5 Shocking Truths CeCe Winans Revealed About Her Iconic Friendship With Whitney Houston

The enduring friendship between gospel legend CeCe Winans and global superstar Whitney Houston remains one of music's most iconic and fascinating bonds. Even over a decade after Houston's tragic passing in 2012, Winans continues to share fresh, candid, and often surprising details about their relationship, revealing a side of "The Voice" that the public rarely saw. As of December 2025, Winans has opened up in recent interviews, offering deep reflections on their spiritual connection, Houston's private struggles, and the profound impact she had on the gospel singer's life and career, ensuring Whitney's legacy is remembered through the lens of faith and true sisterhood.

Their bond was rooted in a shared love for God and music, transcending the boundaries of gospel and pop. While they were not biologically related, CeCe and Whitney often referred to each other as sisters, a sentiment cemented by their powerful 1995 duet, "Count on Me." Winans’s recent public statements, including insights shared on Hoda Kotb's podcast and with Entertainment Tonight, peel back the curtain on the spiritual advice she offered Houston and the moments that defined their unique, supportive, and sometimes challenging journey together.

Priscilla Marie Winans Love: A Full Biography

Priscilla Marie Winans Love, known professionally as CeCe Winans, is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and actress. She is one of the most celebrated and decorated artists in gospel music history.

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• Full Name: Priscilla Marie Winans Love
• Born: October 8, 1964
• Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Genre: Gospel, R&B, Christian Pop
• Career Highlights: Initially gained fame as part of the duo BeBe & CeCe Winans with her brother, Benjamin "BeBe" Winans. She launched a highly successful solo career in 1995.
• Record Sales: Has sold over 19 million records in the U.S. and over 27 million worldwide.
• Awards: A record-breaking 17-time Grammy Award winner, 28-time Dove Award winner, and 16-time Stellar Award winner.
• Key Collaborations: Whitney Houston ("Count on Me"), Vickie Winans, Mary Mary, and her siblings in The Winans family.
• Personal Life: Married to Alvin Love II; they reside in Brentwood, Tennessee, and are co-pastors of the Nashville Life Church.
• Recent Work: Her recent album, *Believe for It*, won multiple Grammy Awards. She also released the book *Believe for it: Passing on Faith to the Next Generation*.

The Unexpected Spiritual Foundation of Their Sisterhood

Many fans knew CeCe Winans and Whitney Houston were close, but Winans has consistently emphasized that their relationship was built on a foundation far deeper than music: a shared Christian faith. Houston, who grew up singing in a Baptist church, found a confidante and spiritual anchor in Winans.

Winans has often reflected on the conversations they shared about God and the church. She noted that Whitney was a "believer" and someone who "loved the Lord," despite her public struggles. This spiritual bond was the reason Whitney initially sought CeCe out. According to Winans, Whitney was a huge fan of the BeBe & CeCe Winans album *Heaven* and would often play their music in her home. It was this mutual respect and spiritual alignment that allowed Winans to offer direct, loving counsel to Houston throughout her life, especially during her more turbulent years.

Winans has stated that she often felt a responsibility to pray for Whitney and to remind her of her spiritual roots. This unique dynamic meant their friendship was less about celebrity gossip and more about maintaining a connection to faith, a theme Winans touches upon in her book, *Believe for it*.

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The Duet That Defined a Friendship: "Count on Me"

The musical legacy of their friendship is permanently etched in the song "Count on Me," a powerful duet released in 1996 for the *Waiting to Exhale* soundtrack.

The song, written by Houston, Babyface, and Winans’s brother BeBe Winans, became an anthem for female friendship and solidarity. It perfectly encapsulated the trust and loyalty between the two singers. Winans has described the recording process as a natural extension of their real-life bond, with the lyrics mirroring their commitment to supporting one another through thick and thin. The song peaked on the charts and earned them a Grammy nomination, but for CeCe, its true value was personal.

The collaboration was a rare moment where Houston—the undisputed Queen of Pop—actively sought to elevate her gospel friend onto the mainstream stage. This gesture demonstrated the genuine respect Houston had for Winans’s talent and spiritual integrity. It was a testament to the fact that while they were not biologically related, their bond was that of sisters in faith and music.

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The 'Demonic' Lyric That Caused a Major Rift

One of the most surprising and controversial details Winans has shared about her relationship with Houston involves the 1993 hit song "I'm Every Woman," a cover from the soundtrack of *The Bodyguard*.

CeCe Winans was invited by Whitney Houston to appear in the star-studded music video for the song, which featured a host of iconic female artists. However, Winans declined the invitation, a decision that stemmed from her deep-seated religious convictions.

Winans revealed that she found one line in the song's lyrics to be incompatible with her gospel ministry. The controversial line in question was "I cast a spell." Winans explained that due to her faith, she could not sing or appear in a video for a song that referenced casting a spell, which she considered "demonic."

She recounted the conversation with Whitney, where she had to explain her refusal. Winans stated that she told Houston, "I'm not singing that," and that while Whitney was initially confused, she respected CeCe's conviction. This incident highlights the strict boundary Winans maintained between her faith and the secular music world, even at the cost of a high-profile appearance alongside her best friend.

The Lasting Legacy: A Call for Prayer and Remembrance

Since Whitney Houston's death, CeCe Winans has taken on the mantle of honoring her friend's memory by focusing on her faith and humanity rather than her struggles. Winans has consistently urged the public to remember Houston as a kind, loving, and deeply spiritual woman who simply "got caught up."

In various reflections, Winans has shared the pain of learning about Whitney's passing and the immediate call she felt to pray for Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, and her mother, Cissy Houston. She has emphasized that Houston's life should serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer, mentorship, and maintaining one's spiritual health in the face of immense pressure and fame.

Winans's ongoing tributes, including a "Generations: A Celebration of Whitney Houston" roundtable discussion with her daughter, Ashley Phillips, ensure that the gospel influence and spiritual side of Whitney Houston's life are not forgotten. Her commitment to transparency about the challenges of fame, coupled with her unwavering faith, provides a unique and vital perspective on the life of an icon who was, to her, simply a beloved sister.