Well - it's happened! I met Whitney Houston tonight. The evening was fascinating to say the least...

In total, I believe around 300 fans were allowed in. These are people who had won competitions to attend the in-store appearance. Whitney appeared fashionable late (not too late though) and took her place on a mini-stage in front of large screens which played her videos. She talked briefly about "My Love Is Your Love" and about the producers she chose to work on the project. Stuff the fans already know, but the media were there and it was also an opportunity for them to ask questions, which they did. One reporter asked her what her favorite song was to which Whitney responded by singing a short segment of "You'll Never Stand Alone". She sounded great.

The signing began shortly after and Matt (whom I managed to convince to travel a few hundred miles down to London for the event!) and I were about 50th(?) in the queue to meet Whitney. I had decided to take "The Preacher's Wife" for Whitney to sign. This is the US edition (Whitney in the yellow top looking up - Thanks Tony!!). When finally reaching Whitney, my CD cover was handed to Whitney's assistant. Whitney didn't look up at first - she looked curiously at the CD cover that I had presented, pushed it away from her as if to examine it and then looked up.

"That's my girl!" or words to that effect came from Whitney. I think she'd seen alot of "My Love Is Your Love" covers this evening. I introduced myself - my name, that it was an honour to finally meet her. Whitney was curtious but obviously quite rushed, she looked up again - an acknowledgment that she was hearing me so I then told her about this Website - I can't even remember my exact words, but I did tell her. She (or her assistant?) handed me the CD cover and Whitney said thanks, I thanked her and she was off signing the next CD.

The event was fast and furious but Whitney was on a mission and I remain humbled to have finally met this remarkable woman.

My world has met Whitney's tonight in an intriguing fashion.

[Post script: Many thanks to Matt - thank you for sharing this evening in all the levels it presented itself within - & to Mandy, what a day huh?].