Whitney Shifts Into Emotional Overdrive

Whitney Houston was so overcome with emotion after performing here Thursday night that she collapsed in sobs backstage and had to be comforted by her husband, Bobby Brown.

The troubled diva - radiant and healthier-looking than she has been in a while - became misty-eyed after singing "I Will Always Love You" at a benefit dinner in the New York Sheraton. She dedicated the song to her father, John Houston, who died two months ago.

Houston was the surprise performer at the Rev. Al Sharpton's Keepers of the Dream Awards dinner, where honorees included attorney Johnnie Cochran, (who Sharpton affectionately called "Superman"), Democratic Massachusetts State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, Anheuser-Busch exec Johnny L. Furr and California Dem chieftain Art Torres.

"I'm so full tonight," Whitney told the crowd, which gave her a rousing standing ovation. "Today was the first time I've been back since my father died. I sat with my brother today and we just cried."

Houston began tearing up after a song from her new album, "Just Whitney," and was visibly moved as she left the stage with an assistant who struggled to carry the train of her body-hugging dress.

The other highlight of the evening was Sharpton's 16-year-old daughter Dominique singing "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Papa Sharpton also honored Arista Records CEO Antonio (L.A.) Reid and top music attorney Joel Katz.

NEWSFILE: 6 APRIL 2003