Whitney Houston was an American singer, actress, and model known for her powerful, emotive vocal style that spanned pop, R&B, and gospel genres. Her voice, characterized by its range, volume, and melismatic style, was one of the most distinctive and influential of the late 20th century. Houston's debut album, "Whitney Houston" (1985), and its follow-up, "Whitney" (1987), both reached number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first female artist to achieve that feat. Her 1992 cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" became one of the best-selling singles of all time.