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Bobbi Kristina Brown

Not to be confused with Millie Bobby Brown.
"Bobbi Kristina" redirects here. For the biographical movie, see Bobbi Kristina (film).

Bobbi Kristina Brown (March 4, 1993 – July 26, 2015) was an American reality television personality and singer. She was the only child of singers Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. Her parents' fame kept Brown in the public eye, as did her appearances on the reality show Being Bobby Brown.

Bobbi Kristina Brown
Brown in 2009
Born
Bobbi Kristina Brown

(1993-03-04)March 4, 1993
Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedJuly 26, 2015(2015-07-26) (aged 22)
Duluth, Georgia, U.S.
Cause of deathLobar pneumonia
Burial placeFairview Cemetery,
Westfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesKrissy
Occupations
  • Reality television personality
  • singer
Years active1998–2012
PartnerNick Gordon (2012–2015)[a]
Parents
Relatives

Brown intended to become a singer, actress, and dancer like her parents. She performed with her mother at concerts a number of times, as well as singing a cover of her mother's song "I'm Your Baby Tonight" on Being Bobby Brown. She appeared as herself on a number of television shows and specials, and played a role on Tyler Perry's television series For Better or Worse in 2012.

On January 31, 2015, Brown was found unconscious in a bathtub in her home after ingesting numerous drugs and alcohol, which was similar to the fate of her mother. After being in a coma for nearly six months, Brown died from lobar pneumonia on July 26, at the age of 22. After her death, her life was the subject of a television movie in 2017 and a documentary in 2021.

Early life

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Brown was born on March 4, 1993, at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, to singers Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown.[1] Through her mother, Brown was related to many singers and entertainers: her maternal grandmother was singer Cissy Houston of The Drinkard Singers;[2] her mother's cousins were singers Dee Dee Warwick,[2] Dionne Warwick,[2] and Leontyne Price.[3][4] Brown's uncle was former professional basketball player Gary Garland, her mother's half-brother.[5] Through her father, Brown had six half-siblings: Landon, La'Princia, Robert "Bobby" Jr., Cassius, Bodhi, and Estelle.[6] Her godmother was gospel singer CeCe Winans and her godfather was music executive Clive Davis.[7][8]

Brown grew up in front of cameras, appearing beside Houston during an interview with Barbara Walters at eight months old, and appearing aged one on stage at the 1994 American Music Awards, when her mother accepted an award.[9][10] Her vocals were featured on her mother's 1998 song "My Love Is Your Love" for the album of the same title.[11] When her mother brought her to the recording studio and held her up to the microphone, she said "Sing, mommy," which can be heard during the first verse of the song; she says, "Clap your hands!" at the end of the track. Brown was featured on her mother's 2003 Christmas album, titled One Wish: The Holiday Album, on "The Little Drummer Boy".[12] When Brown's parents divorced in 2007, her mother was awarded custody.[13]

The Guardian writer Caroline Sullivan characterized Brown's childhood as difficult because of her parents' drug problems.[14] TheWrap stated, "Brown grew up under the media glare, with her family issues playing out in a very public way."[15] The media also scrutinized Brown's weight; BET,[16] Essence,[17] and the Daily Beast[18] all wrote articles commenting and speculating on Brown's fluctuating weight. Author Mark Bego characterized Brown's teenage years as "no picnic", because of the media focus on her and her "extreme growing pains" because of that.[19]

Adult life

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Brown's mother died at age 48 in a hotel bathtub in February 2012 from what was later ruled an accidental drowning with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.[20] Brown was described as "inconsolable" and a few days later was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles: according to a family friend, Brown was "overwhelmed".[21][22] In accordance with her mother's will, Brown was the beneficiary of Houston's entire estate including her clothing, jewelry, cars, personal effects, and furniture.[23] The will provided for Brown to receive trust fund payments in installments until she reached age 30, after which she was to receive the remainder of Houston's $115-million estate.[24]

In March 2012, Brown said she felt her mother's spirit and expressed her intention to carry on her mother's legacy by doing the "singing thing," along with starting a career as an actor and dancer.[25] She was subsequently cast in her acting debut for a recurring role as Tina the receptionist in Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse television series. Perry stated "She did a fantastic job. And that kid has such a future. She's such an actor. I'm so proud of her. I'm telling you, as far as she wants to go in the business, she can."[26] After rumors began Brown had "tearfully exited the set" of the show, Perry came to her defense stating that had never happened.[27] Brown hoped to be cast in Angela Bassett's biographical film Whitney based on her mother. When Bassett did not cast her, Brown called her a "bitch". Bassett said that she did not cast Brown "for a number of reasons... she's not an actress, and acting is a craft".[28] Brown later apologized to Bassett on Twitter after generating controversy among fans.[29]

In July 2013, Brown announced her engagement to a close family friend, Nick Gordon, who had come to live in the Houston household when he was 12 years old but was never formally adopted.[30] The announcement caused controversy within the family;[31][32] before making their romantic involvement known, Brown had referred to him as her "big bruh" in online posts.[33][34] Brown said the couple received her grandmother Cissy's blessing prior to their engagement.[35] Though the two never legally married, Brown and Gordon announced they had married on January 9, 2014.[36][37]

Coma and death

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On January 31, 2015, Gordon and a friend found Brown face down in a bathtub in her home in Alpharetta, Georgia.[38] They began CPR until emergency medical services personnel arrived. According to the police spokesperson, Brown was alive and breathing after being transported to North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Georgia.[22] At first, they found no evidence to indicate drugs or alcohol that caused the incident,[39] but this was later disputed. Doctors placed Brown in an induced coma after determining her brain function was "significantly diminished", and her family was told a meaningful recovery would be "a miracle".[40]

Brown died in hospice care on July 26, 2015, at age 22. Her death was considered similar to her mother's death, as both had died from effects of being submerged in a bathtub.[13][41] The initial autopsy found no "obvious underlying cause of death and no significant injuries", and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said more tests were forthcoming.[42] A statement released by the family thanked "everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months".[38] Several prominent celebrities offered their condolences, including Chris Brown,[43] Oprah Winfrey,[44] and Whitney Houston protégées Brandy and Monica. Funeral services were held August 1, 2015, at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.[45] Brown was buried two days later, between her mother and maternal grandfather, at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.[46]

Autopsy report

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The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said it used both medical records and police investigative files to arrive at a determination for Brown's cause of death. According to the statement, her body tested positive for marijuana, alcohol, the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine, the sedative and anxiety medication benzodiazepine, and morphine.[47]

As to the cause of death, it found the "underlying cause" of death as "immersion associated with drug intoxication".[48] However, the manner of death could not be confirmed. The summary statement read, "Death was clearly not due to natural causes, but the medical examiner was not able to determine whether death was due to intentional or accidental causes, and therefore classified the manner of death as undetermined."[48]

A finalized autopsy report determined Brown died of lobar pneumonia.[49]

Posthumous films

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After Brown's death, a television movie about her life was released, followed by a documentary on her and her mother. TV One released Bobbi Kristina in 2017. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote, "The story is ripe with melodrama as newcomer actress Joy Rovaris channels Bobbi Kristina's relationship with her mom, her love affair with Nick Gordon and the aftermath of her mother's death."[50] Lifetime released the documentary Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn't We Almost Have It All in 2021, which The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called "...less an exposé and more a loving tribute to these two women".[51]

Discography

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Brown spoke and sang in some of her mother's recordings and televised performances, as well as on a television show after her mother's death.

Performances and releases
Year Song Album Notes
1998 "My Love Is Your Love" My Love Is Your Love Uncredited spoken comments during the first verse and closing of the song
— Live duet with Whitney Houston on concert stage in Poland
1999 VH1 Divas Live 1999: Whitney Houston (Live) – Single Live duet with Whitney Houston featuring Treach at the Divas Live '99 concert
2003 "Little Drummer Boy" One Wish: The Holiday Album[52] Featured singer with Whitney Houston
2007 "Family First" Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls" – Music Inspired by the Film Studio recording with Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, and Dionne Warwick
2009 "My Love Is Your Love" — Live duet with Whitney Houston at the Good Morning America Concert in Central Park on September 1, 2009
2012 "I'm Your Baby Tonight" — Performed on The Houstons: On Our Own[53]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Being Bobby Brown[54] Herself
2009 The Oprah Winfrey Show[55] Episode: "Whitney Houston"
2012 Oprah's Next Chapter[56]
The 2012 Billboard Music Awards
2012–2013 The Houstons: On Our Own[54]
2012 For Better or Worse[57] Tina the receptionist[58]
2021 Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn't We Almost Have It All[51] Herself Posthumous Lifetime television documentary

Notes

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  1. ^ Until Brown's death.

References

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  1. ^ Cox, Ted (1998). Whitney Houston. Infobase Learning. ISBN 9781438140865. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Mitchell, Gail (February 25, 2012). "Whitney Houston". Billboard. p. 6. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "'Whitney' depicts the heady rise and tragic fall of a star-spangled American". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 6, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Warwick, Dionne (2010). My Life, as I See It. New York City: Atria Books. pp. 92–93. ISBN 978-1-4391-7134-9.
  5. ^ Light, Alan (July 13, 2018). "How a Director Uncovered Whitney Houston's Secret Pain". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Seemayer, Zach (July 22, 2016). "Bobby Brown and wife welcome baby No. 3". CBS News. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Decurtis, Anthony (February 12, 2012). "Whitney Houston Opens Up About Her Marriage, Fame". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  8. ^ D'Zurilla, Christine (February 6, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown: Grandma Cissy Houston at hospital; cousin urges prayer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Halperin, Ian (2015). Whitney and Bobbi Kristina. Gallery Books. p. 8. ISBN 9781501120749.
  10. ^ Lewis, Hilary (July 27, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown's 5 Most Memorable On-Camera Moments". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Folk, Antwane (November 17, 2018). "Whitney Houston's 'My Love Is Your Love' Album Singles Ranked". Rated R&B. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  12. ^ Grow, Kory (July 27, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown, Daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, Dead at 22". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Bertram, Colin (February 4, 2021). "Inside Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown's Tight Bond – and Tragic Deaths". Biography. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  14. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (February 5, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown and the hard legacy of drugs and celebrity". The Guardian. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  15. ^ Kenneally, Tim (February 17, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown: What Went Wrong – and What Might Save Her". TheWrap. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Diaz, Evelyn (March 12, 2014). "Bobbi Kristina Defends Dramatic Weight Loss". BET. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  17. ^ "Bobbi Kristina Responds to Weight Loss Criticism". Essence. October 22, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  18. ^ Fallon, Kevin (January 31, 2015). "Drugs, Delusion, and Darkness: Inside Bobbi Kristina Brown's Troubled Life". The Daily Beast. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  19. ^ Bego, Mark (March 2, 2012). Whitney Houston! The Spectacular Rise and Tragic Fall of the Woman Whose Voice Inspired a Generation. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 9781620872574.
  20. ^ Blankstein, Andrew; Sewell, Abby (April 5, 2012). "Whitney Houston: Cocaine In System Not a Fatal Dose ..." Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  21. ^ Belton, Danielle C. (February 2, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown: A Timeline of Turmoil and Tragedy". The Root. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  22. ^ a b Botelho, Greg; Newsome, John (February 3, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown Move to New Hospital Amid Fight for Life". CNN. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  23. ^ "Whitney Houston's will: Bobbi Kristina is the heiress". Los Angeles Times. March 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  24. ^ McShane, Larry (February 1, 2015). "Bobbi Brown, Daughter of Whitney Houston, Rushed to Hospital". Daily News. New York City. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  25. ^ Fleeman, Mike (March 12, 2012). "Bobbi Kristina: Mom Whitney Houston Talks to Me in Spirit". People.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  26. ^ Carlson, Erin (June 26, 2012). "Tyler Perry on Whitney Houston's Daughter Bobbi Kristina: 'That Kid Has a Such a Future". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  27. ^ Schillaci, Sophie (May 30, 2012). "Tyler Perry Dismisses Reports That Bobbi Kristina Walked Off Set". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "Bobbi Kristina Blasts Angela Bassett Over Whitney Houston Biopic". The Huffington Post. July 1, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  29. ^ "Bobbi Kristina Brown Apologizes to Angela Bassett". BET. July 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  30. ^ Taylor, Amanda (July 10, 2013). "Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina engaged". CNN. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Gutierrez, Gabe; Helsel, Phil (February 3, 2014). "Attorneys Investigating Bobbi Kristina Brown Bathtub Incident". NBC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  32. ^ Tauber, Michelle (February 4, 2015). "Houston Family Had Filed Restraining Order Against man who was found guilty of Bobbi Kristina's death in 2014". People. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  33. ^ Fisher, Luchina (March 9, 2012). "Whitney Houston's 'Secret' Son?". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  34. ^ Toone, Stephanie (January 2, 2020). "Who is Nick Gordon? Bobbi Kristina Brown's boyfriend dies in Florida at age 30". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  35. ^ Erich Dowd, Kathy (January 11, 2014). "Bobbi Kristina Brown: Marriage to friend Is 'Exactly What My Mom Wanted'". People. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  36. ^ Gomez, Patrick (February 3, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina and 'Husband' Nick Gordon Were Never Married". People. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  37. ^ McShane, Larry (February 3, 2015). "Wait, What?Bobbi ..." Daily News. New York City. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  38. ^ a b Respers France, Lisa (July 26, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown dies at 22". CNN. Archived from the original on July 29, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  39. ^ Botelho, Greg; Newsome, John (January 31, 2015). "Whitney Houston's Daughter 'Still Alive and Breathing' in Hospital, Police Say". CNN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  40. ^ Helling, Steve (February 1, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown Recovery Would Be a Miracle". People. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  41. ^ Brett, Jennifer (March 3, 2016). "Bobbi Kristina died almost exactly like her mother Whitney Houston did, report says". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  42. ^ Milligan, Mandi (July 27, 2015). "Fulton County medical examiner releases initial findings in Bobbi Kristina's death". CBS 46. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  43. ^ Brown, Chris (July 27, 2015). "RIP BOBBI KRISTINA! ..." Twitter (confirmed official). Archived from the original on November 3, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2015. RIP BOBBI KRISTINA! My heart goes out to the family. People please be respectful and understanding to their privacy.
  44. ^ Koziol, Michael (July 27, 2015). "Bobbi Kristina Brown dead: stars react to Whitney Houston family tragedy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2015. Peace at Last! #BobbiKristina
  45. ^ Boehm, Mike (August 1, 2015). "Family feud brews at Bobbi Kristina Brown's funeral". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  46. ^ "Burial in NJ Monday for Bobbi Kristina Brown". myfoxny.com. August 3, 2015. Archived from the original on August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  47. ^ "Bobbi Kristina Brown Autopsy Report Reveals She Died From 'Lobar Pneumonia'". Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  48. ^ a b "Bobbi Kristina Brown's cause of death revealed". BBC News. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  49. ^ "Bobbi Kristina Brown Autopsy Report Reveals She Died From 'Lobar Pneumonia'". ABC News. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  50. ^ Ho, Rodney (August 31, 2017). "TV One's 'Bobbi Kristina' debuting October 8". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  51. ^ a b Ho, Rodney (February 3, 2021). "Lifetime doc explores Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown tragedies". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  52. ^ Mitchell, Gail (November 8, 2003). "Artist Factory Production Up". Billboard. p. 21. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  53. ^ "Bobbi Kristina Tries Singing, Following in Whitney Houston's Footsteps". MTV. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  54. ^ a b Ellis, Ralph (January 31, 2015). "Whitney Houston's daughter in medically induced coma, source says". CNN. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  55. ^ "Whitney Houston Tells All". Harpo Productions. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  56. ^ Gonzalez, John (March 11, 2012). "Watch Oprah Winfrey interview Bobbi Kristina on OWN's 'Oprah's Next Chapter'". MLive. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  57. ^ Carlson, Erin (June 26, 2012). "Tyler Perry on Whitney Houston's Daughter Bobbi Kristina: 'That Kid Has a Such a Future'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  58. ^ Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (2014). Historical Dictionary of African American Television. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 77. ISBN 9780810879171.
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