Whitney Thanks People For Their Concern...

Houston Spokeswoman Denies Fatal Overdose Rumor

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop singer Whitney Houston's spokeswoman Thursday denied rumors that the superstar had died of an overdose.

"Whitney Houston is fine. This is a rumor and it's not true. She thanks everyone for their concern. She is fine and at home with her family," spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer said in a statement.

The source of the rumors was unknown. Said an official at Seltzer's office: "It's a very, very bad rumor that happened at a very, very bad time."

Houston, 38, performed during the tribute concert for Michael Jackson last Friday, when observers commented on her seemingly emaciated condition. She did not appear on the second night of the tribute the following Monday.

Houston was charged with marijuana possession after security personnel at an airport in Hawaii allegedly found a small quantity of the drug in her bag in January 2000. A judge later dismissed the charge.

The singer, whose No. 1 hits included "Saving All My Love For You" and "I Will Always Love You," last month signed a rich contract extension at Arista Records, reportedly worth more than $100 million. Arista is a unit of German media giant Bertelsmann AG.

NEWSFILE: 13 SEPTEMBER 2001