Representations of Events: Whitney Houston's death

Star (American gossip magazine)

'Don't let me die' all in capitals was the headline for the gossip magazine in America. The imagery used on the front cover is a image of Whitney Houston on the last night she went out and sadly the night she died. This image was chosen from a selection for a particular reason and it was to highlight her substance abuse. She had many good times to choose out of but the magazine chose this one to show her in a bad light for gossip and entertainment reasons. They also have images of the scene where she died to grab attention. 'Her drug dealer' is used to depict her in a negative way showing her drug abuse side, they're only deciding to focus on the bad point within her life, not remember the good points. the selection of words is very specific when it come to this magazine front cover! they only use words which are associated with negative aspects, like the words 'cops' is associated with arrest and and prison, therefore putting Whitney into that category. They also make her seem vulnerable by using 'cry for help' and also using 'plus her violent nights with Ray J' making her again seem weak and not a strong woman. This gives of the ideologies that she isn't to been seen as an iconic role model but instead just another celebrity who had too much money and decided to waste it on drugs.

Entertainment pays tribute to Whitney Houston on the cover of their magazine. There is only one image used on the whole page and it is a picture of Whitney standing there looking tall and proud in an elegant gown, this shows her in a positive light and shows the situation should be a time of remembrance for all the good and not the bad The colours used are very toned down and subtle, there is also a bright light in the background highlighting Whitney helping up to focus on her as she is centred in the middle, this emphasises her positive side and still making her seem like a good role model. There is  very few words selected to go on this front cover but the main attraction is the word 'WHITNEY' placed in the middle of the cover, the next to it '1963- 2012', this is a tribute to her because she was an icon. This magazine is dedicating its issue to her and not focussing on what went on the night she died. Mediation is again used through the use of the amount of words selected to be put on the cover, there is only three small phrases and they are 'unforgettable moments, your ultimate playlists, her final days' all these small phrases are there to back up the ideology that even though she had a problem with drugs and that is how she died, she is still some to look up to and respect as a role model.