Like a true diva, Whitney Houston returns to the Billboard 200 in grand style. “I Look To You” becomes Houston’s fourth No. 1 album on the chart, debuting with 305,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. It’s by far Houston’s best opening sales week since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991. Her previous best opening week since that year came when 2002’s “Just Whitney” bowed at No. 9 in the thick of the Christmas holiday shopping season with 205,000.
“I Look To You” is also the singer’s first chart-topper since the Houston-fueled “The Bodyguard” soundtrack spent 20 weeks at No. 1 in 1993. “Look” and “Bodyguard” are joined by Houston’s two previous toppers: her self-titled set in 1986, and her 1987 sophomore set, “Whitney.” The latter was also the first album from a woman to debut at No. 1, which it did did on the Billboard 200 chart dated June 27, 1987.
In addition to Houston’s return, Trey Songz’s “Ready” is the second-biggest bow of the week, starting at No. 3 with 131,000, This is Trey’s highest first week opening in his career. His debut had poor opening sales of 10k and his last album ‘Trey Day’ faired better with opening sales in excess of 73K.
