Whitney Houston’s Estate Slams Oprah’s Claim She Fell While on Drugs

Whitney Houston‘s estate has spoken out on a claim made against the late singer. 

After Oprah Winfrey recalled an incident where the “I Will Always Love You” hitmaker fell off stage during a performance on her talk show, alleging she was under the influence of drugs at the time, Whitney’s estate executor Pat Houston slammed the accusation. 

“Whitney absolutely fell off the stage, but it was during a sound check, and it was due to the darkness of the area and her unfamiliarity with the stage,” Pat told TMZ in a statement June 23. “She was absolutely not high.”

Pat did, however, acknowledge the Grammy winner’s past addiction struggles, which ultimately contributed to her death following an accidental drowning in 2012. She was 48.

“Like many people, she faced personal battles, but it is inaccurate and unfair to attach that struggle to every performance or every chapter of her life,” Pat explained. “What the studio audience witnessed on stage was the result of discipline, talent, and commitment—not the assumptions others project.”