ATLANTA - Singer and recluse Whitney Houston must change her recent behavior if she is to succeed with her new album "Just Whitney," scheduled for release Dec. 10, the People online Web site reports.

The once-invincible star, who used to be a brand name, is now having as hard a time lately as several other American brand names.

After years out of the public eye, bad press, an arrest for possession of marijuana and questions about her frail appearance of late, Houston needs a boost if her album is to succeed.In an effort to promote the singer, her label, Arista Records, scheduled Houston, 39, to perform Thursday in Barcelona at the European MTV Video Music Awards.

In addition, Diane Sawyer of "Good Morning America" interviewed her recently at her home in Atlanta for a segment to be aired in December, according to a network spokesman. She will also be available for other TV interviews and some radio programs, according to People online.

The charges relating to Houston's 2000 marijuana arrest in Hawaii were later dropped after a judge determined the airport security guard who accused the star of carrying an ounce and a half of marijuana in her purse had no authority to detain her.

Meanwhile, in related news, Houston's husband Bobby Brown appeared last Friday in an Atlanta criminal court, where state court Judge Wayne Purdom allowed him to remain free on bond on charges of driving under the influence and failure to appear in court, the Associated Press reports.
"Stay away from drugs, don't drink and drive, don't do anything you're not supposed to do, go to school and eat your vegetables," Brown told fans inside the courtroom. (TRJ)