Whitney Houston has a film documentary that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. It immediately made headlines due to the controversial claims that were showcased in the 120 min. the film directed by Kevin MacDonald.
Most probably, the most scandalizing allegation in the 'Whitney' documentary was that the 'I Will Always Love You' singer was molested by her cousin, Dee Dee Warwick, Dionne's sister.
The film also narrated that both the singer and her brother Gary were sexually abused when they were still kids. It was not just the fans who were shocked but Whitney Houston's family were the most offended party.
In response to the controversies that arose due to the film, Houston's mom Cissy and cousin Dionne Warwick broke their silence and issued a joint statement that was published on People. Both women denied the allegations and described the claims as "unfathomable."
Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick pointed out that they clueless about the whole thing. They added that this is the first time that they are hearing about the allegations and they do not have any knowledge of it prior to the release of "Whitney" at the Cannes.
Before they go into a lengthy explanation to address the claims point by point, the women made it clear that by issuing their statement, they do not have any intention "to defend, condone or excuse the crime of molestation."
Cissy said that "Dee Dee may have had her personal challenges but the idea that she would have molested my children is overwhelming and for us unfathomable."
In any case, it was Mary Jones, Whitney's assistant, who claimed that Dee Dee Warwick molested the singer. The molestation allegedly happened when Warwick babysat Cissy's kids when she was out working. She further shared in the documentary that she learned about the abuse when Whitney confided in her.
Whitney's mom contradicted the revelation by pointing out that she never left her children in Dee Dee's care. "When I was away they did not stay with four or five different families; they stayed at home where their longtime babysitter, Phyllis, or my dear friend Bae or their father took care of them," she said.
Cissy firmly emphasized that Dee Dee never babysat for her family. Her strong denial clearly shows that there is no way they would believe the stories in the documentary.
Meanwhile, Whitney Houston passed away in 2012 while her cousin Dee Dee died in 2008. The singer's death was controversial as well because she drowned in the bathtub partly because of cocaine use, TMZ reported.
