singer says he thought his prayers for peace were answered, but just then Houston sprung into action.
"After about 30 seconds, Whitney leaned up and grabbed that woman's ponytail and jerked it back and said, 'Don't you ever talk to me that way' and threw her head up to the front," he explained vividly.
According to BeBe, things almost got ugly after that, when the man she was with stood up, signifying possible confrontation, which led to him standing up and thinking, "I'm getting ready to fight? I can't believe this."
At that moment, he details grabbing Houston and running outside to the car just before the altercation escalated. "My heart is beating...like, because — this is not my life," he laughed. "We get outside and jump in the car...and I can't hardly breathe. And Whitney looks at me and says, 'Wasn't that fun?' "
The late great Whitney Elizabeth Houston was known for her groundbreaking vocals and was nicknamed "The Voice" as one of the most awarded entertainers of all time.
The mother of one died in February 2012 after a reported accidental drowning in Los Angeles, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
