Whitney Houston in her final interview

London: Whitney Houston said she was "older and matured" in her final ever interview. The 48-year-old singer was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles yesterday.

But, in an interview to promote her new film Sparkle with Access Hollywood last November, Houston spoke candidly about getting her life back on track, the Sun.co.uk reported.

She told Shaun Robinson: "I feel honored. I feel humbled that I'm still able to do what I do."

She also explained why she took the role, saying: "I have an 18-year-old daughter.

"I felt the love that the woman has for her children in the late 60s.

"Trying to keep her family together as a single mother.

"I just felt the passion for it. And when it was suggested that I play the mother I thought I could do this. I've had a lot of practice."

Sparkle is a remake of a 1976 movie starring Irene Cara and Philip Michael Thomas.

Houston said: "I've been in the industry for 30 years. There'll be ups and there'll be the downs. But you believe in your faith and your determination. People who encourage you to do and be the best you can.

"It is a blessing that I have a mother who is very strong and a family that surround me and constantly tell me that they love me. And my daughter is my greatest inspiration. She loves me.

"I've got some good saints out there that pray for me constantly. You got to have that support. It's a major strength."