It was 1984 when we first met Whitney Houston.
It was 1984 when we first met Whitney Houston. In our flashback you can see the then-21 year old's innocence -- plus she was kind of shy!
VIDEO: Yaya DaCosta Channels Whitney Houston In the Studio
"I've been working in the studios since I was 12," Whitney told ET, clueing us in on how she got her start. "My mom took me to the studio and I've been working professionally since I was 12 years old."
Whitney's mother Cissy Houston is a Grammy-winning soul and gospel singer who worked as a backup singer for Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin before embarking on a solo career. Even with her mother's accomplishments, Whitney never seemed to feel like she was living in her shadow.
"I have nothing to prove," she said. "I give myself and that's it. That's all I have to give."
While she enjoyed singing she admitted that it wasn't always easy.
NEWS: Go Behind the Scenes of the Whitney Houston Lifetime Movie
"It's not it's all cracked up to be," Whitney said. "It ain't all the glamour and all that stuff. It's hard work. It's a lot of work, but when you love it it feels good."
Lifetime's Whitney, chronicling the legendary singer's career, airs Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
