For the first time since the death of her daughter, Cissy Houston has spoken out.

In an interview that will air Monday on New Jersey’s My9′s 10 O’Clock News, Cissy Houston says she still has her “moments” of mourning since Whitney passed away in February.

“I’m not there yet. I don’t think I’m any more courageous than anyone else. I am a true believer in God, if I could bring her back I would, but that’s not possible.”

News broke yesterday that cocaine was found in Whitney’s hotel room, following coroner confirmation that the singer died with that drug in her system.

The artist’s substance abuse problems have been well documented, of course, but Cissy says she can’t hold herself responsible for these issues, not after so many years of attempting to intervene.

“I know I did the best I could,” she says. “I don’t blame myself. I know I did the best I could for everything.”

While avoiding any public statements until now, Cissy has reportedly been critical of her former son-in-law, Bobby Brown, and has been looking over her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina. She’s now the most direct link Cissy has to Whitney.

“I’m very proud of my daughter,” she says in the interview. “She accomplished a whole lot in the short time that she had here… she was a very wonderful person.”

The Hollywood Gossip

Mariah Carey is the latest celebrity to speak out on the death of Whitney Houston. But it isn’t easy for the artist.

“I’m almost incapable of talking about this still,” Mariah said today on Good Morning America. “It’s very heavy emotionally.”

The two legends collaborated on “When You Believe,” a duet featured in the following video and a subject on which Mariah spoke at length in the interview.

Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey: “When You Believe”

“It was great and I don’t think people could ever understand our relationship,” she said. “There was always this supposed rivalry in the beginning and then we did the duet and we became friends.”

Carey attended Whitney’s funeral in New Jersey, describing the ceremony as “gorgeous” and concluded her thoughts about Houston with these simple words:

“I loved her. We all loved her. May she rest in peace… her legend’s gonna go on forever.”

The Hollywood Gossip

The official death certificate for Whitney Houston has been filed with Los Angeles County and made available to the public – but it reveals very little about the singer that we didn’t already know.

The document runs through the basics – name, date of birth, occupation (“entertainer”), marital status, next of kin (Bobbi Kristina) and place of death – and also confirms that she’ll be buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.

But it lists “deferred” pending further investigation as the cause of Whitney’s death.

It’s strongly believed, of course, that Houston died because she mixed prescription pills with alcohol, but no specific drugs have been confirmed. Autopsy results may not be back for weeks.

Below, meanwhile, watch Janet Jackson speak to Anderson Cooper about this tragedy.

Janet Jackson Speaks on Whitney Houston

The Hollywood Gossip

The official death certificate for Whitney Houston has been filed with Los Angeles County and made available to the public – but it reveals very little about the singer that we didn’t already know.

The document runs through the basics – name, date of birth, occupation (“entertainer”), marital status, next of kin (Bobbi Kristina) and place of death – and also confirms that she’ll be buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.

But it lists “deferred” pending further investigation as the cause of Whitney’s death.

It’s strongly believed, of course, that Houston died because she mixed prescription pills with alcohol, but no specific drugs have been confirmed. Autopsy results may not be back for weeks.

Below, meanwhile, watch Janet Jackson speak to Anderson Cooper about this tragedy.

Janet Jackson Speaks on Whitney Houston

The Hollywood Gossip

Within minutes of news spreading that Whitney Houston had passed away, the Twitterverse was filled with condolences from a wide variety of celebrities. Read on for a collection of their messages…

Whitney Houston: Her Final Performance

Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey): “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”

Katy Perry (@KatyPerry): “So devastating. We will always love you Whitney, R.I.P.”

Justin Bieber (@JustinBieber): “just heard the news. so crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family.”

Christina Aguilera (@TheRealXTina): “We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney’s family. She will be missed.”

Nicki Minaj (@NickiMinaj): “Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time.”

Lea Michele (@MsLeaMichele): “I’m speechless. Such sad news about Whitney Houston.”‘

Serena Williams (@serenawilliams): “Wow just wow. This has ruined my whole day. #Iwillalwaysloveyou. #OneMomentInTime has propelled me to many of my grand slams victories.”

LeAnn Rimes (@leannrimes): “Whitney Houston was the first cd I ever bought. She had a God given gift. Hopefully, she’s singing with angels now.”

Chloe Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz): “Omg.. whitney houston died..we’ve lost another amazing singer.”

Rihanna (@Rihanna): “No words! Just tears #DearWhitney”

Matthew Morrison (@Matt_Morrison): “I’m very sad to hear about the passing of Whitney Houston, may she rest in peace.”

The Hollywood Gossip

Halle Berry does not want to move to France with young daughter Nahla and fiance Olivier Martinez to spite Gabriel Aubry – she fears for her life, according to reports.

TMZ reports that Halle is motivated by security in asking a judge for permission to move to France with Nahla – something Gabriel Aubry is trying to block.

There have apparently been serious threats to Halle’s life – from one man in particular – and she feels the move out of the country is a life or death situation.

Robert Hoskins, a mentally unstable man, escaped from a mental institution last week and has made threats against Halle, specifically to “slit her throat.”

Hoskins threatened to slit Madonna’s throat in the past and was actually shot by her bodyguard in 1995 after he trespassed onto the pop star’s property.

As if that weren’t enough, another stalker who recently trespassed onto Halle’s property multiple times in the past has just been released from jail.

Halle is particularly concerned because Starmaps and some Hollywood bus tours literally take tourists to her doorstep, and it freaks her out.

The actress is also concerned that Gabriel Aubry, Nahla’s father, is parading in front of paparazzi almost daily and possibly putting her at risk.

A judge has yet to rule on her request to skip town.

[Photo: WENN.com]

The Hollywood Gossip

The 49ers fell to the Giants yesterday in the NFC Championship Game and – like Billy Cundiff on the Ravens – most of the blame lies at the feet of one player: Kyle Williams, who turned the ball over TWICE on punt returns, including one fumble that led to an easy New York field goal in overtime.

Williams has taken responsibility for the mishaps, but that isn’t enough for some crazed fans.

Kyle Williams Fumbles, 49ers Lose

Many have taken to Twitter and issued death threat against the little-used wide receiver, who was only pressed in to duty due to an injury.

“It certainly makes you question our culture of sports as it stands,” said Kyle’s dad, Chicago White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams, while kicker David Akers also stood up for his teammate:

“I’m irritated with the way people are treating him, absolutely. I think it’s ridiculous. You know, get a grip on what life’s about. He went out and he put his soul out there. That’s what he does. He was not trying to do anything other than make an incredible play for this team.”

We agree. And fans ought to be thanking Williams for helping to set up a Giants/Patriots Super Bowl. It’s gonna be epic!

The Hollywood Gossip

Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, the all-time Division I leader in wins, and who resigned amid the university’s child molestation scandal just months ago, is reportedly near death due to complications from lung cancer.

On Saturday, as friends and family were being summoned to State College, Pa., Hospital, a family spokesman said the coach had taken a turn for the worse.

Penn State student website Onward State reported that PSU team members were notified of Paterno’s passing via email. However, a Paterno family spokesperson denied the report and his son tweeted that his father “continues to fight.”

Known for his “success with honor” motto, thick glasses, rolled-up pants and black cleats, Paterno left an indelible mark on Penn State and college football in general.

Joe, 85, has five children with wife Sue and 17 grandchidlren.

A Brooklyn native and Brown University graduate, Paterno began coaching the Nittany Lions in 1966 and his tenure stretched to October of this year.

In his 46 years as head coach, Paterno holds the all-time Division I record for football coaching wins with a 409-136-3 record and two national titles.

After a highly celebrated career and iconic status, Paterno’s career as coach ended as a result of a scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

Sandusky allegedly sexually assaulted young boys, including a 10-year-old. Paterno was fired over his handling (or lack of handling) of the scandal.

Announcing his retirement, he said, “This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”

“I’m sick about it. I didn’t know exactly how to handle it, and I was afraid to do something that might jeopardize what the university procedure was.”

“So I backed away and turned it over to some other people, people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did. It didn’t work out that way.”

In November, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and his health rapidly deteriorated.

Though the scandal sullied Paterno’s image in his final days, the coach enjoyed decades of success and reverence on the campus he and his wife helped build.

That’s not likely to change anytime soon.

The Hollywood Gossip

Patrice O’Neal passed away today at the age of 41, one month after collapsing from a stroke.

In response, a number of celebrities have taken to Twitter and expressed their sympathy over the late comedian. To wit:

Patrice O’Neal Stand-Up Act

Sarah Silverman: “RIP Patrice O’Neal. You made us laugh til we cried.”

Kevin Smith: “I shared some air & some air time with the man on O&A & he was always funny & thoughtful. Patrice – He WILL be missed.”

Seth Myers: “RIP Patrice O’Neal. A day spent watching clips of him on-line is a day well spent.”

Bob Saget: “Patrice O’Neal. So damn funny and so smart and such a giant heart.”

Nick Cannon: “An amazing comedian and an even better person. RIP Patrice O’Neal.”

Joe Rogan: “RIP to my friend Patrice O’Neal, a great thinker, a great comic, and a great human being. He had a truly unique perspective on this world.”

Dane Cook: “I started my career w/ Patrice O’Neal. He was 1 of the best ever. Fond memories of road gigs, late night eats & laughs.”

David Alan Grier: “RIP Patrice Oneal…Amazing artist. Your voice n spirit will b missed.”

The Hollywood Gossip

Patrice O’Neal passed away today at the age of 41, one month after collapsing from a stroke.

In response, a number of celebrities have taken to Twitter and expressed their sympathy over the late comedian. To wit:

Patrice O’Neal Stand-Up Act

Sarah Silverman: “RIP Patrice O’Neal. You made us laugh til we cried.”

Kevin Smith: “I shared some air & some air time with the man on O&A & he was always funny & thoughtful. Patrice – He WILL be missed.”

Seth Myers: “RIP Patrice O’Neal. A day spent watching clips of him on-line is a day well spent.”

Bob Saget: “Patrice O’Neal. So damn funny and so smart and such a giant heart.”

Nick Cannon: “An amazing comedian and an even better person. RIP Patrice O’Neal.”

Joe Rogan: “RIP to my friend Patrice O’Neal, a great thinker, a great comic, and a great human being. He had a truly unique perspective on this world.”

Dane Cook: “I started my career w/ Patrice O’Neal. He was 1 of the best ever. Fond memories of road gigs, late night eats & laughs.”

David Alan Grier: “RIP Patrice Oneal…Amazing artist. Your voice n spirit will b missed.”

The Hollywood Gossip