Whitney Houston’s long-awaited album “I Look To You” debuts at No. 1

Proving that it was well worth the wait, Whitney Houston’s long-awaited album “I Look To You” debuts at No. 1 on several charts across the world, including the US Top Albums and R&B Album charts, according to Nielsen/Soundscan. With 304,801 units sold within the first week of release in the US, this marks Whitney’s biggest first week sales of her career and the best selling first week by a female artist this year! Houston’s No. 1 position extends across the globe and claims the top spots in Canada, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

Led by the dual release of the album title track and “Million Dollar Bill” at radio, coupled with presale promotional campaigns on Amazon.com, QVC and iTunes, and a heavily promoted appearance on Good Morning America, the chart-topping result marks the official return of “The Voice.”

And the critics agree! The New York Times boasts that Whitney “re-emerges with full diva qualifications,” USA Today said: “Strong, confident and ready, she clearly hadn’t forgotten how to sing imbuing the material with emotional power.” The Washington Post cites I Look To You “hits all the right marks” and the Associated Press states “the pop queen still has a dazzling voice that can leave you spellbound.”

The spell will continue next week when Whitney Houston launches the 24th season of The Oprah Winfrey Show with a two-day event, inclusive of what Oprah calls “the best interview I’ve ever done,” and an emotional performance of “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” that had “grown men and women weeping in the aisles” according to Oprah’s recent Twitter post. “The Oprah Winfrey Show: Season Premiere: Oprah And Whitney Houston – The First Interview” airs Monday, September 14, 2009. “The Oprah Winfrey Show: Season Premiere Part II: Whitney Houston’s Show-Stopping Surprise” airs Tuesday, September 15, 2009 (check local listings).