Outraged over the National Enquirer Whitney Houston casket photo?
My coffee table.
Are you outraged over the National Enquirer’s cover photo of Whitney Houston lying in repose?
It’s generated a great deal of criticism, but it’s not a new idea.
The photo on the right is the National Enquirer from Sept. 6, 1977, showing Elvis in his open casket. I bought it at a silent auction for 20 bucks at a charity event last year. I keep it on my coffee table, to keep me humble and reflective.
When John Lennon died in 1980, the National Enquirer was back with more necro journalism, featuring the slain Lennon’s final image on its front cover. This time the photo was in color, and was a closer shot of Lennon’s face, but the layout was otherwise very similar to the Elvis shot, which was in black and white. Even the text blocks about “The Untold Story” and “The Last Picture” were identical. Makes you wonder if they had a celeb death template at the ready.
These covers have much in common with the Whitney Houston open casket photo that the National Enquirer just ran. The current cover’s headline says “Whitney: The Last Photo!” while the others say “The Last Picture.” (Coincidentally the Elvis cover teases to a story on how to be more creative.)
Celebrity open casket photos aren’t common (thank goodness) but not terribly rare, either.
AP photo
When James Brown died a few years ago, photos of his open casket were kind of hard to avoid. Images of his final viewings ran in numerous publications.
The hardest working man in show business kept a busy tour schedule even days after he’d gone on to glory, with viewings at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and then a huge public home going service held in the Augusta venue that bears his name.
More than 8,000 people filed past the late Godfather of Soul when his carefully coiffed remains were laid out in the James Brown Arena. Celebrity guests included Michael Jackson, and Brown’s widow Tomi Rae performed, serenading her late husband’s body. It was a memorable event.
But back to Houston. The National Enquirer, never a stranger to controversy, is taking quite a bit of flack for running the unauthorized photo from Houston’s funeral. (Actually it’s thought to have been taken during the funeral home viewing, not the home going service).
This Detroit Free Press article notes that the National Enquirer publisher says the photo was “beautiful,” but that the decision to publish it has been criticized by a number of other media outlets. And questions are swirling. Who took the photo? How did they spirit a camera into the service? Did they get paid? Scratch that. How much did they get paid?
My point: this is nothing new.
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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278 comments Add your comment
Russell
February 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
Forget the photo…why on earth would you bury someone with half a million dollars worth of jewelry? Well, if we’re to believe the words on the cover beneath the photo. Not sure why they didn’t opt for a crypt.
SIA
February 24th, 2012
1:45 pm
SICK CRACKERS
DebbyT
February 24th, 2012
1:45 pm
It was closure for me. People get over it ok. I think it helped some fan to see this is it. It’s over. She is gone. She looked absoulutely beautiful and at peace. Yes I ran out and bought the enquirer to place in my Bible. Just as Carla Mabry said about being able to place it i her Bible. Carla you from New Orleans?
Merry Mary
February 24th, 2012
1:46 pm
The most unusual thing about James Brown’s wakes was not the photography, but that they were they held in TWO places( one at the Apollo Theatre and I can’t recollect the other) and that his CLOTHES WERE CHANGED in between. But you know James; he was very particular about his attire and his stage presence….
Jennifer the hypocrite
February 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
This will probably get me banned, but dammit woman, how the hell can you express outrage when all you’ve done the last two weeks is write about Whitney Houston? You’re part of the mania surrounding her death that you are now outraged about. She died, end of story. Not for you. You found every inane angle to fit her death in your insidious blog. What’s the difference?
None.
Just how retarded are you? Does the AJC know you take the short bus to work?
Jazzie Dee
February 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
Being a Whitney fan, although I don’t agree with an unauthorized picture, as someone has previously mentioned, I was glad to have seen it. She was beautiful………hair and makeup. She looked very peaceful. For me, it brought some closure. I never understood why the family didn’t want a public viewing anyway. She didn’t die in such a way that she was disfigured. But, as the family of the deceased, you have that choice. In my opinion, that was pretty selfish of them. Like someone also mentioned, Whitney loved her fans and it was her fans who helped to make her into the icon she was…….minus her personal struggles. Prayerfully her soul and spirit are FINALLY resting peacefully. Gone, but will DEFINITELY not be forgotten!!!
kathy
February 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
I believe her daughter took the pic , with her drug problems she needs the money.
Frank Furter
February 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
RIP WHITNEY !
http://www.notquitedevils.com
larry
February 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
Ms. Brett
You claimed you’re outraged and then post photos in your article or famous people lying in state?
You are no better, and probably a good bit worse, than the person who took the photo.
Furthermore, you can not blame the snake for being a snake. The Enquiror is in the business of selling papers at any expense.
The family is to blame, for allowing an open casket guaranteed this would happen considering Houston’s popularity and the controversy surrounding her death.
Ryan Heart
February 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
Humanity is pretty much dust at this point. The ‘Enquirer’ and people who read it, just go on demonstrating that they have no dignity, class, integrity or respect. Basically.. not deserving of life.
KG
February 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Do you really think the family cares what any of us think….? They will make some money off of this I’m sure…I think it is terrible but that is what happens when you’re a celebrity… Deal with it.
I do think she looked beautiful and at peace….
What is ridiculous is other media are upset about it but they are printing it too so I really don’t think National Enquirer is the only evil one here. If it was so terrible, then why are other people printing as well…
The evil one is the person who disrespected Whitney and took the picture in the first place, which is most likely a guest at the funeral or the funeral home itself….
sunny purdue
February 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
I am no longer surprised when the distasteful becomes the norm with today’s media. I shudder to think where they will be taking us in the future.
liberalefty
February 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
@vanessa
how do u know the ENQUIRER didnt have permission…WHITNEYS mom probaly gave permission because money talks and bs took the bus!
Old Coot
February 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
We live in a vulgar world which is becoming more classless and vulgar every day.
Then again, many of the people suffering conniptions from this “incident” proudly display a cross with a very dead Jesus Christ enshrined thereon. Just sayin’.
liberalefty
February 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
@RYAN
with all the misery in the world, this is what makes u realize how fvcked up humanity is?…folks are starving and dying everyday but thats ok with u…but someone taking a pic of adead celebrity means the end of all decency?
liberalefty
February 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
who cares…shes just another dead celebrity..big deal
Crunch Hardtack
February 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
Might be outraged, but there’s the photo, right here on ajc.com
cc cookie
February 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
To all of Whitney’s fans thanks for loving her…even threw her trials and tribulations she was a God fearing woman and no matter what she has done when she would on this earth she still was loved…I pray that she can rest in peace because with the Enquirer stating that she was buried with $500,000 worth of jewelry people are going to try and break her rest to check and see if the jewelry is still on her.
Rick James
February 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
@Jennifer the hypocrite
This will probably get me banned, but dammit woman, how the hell can you express outrage when all you’ve done the last two weeks is write about Whitney Houston? You’re part of the mania surrounding her death that you are now outraged about. She died, end of story. Not for you. You found every inane angle to fit her death in your insidious blog. What’s the difference?
None.
Just how retarded are you? Does the AJC know you take the short bus to work?
———————————————————————————————————
She’s written about it for the past two weeks because obviously you’re read it for the past two weeks.How else would you know?
Whatever
February 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
I wasn’t outraged, but thought it was in extremely poor taste, and typical of the National Enquirer. I got an email with the picture (subject was empty or I wouldn’t have even opened it) and I just deleted the email, didn’t forward so as to respect the family’s wishes since they never showed her open casket. The funeral on TV last Saturday was closure for me.
cooper cooper
February 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
Could someone please tell me where i can get a copy of this issus!!!
Name changed to protect the hungry
February 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
I find it funny that when others complain about the content and subject matter of this blog, Jennifer responds with the flippant “You don’t have to read this if you don’t like it, let alone make an effort to comment on it”….Well, damn if she isn’t doing the same thing.
You don’t have to read about a dead celebrity’s photo being published, nor do you have to comment on it. But you did. You even posted photos of other dead celebrities.
Way to go Jenn….You just made your self out to be an ass.
Get used to my continued criticism. Since it is OK for you, it’s OK for us.
liberalefty
February 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
cc cookie
why would any god fearing woman be buried with half million dollar jewlery…that money could be used for something useful{likere feeding kids} or something..i know her mom wasnt dumb enough to let her be buried with all that jewelry on…
David Granger
February 24th, 2012
2:15 pm
Let’s see:
1. A photo of a celebrity (especially a dead one in the coffin) can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
2. Digital cameras…even small ones no larger than a fountain pen…are easily hidden and take very high quality photos.
3. The media, the papparazzi, and the general public have proven that they have absolutely no shame or sense of propriety…with pictures being secretly taken, sold and published of Elvis, John Lennon, Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson, etc.
Is anyone surprised?
Al Sharton
February 24th, 2012
2:16 pm
As long as I get some cash it is OK with me.
Jessie Jackson
February 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
How much did the AJC paid to run the photo?
MJT
February 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
I SWEAR she is DROP DEAD Gorgeous!!!!!! R I P Queen!!!!!
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
February 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Hey JB,
With regards to Elvis photo-I keep it on my coffee table to remind me how much I like peanut butter, and banana sandwiches. Reflective, humbled and grounded yes, that’s what your crack reporting reflects. Wow, what a useless rag this paper has become-like the Gwinnett Daily Post-it’s only good for the plastic shell that I pick up my dog’s poop with! YUCK! Why don’t you include the photo of Whitney that’s so offensive? Yes, she’s at Peace until Bobby haunts her with his Crack cocaine memories of him spray painting eyes on the backs of her closet doors while fueled by passion and juice with cocaine laced weed…Sad, tragic, stupid, you cannot fix it even with miliions of $$$ and fans and public adoration! RIP
For Real?
February 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
People have been taking pictures of dead folks since the invention of the camera in the 1800’s……get over it people……..sheesh.
Alan
February 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
Why is it when a famous black person dies, they act like they should get all of this special treatment? That and there is ALWAYS blame, controversy, whining, etc. Houston did this to herself!
cmac
February 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
Boo hoo …. Get outraged over mote important things. Glad the druggie is gone!
Sharon
February 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
Get over it!!!! She was a celebrity and as such belongs to her public. Thank you Enquirer!
Willie Martinez
February 24th, 2012
2:23 pm
How is the AJC different from the National Enquirer?
Both of you ran the photo?
Jennifer Brett
February 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
Dear “Larry” and “Jennifer the hypocrite”
I did not to intend to register genuine outrage; rather a facetious observation that the National Enquirer has essentially run the same cover numerous times with the various deceased celebrities. Sorry if that was not clear.
Jennifer
notaracist
February 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
The point is. Cissy Houston only had a viewing for family. She did not want anyone outside of that viewing her daughter’s body. It saddens me to think that a family member could have done this. And Jennifer, you know that person only did it to make a buck. How sad.
liberalefty
February 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
another celebrity junkie died, and we want to blame everybody but the junkie for her dopwnfall..
Jennifer Brett
February 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
P.S. “Jennifer the hypocrite”
Re: your comment “This will probably get me banned” – not at all!
Jennifer
liberalefty
February 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
@notaracist
CISSY probaly had the pic taken to make a buck..
Jennifer Brett
February 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
Dear Rick James,
Your observation is most cogent.
Jennifer
notaracist
February 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
Ever since my parents died, one in 1996 and the other 2001,all funerals that I have attended, I never go view the body. I do not view the body,because I would rather remember them as they were when they were alive. I feel the same way about Whitney. P.S. not to sound mean,but I would rather remember the sober Whitney.
EazyDuzIt
February 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
It may be disrespectful on many levels, but a guest did this so dont be mad at the media. they didnt take the pic, and if a family member or friend didnt it wouldnt be in print. Direct your anger and outrage at the person who took the photo….w/o that none of these comments exist.
CISSY had the photo taken
February 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
she knew it would bring in big bucks
Valerie
February 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
I didnt think it was distasteful as many have said on blogs. Whitney was beautiful, however, I can understand why her family may be upset because there were to be no cameras at the service.
Apparently this photo was taken at the funeral home by one of its staff members or one of the family members at the viewing. Either way the photo was taken and sold for who knows how much.
I’m certain the photo gives many closure that she’s really gone. Again the photo was beautiful just like Whitney.
Rest in Heaven Whitney!
Light
February 24th, 2012
2:45 pm
Poor taste but probably closure for sincere WH fans. Nevertheless, if the family had a private viewing, it should have remained private without photos, and the family has every right to be upset.
alwaysloveyou
February 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
Anyone have a picture of Whitney’s career – it died 15 years ago…
RJohn
February 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Why does everyone ignore the one and only way to put a stop to this despicable publisher…..STOP BUYING THE DAMN PAPER!!!!
Tim M
February 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Aren’t you being hypocritical? You keep a copy of the Elvis cover to keep you “humble”. You inquire if people are outraged that Enquirer posted the pic. Yet what, you have posted casket pics of 3 other dead celebrities. Come on now, be real. You are doing nothing less than the Enquirer, except you piggy back off of their $s and post at no cost, but for that $20 on Elvis. Really??
DontBeRough
February 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
I like how you don’t approve of it yet you show 4 other pictures of dead celebs in the same pose you are outraged over. Lame
Jennifer Brett
February 24th, 2012
3:09 pm
Dear Tim M,
My point was perhaps a bit too subtle. I’ll try to elucidate.
The National Enquirer comes in for regular criticism (although they do break legitimate news. they were the first outlet to reveal former U.S. Sen. John Edwards’ child out of wedlock amid his presidential campaign). In keeping it around I remind myself that anyone who traffics in celebrity twaddle is going to held in similarly low regard from time to time. I don’t know why it’s necessary, though. If you read my blog for more than two minutes you’ve come across comments such as:
“Ms. Brett You wench, get a life.”
“Who is the dumb Bit(h that writes about this.”
“Ms. Brett: You probably have more dirt on yourself than your kitchen floor, get a life rather than lies for which I’m sure you are compensated for.”
“Damn Jennifer. You have to be one of the dumbest people in the world.”
And today’s gem:
“Just how retarded are you? Does the AJC know you take the short bus to work?”
(The one problem I see with the comment above is the aspersions it casts on persons with mental disorders by the poster’s unfortunate use of the R word.)
Jennifer
Tamika
February 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
Very disrespectful!!!!! She is/was someone’s daughter, mother, sister, relative!!! I think it is too much