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McManus Defends Houston's Panned Performance


BRISBANE (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — An Australian promoter has come to the defense of Whitney Houston after the first date of her latest tour was panned by some fans and critics.

According to Billboard, concert-goers at Houston's Feb. 22nd appearance, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, described Houston as looking breathless and "disoriented" on stage. The singer, carrying a towel at times, took numerous breaks during the set and reportedly had trouble naming some of the members of her backing band. The concert drew largely negative reviews from the press and left some fans asking for refunds.

Not so fast says the show's promoter Andre McManus. According to McManus, who appeared on a morning television talk show to defend the singer, the critics constitute a "vocal minority."

"What happened to the Australian positive support of someone who has seen difficult times, and is now up on stage, warts and all, presenting herself like an open book for the world to see – and they want to ridicule Whitney?"

"I am personally amazed at the few who are trying to derail the project and say if they expected to hear Whitney of 20 years ago, go buy a CD, but if they wanted to see a true professional artist give 100% and have a red hot go at songs that make the greatest vocalists shrink, well come along and enjoy the ride of an amazing talent, on stage, letting her heart and soul out for us all to enjoy." McManus added.

The next stop on Houston's six date tour is set for Feb 24th in Sydney at the Acer Arena. This is the troubled singer's first major tour since her treatment for drug addiction.- CelebrityAccess Staff Writers