On Thursday, footage of Christina Aguilera performing alongside a hologram of the late Whitney Houston on "The Voice" surfaced online. For all those asking why, how and WTF were they thinking: We're so right there with you.
Apparently, the executor of Houston's estate, Pat Houston, also had some reservations about the stunt. According to a statement given to Entertainment Tonight, the duet has been canceled because if it involves Whitney, then "it must be perfect."
We are so appreciative of the opportunity for the Whitney Houston hologram to appear on NBC’s "The Voice" with a talent pairing as extraordinary as Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston. We were looking to deliver a ground-breaking duet performance for the fans of both artists. Holograms are new technology that take time to perfect, and we believe with artists of this iconic caliber, it must be perfect. Whitney’s legacy and her devoted fans deserve perfection. After closely viewing the performance, we decided the hologram was not ready to air. We have much respect and appreciation for Christina, and she was absolutely flawless.
The singing competition series' finale airs next week, so the collaboration was filmed in advance of the episode. In the leaked clips, Aguilera performs Houston's hit “I Have Nothing” before announcing to the audience, “Ladies and gentlemen, Whitney Houston.”
And then a holographic projection of Houston's image appears on stage to finish out the number (and out-belt Xtina). The two conclude the performance by duetting on “I’m Every Woman,” as the Whitney hologram sings and dances with the "Voice" judge.
In 2015, Houston's estate announced that a hologram of the legend would debut in the following year, but clearly "The Voice" was not the right opportunity.
Pat Houston and the singer's sister-in-law said in a statement at the time that a hologram is "a great opportunity for her fans to see a reinvention of one the most celebrated female artists in history and to continue a legacy of performances that will not be forgotten in years to come."
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