People

By Guy D. Garcia

The Lord has certainly been smiling on Whitney Houston. The daughter of Gospel Legend Cissy, Whitney, 22, began as a model six years ago, and her face had already graced the pages of Seventeen, Glamour and Vogue when she decided last year to follow in her mother's vocal tracks. The result has been nothing less than glorious. Her strong and silky voice has made her first album, Whitney Houston, a best seller for 46 weeks. Last week at the American Music Awards, Houston won for best rhythm-and-blues single (You Give Good Love) and best R.-and-B. video (Saving All My Love for You). Next month she is up for three Grammys. Not that the quick trip from the church choir in Newark to the top of the charts has fazed the cool beauty. "There's no difference singing gospel, R. and B. or rock," says Houston. "It's all from the heart." Meanwhile, she is working on a new album, has a layout set for Vogue this spring and is hoping to turn appearances on TV's Silver Spoons and Gimme a Break into an acting career. Says Houston: "I'm blessed in that I can do what I like." Amen, sister.