Whitney Houston’s Estate Says Jerrod Carmichel’s Golden Globes Death Joke Was Inappropriate
The Whitney Houston Estate was reportedly angry over Golden Globe Awards host Jerrod Carmichael’s joke about the late singer’s death.
A rep for Pat Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and longtime manager, told TMZ on Wednesday (January 11), “The Whitney Houston Estate is disappointed in the joke and felt it was in poor taste.”
During his opening monologue, the comedian referenced Houston’s tragic 2012 death at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which was the location for the 80th film and American television awards on Tuesday.
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“So, we are here, live, from the hotel that killed Whitney Houston, the Beverly Hilton,” Carmichael told the audience.
Houston, who was 48 at the time, accidentally drowned in a bathtub at the hotel. It was later revealed that heart disease and drug use played a role in the legendary singer’s death.
That wasn’t the only jab Carmichael made during his time as host of the Golden Globes. He also took aim at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s lack of diversity.
“I’m here because I’m Black,” he bluntly told the crowd. “This show, the Golden Globe Awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which I won’t say they were a racist organization — but they didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died,” he continued.
“So do with that information what you will.”
