X Factor: Whitney Houston comeback questioned after live performance
By Ben Leach
Published: 11:36PM BST 18 Oct 2009
The 46-year-old soul diva, who has fought a public battle against drug addiction, made her first UK TV appearance in 12 years on Sunday night's programme.
She sang her single Million Dollar Bill, over some pre-recorded vocals, and suffered a wardrobe malfunction when a strap at the back of her long silver dress snapped open.
Questions were also raised about Houston's physical condition as she looked drowsy and did not speak clearly when being interviewed by host Dermot O'Leary.
Fans have inundated the show's official website to express their shock at the performance.
One fumed: "What a huge waste of her talent. People should watch and learn what harm one can do to ones self. I hope for Whitney and all her fans she gets a grip and rejoins this planet."
I don't think it has anything to do with drugs, I really think she has been under a lot of stress, and that she was tired. She looked really tired when being interviewed. I wasn't expecting anything spectacular from her, I knew something like this was going to happen. I just hope that she can shape up before her World Tour next year.
Drugs, alcohol, and aging can do that to you. Whitney's voice is not what it used to be and it probably will never be that way again. But at least she's trying. No one is giving her credit for that.
It wasn't even her vocals, it was the fact she looked like she was in her own little world, taking too long fiddling with her dress, standing there just bobbing along to the music and then her interview at the end, she look ages to answer the questions
I actually can't believe I'm saying this but Cheryls performance was WAY hotter than Whitney's! On every level. Maybe she's just getting lazy now. Hope her album misses the number one spot in the UK, although I hope it can go platinum.
