David Roberts, a former police officer who became Whitney Houston’s real-life bodyguard, is sharing his experiences with the late singer. Houston passed away in February 2012 after being found unresponsive in a Beverly Hills hotel. Roberts worked with her from 1988 to 1995. Contrary to the movie “The Bodyguard,” which was inspired by their relationship and starred Houston and Kevin Costner, their relationship remained platonic. Roberts is set to release a memoir titled “Protecting Whitney” next month, which he describes as an homage to the singer he admired.
Despite their relationship never turning romantic, Roberts confessed in a recent interview with the Daily Mail that he would have sacrificed everything to be her partner if given the chance. He emphasized that as a close protection officer, his primary focus was on ensuring her safety. Crossing the line between professional and personal would compromise objectivity, making it perilous for the one being protected. This was the reason Costner’s character, Frank Farmer, and Houston’s character, Rachel Marron, could not be together in the film.
Roberts noted that many elements of the film mirrored their real-life experiences, such as Houston holding onto his shirt to navigate through crowds of fans. He took his role seriously, evidenced by a prominent scar on his head from an incident where he defended Houston during a confrontation involving her brother and a group of racists in Kentucky.
Roberts first met Houston at The American Embassy in London when he was asked to protect her during the British leg of her “Moment Of Truth” tour. Houston was often unaware of the threats she faced, as Roberts managed them discreetly. He attributed her downfall to her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, citing instances where Brown’s jealousy appeared to undermine her career. Roberts’ tenure ended when he expressed concerns over Houston’s drug use in a letter to her family and management, following a near-fatal overdose in 1995. He felt compelled to act, even though it led to his dismissal and the end of their communication.
