Jenifer Lewis got emotional when opening up about Whitney Houston working to prepare for a Waiting to Exhale sequel before her death.
In 2012, the legendary Houston passed away at the age of 48, leaving the world grieving the loss of a great talent. Her death was later ruled an accidental drowning. However, a toxicology report noted heart disease and cocaine as contributing factors to her passing.
During a recent appearance on 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,' Lewis, who was good friends with Houston, shared that she “noticed” the singer struggling with substance abuse before her death.
The actress, who starred with her in The Preacher’s Wife, even revealed that Houston was planning to attend rehab “to get herself together” to begin filming Waiting to Exhale 2 but didn’t get the help she needed before her untimely death.
Lewis noticed that Whitney Houston was struggling with substance abuse in 2009.
During her appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Jenifer Lewis opened up about the late Whitney Houston, who she had been good friends with since starring together in The Preacher’s Wife.
Lewis shared that she "noticed" Houston's drug abuse in 2009 when the singer appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show.'
“She eventually went on Oprah and said she was using during that time. I noticed something,” Lewis explained. “This is in my book, ‘The Mother of Black Hollywood.’ I noticed something, and she just wasn’t ready at that time to go and get help.”
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Lewis claims Whitney Houston had plans to get help for her drug use.
Lewis went on to share that before her death, Houston told her of her plans to get help for her addiction. The actress says that was the last time she her the Grammy winner’s voice.
“She was on her way to a rehab and she called. She said, ‘I’m gonna do it this time, mama. I’m gonna do it.’” Lewis recalled. While fighting back tears, she added, “Never heard from her again.”
Lewis says Houston wanted to get herself better before filming 'Waiting To Exhale 2'
The Black-ish star claimed that Houston went to rehab “to get herself together.” She also revealed that the renowned vocalist was “getting ready” to begin filming Waiting to Exhale 2.
“They were thinking about it, yeah,” Lewis shared.
“I got to say this to you. Whitney’s voice … her instrument was the eighth wonder of the world, and I wish that we all could have done more. But you cannot help a person who’s not ready to be helped.”
She later added, “Whitney Houston. There will never be another. “There will never be another.”
