1987–89: Whitney thumb|upright|Houston performing during the 1987 Moment of Truth World Tour In June 1987, Houston's second album, Whitney, was released. Critics complained that the material was too similar to her previous album. Rolling Stone said, "the narrow channel through which this talent has been directed is frustrating". The album nonetheless enjoyed commercial success. Houston became the first woman in music history to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Houston was also the first artist ever to enter number one in the US and UK simultaneously, while also reaching number one in every country it charted. The album stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 for its first eleven weeks, a record for an R&B female artist and only one of five albums to spend their first 10 weeks or more at number one on the chart. The album's first single, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", was also a massive hit worldwide, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the singles chart in 17 countries, including Australia, West Germany and the UK. Houston made more history when three more singles from the album - "Didn't We Almost Have It All", "So Emotional" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" – also reached number one on the same chart within a six-month stretch, making Houston the first female artist to earn four number one singles on a single album, besting her previous record of three from her debut. Along with the aforementioned three number ones, Houston again made history as the first artist to score seven consecutive number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, beating the previous record of six, held by the Beatles and Bee Gees. Houston remains the only artist to ever accomplish this feat as of 2025. A fifth single, "Love Will Save the Day", reached number nine on the Hot 100, making Houston one of several artists to record more than five top-10 singles off a single album. Whitney has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, with 10 million copies sold in the United States alone, where it has been certified Diamond.
1987–89: Whitney thumb|upright|Houston performing during the 1987 Moment of Truth World Tour In June 1987, Houston's second album, Whitney, was released. Critics complained that the material was too similar to her previous album. Rolling Stone said, "the narrow channel through which this talent has been directed is frustrating". The album nonetheless enjoyed commercial success. Houston became the first woman in music history to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Houston was also the first artist ever to enter number one in the US and UK simultaneously, while also reaching number one in every country it charted. The album stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 for its first eleven weeks, a record for an R&B female artist and only one of five albums to spend their first 10 weeks or more at number one on the chart. The album's first single, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", was also a massive hit worldwide, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the singles chart in 17 countries, including Australia, West Germany and the UK. Houston made more history when three more singles from the album - "Didn't We Almost Have It All", "So Emotional" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" – also reached number one on the same chart within a six-month stretch, making Houston the first female artist to earn four number one singles on a single album, besting her previous record of three from her debut Along with the aforementioned three number ones, Houston again made history as the first artist to score seven consecutive number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, beating the previous record of six, held by the Beatles and Bee Gees. Houston remains the only artist to ever accomplish this feat as of 2025. A fifth single, "Love Will Save the Day", reached number nine on the Hot 100, making Houston one of several artists to record more than five top-10 singles off a single album. Whitney has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, with 10 million copies sold in the United States alone, where it has been certified Diamond.