Celebrity News February 29, 2012
Eddie Murphy Rates Oscars, Remembers Whitney and Answers Dating Rumors
At the junket for his family film "A Thousand Words," funnyman Eddie Murphy opened up to "Extra's" Jerry Penacoli about recent dating rumors, his friendship with Whitney Houston and his thoughts about the Oscars.
Although Murphy bowed out from hosting the 2012 Oscars, he confessed he's still interested in the gig in the future. "If they ask me again and it comes around, I'm totally open to do. It's one of the few things that I haven't done as a comedian. So, yeah, one day."
As for Billy Crystal's performance, Murphy thought he did a "great job." But when and if he takes the helm, Eddie said, "It would be a little quicker with me driving."
Eddie was once linked to Whitney Houston, as they were both rising to fame in the 1980s. He talked about his good friend and said they were never officially an item.
"I was never dating Whitney. She was a friend of mine. I may have gone to dinner with her a few times, but it was never like we were dating -- we were never boyfriend and girlfriend. We were very friendly acquaintances. She was a beautiful person. I hear a lot of people talking about her sense of humor, and she really did have a great sense of humor, she was a funny girl."
He added, "I know when I was around Whitney, I never saw any diva-ness; I never saw her do any drugs. I saw her smoke a cigarette before, but that was about it. She knows I did not like that and she didn't do that around me."
When Penacoli asked about current his love life and rumor the actor was dating singer Toni Braxton, Murphy responded, "I haven't been on an actual traditional date in quite some time; I'm due. I'm going to take someone on a date really soon."
