21 Jump street (new movie) Jonah Hill & channing Tatum

'Bully' Trailer and Controversy: Weinstein Co. to Battle MPAA (Again!) Over "R" Rating

The trailer for the upcoming documentary Bully (aka The Bully Project) has arrived online, and with it comes yet another ratings controversy for The Weinstein Co. The film, which takes a long, hard (and sometimes foul-mouthed) look at the bullying problem in America, was just slapped with an "R" rating for "some language," prompting the Weinstein boys to once again go after the MPAA, appeal their decision, and stand up for their film.
You'll remember not long ago the Weinstein's had to do the same thing when Blue Valentine was slapped with an "NC-17" rating, appealing the decision and successfully getting it changed to an "R." Now they'll be going at it again, though this time it's a bit different because they want to get an "R" changed to a "PG-13" in the hopes more kids will have access to it and subsequently learn from it.
"I have great respect for the work Chairman Joan Graves and the rest of the MPAA governing body do," Harvey Weinstein said. "I have been compelled by the filmmakers and the children to fight for an exception so we can change this R rating brought on by some bad language. As a father of four, I worry every day about bullying; it's a serious and ever-present concern for me and my family. I want every child, parent, and educator in America to see 'Bully', so it is imperative for us to gain a PG-13 rating. It's better that children see bad language than bad behavior, so my wish is that the MPAA considers the importance of this matter as we make this appeal."
a problem that's so widespread and out of control across America, it's definitely disappointing to see the MPAA restrict the audience for this film because of "some language." Question is: How necessary is the language to the film? When The Weinstein Co. bleeped out a string of F-bombs and re-released The King's Speech under a PG-13 rating in order to capitalize on its Oscar buzz, folks criticized the move because the cursing was pretty essential to the plot and to the main character's arc. The editing hurt the film overall.
But in this case, if it's just a bunch of kids cursing at each other (we don't know; we're speculating), then is that really necessary? Could those curse words be bleeped out and sacrificed in order to get the rating down so more kids can see it? That's what we want to know. But what do you think?


Check out the trailer below. Bully hits theaters on March 30th.

Nigerian Idol Honours Whitney Houston as A.Y.O And Ibinabo Exit

It was a night of brilliant music and amazing performances as Nigerian Idol joined the global music industry in paying tribute to the late pop legend, Whitney Houston.
The finalists rendered the late singer’s popular songs like ‘I wanna dance with somebody’ and ‘saving all my love’ while judges including guest judge Lara George nodded in approval.
Also one of the Judges Yinka Davies, co-host Tiwa Savage and music director Kehinde Dacosta teamed up to bring the show to a final end with Whitney’s ‘Greatest Love of All’.
It was however not all rosy as the number of contestants was also cut down to 10, with A.Y.O and Ibinabo’s elimination.
In April, a new winner will be announced at a grand gala show carting home a prize worth $100,000 and an SUV.

Asa Battles Questionmark Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

Nigerian international singer Asa has threatened take legal action against her former record label Questionmark Entertainment for allegedly infringing on the singer’s trademark by ‘preparing to go into commercial production of a purported Asa music production’.
A press statement released by Asa’s reps, Red Nigeria, alleges that Questionmark, in partnership with a marketing-distribution company MacKings Limited have commissioned the production of a ‘purported Asa music production titled ‘Down On Me’’.
The production according to the RED Nigeria was commissioned to a CD factory Nigerian Chronotech Limited. Chornotech however contacted Asa’s management to confirm the authenticity of this production.
‘We have informed our lawyers and appropriate action will be taken against any individual, body or corporate entity associated with this’, the statement further stressed.
Questionmark did not immediately offer comments when contacted. A rep assured us they will soon release a statement concerning the matter.
Asa’s famed battle with Questionmark owned by Kevin Luciano-Gabriel dates as far back as 2006 when the singer walked out of her production deal, alleging, amongst many other things, that the label was trying to sign her on to a foreign label without her consent, and insisting that the circumstances surrounding her deal with Questionmark were suspect ab initio.
After much highly publicised legal tussles between her and the label, she eventually walked out of the deal and released her self-titled debut album in 2006.
Asa is currently also in court with a Lagos-based publication.

MI Leaves With Chocolate City, Floats Own Label

Story by Dr LORI
mmm360 recently took a scoop into the bowels of the hit making chocolate city and found out that, all may presently not be well between Jude Abaga, who is better known as MI, and his Audu Maikori led record label, Chocolate City.
According to the gist making round, the self-acclaimed Africa's number one rapper is set to launch his own record label.
From what mmm360.blogspot.com gathered, the short dark dude from Jos has concluded plans to launch his Loopy Record Label on Saturday, March 3, 2012, which we learnt is located around Gbagada area of Lagos State.
Unconfirmed reports said there is a strain between the once smooth working relationship between MI and Chocolate City Label boss, Audu.
Chocolate City has under its label Ice Prince; Jesse Jagz, who is the younger brother of MI; Brymo and MI. We could not confirm if other acts under Chocolate City would join Loopy Record having joined Chocolate City through MI.

N700M Homosexuality Suit: Asa Absent in Court

Asa was missing at the court hearing…
Nigerian singer Bukola Elemide, better known as Ásà was missing at a court hearing today, over a N700m lawsuit brought by her against a celebrity magazine.
Asa, in a suit ‘Bukola Elemide & Another VS Dockland Communications Services’, is suing News of the People over an article published in 2010 insinuating that she is a lesbian.
Dockland Communications Services are the publishers of the weekly publication News of the People.
The 29-year-old, who was represented by her legal counsel Abraham & CO. before a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice A.J Coker on Thursday, February 23, 2012, stated that the publication was defamatory, and prayed the court to award damages in the above-mentioned sum.

However, the judge was unable to make any ruling, as neither Asa nor her manager Janet Nwose were in court when the defendant’s counsel requested their presence for questioning. Reportedly, they are currently in France, which is Asa’s home base.
‘My lord, my client is indisposed; I plead for you to adjourn the case to a later date’, the claimants’, lawyer Mena Ajakpovi said.
The defendants’ counsel Yinka Muyiwa wasn’t happy with the plea, citing an earlier claim from the duo stating that they were actually performing at a gig in France. The judge however ruled for the case to be adjourned until April.
The saga began in 2010, when News of the People published an article stating that Asa was a lesbian, but, through their counsel, the publication says they have done no wrong, as they culled the story from an online publication.
However, despite repeated requests from us, they have failed to name the originators of the story.
The first hearing took place on November 22, 2010 at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division.
‘The issue pertaining to she being a lesbian is already in the eye of the public’, Yinka Muyiwa told 3m360. ‘And as a report coming from a publication on the internet, I do not see how they can establish a case of libel’.
Asa’s lawyer was not available to answer questions at the time of writing this report, but the law firm assured us we would get statements from them very soon.
Back in January 2010, Asa, in an interview with radio host Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi on Beat FM’s ‘Drive Time Show’, categorically stated she wasn’t gay; even though at that time she did not have a boyfriend. ‘I’m not gay we have to set it straight’, Asa said.
The court case has been adjourned to Thursday, April 26, 2012.

The-Dream Speaks on Rihanna/Chris Brown Remixes: 'It's Just Music'

By Dr LORI TOSAN.
February 22, 2012 | 9:30pm
Commemorating her 24th birthday with a rash of widespread controversy, Rihanna ** finally unveiled her "Birthday Cake" remix, featuring Chris Brown **, online on Monday night (Feb. 20), just as Brown simultaneously released his "Turn Up The Music" remix featuring his former flame. Although some ( including Billboard.com) have questioned Rih and Breezy's decision to musically reunite three years after getting into a violent altercation before the 2009 Grammy Awards, production maestro The-Dream **, who helmed Rihanna's "Birthday Cake" remix, doesn't believe that the collaborations should be judged against the former couple's unseemly past.
"For me, it's just music -- two talented people doing a record together, doing two records together, and that's what it was," The-Dream (real name: Terius Nash) tells mmm360.com. "It wasn't about an incident that happened. The true thing really is to forgive, and… you want to believe in people."

Listen To Both Rihanna/Chris Brown Remixes
The-Dream -- who is currently readying his own album, "The Love IV: Diary of a Mad Man" -- says that the "Cake" remix was finished barely a week ago, after a 78-second version of the song appeared on Rihanna's sixth studio album, "Talk That Talk," in November.
"It was Rih's idea," says the producer. "Not only do we work together, but [Rihanna] is a friend of mine. And it's like, 'You wanna do something? Then cool, let's do it.' I don't know how she got the logistics and how it happened -- maybe she'll talk about it one day. I showed up at the studio, and it was like, 'All right, cool, let's finish this record,' which we probably should have finished the first time we did it."
An Open Letter To Rihanna | An Open Letter To Chris Brown
Before the release of "Birthday Cake (Remix)" and "Turn Up The Music (Remix)," Rihanna proclaimed on Twitter, "I'm so solid as a rock, they just can't stop me now!" As the pop superstar's friend and longtime collaborator, The-Dream says that Rihanna's fans should accept her collaboration with Brown as a positive example of forgiveness.
"I think [the topic] that should be more on the tongues is: how do we proclaim to be a nation of forgiving, and we go by all of these rules and everything, but we can't actually do it?" he says. "It actually makes you look weaker than your adversary -- if you don't have the power to forgive, but you lie and say that you did.
"Because this is about her," The-Dream continues, of Rihanna. "If she can forgive, that's where she is mentally. As a friend, it's like, 'Okay, cool. Let's roll.'"

Waje’s Style (& Body) Transformation plus her New Role on Star Quest 2012

Last week, Nigerian songstress Waje announced that she had been appointed as a judge on the new season of the Star Quest talent TV Reality Show. Congrats! We hope this new role does not delay the release of her debut album.

While Waje is presently journeying from state to state with the Star Quest team, we couldn’t help but notice her metamorphosis. Over the last few months, Waje has been working with a personal trainer to get her body into amazing shape, she has also worked with stylist Lucy Phil-Ebosie to transform her look to match her svelte new figure.

Tu Face and Annie plan grand wedding

2face Idibia is getting ready to exchange wedding vows with his girlfriend of over a decade and mother of one of his five kids, Annie Macaulay.
3m360 has exclusively gathered that Idibia, who sensationally proposed to Ms Macaulay on Valentine’s Day, is planning a registry wedding with his bride. This, we’re told, will happen any moment from now. And no, you’re not invited. The very private event will only accommodate close family members, including parents and siblings of the bride and groom. The main wedding, which will be very elaborate, we’re told, has been scheduled for mid or late 2012.
Insiders tell us arrangements are in top gear for what is the most anticipated celebrity wedding of the year, and what many are already terming one of the most significant events of 2012 in the Nigerian entertainment scene. ‘A tentative date for the wedding has already been selected by the couple‘, one source offers. ‘They’re looking at May 2012‘ a source close to the couple, and who spoke anonymously with NET, says, adding that ‘Annie wants everything to happen without delay‘.

2face Idibia stunned not a few recently when he proposed to actress Annie Macaulay, his on/off girlfriend of over 12 years, at footballer Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha‘s Club 10 on Victoria Island on Valentine’s Day. Annie Uwana Macaulay, mother of two-year-old Isabella Idibia, is a native of Ifiki local government area of Akwa Ibom state. Idibia is Idoma, from Oturkpo in Benue State

Sources say Idibia informed none of his baby mamas before proposing to Annie. And only few of those close to him were aware of his plans. NET investigations revealed that the singer and his friends kept everything hush hush, to prevent unwanted incidents, and also to make sure Annie was in the dark. Even though one of her close friends helped Idibia get the ring, we’re told Annie was not in the know – until her lover got on his knees and popped the question. ‘She cried and cried that night. It was a big shock. She was overwhelmed with emotions. She wept her soul out and was genuinely surprised‘ Annie’s close friend told us. ‘That’s one of the biggest dreams of her life‘.
(2FACE EXCLUSIVE: ‘MY HEART CHOSE ANNIE MACAULAY’)
HOW HE PROPOSED
From ‘African Queen‘ to ‘True Love‘, it’s easy to see Idibia is a romantic. So, when he made up his mind it was time to leave the bachelors’ club, it was no surprise he did it in true gentleman, lover boy style.

The pop star made reservations at the elegant Club 10, in Lagos. He invited some friends and colleagues for ‘a fun evening’, and he made sure Annie Macaulay was on his guest list. With at least two of Ms Macaulay’s friends as willing accomplices, he got a diamond-studded engagement ring (worth at least N1M).
And guess what day he chose? February 14. Yes, St Valentine’s Day. And although Annie was out of town the day before, he made her fly down, for what would become the most memorable day of her life – so far…
FACEBOOK LOVE
couple apparently excited and basking in the euphoria of their recent engagement have expressed their joy via social media platforms Facebook and Twitter;
A day after 2face popped the big question, he wrote on his Facebook page; ‘I know say my people wan hear the CONFIRM gist!!! Unto say me sef wan move to the next level. We all know that he who finds a wife has found a good thing. I am moving forward ma people…. I wanna be with Annie for the rest of my life. Abi how una take see am??‘.
Annie has also reached out to her well-wishers describing how she feels. ‘Thanx 4 all ur messages FAM,It FeelZ soooo good!! Loving Som1,N dat Som1 Loves U back…And he’s not afraid 2 show it off,regardleZ of Evry!‘, @AnnieMacaulay1 tweeted.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Crank co-directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor helm this sequel to 2007's Ghost Rider that finds Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) summoning his infernal alter ego to help rescue a ten-year-old boy from the Devil incarnate. Tracked to a secluded area of Eastern Europe and approached by a clandestine sect of the church with word that the apocalypse is at hand, Johnny realizes that his only hope for breaking the curse of the Ghost Rider is to prevent the Devil (Ciaran Hinds) from taking possession of a young boy (Fergus Riordan) who may be humanity's last hope against the forces of darkness. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Exclusive: Diggy Talks 'Unexpected Arrival' Album, Pharrell Williams, & more

By mmm360.blogspot.com
In three years, Diggy Simmons ** has gone from notebooks to mixtapes to now working on his debut album, "Unexpected Arrival" (March 20).
"It was just more so about me getting out my feelings through writing," says the 16 yr. old rapper of his start. "That's when I started loving it so much. I was like, 'Man this is what I want to do.' That's when I took it to the next level and I started actually recording myself."
It's cheeky, but an apt title definitely. Before he started spitting, Diggy could be seen on MTV's "Run's House," as the middle child of hip-hop legend, Run D.M.C.'s Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons. While it's easy to doubt or cry out "nepotism" in this scenario, the fact is Diggy's arrival is a result of his own hard work and growth.
"It's me taking everything that I've done to the next level," Diggy says of "Unexpected Arrival." "Lyrically, everything with the production, all the content, all my experiences -- it's just way better than everything I've ever done."
Both his mixtapes and freestyles, including his early freestyle to Nas **' "Made You Look" -- have been training and proving ground. Diggy garnered plenty of attention which lead to collaborations with the likes of Bruno Mars **, Lupe Fiasco **, and Pharrell Williams **.
His time with specifically Pharrell Williams ** proved quite fruitful: "Pharrell really inspires me from more of like a general standpoint of never letting people dictate who you want to be. That's a big part of who I am, just being me and creatively being free and just doing my own thing, no matter what's going on with the times."
Diggy certainly brought this mentality to "Unexpected Arrival," but that doesn't mean he went at it alone. Producer D'Mile ( Rihanna **, Mary J. Blige **) laced majority of the record, allowing for a cohesive project.
"The way I write is I hear the beat and then it inspires the content and the subject matter," Diggy tells The Juice. "So he brought great subject matter out of me, great rhymes, he brought the best out of me."
"Unexpected Arrival" seems to not only be a statement of purpose but also a personal document. One of the areas where Diggy believes he's improved the most is his delivery. He finds the emotion necessary to make his tracks really hit.
"I had great things to say but I wouldn't just say them," he says of his older tracks. "I'd just rap whatever was written down even though a lot of feeling was behind it. Now I'm just way more mindful when I go into the booth when I record."
Diggy continues to work hard and steady till the release date for Unexpected Arrival" inches closer. "I'm used to having my work ethic be very constant, and just be at a very quick pace," Diggy tells The Juice. "Whatever I do, it's usually just going hard -- and that's what it's all about. So the only thing different about this is I have an album coming out now.

NBC threatens TVC over live coverage of Occupy Nigeria protests

LORI TOSAN

The station says it won't stop live coverage of the rallies
The Nigerian Broadcast Commission has threatened to sanction a Lagos-based television station, TV Continental, for broadcasting the ongoing Occupy Nigeria protests live, in what appears an attempt to gag media organizations and curtail critical coverage of the ongoing protests against government’s cut on fuel subsidy.
In a letter to the station, the NBC warned it to stop live broadcasts of the nationwide protests or face sanctions. NBC is asking that TVC censor its broadcast to avoid the deep criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan by labour leaders and civil society activists.
Since Monday when organized labour began a crippling strike and massive protests demanding government to reverse fuel prices which doubled overnight January 1, TVC has consistently given live coverage to protest rallies and speeches delivered during the protests.
“They want us to censor what we air live,” an official of the TV told Premium Times. "They said we should be careful and professional in our coverage and that if we air caustic speeches against the President and the administration, we would face appropriate sanction."
The management of the organization however denied any wrongdoing, say they would continue with the live broadcasts of the protests.
Spokesperson of the NBC, Maimuna Jimada, could not be reached to comment for this story. 
Since the commencement of rallies against the cut on fuel subsidy policy began on January 2, government-owned broadcast stations have tried to play down the protests.
Until Thursday morning when some protesters besieged the Nigerian Television Authority’s head office on the Island in Lagos, forcing the management to air clips from protests – in their presence – the station has largely ignored the huge demonstrations across the country and had concentrated on a massive propaganda campaign for government.
The protests, which have seen Nigerians question government’s ineptitude and lack of accountability before large crowds and streaming cameras, have polarized the Nigerian media along pro-government and pro-people lines.
Some protesters have branded the African Independent Television, AiT, an anti-people station, which has sided more with government in the current impasse. In anger, a group of protesters massed at the gate of the Alagbado headoffice of  the station, throwing pebbles at its infrastructures to protest perceived pro-government reporting.
The protesters claim AIT has been pro-government and has not devoted equal amount of time to airing all sides to the crisis. 
The commission say it will not hesitate to apply “necessary sanctions” if TVC persists with the live broadcasts.
Nigeria has a relatively free  media freedom, enhanced by the extensive use of social media platforms, but the government still reserves a great control over the media through subtle cajoles and patronages.

Tuface Idibia not dead

The hip-pop musician is alive and well
3m360 can authoritatively confirm that the story being circulated about the death of Musician TuFace Idibia is untrue.
A website, Global Associated News, had early this morning published a story with the headline "Musician - Tuface Idibia dies following Jet-Ski crash in Turks and Caicos Islands."
The story soon went viral on social networks leaving several of the musician's fans heartbroken.
But we can confirm that the report is a complete fabrication.
The website said this as much of itself.
It stated clearly on its footer, “This story is 100% Fake. This is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purporses.
"This story was dynamically generated using a generic template and is not factual.
"Any reference to specific individuals has been 100% fabricated by website visitors who have created fake stories by entering a name into a blank non-specific template for the purpose of entertainment."
Many readers didn't see this and only went on redistributing the story link after reading it.

3M360: VIDEO: Ara ft. 2face – Olomi

3M360: VIDEO: Ara ft. 2face – Olomi

Stars grace funeral of Whitney Houston

The biggest names in entertainment clapped hands, swayed to gospel hymns and sang along with the choir at Whitney Houston's funeral in the church where the future pop star once wowed the congregation as a young girl.
"We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God's strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston,'' Reverend Joe A. Carter told the packed New Hope Baptist Church on Saturday after the choir behind him sang "The Lord is My Shepherd".
"Whitney, you are the only woman that could bring all of us together. Whitney, today is your day," he said. A gospel choir, members dressed in white and gold, opened the funeral with song, and churchgoers were swaying and clapping along. Some stood in the aisles in the full church.
Mourners fell quiet as three police officers escorted Houston's casket, draped with white roses and purple lilies. White-robed choir members began to fill the pews on the podium. As the band played softly, the choir sang in a hushed voice, "Whitney, Whitney, Whitney.''
Special 'grace'
Houston's family had prepared a service where singer Dionne Warwick, Houston's cousin, music mogul Clive Davis, who shepherded Houston's career for decades, actor Kevin Costner, her co-star in the film The Bodyguard', and sister-in-law Patricia Houston, among others, spoke at the service.
Filmmaker Tyler Perry praised Houston's "grace that kept on carrying her all the way through, the same grace led her all the way to the top of the charts. She sang for presidents''.
"You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime," Davis said.
Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, R Kelly and gospel stars CeCe and Bebe Winans sang at the service.
Tributes to Houston were both celebratory of her life and mournful. Singer Ray J., who spent time with Houston during her last days, broke down crying. His sister, singer Brandy, put her arm around him. Cissy Houston and Houston's daughter, 18-year-old Bobbi Kristina, clutched each other in the front of the church.
Toward the end of the service, Bobbi Kristina and Ray J. embraced at length and spoke. Others gathered near the front of the church and hugged each other.
The most powerful moment was reserved for the end. As Houston's silver casket was carried out, her hit "I Will Always Love You'" played. Bobbi Kristina began crying, and the sobs of Houston's mother rang throughout the church.
Close family friend Aretha Franklin, whom Houston lovingly called "Aunt Ree'', had been expected to sing at the service, but she was too ill to attend. Franklin said in an email to the Associated Press that she had been up most of the night with leg spasms and sent best wishes to the family.
Singers Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson were among those filling pews. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader, and actor Lela Rochon were also gathering as the choir began to sing gospel and the congregation clapped.
'Baby girl'
Pictures of Houston as a baby, with her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston and daughter, Bobbi Kristina filled the program.
"I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long,'' Cissy Houston wrote her daughter in a letter published in the program. "And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.''
"Rest, my baby girl in peace,'' the letter ends, signed "mommie''.
Houston's mother was helped by two people on either side of her as she walked in and sat with her granddaughter and other family. Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, briefly appeared at her funeral, walking to the casket, touching it and walking out.
The service marks one week after the 48-year-old Houston, one of music's all-time biggest stars, was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel in California. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
Star's descent
Houston's death marked the final chapter for the superstar whose fall from grace was years in the making.
Houston had her first No 1 hit by the time she was 22, followed by a flurry of No 1 songs and multi-platinum records.
Her last album, "I Look To You'', debuted on the top of the charts when it was released in 2009 with strong sales, but did not have the staying power of her previous records. A tour the next year was doomed by cancellations because of illness and sub-par performances.
To the world, Houston was the pop queen with the perfect voice, the dazzling diva with regal beauty, a troubled superstar suffering from addiction and, finally, another victim of the dark side of fame.
To her family and friends, she was just "Nipp'', a nickname given to Houston when she was a child. To them, she was a sister, a friend, a daughter, and a mother.
"She always had the edge,'' Jackson said outside the church Saturday. "You can tell when some kids have what we call a special anointing. Aretha had that when she was 14; Whitney cultivated that and took it to a very high level.''
Over her career, she sold more than 50 million records in the United States alone. Her voice, an ideal blend of power, grace and beauty, made classics out of songs like "Saving All My Love For You'', "I Will Always Love You'',
"The Greatest Love of All'' and "I'm Every Woman''.
Her six Grammys were only a fraction of her many awards. But amid the fame, a turbulent marriage to Brown and her addiction to drugs tarnished her image. She became a woman falling apart in front of the world
'Celebrate' life
A few fans gathered Saturday morning hours before the service as close as they could get to the church, some from as far away as Washington DC and Miami. Bobby Brooks said he came from Washington "just to be among the rest of the fans''.
"Just to celebrate her life, not just her death,'' said Brooks, "just to sing and dance with the people that love her.''
Others were more entrepreneurial, setting up card tables to sell silk-screened T-shirts with Houston's image and her CDs. But only the invited would get close to the church; streets were closed to the public for blocks in every direction.
but their presence was felt around the church, with a huge shrine of heart-shaped balloons and personal messages that covered the street corner around the church entrance
Houston was to be buried next to her father, John Houston, in nearby Westfield, New Jersey.