The Untold Story of Whitney Houston’s Early Conversations with Aretha Franklin—What the Queen of Soul Told Her

Whitney Houston’s early career wasn’t just defined by her powerhouse vocals—it was also shaped by key influences and unexpected beginnings, including her conversations with Aretha Franklin and her brief foray into modeling. Long before she became the voice of a generation, Houston was learning the ropes of show business while carving her own path, often drawing wisdom from those who knew the industry best.

In a 1985 People magazine feature, a then-22-year-old Houston recalled the creative exchanges she had with Franklin during her formative years. As the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, who frequently provided backing vocals for Franklin, Whitney had a front-row seat to one of music’s most legendary artists. “I had all kinds of conversations with Aretha,” she said, reflecting on sessions where Franklin’s emotional, heartfelt singing became a benchmark she aimed to reach. These early interactions gave Houston a firsthand look at the discipline and artistry required to deliver a deeply moving performance—qualities that would later define her own career. Houston’s relationship with Franklin, often described as a mentorship, was built on this foundation of shared creativity and mutual respect.

Around the same time, Houston also dabbled in modeling, an opportunity that came unexpectedly. In 1980, she was discovered by a modeling scout near Carnegie Hall, leading to appearances in Seventeen, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. Her success as one of the first Black models to grace the cover of Seventeen magazine in November 1981 was groundbreaking. Yet even as her modeling career took off, Houston never lost sight of her true passion—music. By 1985, she had transitioned fully into the industry, and her reflections on those early days reveal a young woman balancing ambition, talent, and the lessons imparted by a legendary family friend.

Houston’s recollections of her early conversations with Franklin, coupled with her modeling achievements, show the many dimensions of her journey to stardom. It wasn’t just her remarkable voice that set her apart; it was the influence of the Queen of Soul, the determination she exhibited as a young model, and the unwavering drive that defined her rise.