Maybe returning to the music scene in the same gender as she left isn’t the best decision Whitney Houston has made recently (with the exception of dumping Bobby Brown!) but for a woman who has battled drugs, booze, a disastrous violent relationship and is now heading towards 50, Whitney certainly gave her all when she returned to the stage in the UK’s X Factor show last Saturday night singing Million Dollar Bill!

Along with a fairly unspectacular song, the heat of the lights and a wardrobe malfunction that saw The Bodyguard star’s dress coming undone at the back, Miss Houston gave what was a sensational display of professionalism while running around the stage in high heels and a long dress.

Although some quarters took it upon themselves to give the performer, with more than 20 years experience, an Oscar and Grammy awards on her side, a bad report, following her attempts to engage in conversation after her performance, it seemed perfectly normal to expect the 46 year old to be somewhat out of breath and trying to regroup during the question and answer period.

But the wit of Whitney was not lost among the breathlessness and sweating as Dermot O’Leary flattered the cousin of Dionne Warwick by commenting on her directness when coaching contestants in the master class, at which point Whitney looked at Simon Cowell as she said: ‘Yeah, is that why you call me Lippy?’ And not letting the matter drop, she continued, ‘Simon calls me Lippy ’cause I say what’s on my mind just like he does.’
Realizing he was in the company of a super star and the woman who can claim her godmother to be Aretha Franklin, Simon stood up and announced how amazed he was to be in the presence of Whitney Houston, at which point the whole studio erupted into applause.