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How Will She Glow: Whitney Houston hologram in works, expected to go on tour


Last November, rumors of a Whitney Houston hologram started circulating online, with the final holdup allegedly being the endorsement and involvement of Pat Houston, president of the Whitney Houston Estate. Now, it seems the late singer’s sister-in-law and head of her estate is on board with the project, and it is being fast-tracked by Hologram USA and FilmOn Studios.

“It’s a great opportunity for her fans to see a reinvention of one the most celebrated female artists in history and to continue a legacy of performances that will not be forgotten in years to come,” Pat Houston says in a press release, which you can read in full below. “I look forward to the partnership.”

The hologram is expected to go on tour after opening with a live-stream performance at “a major U.S. venue.” Whitney Houston died in February 2012.

Two months after the singer’s death, a Tupac Shakur hologram “performed” with Snoop Dogg at the Coachella & Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California. Two days ago, the New York Times reported that a Billie Holiday hologram will soon perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York around Thanksgiving. The Holiday hologram is also a product of HologramUSA.

Here is the full press release, via Digital Journal, because, uhhh, yeah, we don’t even know:

Whitney Houston Returns via Hologram USA, Streaming Live on FilmOn

A partnership to bring back beloved singer and actress Whitney Houston to her massive worldwide audience via hologram in 2016 was announced today by Hologram USA and Pat Houston, President of the Whitney Houston Estate. Greek billionaire Alki David’s Hologram USA will create the hologram with the help and approval of the Estate. His FilmOn Studios will create the content as well as distribute via FilmOn.com and syndicate to all major digital outlets online, on satellite and cable. The live show will open at a major U.S. venue and tour the world.

Houston is the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, the most awarded female singer of all time, and was known for an astonishing vocal range and extraordinary technical skill. But more importantly she is remembered for the powerful emotions and drama she brought to songs that touched countless millions. Her influence on younger artists will span decades, and the new show will let new audiences experience her presence like no other medium can.

“I was heartbroken when Whitney passed away in 2012,” says Alki David, CEO of Hologram USA and FilmOn. “The opportunity to help share her spectacular gifts with the world again is exactly what I hoped for when I built the hologram business. We’ve got technology that’s causing a seismic shift in the entertainment industry, and a wonderful partnership with Pat Houston and the estate — I’m confident we’ll create the ultimate celebration of Whitney’s amazing artistry.”

Pat Houston, President of the Whitney Houston Estate, said, “It’s a great opportunity for her fans to see a reinvention of one the most celebrated female artists in history and to continue a legacy of performances that will not be forgotten in years to come. I look forward to the partnership.”

The show, created by FilmOn Studios will feature a selection of her greatest hits and will be interactive, incorporating audiences and special guests.

Hologram USA owns the exclusive North American patent to the technology that creates the only life-like HD holograms. It recently announced a partnership with the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem that makes it the first U.S. venue with a long term hologram stage and will create hologram performances around the venue’s historic entertainers. The first will be Billie Holiday in late 2015.

“Our online audience which now exceeds over 75 Million monthly viewers across the world is hungry for this type of unique content,” said David. “Whitney speaks to all ages. She is truly the most powerful voice we could have hoped for reach across the millennials and Generation X.”

Hologram USA and FilmOn Studios are also creating hologram shows with the estates of Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Bing Crosby, and many more. The technology has also been used to create live appearances including beaming ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel to the Country Music Awards in Nashville, Julian Assange into the United States and virtual town halls across India that helped Prime Minister Narendra Modi win the election. Hologram USA also beamed controversial rapper Chief Keef into the Chicago area — a performance deemed so life like by Mayor Rahm Emanuel that police were sent to shut it down.

Hologram USA is using its technology and partnerships with celebrity estates to create branded content as well. And all projects are supported by Alki David’s Anakando Media Group of companies: performances will be live streamed on FilmOn.com, digitally distributed by MondoTunes, and given social influencer support by Class 15.


Game on, technology.