Whitney Houston tribute concert comes to the Bronx

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At the Lehman Performing Arts Center on Jan. 19 Belinda Davids, a South African singer, will take the stage to perform some of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits. 

Davids has been singing as long as she scan remember, performing for the neighborhood as a small child.  

“I remember being five years old, opening my eyes and there I was on my grandmother’s porch, singing to everyone around,” Davids said. 

But her link to Whitney Houston began when she was eight years old. Davids recalled listening to the late diva’s song, “Hold Me” featuring Teddy Pendergrass, the first Houston song she ever heard.

“I just knew that this is the voice that I want to sound like,” Davids said.

Growing up in the suburb of Port Elizabeth in South Africa, Davids referred to her childhood as modest and started singing professionally at 14 years old. By 17, she signed her first record label contract with Gallo Music. At age 20, she was traveling the world and performing original music.  

“I was performing everywhere, in bars, in clubs in Hong Kong, in Dubai, and then I came to America and I lived in Los Angeles for 10 years,” Davids said. 

Despite her connection to the iconic singer, she didn’t begin performing Whitney Houston tributes until 12 years ago when a close friend asked her to audition for the role. 

She was hesitant at first, three months post-partum, but after much pleading from her friend, she agreed and hasn’t looked back. 

Davids has two sons who live back home in Cape Town, 12 and 28 years old. Due to her tour schedule,  she has not seen them in a month and a half. She said she keeps her life as a mother and her life as a performer separate. 

“When I leave it on stage, I leave it on stage and when I go home, I’m at home and everything comes off the hair, the makeup, the gowns and I leave it there,” Davids said. 

When she can head back home, Davids rests for three days and returns to her motherly responsibilities. 

“I’m such a mom. I cook when I get home and I have to try and spend as much time with the kids as I possibly can,” Davids said. 

While on stage Davids is committed to giving a stellar performance complete with costume changes to replicate Houston’s looks over the years. A fully sequined purple suit, a high slit, strapless, black leather dress and a floor-length gold and black sweetheart neck dress – each handpicked by Davids – completes her transformation. 

On The Greatest Love of All tour, Davids performs 21 songs every night. By the time she reaches the Bronx, she will have performed at 10 different venues from Brazil to Florida. The setlist includes songs from Houston’s number-one hits from the very beginning of her career until her last album, “I Look To You.” 

Before the show, Davids reminds herself not to go too hard but she never heeds her own warning. 

“It’s such a challenge to do her songs. It was natural for her. It was her music and she knew how to cheat on tired days,” Davids said, “ I’m still learning how to cheat because I’m so busy trying to. . . do her songs justice.”

Included in her pre-performance ritual, Davids abstains from eating. A few years back she visited an ear, nose and throat doctor who informed her she was suffering from severe acid reflux before she got on stage which was affecting her singing ability. From that moment forward Davids changed her eating and drinking habits to ensure her performances were the best they could be. She no longer drinks coffee or caffeinated tea and avoids acidic vegetables, like tomatoes, onions and garlic.

Touring is a long “moody” experience for Davids as she explained she feels a range of emotions throughout. At the end of a tour, she sometimes finds herself crying on stage and wanting to go home to her children. The middle of the tour often brings on the nostalgia.

“Every song that was written for her has a memory behind it for me. . . I need to connect to that memory in order to deliver the songs,” Davids said. 

She believes her work is reviving a piece of Whitney Houston. While people can turn to the internet for glimpses into the long-gone singer’s performances, Davids makes it her job to bring it to life. 

“I can feel that people still miss her. That’s really what pushes me,” Davids said. 

In addition to the crowds at her shows, she said that part of her drive is for her children, showing them that anyone can do anything at any age. 

Despite her 12-year run as a Whitney Houston performer, Davids plans to retire next year and begin her dream of opening a school. She kept details close to her chest, but she admitted plans to open a school in Cape Town to help the talented youth flourish. 

“I’m extremely passionate about the fact that I want to help. A lot of talent, young talent, that I see in South Africa goes to waste,” Davids said. That is the key and it’s going to happen. I have no doubts it’s going to happen.” 

Davids performs The Greatest Love Of All at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m.

To purchase tickets visit LehmanCenter.org/Events

 

 

Whitney Houston, Belinda Davids, The Greatest Love of All, Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, South Africa

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