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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 18 May 2018

Cannes doc: Whitney Houston was molested by Dee Dee Warwick

By JAKE COYLE specific revelations that I
AP Film Writer think will get people to a
CANNES, France (AP) — deeper understanding of
Friends of Whitney Hous- who Whitney was and in
ton allege the singer was many ways redeem her as
molested as a child by her a person."
cousin Dee Dee Warwick Dee Dee Warwick was the
in a documentary that niece of Houston's mother,
premiered Thursday at the Cissy Houston. The War-
Cannes Film Festival. wick sisters sometimes sang
Houston's longtime assis- in Cissy Houston's gospel
tant Mary Jones tells film- group, the Drinkard Sing-
maker Kevin Macdonald ers. Dee Dee Warwick, who
that the late singer told her was twice nominated for
that Warwick, the sister of a Grammy Award, sang
Dionne Warwick, molested backup for Wilson Pickett,
her at a young age. Hous- Aretha Franklin and others.
ton's brother Gary Garland- "Whitney," which is to be
Houston also says he was released in theaters July 7,
molested between the suggests that the alleged
ages of 7 and 9 by a fe- incidents of abuse took
male family member, and place while Cissy Houston
says his sister was abused was touring. Houston, who
too. had a daughter, Bobbi
Dee Dee Warwick, who Kristina Brown, with Bobby
was 18 years older than Brown, is said to have insist-
Houston, died in 2008. ed on taking Bobbi on tour
The allegations were made In this Feb. 13, 2011, file photo, singer Whitney Houston performs at the pre-Grammy gala & salute with her.
in the documentary "Whit- to industry icons with Clive Davis honoring David Geffen in Beverly Hills, Calif. Bobbi Kristina died 2015.
ney," which was made with Associated Press She was found unrespon-
the cooperation of Hous- sive in a bathtub and died
ton's family. The revela- Jones claims that the ex- in 2012 from what was ruled never spoke publicly about after being in a coma for six
tions, which come about perience made Houston an accidental drowning in her own alleged abuse. months.
three quarters of the way question her own sexual- a bathtub. A coroner's re- "We always wanted our film Representatives for Di-
into "Whitney," immediate- ity and contributed to her port into her death cited to be a corrective to that onne Warwick didn't im-
ly cast a new light on the late-life drug problems. The heart disease and drug use tabloid story," said produc- mediately return messages
troubled life of Houston. singer died at the age of 48 as contributing factors. She er Simon Chinn. "These are Thursday.q

Meghan Markle: Dad won't attend wedding due to health issues

By GREGORY KATZ tographer is hospitalized in may be joined by Ragland.
MARTIN BENEDYK California after undergo- No details about the meet-
WINDSOR, England (AP) — ing a procedure to clear ing were officially released.
Ending days of speculation, blocked coronary arteries. On the streets of Wind-
Meghan Markle said Thurs- He reportedly told the web- sor, military personnel re-
day that her father will not site he was OK after three hearsed their procession
be able to attend her wed- stents had been inserted, through the town, watched
ding to Prince Harry due to but needed to rest. by thousands of enthusias-
health problems. The news Thomas Markle had been tic royal fans. The wedding
came as British military per- scheduled to walk his day festivities will include a
sonnel rehearsed for a gala daughter down the aisle 25-minute carriage ride out-
procession through Windsor when she weds her prince side the grounds of Windsor
that will follow Saturday's Saturday in St. George's Castle by the newlyweds
ceremony, which will be Chapel at Windsor Castle. after the ceremony. More
televised live around the It's possible that Doria Rag- than 2,600 members of the
world. land, the bride's mother, public have been invited
"Sadly, my father will not be could fill that role instead. onto the castle grounds to This image shows a copy of a statement released by Kensing-
ton Palace from Meghan Markle dated Thursday May 17, 2018,
attending our wedding," No replacement has been watch the procession. confirming her father Thomas Markle will not attend the wedding
Markle said in a statement officially named. Meghan Thursday's practice session between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday May 19.
released by Kensington Pal- Markle may also choose aimed to work out the pre- Associated Press
ace. "I have always cared to walk down the aisle by cise timings of Saturday's
for my father and hope he herself. Harry and Markle, procession. The British pride the guys a sense of tim- A large military contingent
can be given the space who had remained out of themselves on carrying ings for the day, how fast is taking part in the proces-
he needs to focus on his the public eye in recent off complex parades with they need to move, how sion, reflecting Harry's years
health." days, were spotted being aplomb, and it would not slow they need to move. It of military service, including
The palace has not re- driven onto the grounds of do for the couple to arrive also helps the horses them- tours in Afghanistan. Their
vealed any details about Windsor Castle on Thursday at their wedding reception selves, showing them the presence in the rehearsal
Thomas Markle's health is- afternoon. Britain's Press As- even a few minutes late. environment of where they Thursday gave crowds and
sues, but the celebrity web- sociation indicated they "It's very important to have are," said Adam Black- TV viewers a taste of what
site TMZ says the 73-year-old are expected to have tea a dress rehearsal, for ev- more-Heale, a member of the wedding procession will
retired Hollywood cinema- with Queen Elizabeth II and eryone involved. It gives the Household Cavalry. look like.q