WHITNEY

Whitney Houston wowed crowds on Saturday night as she made her first public appearance since leaving rehab and filing for divorce from Bobby Brown.

The singer looked stunning with a new blonde hairstyle and sported a black Armani gown complete with diamonds as she joined a host of stars for the 17th Carousel of Hope Ball.

Whitney, 43, said: "I feel great."

The I Will Always Love You singer was escorted to the ball by music producer Clive Davis, who said: "She's been through emotional trauma, and everybody's rooting for her. We're going to make a killer album."

This year Whitney has won her battle against her crack cocaine addiction and split from her husband of 14 years, fellow addict and notorious bad boy, Bobby.

The singer joined Hollywood actress Halle Berry at the main table for the charity event, which raised over $70 million for childhood diabetes.

Stevie Wonder, Sharon Stone, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher, Sidney Poitier, Minnie Driver, Kristin Davis, Hilary Duff and Jay Leno were also in attendance.