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Whitney Houston Gives 'Public' Performance

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

10:00 PM PT

One of America's biggest pop stars will join a potential future pop star on the season finale of "Boston Public."

Whitney Houston will take her first acting role in several years when she guest-stars as herself on the FOX series. A Winslow High student writes her a 10-page letter asking if she'll be his prom date, and to everyone's surprise, she accepts.

Houston will also work with former "American Idol" finalist Tamyra Gray, who's wrapping up her recurring role as the shy but talented student Aisha. She's set to sing at the prom, but when she hears Houston -- her idol -- will be there, she gets stage fright.

Houston does her best to help Aisha get over her nerves, giving an unplanned performance of "Try It on My Own," her latest single.

A six-time Grammy winner, Houston has sold more than 120 million albums in her career. Her acting credits include "The Bodyguard," "Waiting to Exhale" and, most recently, ABC's 1997 musical "Cinderella."

The "Boston Public" season finale is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Monday, May 12.