BEVERLY HILLS — She didn't sing, but Whitney Houston's presence alone made her shine among a room full of glittering stars at Saturday's 17th Carousel of Hope Ball.
It was the singer's first step back into the spotlight since seeking treatment for substance abuse and leaving longtime husband Bobby Brown.
"I feel great," said a blond Houston, wearing diamonds and black Armani. Sounding more calm and focused than she has in years, Houston clearly was touched by the outpouring of love.
"She's looking at the light, instead of darkness," said Houston's pal and the evening's honoree, Quincy Jones, who has known the singer since she was 16.
Houston was escorted to the event by music producer Clive Davis, the night's other honoree. He noted, "She's been through emotional trauma, and everybody's rooting for her. We're going to make a killer album."
Houston sat at the main table, where Halle Berry (in gold Elie Saab) was seated with boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. The semi-annual event has raised more than $70 million for childhood diabetes, and Berry, a diabetic, said she has been feeling well and remains hopeful for a cure.
Also in attendance: Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher, Sidney Poitier, Minnie Driver, Kristin Davis, Hilary Duff and the evening's host, Jay Leno.
Sharon Stone, who attended an L.A. event last week holding the hand of her Bobby co-star Christian Slater, playfully snapped, "None of your beeswax," when asked about a possible romance. And Candy Spelling, a familiar face at every Carousel Ball with late husband Aaron, attended this year with companion Mark Nathanson. In the silent auction room before the dinner, Spelling said she had bid on "some fabulous trip that's worth $23,000," though she could not remember the location.
Houston's surprise appearance led American Idol's Katharine McPhee to abandon plans to sing her signature Over the Rainbow in place of Houston's I Have Nothing. "It's her first big appearance since the breakup," explained McPhee on the pink arrivals carpet. "I would love to sing with her, but unfortunately all eyes are on me."
Houston nodded her head during McPhee's performance and led a standing ovation.
Afterward, Davis brought McPhee over to meet Houston, who took McPhee's hands in hers.
"She said she was really proud of me," said a tickled McPhee.
The event's founder, Barbara Davis, sparkling in $12.5 million in Leviev diamonds, guided Stevie Wonder over to sit with Houston. "This is my baby," said Houston, taking Wonder's hand. "He's my baby, too!" piped Barbara Davis.
Later, Barbara Davis ran over to Houston and pointed to a large screen replaying one of Houston's previous Carousel performances (The Greatest Love of All). "Look," said Barbara Davis, "that's you!" Houston smiled, appearing pleased with a reminder of her glory years.
Barbara Davis, an American Idol fan, also invited former Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson to preview one of her songs from this December's big-screen Dreamgirls. Idol judge Randy Jackson expressed pride in seeing two of his discoveries invited to share this year's Carousel bill with such established performers as Barry Manilow, Usher and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
As for Hudson's dream, it was one shared by all: "It would be a dream to hear Whitney perform again. She had the greatest voice of all time."
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