Kellie Alexandria Anderson trampled around the small meeting room in Café Marmalade as she headed to meet her client Whitney Houston. Kellie was the typical southern blonde beach babe who could've married someone well off based on her good looks. But she was smart, college educated and went into a budding career of being a publicist. She had successfully taken A-list celebrities to the next level of exposure and fame. Kellie was hired by Arista to fine-tune Whitney's career to a new audience, since she was coming back into the spotlight with a new sound, style and look.
She met Whitney, Robyn and CeCe (who was in town on business) for a meeting on Whitney's album release party, since it was around the corner. Her Jimmy Choo satan sling backs clunked against the hardwood floor as she came over towards the three ladies. They all raised eyebrows of interest as soon as she came up to them. "So you're CeCe Winans." Kellie said as she put on a charming, plastic smile. "I've heard a lot about you and seen your work with your brother BeBe. And Whitney, it is such a honor to meet up with you and work with you." Whitney smiled as she shook her hand. "And this is my friend and executive assistant, Robyn." She nodded towards Robyn direction, making sure she was acknowledged. "Oh, hello." Kellie quickly said moving on before Robyn could say anything back; she politely dismissed her just like people in Hollywood did once they realized that a certain, "regular" person had no real value to them.
"So I was thinking that we should have the release party at either The White Lotus, Roosevelt Hotel, or even the Sunset Room." Kellie turned her nose up. "Those places are centrally located and everyone won't have to travel far from their destinations." "I guess that would make sense." CeCe softly said. "Didn't you have a party at the Roosevelt before? That turned out really nice. Maybe you should have it there again, Whit." "And I am going to hire a celebrity party planner, so there wouldn't be anything for much for you ladies to have to do. Whitney is a fabulous A-list artist, so she must have a top-notch room." Kellie added on.
"Roosevelt Room was nice, I guess." Whitney said. Her mind was somewhere else, thinking about her how the party would mark the start of the album release, her tour, and the balance of her maintaining her marriage and motherhood. "The Roosevelt Room is so overdone." Robyn finally spoke up. "What?" Kellie asked. "The Roosevelt is…" "Like I said, really overdone." Robyn interrupted her without a hint of a smile on her face. Everyone focused on Robyn with surprised looks. "Well….what do YOU suggest Robyn." Kellie said as she fixed her baby green eyes on her while CeCe tried her best not to laugh out loud. "Why not do something completely different and have it done at the Harry Winston on Rodeo Drive? Whitney is considered a national treasure, so she should shine amongst the diamonds there. I get so tired of celebrities using the same venues to have their events at. This is just another way that Whitney will stand out among her peers.
Whitney brightened up at her friend and assistant's suggestion. "That is so fresh. I love it Robyn!" she grabbed her and gave her a hug. "Me too. That's a fabulous idea." Kellie smiled and seemed to relax for the first time since entering the room. "Girlfriend, you are a creative genius." CeCe told her. "Thank you." Robyn coolly said. Don't ever come against my decision making ever again she thought towards Kellie. The ladies sat down to some finger foods among the small spread the café offered them. "I just had an idea." Kellie spoke up. "Since the Winston will be too big to hold everybody there, let's have the press set up there and then have an after-party of sorts at that new hot restaurant, The Sapphire. "It totally fits. The Harry Winston is Part I and The Sapphire is Part II." She flashed a bright smile at them. "I love it. I think this will be just what is needed to give this album some deserved attention." Whitney agreed. "I think this event is gonna be the talk of the town." CeCe declared. "It's a win-win situation for everyone." Kellie stated as she stood up and grabbed her purse. "Harry Winston. Clive is going to love it ladies. Chao." She blew them a kiss and strutted herself out the door.
"Girlfriend is something else, but I think she knows what she is doing." Whitney said once she left. "Robyn, I think you two work very well together." She winked at her friend while Robyn playfully shot her an evil glare. "She knew she had to give me props, or she was going to be without a pair of Jimmy Choos once I got done with her." The three ladies busted out laughing.
Harry Winston had no problem in lending out the store as the site for Whitney's release party for her long awaited fourth- studio album. They even designed a gorgeous topaz diamond necklace and earrings for the event. On the night of the party, Rodeo Drive was roped off and huge screens were set up outside so that fans could participate in the festivities. Searchlights danced across the sky, headlining the launch of My Love Is Your Love. Videos of "When You Believe", the popular duet with former musical rival, turned friend Mariah Carey and her smoking-hot single "It's Not Right, But It's Okay" As everyone waited for Whitney's arrival, flutes of champagne and an assortment of appetizers were offered to the press and VIP guest inside of the store.
As they neared the party, Whitney nervously took Kevin's hand and was glad when he squeezed it back and smiled at her. Ever since the argument they had at the studio, things had been tense between the two of them. But neither could stand having that around each other and they were able to sit down and talk about the issues at hand. Kevin promised Whitney that he would be more understanding to her career and why she had to tour. He told her that he would support her unconditionally and find a way to fix his schedule and join her on some of the tour. Whitney promised that she would be more considerate in any future career decisions and involve him in everything for here on out. She was supportive with his career, but she said she didn't want the marriage to be all about her career and made sure she would be at any event that he needed her support in. Through it all, they were committed to each other and loved each other very deeply. "Nervous?" He asked her in the limo. "A little" Whitney admitted. "Don't be babe. You've worked very hard on this album and you deserve all the attention and praise that you're gonna get." Kevin told her. "Thank you baby, I appreciate you so much, you have no idea." She leaned in and gave him a big kiss.
"She's here you guys!" Kellie told Clive and the excited crowd meanwhile as the limo pulled up. All of Whitney's friends and family had arrived for the event as well as her label mates. The album was a very big deal because Whitney had not done a full studio album in years. All of her fans had been waiting for this album and Whitney hoped she didn't disappoint. A driver opened up the door and Whitney stepped out in a Dolce & Gabana gold gown. The top tier designer had already made a deal with Whitney to have her wear their clothes on tour for exposure and the clothes did not disappoint her new style. Kevin stepped out looking very dapper in a tuxedo. Lights and cameras flashed about as they stepped together on the carpet as husband and wife, and the epitome of Hollywood royalty.
Dionne and her parents stood in the middle of the store to meet them as they came in. "I knew you all were coming in fashionably late, but please." Cissy teased her daughter as they all greeted each other. "But we look fabulous don't we?" Whitney playfully shot back. "Very" Dionne laughed. "It's the gold talking." Kevin added, making everyone laugh more. Whitney and Kevin posed for a few pictures together before she went around and had pictures taken with her guests and label peers.
After the photo opportunity, Kellie allowed the press a brief question and answer session. "Whitney, this last CD was so passionate. What was the inspiration behind this album?" A woman shouted. "My wonderful, talented and supportive husband." Whitney kissed Kevin on the lips. There was applause and more cameras flashed.
"Whitney!" A man yelled for her attention. "This album is quite a different direction for you. A lot of critics are saying that this album is fresh, with all of the elements of R&B, pop and even techno and Carribbean. I know you worked with Missy Elliot and Wyclef Jean, so what made you go this direction?" Kellie looked to speak up, but Whitney put her hand out to stop her. "Well, Clive really liked what we had going on a potential greatest hits album, so he encouraged me to add on to that. With the direction of how music is going, I know I had to change up my style a bit and I worked with a lotta great producers that brought the best of my creativity out of me. I had a good time and put hard work into this and I hope my fans enjoy what came out of it." She said.
Another reporter stood up. "Whitney. Kevin. How have you two made it this far in this crazy business?" Everyone cracked up as Kevin took Whitney's hand. "Um…it's not always easy, believe us. But we keep an open line of communication at all times. If we don't like the way one of us are doing something, we talk about it and we find a way to resolve it. Whatever decisions we both make in our careers, we now discuss them first, because we try to do what's best for our family." She responded.
Everybody cheered as Kevin and Whitney kissed again.
"Whitney, I commend you on your family first values," Another press person began. "But answer this for me. If you are so big on family and your values, then why is it that you have issues of being an alleged drug user?!" The room got so quiet you could hear a rat pee on a cotton ball as everyone waited on Whitney's response. Kevin also got silent as the color faded from his face. Robyn and her brothers felt themselves shaking and the wind seemed to be knocked out of her mother, Dionne and CeCe.
Whitney was poised and collected as she replied. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Whitney is it true that you partake in drugs on you private and leisure time? There are reports from an unnamed source who claims to have seen you do this on more than one occasion." The reporter was relentless. Whitney coolly narrowed her eyes although she felt like fainting inside. "An unnamed source?" she asked. "You are going to come to me with these silly accusations from some unnamed source?!" she shot back. "There will be no further questions." Kellie said as she stood up and directed security to remove Whitney, Kevin and the rest from the jewelry store. "If you have any further questions about Whitney's music, direct them to me."
The room buzzed with conversation as Kevin and Whitney's entourage was led out of the store.