The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Show
Perth Concert Hall, Perth, October 26
When Belinda Davids was just eight, she heard Whitney Houston singing on a Teddy Pendergrass song called Hold Me – and was totally mesmerised.
“We all grow up with idols and as an impressionable eight-year-old who aspired to be a singer, she ticked all the boxes for me as a template for my future self,” South African-born Belinda recalls.
“I immersed myself in her music and vocal stylings but also adopted a lot of her fashion sense and even cut all my hair off at one stage to emulate her look – much to my mother’s disappointment!”
By the time she was 20, Belinda sang in hotels in Hong Kong and Dubai. She then spent 10 years working in Los Angeles, trying to land a recording contract as a professional singer.
“But they always told me I ‘sounded just like Whitney Houston’ and they ‘weren’t looking for another,’” she sighs.
Then, in 2011, Belinda auditioned for BBC One’s Even Better Than The Real Thing – and won.
“So now I get to sing around the globe and share my love for Whitney with audiences who love her as much as I do,” she smiles.
Describing Whitney’s voice as “rich and electric with immense soul and passion,” Belinda reveals: “On most days, I don’t feel I sound like her,” she laughs.
“I grew up listening to Whitney as I loved her voice and she taught me how to sing.
“So when I sing, I sing as Belinda and I don’t try too hard – I also feel that audiences need to know it’s Belinda Davids paying homage to Whitney and not Belinda Davids trying to be Whitney on stage.
The news of Whitney’s passing in February 2012 still haunts Belinda. “I was called at 6am in the morning, by a friend of mine in the USA.
“I was devastated and couldn’t believe that my idol was gone.
“I was looking forward to a new album, new music to inspire me and just being able to appreciate Whitney even more – despite her personal struggles that grabbed the headlines over her music.”
Belinda is bringing her show The Greatest Love Of All to Perth Concert Hall on October 26 as part of her first UK tour, and the evening will include 20 of Whitney’s most popular tracks including I Will Always Love You, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and I’m Every Woman.
“I’m really looking forward to performing in Perth, and hopefully squeezing in some time to see the people and the city itself,” says Belinda.
“The reason I sing is to be on stage – to see the people in the audiences, and see them also appreciate the legacy and memories of Whitney Houston.” www.horsecross.co.uk www.thegreatestloveofallshow.com