"If you cross that line, you lose your objectivity"— Whitney Houston's ex-bodyguard once wanted to "give up everything” for the singer

Singer Whitney Houston's former bodyguard, David Roberts, revealed that he was once tempted to "give up everything" for her. Roberts served as Houston's bodyguard for seven years, from 1988 to 1995. The Grammy-winning singer passed away from a drug overdose in 2012.

In an interview with Daily Mail dated December 27, 2024, Roberts shared insights into his relationship with Houston. He recalled one incident when the singer rested her head on Roberts' shoulder. The moment, he recalled, tempted him to "give up everything." The 73-year-old stated:

"If you cross that line, you lose your objectivity, and that makes it dangerous for the person you're protecting."

Roberts' interview precedes the release of his memoir, Protecting Whitney, scheduled for January 2025. Notably, the 1992 film The Bodyguard was loosely based on Roberts' relationship with Whitney Houston, who starred in the film alongside Kevin Costner.

In the interview, David Roberts referenced the film, explaining he went through a lot of what was shown in the film with Whitney Houston. He noted:

“That was why Frank Farmer [Kevin Costner's character in The Bodyguard] and Rachel Marron [Houston's character] couldn't be together — he crossed the line and that was the end of him in the capacity of what he was employed to do. Much of what was contained in the film, she and I actually lived through,” Roberts said.

Roberts added:

"“Little details such as Rachel holding onto the back of his shirt to escape crowds of fans. That was how we did it."

Houston, often known as The Voice, is one of the best-selling artists of all time, known for her vocal rendition. Some of her best-selling studio albums include Whitney Houston (1985), Whitney (1987), I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990), and My Love is Your Love (1998). She also performed the iconic lead single, I Will Always Love You, for The Bodyguard soundtrack.

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Whitney Houston's ex-bodyguard David Roberts recalls preserving a note the singer wrote to him years ago

Whitney Houston (Image via Getty)

In his interview with Daily Mail, Whitney Houston's ex-bodyguard, David Roberts, recalled preserving a note the singer wrote to him over 35 years ago. The Florida resident said:

"It was [on] a Post-it note and she pushed it under the door of my room at the Regency Hotel in Hong Kong in 1988. I still have it — it's rather faded with time but still precious to me."

Roberts also discussed the multiple security threats they faced during his time protecting Houston. He mentioned:

“They were mostly [threats from] men who felt let down, embittered, and cheated. It was an ongoing program of constantly checking where these lunatics with delusions and poisoned minds might be."

Roberts continued:

"I had to get it right 100 percent of the time — some idiot determined to get hold of her only has to be successful once. I put myself between her and those threats. 'You want to get to Whitney? Go ahead and try, see what happens."

Roberts added that there is a very "thin line" of difference between a fan and a person with a "crazed" obsession. He explained that if a bodyguard allows even one fan to get to Houston, they may "turn out to be a killer." The "golden rule" should always be to never lose sight of one's client and let anyone get close to Whitney Houston.

In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, David Roberts said he was initially reluctant to take on the role of Whitney Houston's bodyguard. The former bodyguard believed the six-time Grammy winner to be a "high-maintenance industry person." However, he changed his mind after meeting Houston in person.

“I was singularly impressed by her. The stereotypical attitudes I had of that industry were completely dissipated by this sophisticated young lady,” Roberts recalled.

He also reflected on Whitney Houston's tragic death in 2012 due to a drug overdose. The singer passed away aged 48 after accidentally drowning in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The singer's death was reportedly caused by cocaine use.

“So many people could have done so much to avoid that. They didn’t. They abdicated responsibility in favor of greed,” David Roberts said of Houston's death.

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Roberts' upcoming memoir, Protecting Whitney, set to release in January 2025, is expected to provide more insight into the singer's life and his relationship with her.