Photo: Instagram
Their relationship allegedly lasted for four decades.
By Elizabeth Ward — Written on Nov 10, 2019
Robyn Crawford, Whitney Houston‘s personal assistant, best friend and alleged lesbian lover, is finally breaking her silence and addressing the rumors of what really happened between the two in a new memoir titled A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston. Rumors of Crawford’s relationship with the late singer have circulated for years, but Crawford’s book is anticipated to set the story straight. Sources close to Houston have confirmed the rumors as true, but many have speculated the authenticity of these claims.
According to Radar Online, Crawford’s father Dennis claimed he knew the two were lovers and that the pair was forced to hide their relationship due to it being unacceptable at the time. The pair's relationship allegedly started they were just teenagers in East Orange, New Jersey. Crawford’s memoir contains intimate moments shared between her and the famous "I Will Always Love You" singer but “after decades of silence,” Crawford, a “close friend, collaborator, and confidante of Whitney Houston, shares her story.”
Crawford’s memoir ‘A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston’ is scheduled for release on November 12, 2019. Who is Robyn Crawford?
1. Bobby Brown’s memoir suggested that Whitney was bisexual
In Bobby Brown's 2016 memoir 'Every Little Step' he confirmed that Whitney was a lesbian and even had sexual relations with her best friend/assistant, Robyn Crawford. He shared with Us, “I really feel that if Robyn was accepted into Whitney’s life, Whitney would still be alive today." He also went on to share that he believed Whitney's sexuality to be bisexual since she was married to him and maintained her relationship with Crawford.
2. Robyn claims Whitney wanted to keep the relationship quiet
According to TMZ, Robyn claimed Whitney wanted to keep things quiet, but many begged to differ. Sources close to the singer shared that Whitney often flaunted her relationship with Robyn in public and that one source even spotted the two making out in the lobby of the Crillon Hotel in Paris, with many people watching. Robyn also shared that Whitney's mother was very unsupportive of their relationship together and that it was not natural.
3. Robyn’s father said everyone knew the two were lovers
Robyn's father, Dennis Crawford shared with Radar Online, “I knew 40 years ago, we all knew,” Dennis Crawford, 79, said. "I saw them together.” He shared that he knew they were more than friends when he spotted the pair holding hands and kissing.“When she told me, there was nothing I could do about it except love her,” he recalled.
4. The two ended their physical relationship after Whitney signed a record deal
“We wanted to be together,” Crawford said to People, “and that meant just us.” But, Whitney chose to terminate the physical part of their relationship after she signed a record deal with Clive Davis at Arista. Whitney broke the news in 1982. “She said we shouldn’t be physical anymore,” writes Crawford, “because it would make our journey even more difficult.” She continued, “She said if people find out about us, they would use this against us and back in the ’80s that’s how it felt." And so, she says, “I kept it safe. I found comfort in my silence.”
5. Whitney and Robyn cut off their relationship entirely when Whitney met Bobby Brown
In the 2018 documentary Whitney, it was revealed that Robyn felt Bobby was a bad influence on Whitney and that he would inevitably destroy her. She then gave Whitney an ultimatum that she would need to decide between her or Bobby. Whitney’s response was, “Tell her that I accept her resignation.” Her former bodyguard claimed the two split due to Bobby Brown entering the picture, which heavily influenced her drug use. According to Radar, The two parted ways and their relationship gradually deteriorated after her departure in 2000, because they never spoke again.
6. Her husband revealed that Whitney allegedly had an affair with Tupac
According to Bobby Brown, both he and Whitney cheated on each other throughout their marriage. Vibe shared that, "[Brown] contends that [Houston] did her 'share of cheating' with 'quite a few of the producers and artists' she worked with, and names one ex-lover, the late Tupac Shakur." Brown also revealed how he too was unfaithful and admitted to affairs with Madonna and Janet Jackson.
Elizabeth Ward is a writing student finishing her bachelor’s at the University of Louisville. She covers news, entertainment, relationships and everything in between.