Whitney Houston’s estate is not happy with a joke made at the expense of the late music icon at the 2023 Golden Globes.
Host Jerrod Carmichael, 35, called the Beverly Hilton – the venue where the ceremony was held and the same place where Houston died in 2012 – “the hotel that killed Whitney Houston” on Tuesday night.
Speaking to TMZ through a rep, Pat Houston, Whitney’s manager and sister-in-law, said, “The Whitney Houston Estate is disappointed with the joke and felt it was in bad taste.”
‘Bad taste’: Whitney Houston’s estate not happy with prank made at late music icon’s expense at 2023 Golden Globes
Audience members reacted audibly as Jerrod deciphered Whitney’s controversial joke.
“We’re pressed for time, but they wanted me to shout out what location we’re in. So here we are live from the hotel that killed Whitney Houston, the Beverly Hilton, you guys, so it’s very exciting,” he told the crowd before introducing the next speakers on stage.
It’s unclear if NBC knew about the joke beforehand, but the remark could also have been off the cuff. Insiders told TMZ that Whitney’s camp was not made aware of the comment prior to the broadcast.
Houston was found unconscious in the bathtub of the suite she was staying in at the Beverly Hilton hotel in 2012.
Shocking: Members of the public reacted audibly when Jerrod called the Beverly Hilton ‘the hotel that killed Whitney Houston’
Location: The Golden Globes were taking place at the Beverly Hilton, the same location where Houston died in 2012
His death was ruled accidental, caused by drowning, following a heart attack.
She had traces of cocaine in her system, which a coroner ruled was a contributing factor to her death.
Whitney Houston’s remark wasn’t the only shocking comment made by Jerrod that night.
Elsewhere during the night, Carmichael couldn’t resist glancing at Tom Cruise’s beloved Scientology star stepping out with three awards, saying, “Hey guys in the backstage, I found this.” Three Golden Globe Awards that Tom Cruise returned.
Tragedy: Houston was found unconscious in the bathtub of the suite she was staying in at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2012
“I’m just a host briefly, or whatever, but I have a pitch, I think maybe we’ll take those three things and trade them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige” – referring to the missing wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, who has been missing since 2006.
He later took aim at Kanye West – whose career and net worth have plummeted amid his anti-Semitism scandal – saying, “Can I take a second? Quick everyone, shut up, shut up, I want to take a second and shout out Steven Spielberg who is amazing here.
‘It’s an honor sir congratulations on the Fabelmans [which is based on Spielberg’s upbringing in a Jewish family]. I saw him with Kanye and it changed everything for him. So that’s how good you are, you changed Kanye West’s mind.
No holding back: Whitney Houston’s crack wasn’t the only shocking comment Jerrod made that night
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