The Gospel According to Whitney

Whitney Houston's most memorable gospel moments.

Whitney's Musical Lineage - As daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, it's clear that Whitney Houston was destined to impact the music industry, especially when you consider her other family ties--cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick and godmother Aretha Franklin.

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Whitney Duets With Cissy Houston - Even though Whitney Houston grew up under Cissy’s watchful eye singing at New Hope Baptist church in Newark, NJ, their first official duet didn’t occur until 1987, when Cissy joined her daughter for "I Know Him So Well," a cover that was included on the Whitney album.(Photo: NNS/Landov)

Whitney Sings for Mandela  - In 1988 an all-gospel set was planned for the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert in London, instead the audience was blessed with Cissy Houston joining Whitney for the gospel song “I Believe.”(Photo: Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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Whitney Sings for Mandela - In 1988 an all-gospel set was planned for the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert in London, instead the audience was blessed with Cissy Houston joining Whitney for the gospel song “I Believe.”(Photo: Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

CeCe Winans and Whitney Houston, "Count on Me" - The 1996 box-office smash Waiting to Exhale focuses on four friends supporting each other through tough times. To capture this sisterly spirit, Whitney recruited her long-time friend CeCe Winans, the godmother to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, for this gold-selling smash from the film's soundtrack.(Photo: Ron Galela,ltd./Getty images)

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Whitney Tours With the Winans - Even though it’s well known that Whitney and the Winans Family were extremely close, it’s not well known that in 1989 she toured with the Winans as a back up singer for their U.S. tour. She also recorded the popular single “Hold Up With the Light” with the Winans younger brother and sister duo, Bebe and Cece.(Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage/Getty Images)

The Preacher's Wife (1996) - In this remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife, Whitney stars as Julia, choir singer and wife of the Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance). Denzel Washington also stars in the film. (Photo: Mundy Lane Entertainment)

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Whitney Is The Preacher’s Wife - In 1996, Whitney starred with Denzel Washington in the holiday comedy The Preacher's Wife, and also realized a lifelong dream of creating a gospel album when she recorded and co-produced the soundtrack.(Photo: Mundy Lane Entertainment)

Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard - On the face of it, it may seem like playing a slightly spoiled, diva-ish pop star wouldn't be a huge stretch for Houston, but playing to type isn't always as easy as it looks. When you consider others who have tried to cross over from music to movies — Britney Spears, Mariah Carey — Houston's performance seems downright Oscar worthy.(Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures)

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Whitney Films The Bodyguard - In 1992 Whitney filmed her first feature film, The Bodyguard, starring Kevin Costner, and used her star power to have the producers include her favorite gospel tune, “Jesus Loves Me.” (Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures)

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Whitney Has One Wish - Whitney released an album of traditional (and gospel) Christmas songs in 2006 with an album entitled One Wish: The Holiday Album. (Photo: Arista Records)

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Whitney Has One Wish - Whitney released an album of traditional (and gospel) Christmas songs in 2006 with an album entitled One Wish: The Holiday Album. (Photo: Arista Records)

Photo By Photo: Arista Records

On womanhood: - "I like being a woman, even in a man's world. After all, men can't wear dresses, but we can wear the pants." (Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Whitney Releases I Look to You - In 2009, Whitney released her last studio album, I Look to You, named after a gospel-inspired title track penned by R. Kelly. Sadly, it was the last song she performed on television at BET's Celebration of Gospel with her good friend Kim Burrell.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)