Phaedra Parks On Whitney Houston's Death: Don't Blame Bobby Brown

Ever since Whitney Houston's untimely death, people have been directing blame at the star's ex-husband, Bobby Brown. But now Brown's former attorney, "Real Housewife of Atlanta" star Phaedra Parks, wants to set the record straight, saying Bobby isn't to blame.

"What we have to remember is that they both were adults and as adults we make choices," Phaedra told me on the set of "New York Live." "They are adults. Whitney took responsibility for what happened with her life. She was wonderful, an icon. I'm happy to have worked with both of them."

Phaedra also rejected the criticism of Brown's delayed decision to fly to Los Angeles to be with his daughter, Bobbi Christina, after the news of her mother's death broke.

"In defense of Bobby, when this happened, he was on stage," Phaedra reasoned. "He doesn't have a private jet. He got there as soon as he could. He is a wonderful father. I know he will be there for all his children. I'm worried for any child that looses a parent at a young age -- that point in your life is when you need your mother. At 18 years old, you are beginning your transformation to be a women."

Phaedra is currently enjoying her success on "The Real Housewives Of Atlanta" -- the most successful "Housewives" franchise -- and is looking forward to hosting a book party in Atlanta soon for the vice president of Ghana.

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• Singers Whitney Houston (L) and Dionne W

  Singers Whitney Houston (L) and Dionne Warwick perform onstage during the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons, with Clive Davis Honoring David Geffen at the Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011. The event, on the eve of the 53rd Annual GRAMMY, honored Geffen Records founder and DreamWorks SKG co-founder David Geffen who was presented with the President's Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

• Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala And Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen - Inside

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Whitney Houston attends the 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen at Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)

• Singer Whitney Houston performs onstage

  Singer Whitney Houston performs onstage during the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons, with Clive Davis Honoring David Geffen at the Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011. The event, on the eve of the 53rd Annual GRAMMY, honored Geffen Records founder and DreamWorks SKG co-founder David Geffen who was presented with the President's Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

• Whitney Houston waves to the crowd at the 36th Ann

  NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Whitney Houston waves to the crowd at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in New York 01 March 1994 after she was honored for Record of the Year, 'I'll Always Love You,' and Album of the Year, the soundtrack from the film 'The Bodyguard.' At rear is her producer David Foster, who shared the honors with her. (Photo credit should read POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

• 1994 WORLD CUP FINAL

  17 JUL 1994 : WHITNEY HOUSTON SINGS DURING THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD CUP BEFORE THE ITALY V BRAZIL 1994 WORLD CUP FINAL AT THE ROSE BOWL STADIUM IN PASADENA CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Billy Stickland/ALLSPORT

• (FILES) US pop star and entertainer Mich

  (FILES) US pop star and entertainer Michael Jackson (2R) gathers with Elizabeth Taylor (L), Liza Minnelli (2L) and Whitney Houston (R) at the United Nego College Fund dinner at a New York hotel March 10, 1988 in New York. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest, sending shockwaves sweeping across the world and tributes pouring in on June 26 for the tortured music icon revered as the 'King of Pop.' AFP PHOTO/Mark CARDWELL (Photo credit should read MARK CARDWELL/AFP/Getty Images)

• 2/27/98 Los Angeles, CA. Whitney Houston at the 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. She recieved th

  2/27/98 Los Angeles, CA. Whitney Houston at the 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. She recieved the Quincy Jones Award for 'Outstanding Career Achievement' in the field of entertainment.

• 1999 VH1 Divas Live

  Whitney Houston performs during the VH1 DIVAS LIVE '99 at the Beacon Theatre in New York on Tuesday, April 13. Other performers include Brandy, Tina Turner, and Cher, with a special performance by Elton John. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.

• Singers Mariah Carey (L) and Whitney Houston perfo

  LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Singers Mariah Carey (L) and Whitney Houston perform 'When You Believe' during the 71st Academy Awards 21 March 1999 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO Timothy A. Clary (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

• 42nd Annual Grammy Awards - Pressroom

  Whitney Houston at the 2000 Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, CA on Febuary 23, 2000 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect

• (FILES): This 23 February 2000 file phot

  LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: (FILES): This 23 February 2000 file photo shows US pop diva Whitney Houston performing at the 42d Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Houston has checked into a drug rehabilitation clinic, her publicist said 16 March 2004, providing a new twist in her long battle with drug addiction. Houston, 40, has 'chosen to enter a facility for rehabilitation,' her publicist said in a terse statement that provided no further details of the type or location of the treatment, but which contained a message for her fans. 'She thanks everyone for their support and prayers,' the statement said. AFP PHOTO / FILES / Hector MATA (Photo credit should read HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images)

• Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala And Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen - Inside

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Singer Whitney Houston attends the 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen at Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)

• Whitney Houston In Concert

  BERLIN - MAY 12: US-American singer Whitney Houston performs live during a concert at the O2 World on May 12, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. The concert is part of the 2010 Nothing But Love tour to promote the album I Look To You. (Photo by Jakubaszek/Getty Images)

• Whitney Houston Performs In Milan

  MILAN, ITALY - MAY 03: Whitney Houston performs at Mediolanum Forum on May 3, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

• 2010 BET Honors - Show

  WASHINGTON - JANUARY 16: Whitney Houston accepts the BET Honor for entertainment during the 2010 BET Honors at the Warner Theatre on January 16, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

• 17th Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Ball - Arrivals

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 28: Producer Clive Davis (L) and singer Whitney Houston arrive at the 17th Annual Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 28, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

• 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons: Clive Davis - Show

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• World Music Awards 2004 - Show

  LAS VEGAS, NV ? SEPTEMBER 15: Singer Whitney Houston is seen performing on stage during the 2004 World Music Awards at the Thomas and Mack Center on September 15, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• US singer Whitney Houston attends in a w

  US singer Whitney Houston attends in a welcoming ceremony as a guest of honor for the polygamous Black Hebrew sect 30 May 2003 in the southern Israeli town of Dimona. Houston is in Israel for a week to make a recording with the sect. AFP PHOTO/Tal COHEN ISRAEL OUT (Photo credit should read TAL COHEN/AFP/Getty Images)

• Whitney Houston

  DECATUR, GA - AUGUST 27: Singer Whitney Houston leaves the DeKalb County Courthouse after a probation violation hearing for her husband, singer Bobby Brown on August 27, 2003 in Decatur, Georgia. Brown was sentenced to 14 days in jail followed by 60 days of house arrest for violating conditions of his probation, stemming from 1996 DUI charges. (Photo by Frank Mullen/Getty Images)

• VH1 Divas Duets Post Concert Party

  LAS VEGAS - MAY 22: Actresses (L-R) Tia and Tamara Mowry with singer Whitney Houston attend the VH1 Divas Duets post concert party to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 22, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

• Singer Whitney Houston Visits Israel

  JERUSALEM - MAY 27: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (R) welcomes singer Whitney Houston (L) and her husband/singer, Bobby Brown (C), at the prime minister's residence May 27, 2003 in Jerusalem, Israel. Houston is on a private tour of Israel. (Photo by Quique Kierszenbaum/Getty Images)

• Bobby Brown Appears In Court

  DECATUR, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Singer/actress Whitney Houston (L) smiles at her husband, singer Bobby Brown, during a court hearing November 25, 2002 in Dekalb County State Court in Decatur, Georgia. Brown was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant for a DUI arrest in 1996. Judge Wayne Purdom set a trial of January 21, 2003. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser-Pool/Getty Images)

• Michael Jackson Concert - Day 1

  Whitney Houston performing on the Michael Jackson '30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years' concert at New York's Madison Square Garden, Friday, Sept. 7, 2001. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.

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Comments

[valerieuwakwe]

04:59 PM on 02/18/2012

I agree, I also can't find a link to send Bobby my condolences will someone send it to me. I cried @ Whitney's service today but I also cried for Bobby

[RantandRock]

10:15 AM on 02/16/2012

I am so tired of the Whitney story. Yes, sad she died. She was a singer with many problems. Seems to me like all this media hype is glorifying the life of an addict. She in no way is a legend like Elvis, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra. And, when I heard Randy Jackson say, " her fans are in my prayers", give me a break. You are now praying for fans? Enough...

I can rant, rant, rant all day!!!

[AlaskanWannaB]

09:34 PM on 02/16/2012

Nobody forced you to click and post.

[maybesomeday]

09:13 AM on 02/16/2012

As much as I loved Whitney Houston's music and her talent's in acting there is no one to blame for her addiction but herself. Yes I certainly thought she made a bad choice when she married Bobby Brown, I think most thought the same thing. But it was her connection, it was her life, and it was ultimately her decision, can't unring that bell.

As much as someone can blame Bobby Brown for her addiction, the same could be said about her marriage. Was it a forced marriage? Was she force fed the drugs she took? Did Bobbi Kristina get her addiction from her mother or her father? Absolutely NOT!

If only it was that simple. If Bobby Brown is to blame, then I'd like to know how he managed to do it once they divorced, they weren't together? Sad as it is truly is Whitney Houston did everything she did because she wanted to do it, not because of someone else! People need to stop blaming other's for their problems, for real!

[zeus1122]

02:38 AM on 02/20/2012

I don't blame Bobby but it was a destructive relationship and unfortunately as much of an icon as Whitney was, it seemed she lacked confidence. Sounds to me like she allowed herself to be beaten down by an abusive relationship and couldn't bounce back emotionally so drugs played a role...then it became an addiction...some have the addictive gene...thank goodness I do not but unfortunately i have several friends and family that fight it and trust me...it is destuctive no matter who you are.

[daringsugar]

04:17 AM on 02/16/2012

Whitney was a grown woman. She was in control of her own life..As adults we must be held responsible for our own actions and stop blaming the world for our issues, we created them ourselves. Apparently she was too familiar with the word NO..something she could of said, but chose not to.

[Portann]

10:46 PM on 02/15/2012

I think to hide her circumstances or minimize her substance abuse for the sake of her reputation or public opinion, does a gross diservice to Whitney's legacy. Her illness in now way lessens the impact she had on many people through her music and talent. The world will mourn a great talent and loss. But an additional loss is that her situation can be used to create an open dialogue about substance abuse and treatment. It may cause many to reflect on themselves and seek help instead of perpetuating shame by the silence. Lessons can be learned and may even save other lives.

[maybesomeday]

09:18 AM on 02/16/2012

This dialogue you speak of has been supposedly going on for years, yet it's never resolved because we can't stop drug addicts and alcoholics from doing what they love best getting high or getting drunk.

Michael Jackson's death is just another example of a drug addict who sought dangerous drugs and even managed to get assistance in his insanity. So who is left to have this dialogue with?

If only it was that easy. Her death may help others or have no impact at all. Just like Michael Jackson's death had absolutely no impact on Whitney Houston stopping what she was doing.

Addicts will only stop doing what they are doing when they are ready, willing, and able to seek help and not a minute sooner.

[Portann]

07:12 PM on 02/16/2012

There are millions of people left to have the dialogue with. Certainly you don't mean to suggest that this issue died with Michael and Whitney. I don't think we should be so ready to turn our backs on people. You never know the dialogue or life experience that can turn a person's life around. You don't know how many people have been effected by both their deaths, people maybe that won't be on the news, may be they don't have the fame, forture or notariety that they do, but their lives are just as equally important.

[Clownloach64]

09:28 PM on 02/15/2012

I, for one, am getting a little tired of hearing her "so called friends" attempting to sanitize her drug and alcohol abuse. Lying about how much she had to drink the night before, or disputing the fact that she had indeed fallen off "the wagon" is just unconscionable. Whitney's lifestyle and subsequent death should be used as an example of how NOT to waste a precious gift. Keep it real, for God's sake!

[guoyakla]

08:30 PM on 02/15/2012

GUILTY!!! When married, you are responsible for your spouse, in some provisional way. You take and make vows confirming this responsibility. Marriage is about stewardship, just like parenting. Go about it as dirty business, and the universe will seek retribution.

[MadAppraiser]

05:06 PM on 02/15/2012

Very unusual bedfellows indeed! It is best to stay in your backyard, and assist others in staying in theirs. The takers surround professional athletes, and entertainment celebrities.

[PrimaTina]

12:14 PM on 02/15/2012

Seems everyone wants to blame Bobby - the man she married. If any one of you were in a relationship with someone who tried to turn you on to drugs you would do it only if you were into it.
No one starts doing drugs as an adult if they don't want to get high.
If you want to point the finger it should be at the man who pimped her out for real - Clive Davies!
Bobby Brown was no where near Hollywood when he got the news. Clive was downstairs as her body was being examined. And what did he do, the man that alledgely loved her so much?? He continued with his very necessary pre-grammy party. And this AFTER he told the family how sorry he was for their loss.

[Susie Weslander]

10:53 AM on 02/15/2012

I agree we all have choices she chose the road that she took.... to blame someone else is really unfiar

[Misty MacPherson]

10:27 AM on 02/15/2012

sure, he may have introduced her to drugs, but she is an adult and she is the one who chose to do drugs. she is the only one to blame

[odie2286]

10:17 AM on 02/15/2012

Who started Whitney on drugs? That's who is to blame. For some people it only takes one time.

[blessed child]

01:33 PM on 02/15/2012

She wasn't a child. I was once in a relationship where I was tempted by my partner to try marijuana. I respectfully declined. Adults MUST take responsibilities for their actions.

[gas prices]

09:22 AM on 02/15/2012

I think Chaka Chan has been the most honest contributor to the discussion. You need good people around you to watch and protect you. I love the My Perrogative song as much as the next person, but at the end of the day...she loved someone that was not healthy for her and it did contribute to the drama in her life.

[Carol Kasun Dixson]

08:09 AM on 02/15/2012

I've heard her family and friends use phrases like "no longer an addict". That is pure hogwash. When someone is at the point where they have to checked up on when they are in the bathroom every ten to fifteen minutes that clearly indicates a serious problem. Don't blame Bobby Brown. Don't blame her fame. It's a roll of the dice on who will develop an addiction. The only person responsible for recovery is the addict. Unfortunately there are even substance abuse treatments that advertise a cure. I'm thinking of one that has a spokesperson saying they are no longer an addict. Very dangerous thinking. Whitney was responsible for her own recovery. All along this road she was faced with choices. Who to surround herself with; who's advice to take; where to seek treatment; where to hang-out; etc, etc. It is very sad. It is a waste of life and God given talent. Remember Karen Ann Quinlan, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson. Some of us are blessed to be given a second chance. Some of us push the envelope and expect a third, fourth and fifth chance. Trouble is we never know how many chances we have.

[Portann]

10:41 PM on 02/15/2012

I agree. There is o cure. But there is recovery and remission. Keeping in remission requires maintenance work, not unlike a number of chronic illnesses.

[Len Hummel]

03:19 AM on 02/15/2012

He was clearly a contributor. she obviously made some very poor (and even self-destructive) choices. ... it is also obvious she was carrying around a lot of inner pain and conflict over her lifestyle and the "name and fame game". It's so, soooo sad. She was such a beautiful face and incredible talent. ... it is very revealing that her last public performance was a very brief (and somewhat muddled version) of "Yes, Jesus Loves Me." - extreme inner-conflicts can be very devastating.

[keene]

12:02 PM on 02/15/2012

According to people who have worked with Whitney and friends with her-she was doing drugs well before she met Bobby Brown.

[Len Hummel]

11:22 PM on 02/15/2012

Thanks. I think that's an important factor to consider. Whitney got trapped in drugs and somehow never really "got out of the loop." - the crazy-love marriage just kind of "came along with the deal."