Young Whitney Houston rocked as a model before she became a superstar (1980s)

Whitney Houston, with her towering vocal prowess and captivating on-stage charisma, remains a beacon in the world of music.

But before she took the microphone and became the international pop sensation adored by millions, a young Whitney Houston was already making strides in the world of fashion, gracing the pages of multiple magazines as a teenage model.

Born in 1963 in Newark, New Jersey, Houston’s formative years were steeped in music, thanks to her mother Cissy Houston, a celebrated gospel singer, and her cousin Dionne Warwick, an established recording artist. But it was not only music that ignited the young Houston’s passion; she also had a keen interest in fashion.

At the tender age of 15, Houston launched her modelling career. Standing tall at 5’8″ with a radiant smile, she exuded an elegant, timeless charm. It wasn’t long before she got her break, landing a string of jobs with Magazine, and becoming one of the first African-American women to grace the cover of the magazine.

The teenager with the stunning good looks and brilliant smile continued to model in advertisements, as well as for other big-name publications including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and YM (Young Miss) — all while finishing high school.

It’s quite extraordinary to think that before belting out chart-toppers like “I Will Always Love You” and “Greatest Love of All,” Whitney was posing for cameras as a pro model, captivating audiences with her smile and fashion-ready form. 

But it’s not surprising that a talent like Houston’s could not remain confined to one artistic medium. In the mid-1980s, she was able to shift her focus from modeling to music — a transition that would lead her to an even larger stage where she could share her remarkable vocal abilities with the world.

The world lost Whitney Elizabeth Houston in 2012, when she was just 48 years old. Though she’s fondly remembered for her singing, the early years of young Whitney as a model are a testament to her versatility and her inherent ability to shine, whether on a magazine cover or onstage. Those vintage photos from her teen years as a model are not just snapshots of a star-in-the-making, but a reminder of a dynamic icon whose influence transcended beyond just music.