I Look to You - Whitney Houston Song Gives Hope to Disgraced Celebrities

The world became blown away as it witnessed the Tiger Woods Scandal unfold: on November 27, 2009, the press announced that Woods was injured in a car accident with a fire hydrant near his home in Florida. Dissatisfied with Woods' reluctance for open discussion, the press digs deeper. One by one, at least 11 women allege that they are his former girlfriends with whom he had extramarital affairs. Although this scandal was met with public shock, this is a story that has repeated itself throughout history: a celebrity disgraced by a double life and deception. The following timeline traces celebrities whose circumstances exemplify the plot of this story. Of most significance, the stories of this timeline tie to the message of hope revealed in Whitney Houston's song I Look to You.

Timeline of Celebrities Disgraced by Dual Lives and Deception

1998: 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton (1993-2001) confesses truth behind the Monica Lewinsky Scandal (affair with White House Intern Monica Lewinsky) that he previously publicly denied.

2007: World Track Star Marion Jones confesses to taking steroids before winning the 2000 Olympics and lying when she previously denied the allegations.

2008: John Edwards, a former U.S. senator (1998-2004), nominee for U.S. vice president (2004) and candidate for U.S. president (2004, 2008), admits to an affair in 2006 with former campaign worker during an ABC News interview with Bob Woodruff.

2009: One of the world's best-selling music artists, Whitney Houston, confesses in an interview with Oprah in September 2009 to her drug addiction that began in the late 1990s following her acting role in the film The Body Guard in 1992.

Long-term television host of Late Show with David Letterman (1982-present), David Letterman, admits to extramarital affairs with several of his female employees. His confession followed an extortion attempt by a television journalist.

Woods confesses in December 2009 on tigerwoods.com, "I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to many people, most of all my wife and children...After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf..."

Of most concern, the celebrity stories exposed in the above timeline contradict the public's association of stardom with a controlled life that is far from imperfection. Knowing the public's high expectations and as an effort to balance human and iconic roles, many celebrities fall into double lives. As deception accompanies a double life, things spiral out of control before the truth is eventually revealed, leading to a tarnished image. Fortunately, through the lyrics of her song "I Look to You" released in July 2009, Whitney Houston speaks words of hope that apply especially to people who have experienced circumstances like the celebrities described. Some of the relevant lyrics are listed as follows:

My levees are broken

My walls have come

Tumbling down on me

The rain is falling

Defeat is calling

I need you to set me free

Take me far away from the battle

I need you

Shine on me.

I look to you

I look to you.

Of main value, this spiritual song describes Whitney Houston's process of overcoming difficult phases in her life. In the same manner, others can overcome adversity by turning to a higher spiritual power.