Whitney Houston comeback questioned after X Factor appearance

by Richard Buxton. Published Sun 18 Oct 2009 19:26, Last updated: 2009-10-20

Whitney Houston's return to the charts was marred by a worrying live performance on The X Factor.

The soul diva appeared on the ITV1 talent show to perform her comeback single ‘Million Dollar Bill’ but suffered a wardrobe malfunction when straps on her dress snapped, forcing the 46-year-old to tone down her high-energy dance routine.

Questions were also raised about the physical condition of Houston, who has publicly battled against drug addiction, as she looked drowsy and slurred her words when being interviewed by host Dermot O'Leary.

Her alarming performance came exactly a week after former Take That idol Robbie Williams sang his latest offering 'Bodies' in a wide-eyed and very heated performance.

Fans inundated the show's official website to express their shock and disgust at the performance.

One fumed: "What a huge waste of her talent. People should watch and learn what harm one can do to ones self. I hope for Whitney and all her fans she gets a grip and rejoins this planet."

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole also performed her new song 'Fight For This Love' in the studio following a week of strong debate about whether or not she would sing live.

It had emerged earlier in the week that ITV bosses commissioned pre-recorded a version for the Girls Aloud star to mime the words to for fear that her voice was not strong enough for a live performance.

However the 26-year-old sang from start to finish, much to the delight of the audience which included fellow band mates Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding and Nicola Roberts as well as husband, Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole.

Rikki Loney was evicted from the show this evening after losing out to Rachel Adedeji in the live head-to-head. Irish duo John and Edward Grimes won through to the next round of the competition but were booed vociferously by the studio audience.

Comments about Whitney Houston comeback questioned after X Factor appearance

i think whitney sang really good and her dress did break and that probably was so embarrasing for her anyway I LOVE WHITNEY :)
natasha, leeds around 4 months, 1 week ago

My admiration of Whitney just.....
Mandy, Derby around 4 months, 2 weeks ago

do none of you people so quick to judge forget that she will be on prescribed drugs for battling the withdrawl from the crack and heroin
j c, hull around 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Nobody knows was she high, had a drink, or took antidepressants? She performed great. She might felt uneasy that her clothing came undone.
Marta, London around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

nerves!?? is that what they're calling it nowadays? *guffaws
clare, manchester around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Dermot was so confused after the interview. He even addressed contestants as "11 remaining housemates" :)
nebula, bosnia around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Whitney Houston was high as a kite in my opinon some idol she is SHE a flop idol
nathan, doncaster around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

what a shambles first robbie coked off hes head ,now whitney.she couldnt even string a sentence together,still they are all on the x factor
judy, london around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

oh and who chose that bloody dress she was wearing im suprised she didnt fal flat on her face it was that long!nevermind the breaking strap!
holly, leigh around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

im glad somebody else has noticed that robbie was off his rocker last week!whitney,still got the voice but off her face!sort yourself out!!
holly, leigh around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry Guys! She looked and acted like she was out of her head on coke!
Sharon Howley, Dublin around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

seriously she was off her rocker! confused when asked about her album, gurning, twitchy, eyes rolling,that was NOT nerves.silly woman
Karen, Wirral around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Robbie out of his face last week, whitney this week! Is it a pre-requisite to perform on the show?
sue, glasgow around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Whitney did it live, it took guts! I thought she sounded great! Keep up the good work kid!Bring on April.Loving the album.
kelda, wales around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm afraid that she was on something. Who in their right mind would supply drugs to her? She needs real support around her. hope she gets it
Annie, Edinburgh around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

She was great but her dress was too long and obviously not secured properly. I wonder how her comeback concerts would be like...
Bless, Chatham around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I do not care what anyone says, Whitney is a true diva, she was clearly nervous and is still the star that she deserves to be!
Marc, Cheltenham around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry guys but it was clear she had a pick me up before going on, twiching like mad and was some where else when it came to her interview.
Noel, Surrey around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

where the hell did she slur her words, she looked at the floor to think of sumthing positive to say about the contestants!
dave, west around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Whitney was fab in her day but its about time she hung up her strapless dress and call it a day
Beth Barnes, Nottingham around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

she was very very high. check the twitching hand, tappingher nose twice mumbling this is good stuff. terrible
inga, norwich around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Looks like whitney's back on the drugs. Think she may have got the last of robbies
barry, leeds around 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Give her a break guys, she's 46 and hasn't performed for over 10 years!! She's bound to be a little nervous and her dress did fall apart!
Liz, Norwich around 4 months, 3 weeks ago