In an interview recounting his six years as Whitney Houston’s bodyguard, David Roberts reflects on an experience that transformed his perspective on fame and personal sacrifice. Known for her powerful voice and stellar career, Houston’s life was celebrated globally, yet Roberts approached the role with a sense of normalcy, devoid of the celebrity fanaticism that many might assume.
“When I was first asked to protect Whitney, I was not star-struck; I didn’t even recognize her name,” Roberts recalls, humorously noting his ignorance of her fame during their initial meeting in 1988 when he worked at the American Embassy in London. He was, however, quickly impressed once he encountered Houston, describing her as a sophisticated and intelligent young woman. It was a striking contrast to his background from a farming community in North Wales. For Roberts, the role meant traveling the world and being with one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry, making it both a significant career shift and a remarkable life experience.
After six years of touring, Roberts published his book titled “Whitney: The Memoir of Her Bodyguard,” intended as an homage to a complicated friendship forged under extraordinary circumstances. It explores the challenges of protecting an icon in a culture that often blurs the line between admiration and obsession. During their time together, Roberts mentions that he often sensed Houston’s emotional struggles. While he never witnessed direct evidence of drug use, he empathized with her stress from the demands placed upon her—especially as Houston’s career soared. His insight into the pressures she faced sheds light on the darker side of celebrity culture, where personal well-being sometimes takes a back seat to commercial success.
David’s initial assignment was intended to last just three months, but it quickly expanded into a full-time director of security for Houston during her Far East tour. He experienced firsthand how high-profile stars manage their time, noting that although Houston was very much in demand, she often preferred to be alone, spending long hours in hotel rooms on the phone with then-boyfriend Eddie Murphy. Houston’s preference for solitude amidst the chaos surrounding her career posed a unique challenge for Roberts, whose job it was to ensure her safety without imposing on her personal space.
In addition to Houston’s turbulent relationships, notably with singer Bobby Brown whom she married in 1992, Roberts observed the toll that fame took on her mental health. Despite the tumult, he noted Harris’s resilience, joking about how a significant portion of their wedding day was filled with the security team anticipating a swift divorce. While the marriage lasted for 15 years, the strain of maintaining personal stability amidst the glare of public scrutiny took its toll on both Houston and the people who loved her.
Although Roberts was primarily there to protect, he grew close enough to Houston that he often understood her needs without conversation. Their relationship, however, was not romantic as depicted in the film “The Bodyguard” but rather marked by a protective camaraderie that he likens to that of a “kindly uncle.” Still, he admits that his connection and emotional investment in her safety were profound. When queried if he would have laid down his life for her, he responded unequivocally, acknowledging the gravity of his responsibilities.
Roberts’ reflection extends to the emotional impact of Houston’s untimely passing in 2012 at the age of 48 due to accidental drowning exacerbated by substance abuse and heart disease. His account echoes a foreboding sentiment that the entertainment industry can be a merciless force, often prioritizing profitability over an artist’s health. The grief felt at Houston’s death and the tragic fate of her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, only intensified Roberts’ determination to shine a light on the darker aspects of fame and the systems that perpetuate it.
Ultimately, Roberts reflects on the lessons learned from working alongside Houston, leaving readers with poignant insights about fame’s price and the often invisible struggles that celebrities endure behind the glamor. His memoir seeks to unveil the realities of an industry that prioritizes output over personal well-being, underscoring the urgent need for reform in how society treats its stars.
