After years of speculation, rumor, and mis-information, Robyn Crawford is setting the record straight – she did indeed have a romantic relationship with the late Whitney Houston.
For decades, Crawford has been as notable for her omnipresence in the singer’s career as she has been for her silence about it.
Yet, with the increased interest in the diva’s life post her tragic death in 2012, her longtime confidant is telling her side of the story. A story that has been told from many perspectives – beside hers – in a number of posthumous documentaries.
Now on the cusp of releasing her memoir, ‘A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston,’ Crawford’s account has been previewed by PEOPLE.
Check out excerpts from the book, which she says she is releasing to “lift her legacy, give her respect and share the story of who she was before the fame,” below…
Explaining her motivations for sharing the story, she said:
“I’d come to the point where I felt the need to stand up for our friendship. And I felt an urgency to stand up and share the woman behind the incredible talent.”
Upon meeting in 1980 at a New Jersey summer camp, Crawford (who was 19) and Whitney (who was almost 17) hit it off and established a deep rooted friendship. One which would eventually blossom into more.
Crawford confirmed a physical intimacy and said of how inseparable they were:
“We wanted to be together and that meant just us.”
However, Whitney would go on to end the physical part of their relationship shortly after when she signed a record deal with Arista/Clive Davis.
Deeply religious, she broke the news to Crawford (now 58 and a personal trainer) by presenting her with a bible. On the 1982 encounter, Crawford remarked:
“She said we shouldn’t be physical anymore. because it would make our journey even more difficult.
She said if people find out about us, they would use this against us and back in the ’80s that’s how it felt.
[So] I kept it safe. I found comfort in my silence.”
Another factor, she says, was Houston religious family:
“Whitney told me her mother [gospel singer Cissy Houston] said it wasn’t natural for two women to be that close, but we were that close.”
In remaining within Houston’s professional and personal camp for many years after, the rumor-mill churned and press intrusion mounted. Yet, Crawford felt they had an intrinsic understanding of the bond they had, one it seems that couldn’t be broken:
“We never talked about labels, like lesbian or gay. We just lived our lives and I hoped it could go on that way forever.”
Conclusively, she stressed:
“Whitney knows I loved her and I know she loved me. We really meant everything to each other. We vowed to stand by each other.”
Wow. It’s a lot to digest and, in many ways, adds new layers of depth to the “Whitney Houston” story.
And while some may side-eye Robyn’s motivations, we don’t.
So much has been said about “her” and “them,” that it’s only fair she is presented a platform to tell her truth. Something she has done tastefully and tactly here.
‘A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston’ will be released November 12th.
CUT THE CAMERAS, DEAD ÀSS.
They made a cute couple, TBH.
No they did not. Real couples are monogamous. Clearly, Whitney was not interested in being with Robyn long term. Long before Whitney met Bobby Brown she had an extensive dating history with men like Eddie Murphy, Randall Cunningham, Jermaine Jackson, and several others.
Call it what you want baby doll but as for me I still say they were a CUTE COUPLE!!! Maybe if she was able to live her truth without the damnation of religion her life would not have spiraled out of control.
I think its lazy / easy to make idiot claims like ‘maybe if she was able to live her truth’ blah blah blah just to fit your lesbian agenda. The FACT of the matter is Whitney lived her truth! What we are not going to do is label her a closeted lesbian. Her marriage to Bobby was REAL. Nobody has a fake 14 year marriage. Her lovers before Bobby, including Robyn, were REAL too. Accept ALL the FACTs not just some stupid lesbian agenda narrative.
S*** shaming Whitney?! Wow…
S**** shaming? Grow the F up. Do not step into adult conversations unless u can conduct yourself on an adult level. Nobody is s**** shaming anybody. Whitney was a very young woman entering adulthood in the 80s and behaved just like most young adults do. You are supposed to have relationships and have sexx. Get your life and grow the F up.
An extensive dating doesn’t mean not monogamous. You say that like she was dating all those people at the same time. Is it stupidity?
Dont try to twist my words. I said what I said as a REMINDER of the FACT she dated other men besides Bobby like Eddy Murphy, Randall Cuningham, Jermaine Jackson, and several others. ANY twisting of my words will be corrected so don’t try it!
Except I didn’t twist your words. I said exactly what you said and you couldn’t back it up cuz it made no sense. ????
LIES. Here is what u stated: “An extensive dating doesn’t mean not monogamous. You say that like she was dating all those people at the same time. Is it stupidity?”
1. An extensive dating doesn’t mean not monogamous.
I never said an extensive dating (history) means monogamous.
2. You say that like she was dating all those people at the same time. Is it stupidity?
I never said she was dating all those people at the same time.
Thus, you need to F off. First you clearly tried to twist my words to mean something other than what I wrote. Now, you are lying about it when i can easily quote you pathetically trying to Twist my words. Do you even have an opinion about the subject at hand or are you just fixated on lying to me?
You really are an idiot lol. We all read what you wrote and I don’t have time to argue with you on it. Maybe rearrange your sentence structure to convey what you really mean next time bc it sucks at this point.
Idk why your ass is so mad as if you knew Whitney personally. Pat Houston is that your money hungry ass?? Bobby himself said Whitney would still be alive if Robyn were allowed to remain In her life. Even he was aware of their RELATIONSHIP? but keep pounding at that keyboard like you have all the facts.
‘I am not mad. Are you mad? Why are you so mad? You must be mad because I think you are mad.’
1. That is how stupid you sound when you call me mad. If you are not capable of having a rational adult conversation then do not respond to my comments dear. One does not have to be ‘mad’ to have an opposing opinion.
2. I am not Pat Houston.
3. There was nothing or anyone stopping Robyn from being in Whitney’s life. Whitney had plenty of gay friends. They simply grew apart. Read Robyn’s book. Robyn explains that quite well and you will see there is nothing anyone could have done to stop Whitney’s drug addiction, including Robyn.
4. Robyn and Whitney did not have a relationship. Read the book. They were two friends who had a teenage fling. Whitney had a love life after Robyn and Vice versa. Whitney was not a lesbian. Robyn is a lesbian. Mature adults are able to grasp the reasons why that type of ‘relationship’ would never work and is better suited for friendship. Nobody wants to date half a person. Either you are together fully or it is better not to be together at all.
5. Whitney used drugs for over 3 decades but she is still female. The female body is weaker than the male body. Hence, the real reason why she died (heart disease coupled with heavy cocaine use). If Whitney were a man she would likely still be living because the male body can endure more drug use than the female body. That is a proven scientific fact.
How can I read a book that hasn’t been released yet other than a few excerpts??
Whitney and Robyn had a romantic relationship. Point blank. You can be in denial or point out “lesbian agendas” as you please. But you’ll be doing it by yourself. Now move along. I’m no longer interested in anything you have to say.
1. You can order the book now and receive it on 11/12/19 through Amazon Prime.
2. No one, including Robyn, is denying Whitney and her had a teenage romance! You are pretending like that was Whitney’s only romance is the reason I am justified in calling you out on your lesbian agenda BS. Either acknowledge ALL of Whitney’s romances (including the numerous ones with men) or face the reality your opinion has no value.
3. You claim ‘you are no longer interested’ in my opinions yet you will continue to reply so why are you lying? Just like your lesbian Agenda BS you are full of sh1t.
Your argument that “real couples” are monogamous is pretty terrible. There are plenty of people in non-monagamous, open, and polyamorous relationships and they are very real.
None of that polygabulllsh1t matters. If youbare not monogamous then your ‘relationship’ is meaningless. You are just dating and not accepting the reality you are with someone whom you cannot satisfy all their needs. Hence, why in the US you are only allowed one legal spouse on paper. If a man has 20 wives those women are fools for allowing that nonsense.
Now is that the only ‘arguement’ u read or was there more that peaked your interest? Surely, your brain is able to grasp more than that one little argument right?
Girl do you work or just spend all day in TGJ trolling and writing homophobic shiz and claiming you’re happy and blessed bc anyone with a man, kids and a job ain’t got your level of time to sit here angry as hell all day. People are entitled to their opinions and learn to respectfully disagree instead of combating with angry. Lord
I am not angry, mad, or homophobic. When you are able to communicate like an adult without name calling then you can speak to me. Until then u may NOT speak to me.
people can be bisexual, genius.
Whitney’s sexuality was no secret in old Hollywood. Lesbian rumors have followed her in the public since the beginning of her career. Whitney was a bisexual woman. She loved both men and women. I agree they did look cute together.
Why is that crackhead jasmine fighting so hard for her to be a straight jsjskdjdn like sis relax she loved p**** and loved havin h*** like she loved crack; and that’s a-ok.
She was in a lesbian relationship, and that’s a fact regardless of how upset it makes u ?
Since when is it okay to call people names? Grow up immature man. Whitney was bisexxual. Bobby Brown existed no matter how hard you try to erase his existence. Bobby, Robyn, Eddy Murphy, Randall Cunningham, and many more are forever attached to Whitney’s legacy. Ive said this all along but I am name called ‘mad’, ‘angry’, ‘upset’, etc just for telling the TRUTH. I could care less about Robyn’s gender. I refuse to cosign nonsense that Robyn was Whitney’s only lover when we all know Bobbi Christina came from Bobby. We also know all the numerous times Whitney publicly professed and Shouted her love for Bobby Brown at award shows, at concerts, and in GA court rooms! That is real love right there and anyone trying to erase that existence is ‘mad’!
I wonder if her use was out of frustration of not being able to live her truth
Or maybe she was bi. On the spectrum somewhere. Why are people so freaked out about her sexuality?
Yes she was lost. Like so many others. But she is gone and deserves respect. Why can’t we just remember her for the amazing talent and person she was?
Joke. Angry joke. Peace out.
Amen
I’m here for it I trust Robyn.. & she’s the only one who hasn’t been jumping on the Whitney money train since Whitney passed but people have been spreading their own narratives about her for years so it’s only fair that she get to tell her own side of the story herself versus having other people make up their own.. the unfortunate side to all of this is that we can never get to hear Whitney’s true take on anything.. but I trust Robyn more than I do the rest of them especially that damn Pat!
If Whitney were still alive, Robyn would remain silent out of love and respect for her. Whitney’s own “FAMILY” has been running their mouths and pimping her legacy since her death. Robyns loyalty is unmatched. Even Bobby Brown spilled tea that Whitney liked women.
Is that all Bobby said or is that the only part that matters to you to fit your lesbian agenda? Im 100 percent sure Bobby said a whole lot more than Whitney’s bisexuality like the times he caught her cheating on him with other MEN in their Atlanta home.
Girl, shut up. Dang the only one obsessed with a “lesbian agenda” is you. Popping up on every comment all angry and ish. It is in fact possible that the additional strain of not being with someone she clearly loved as well as The pressures of being in the public eye did affect her. That’s not a lesbian agenda it’s life. It is people like you in her camp that probably helped push her over the edge. Dogmatic, vitriolic, ignorant. It is better to be silent and thought a fool then to speak and remove all doubt. Stop speaking sis. You sound stupid.
You sound stupid and dont ever tell me not to speak. Whitney’s drug use is her own fault. Everyone has life obstacles and challenges but it is always a choice to use drugs! Whitney was with the person she loved. His name is Bobby Brown. Robyn was just a teenage fling. It clearly meant more to Robyn than Whitney. Even when Whitney cheated on Bobby it was with MEN not women! Thus, when people like you try to present this lesbian agenda that Whitney’s drug use was a result of her not being able to live her life as an outright lesbian I am going to call you out on your BS. At best, Whitney was bisexxual. There is no proof she was this closeted lesbian who used drugs as a coping mechanism to deal with a subdued lesbian love life! Whitney lived her life to the fullest and used drugs u choice recreationally! To fully understand her drug use, you have to understand the 80s. All of her peers used drugs! MJ was addicted to pain medication, Madonna used both coke and prescription pills, Eddy Murphy used cocaine, the Debarges used cocaine, tc. Stop making excuses for drug use.
Ummmmmm don’t play dumb Jasmine. I spoke on the topic at hand which is Whitney’s relationship with another WOMAN. Miss me with that “lesbian agenda” b******* because it doesn’t apply here.
To speak on her ‘relationship’ with Robyn and purposefully ignore / refute her relationships with men is the same as having a lesbian agenda. Thanks for PROVING my point.
Bye girl.
Bye lesbian agenda promoter. See you at the next lesbian convention girl.
@Shamari. Death does not negate loyalty. Selfishness is what this is.
So she wait til Whitney dead and gone and the money she probably gave her is gone and she be like **spongebob voice** aight imma write a book
So f****** wrong.
Even tho this may be her truth, why do we need to know this. If this was something scared between her and Whitney, why is she letting Whitney’s family bully her into betraying Whitney’s trust for her own name. I’m sick of people using her name for clout or for whatever gain they’re trying to accumulate money or not. It’s corny and annoying. Let this women rest in the legacy that was her voice and let her personal sh*t be BURRIED for God’s sake!! ?
From another person who is also gay! I hate labels but here we go. I have always know that they where both together you just saw the connection. But now its confirmed I say kudos to her.
I for sure will be buying her book it should be an interesting and fascinating read for sure.
Huge Whitney fan here, and I can’t wait to read the book. Their relationship was widely rumored throughout the 80s, and it is not surprising to me at all. This book will add more depth to a very complex and wonderful person, and I look forward to reading it.
Rosie O’Donnell talked about Whitney and Robyn’s relationship a few years ago. She said everyone in the industry knew. It was no secret. I’m gonna read the book too.
Everybody wants clout even off of the dead.
In my opinion, Robyn is allowed to share her narrative after being silent for 30 years. Whitney’s own family has been blabber mouthing and attention whoring since 2012. Everything about Robyn’s book seems respectful.
Should have waited until Cissy passed before this book drops bc she’s going to flip out and deny. I 100% believe Robyn and wish she was able to make Whit happy. RIP Nippy
Robyn and Pat are becoming more wealthy and seem to be enjoying their lives a lot more with Whitney gone. Something very strange is going on.
What exactly is strange about this development??
Whitney’s fame was global.
Her story post Whitney’s death has lined up w/ most of her close family and friends including exnhusband Bobby.
Whitneynclearly engaged in a sexual relationship w/ Robyn.
Robtn doesnt need validation at this point since everyone around them (i.e her own family and ex husbamd) have already spilled the tea and admitted in 2 docu films they had a sexual relationship.
None of us will ever truly know what led to Whitney destroying her life w/ drug usage. It’s all speculation at this point.
What I do know is Robyn had 30 plus years to “sell” this secret but she hasn’t until now… AFTER several years of folks dragging her name into the mix. I believe her.
She basically said in the book they hooked up for a few years but Whitney cut it off right before she was signed to Clive Davis in 1982/83 and they only ontinued on as best friends/colleagues after that. She is not “ruining” Whitney’s legacy by confirming what her fans and Whitney’s mother and ex husband have ALREADY shared.
Whitney and Robyn were in a sexual relationship before Whit became famous. PERIOD.
PERIODT!!! 30 years of silence and almost 8 years after her death. Meanwhile, Whitney’s family didn’t even wait until the dirt settled on her casket to film a reality show.
@G-bby. Pat did it first when she exploited Bobbi Kristina for that Oprah interview. She’s still taking advantage of Whitney. She and Robyn will be entering into a venture together… just wait.
Let The Real Truth Be Told. There Are So Many Lies About Whitney Until It Not Funny. The Truth And Only The Truth Matters. I Only Wish That If Whitney And Robyn Was Sexually Involved That Robyn Nor Whitney Made It Public While She Was Living. My Thing Is What The Piint Now, It Want Hurt Nothing Or Change Anything Because Whitney Is Dead.A True Friend Or Lover Would Let It Die As Well. Robyn Don’t Have To Prove Anything Now, If She Felt That She Had To Prove Her Loyalty To Whitney Now Is The Best Time For Her To Keep Silence About The Matter Whitney Is Not Here To Tell Her Side Of The Story.Real Friend Don’t Talk Or Tell No Matter What!! If She Didn’t Talk While Whitney Was Alive , Why Now?
Exactly!!