The world was captivated as Whitney Houston's funeral was broadcast via live streaming video all over the world just three days ago. The soil not even settled on her grave, and already this has turned into a media circus. There is an upcoming auction of outfits that Houston wore in the movie The Bodyguard but celebrity collectibles are to be expected after their death. What was unexpected was the family's decision to broadcast the funeral. One could look at it as a kind gesture to allow the fans closure. I wondered where these church people, the likes of Kevin Costner and all of these "biggest fans" were when she needed them. Oh, that's right, the fans and the media were too busy pointing and laughing at her for her addiction. Silly me. They built her up just to tear her back down. And those T-shirt venders along the funeral route? Over the top tacky. But, this latest move man very well trump them all. Houston's "estate" is now apparently selling the video of her funeral for an undisclosed sum. You can bet it's a substantial sum. Whitney remains in death what she was in life. In my opinion, a meal ticket. Did this woman have any real friends (besides her daughter) who saw that there was a human being suffering rather than just a money making machine?
Pastor said, mama Houston brought the world to church. I nearly cried at that sentiment. True, her funeral was one of the grandest send offs I had ever witnessed and if you have ever been to a Catholic Italian funeral, you know that's hard to top. It was a celebration and now that I look back, quite theatrical. Nevertheless, I thought how wonderful and how courageous it was for the family to share what surely was their darkest hour with all of us who only knew Whitney Houston through her music and her films.
According to a representative for the family, the proceeds from licensing the video to various media outlets will "help maximize the estate for the benefit of Bobbi Kristina." Bobbi Kristina the one who appears to be the most devestated by her mother's death.
At this point, I am not sure what to think about why the family decided to broadcast this funeral. It appeared as a sincere gesture toward friends and fans at the time. Jowever, news outlets like the Associated Press, CNN and a few others that were there to provide a live stream from the funeral were forced the very next day to remove it.
We all know that if the family didn't license the video that somebody else surely would have found a way to profit from it.
No comments:
Post a Comment