December 30th 2024.
Whitney Houston's former bodyguard, David Roberts, has recently released a new memoir that sheds light on their relationship. As many fans know, their connection was partly the inspiration behind Houston's hit film, The Bodyguard.
David, a retired Welsh police officer, worked as Houston's close protection officer from 1988 to 1995, during the peak of her fame. Their bond was so strong that it even influenced the plot of the 1992 blockbuster, with Kevin Costner playing the role of Frank Farmer, Houston's bodyguard, and love interest.
In his memoir, titled Protecting Whitney: The Memoir of Her Bodyguard, David opened up about a time when he was tempted to cross the line between a professional and a personal relationship with Houston. He recalls a moment when the singer affectionately laid her head on his shoulder, and he was tempted to give up everything for her. However, he remained focused on his duty to keep her safe, and their relationship never turned romantic, unlike in the movie.
David explained, "As a close protection officer, my priority was always to protect her. If I had crossed that line, I would have lost my objectivity, and that would have put her in danger." He also added that the film's emotional climax, where the lovers part ways, serves as a reminder of the consequences when a bodyguard and their client cross the line.
The retired security professional, now based in Florida, also shared that many details from the film were based on his and Houston's real experiences. For example, the scene where Rachel Marron (Houston's character) holds onto Frank's (Costner's character) shirt to escape from fans was how they actually handled crowds in real life. David also revealed that he used the name Rachel Marron to book hotel rooms for Houston when she was traveling.
Despite initially being hesitant to work for Houston, given his background in the police force, David was proven wrong when he met her for the first time at Heathrow airport. He was expecting her to be spoiled and difficult, but instead, he found her to be gracious, shy, introverted, and one of the most beautiful women he had ever met.
Over the years, David protected Houston from numerous threats, and his list of deranged fans reached 50 names. However, in a poignant moment, he admitted that he was unable to protect her from herself. He recalls being fired from his job after reaching out to her lawyers, expressing his concerns about members of her team enabling her addiction. Sadly, he never saw her again after that.
Houston tragically passed away at the age of 48 from accidental drowning in her bathtub, with heart disease and cocaine found in her system. Her co-star in The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner, who had formed a close friendship with her during the film's production, delivered a touching eulogy at her funeral.
The Bodyguard was a massive success, grossing over $400 million and becoming a certified blockbuster. The film's soundtrack, which featured Houston's iconic cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," sold over 45 million copies, making it her highest-selling album and the best-selling soundtrack of all time.
In light of Houston's struggles with addiction, David offers confidential advice and support for those dealing with substance abuse. He encourages anyone in need to reach out to organizations like Adfam and DrugFam, which offer support for families and individuals affected by drug and alcohol misuse.
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