Whitney Elizabeth Houston (born August 9, 1963) is a Grammy Award-winning American pop and R&B singer, actress, film producer, arranger, songwriter, and former fashion model. Her crossover success opened doors for other African American women, to find success in pop music and movies. She is frequently referred to as "The Voice", and is known for her "powerful, penetrating pop-gospel voice." She has been credited as having a five-octave vocal range..