Why Whitney Houston Began Rebelling as a Teenager

Whitney Houston rose to fame when she was barely in her 20s. But before her history-making music career, she’d already found stardom in the fashion world. Still, Houston’s dream was music stardom. And when she felt like her parents were blocking her from her musical aspirations, she began to rebel. 

The singer’s mother refused to let her sign a record contract

Houston sang her first solo in church when she was barely a teenager. Her mother Cissy, a gospel singer who also found fame as a background vocalist for the likes of Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, groomed Houston’s vocals and performance styles. Houston began performing at different showcases alongside her mother, as well as in studio sessions for other artists. In high school, she caught the attention of Luther Vandross, who wanted to produce Houston. But Cissy said no.

“I wanted her to finish high school,” Cissy explained, per People Magazine’s commemorative edition in honor of Houston’s 10-year death anniversary. “I knew if she got started in the business there would be no stopping her.

But Houston did not like her mother’s objections. So, she rebelled, according to family friend Rev DeForest Soaries. “John and Cissy asked me to talk to her,” he told People. “Whitney and I sat down at McDonald’s. The disco movement was hot, and she felt her parents were slowing down her emergence as an artist. I said, ‘I know it’s frustrating, and it may take you a little while to get out there. But no one will be able to ignore you, and no one will be able to forget you.’ she just couldn’t wait, but she was respectful.”

She eventually found another creative outlet in modeling

Houston may have been upset over her mother making her wait to embark on a music career, but she quickly found fame in another entertainment arena. During an appearance at Carnegie Hall, a 17-year-old Houston was scouted by a modeling agent. Houston was signed and within months, was booking the covers as magazines like Glamour and Cosmopolitan – and she made history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of Seventeen Magazine.

“She was just delightful, a joy to be around,” said Diane Forden, an editor for Seventeen at the time. “Just magical. And never, ever a diva.”

Houston juggled her high school studies with her international modeling career, even appearing in a TV commercial in Canada. She missed weeks of school at a time for gigs and would often catch up on her work while on break at shoots. But, modeling wasn’t her first passion, and she kept her eyes and heart set on music.

Whitney Houston finally signed her recording contract when she was 19

Houston had several record company executives vying for her attention. There was a competitive battle between Epic Records and Elektra Records. But it was Clive Davis of Arista Records what would garner Houston’s attention. 

Davis explained in a forward of Houston’s 35th anniversary of her debut album that the young singer signing with him came down to a specific clause in her contract.

“Whitney would only sign with us if she was given a key man clause that stated she would only work with me: if I were to leave the company for any reason, she could leave as well,” Davis writes. “At that time, Arista was part of RCA Records. We had never given that clause to any artist (and never would again), but in view of my passion, the RCA board approved it…and our lifetime musical adventure began.”

Houston remained at Arista for her nearly 30 years career. Davis was not just her label head, but also her mentor and close friend.