Was Another Woman The Final Straw?

(September 14, 2006) — After Access Hollywood broke the news about Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown?s breakup yesterday, there were plenty of people who said it was a long time coming. In the end, though, was another woman the final straw? The answer becomes a little clearer when you look at the couple?s recent history.

On July 10th of this year, Whitney and Bobby officially separated. Five days later, during a concert, Bobby announces that he and Whitney are on the rocks and he is looking for a new ?Tenderoni? – a reference to his 1988 song ?Roni.?

At that same show, Bobby is seen backstage with model Karrine Steffans, who once claimed in her book ?Confessions of a Video Vixen? that she had a six month affair with Brown – who denied the affair at the time.

On September 8, Whitney filed for legal separation citing ?irreconcilable differences? as the cause. In the papers, the singer asks for sole legal and physical custody of the couple?s 13 year old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

Divorce Attorney Stacy Phillips, who does not represent either singer, says Whitney needs to do a few things in order to win her case. In Phillips? opinion, ?She would have to prove that there is something drastically going on wrong with him that is negative and risky to their child and that she is clean and sober and able to take care of their child.?

But is the split a healthy move for everyone involved – especially Bobbi Kristina? Dr. Drew Pinsky explains, ?Divorce is rarely a good thing. It is particularly traumatizing for kids. It’s only in the most extreme circumstances where it’s over violence or something such as that where separating is a good thing.?

Time will tell how this all plays out, but regardless of what happens, Whitney?s friend Vivica A. Fox wants her to know she will be there for her, telling us, ?It is a new chapter. My dad taught me a long time ago, ?Baby, close one chapter? a new one starts.? That chapter is over. Go forward with the best and you know I love you girl. I got your back.?