BeBe Winans recalled how Whitney Houston often felt held back by her worldwide success in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. The gospel artist and the music icon — who died in February 2012 at age 48 — had a years-long friendship.

Singer BeBe Winans is giving fans insight into Whitney Houston’s complicated feelings around her success and superstardom. Winans, a gospel artist and longtime friend to the late pop star, spoke Houston to People at the It’s A Wonderful Lifetime Yuletide Event, a recent event in West Hollywood, California.