Whitney Houston Seemed ‘Happy’ Before Death, Friend Says

A few days before her sudden death, Whitney Houston reportedly was happy, singing, and surrounded with family and friends.

On Thursday night, Whitney Houston appeared on stage at a Hollywood club with singer Kelly Price to sing Yes, Jesus Loves Me. Her performance was met with cheers from the crowd. She was happy, Price said. She was the Whitney I always knew. The event was to honor R&B music. In that crowd of heavy cheers was Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, whom she had with ex-husband Bobby Brown.

Co-host of the R&B event, soul singer Kenny Lattimore, said Houston didn't seem to be having any problems that night, which made her death such a shock for me. But another source who spoke with the Huffington Post said Houston appeared disheveled, was sweating profusely, and smelled of liquor and cigarettes. Photos taken by paparazzi that night seem to confirm that picture.

Whitney Houston long was known for substance abuse problems. In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the singer admitted that cocaine and marijuana were her drugs of choice. That's it, said Houston, But he [Bobby Brown] liked to drink. I wasn't a drinker.

Despite years of drug problems and her divorce from Bobby Brown, Houston was reportedly working on a comeback. Days before the Grammys she was giving advice to singers Monica and Brandy, as well as attending rehearsals. The Huffington Post reports that the singer had also just finished working on the remake of the film Sparkle.