Entertainment

Never-seen photos of a young Whitney Houston

Updated 11:35 AM ET, Mon March 28, 2016
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Unpublished photos of an 18-year-old Whitney Houston sat in photographer Jack Mitchell's files for 30 years. When he heard about her death, he decided to release them.View more images and read the full story behind them on CNN Photos. Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
The portraits were taken in February 1982. The shoot was arranged by the manager of Whitney's mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston. Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
Houston was still in high school when the photos were taken. She was also singing in a church choir and taking the stage occasionally with her mother. Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
Mitchell describes the young Houston as "an innocent, sweet, pleasant schoolgirl with very good manners." Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
Houston's career soared in the 1980s and '90s with one record-setting achievement after another. News of her death broke on February 11, the night before the Grammy Awards. Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE