David Roberts, the former bodyguard of Whitney Houston, has opened up about his six years protecting one of music's biggest stars, offering a rare glimpse into the challenges and pressures of mega-stardom that ultimately contributed to the singer's tragic downfall.
Roberts, now 72 and living in Florida, first met Houston in 1988 while working for the American embassy in London. Despite his initial unfamiliarity with the star, asking "Whitney Houston, who's he?", Roberts was immediately struck by her sophistication and beauty after their first meeting.
"She had the voice of an angel," recalls Roberts, who transitioned from his role in the RAF Police and Metropolitan Police to become Houston's director of security. What began as a three-month assignment evolved into a six-year journey alongside one of the world's most famous performers.
The job came with unique challenges, including managing obsessed fans. During the Far East tour, Roberts monitored approximately 50 potentially threatening individuals. One fan sent disturbing messages written on toilet paper, while another in Australia mailed soiled underwear and made threats to "take her to meet his mother in heaven" during a concert.
Roberts witnessed Houston's personal relationships unfold, including her marriage to Bobby Brown in 1992. "It's remarkable to me it lasted as long as it did," he reflects. Their professional relationship grew so intuitive that words became unnecessary - a simple tug on his jacket was enough communication.
The story took a dark turn in 1995 when Roberts noticed Houston's "gradual but obvious deterioration." Despite raising concerns about her well-being, he was dismissed from his position after suggesting rehabilitation. "That was the bullet that I did take for her," he says.
Houston's death in 2012 at age 48, followed by her daughter Bobbi Kristina's passing in 2015, deeply affected Roberts. He has channeled his grief and anger into a new book, "Whitney: The Memoir of Her Bodyguard," which criticizes the entertainment industry's demanding nature.
"The entertainment industry is a beast," Roberts states, reflecting on how young artists like Houston become part of a "money-making machine" with little room for normal life. His account serves as both a tribute to Houston's memory and a cautionary tale about the price of fame.