Waiting to Exhale’ still allows Black women to breathe 30 years later
Andra Day took the stage first, delivering a sultry, soul-soaked tribute to Whitney Houston, whose voice remains inseparable from Waiting to Exhale and whose passing in 2012 still reverberates through music and culture. Day’s performance was met with a standing ovation, her rich vocals setting a reverent and powerful tone for the evening.
Immediately following Bernadine’s moment, Tamar Braxton stormed the stage with a powerhouse rendition of Mary J. Blige’s “Not Gon’ Cry,” belting with raw emotion and precision. Deborah Cox followed with a soaring live performance of “Why Does It Hurt So Bad,” originally sung by Whitney Houston, her voice effortlessly bridging past and present.
Sheléa closed out Act One and took the audience to church with a stunning performance of Aretha Franklin’s Grammy nominated song “It Hurts Like Hell.” With robust, soulful vocals and commanding stage presence, she emerged as the undeniable star of the evening, earning a prolonged standing ovation.
Act Two opened with The Amours delivering a smooth, nostalgic take on Brandy’s “Sittin’ Up in My Room,” followed by Brooklyn native Kay Manée, who captivated the audience with a phenomenal rendition of Chaka Khan’s “My Funny Valentine.” The night concluded as Sheléa and Deborah Cox joined forces for “Count On Me,” the iconic duet originally performed by Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans, an intimate, hopeful close that left the audience visibly moved.
