Backup Dancer Recalls Whitney's Happier Times
February 17, 2012
The Insider sat down with former backup dancer Saleema Mubaarak, who reveals that she never witnessed Whitney Houston abusing drugs or alcohol during the ten-year period they worked together.
Mubaarak -- who worked with the fallen superstar throughout the '90s -- said she's still in a state of complete disbelief that the pop icon is gone. "I'm still in shock… in denial, kind of. I don't believe it."
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The former backup dancer has since moved on from the entertainment business and says she hadn't spoken with Houston for quite some time. But she said she couldn't believe recent images of the singer in public appearing to behave erratically or possibly under the influence. "The pictures that they display of her being distraught and on drugs... Who's that? I don't even believe it. Who is that?"
Mubaarak said despite all the years that have passed, she's sure about what she saw in Houston's behavior during the 90s. "When I was around Whitney, I've never seen any crazy behavior. Nothing to make me think, 'Oh, Lord, she's on drugs,' or 'Oh Lord, she's drunk.'"
She added that during the time she spent with Houston, the Grammy winner seemed happy, fun-loving and easy to get along with: "I can only talk about what I've seen, what she showed me, how she treated me and how she treated the people around me. And they can tell you the same thing -- fun, fun and love."
Mubaarak said she was lucky enough to attend the "fabulous" wedding of Houston to Bobby Brown in 1992, and said she never saw any friction in the relationship except for minor disagreements experienced by most couples.
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The former backup dancer also revealed that she reached out to Bobby last Sunday to express her condolences. "When I spoke to Bobby Brown Sunday, he sounded like he had to get it together for his baby girls -- and for people around him that were breaking down."
Mubaarak added: "I hope he and his daughter Bobbi Kristina can have a wonderful relationship together because I know he loves his children. That's what I hope for him, because I know that's what he wants."
Bobby Brown Still Hasn't Seen Bobbi Kristina

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