Brandy, Whitney Houston Death And Drug Abuse Because Of Lost Voice, Ray-J Still Mourning

As the one year anniversary of Whitney Houston's death comes close, singer Brandy who worked along side the actress on "Cinderella" opened up about what actually caused her downward spiral.

In an interview with CNN, the singer said that it was Houston's changed voice that she couldn't deal with, "I understand what that [losing your voice] feels like," she says. "I don't understand to that degree, but I understand, you know, because I feel like when I don't have my instrument, I don't really have me ... It's almost who you are. Of course, there's more to you than your voice, but that's what you use to share. That's what you use to give. It's your purpose. It's what you were born to do ... it probably drove her insane [when it faltered]. It probably drove her insane."

The singer honored Houston in her new album "Two Eleven" which is Brandy's birthday and the day Houston died. Guilty of not reconnecting with the singer as much during the last years of her life she said, "One of the things that I can't put my mind around is where she really was because at the end of her life, I wasn't there," Brandy said. "I wasn't around. I didn't talk to her as much, which is one of the reasons why it was so hard for me to get over her passing, is because I felt like I wasn't there enough for her at the end of her life. And I have no clue where she was mentally or spiritually."

Brandy's brother, Ray-J had been romantically involved with Houston towards the end of her life even though they were 17 years apart. The "One Wish" singer seemed very upset at the funeral of the late Diva. When the casket was being carried out of the church, Ray-J grabbed the casket and sat back in his pew and cried next to Brandy, "They were really close friends," she says. "Ray has been going through [difficulty]. He really has been going through it. But, you know, every time we go through something, we always stick to who we are as family. And you know, so we've been there for him. But he's been silent about everything and, you know, just taking his time with it."