David Roberts, Whitney Houston’s former bodyguard, shared details about his personal and professional relationship with the legendary singer. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Roberts disclosed that his connection with Houston occasionally challenged his sense of professionalism.
Roberts, a former police officer from Wales, was Houston’s bodyguard from 1988 to 1995. His experiences inspired elements of the 1992 film The Bodyguard, starring Kevin Costner and Houston. Roberts, now 73, recounted an evening when Houston rested her head on his shoulder, sparking a moment of temptation to “give up everything” for a different kind of relationship.
Roberts emphasized that his primary focus was always Houston’s safety. He explained how crossing the line from professional to personal could compromise his objectivity. This boundary, he said, mirrored the storyline of The Bodyguard: “Frank Farmer and Rachel Marron couldn’t be together because he crossed that line,” Roberts remarked.
The security challenges he faced were significant. He revealed that threats came mainly from men who felt embittered or cheated. “It was my job to ensure those threats never materialized. I had to be right 100 percent of the time because it only takes one attempt to succeed,” Roberts explained.
Roberts still treasures a note Houston slipped under his hotel room door in 1988 during a trip to Hong Kong. Written on a Post-it, the note remains faded but precious. The heartfelt gesture symbolizes the bond they shared during their professional partnership.
Initially, Roberts hesitated to accept the job of protecting Houston, assuming she would embody the clichés of the entertainment industry. However, his perceptions changed when he met her. “She was sophisticated, warm, and genuinely funny,” he told The Guardian in a 2017 interview.
Houston’s death in 2012 still haunts Roberts, who believes her struggles with drugs and fame were mishandled by those around her. “So many people could have helped but chose greed over responsibility,” he said.
Houston’s immense talent earned her the title of “The Voice,” but fame came with immense pressure. Close friends have shared that drugs became her way of coping with the burdens she carried. Despite her challenges, her remarkable voice and legacy continue to be celebrated.
