WHITNEY HOUSTON SET TO DROP SEPTERMBER 1

WHITNEY HOUSTON is officially ready to make her triumphant return - she’s set to release her highly-anticipated new album in September. The superstar has been working on her seventh studio album for the last two years. The record, rumoured to be titled Undefeated, was said to be in its final stages in May and now bosses at her record label Arista have confirmed Houston will release the LP on September 1 (09).

WHITNEY SPEAKS OUT | COVER IS A FAKE

As you probably knew, the Whitney Houston "Undefeated" cover that surfaced this week was a fake.

"The alleged 'new' Whitney Houston album cover circulating throughout the internet is not a legitimate cover for Ms. Houston's forthcoming Arista disc," Houston's label rep said Thursday.

The photo, as shown above, was reportedly created by a fan and sent to numerous blogs, including my own, earlier this week. Seems as though the photoshop haters duped all of us, using a picture of supermodel Naomi Campbell with Houston’s head superimposed. (See photo below)

In related news... Whitney Houston is reportedly in the studio putting finishing touches on her forthcoming album.

"Ms. Houston is still recording and we look forward to unveiling new music along with the official album cover in due time," says Arista.

Whitney Houston's forthcoming project is rumored to feature production/collaborations with Akon, Bryan Michael Cox, and Ne-Yo.

SPOTTED: WHITNEY HOUSTON AND RAY-J LOOKING VERY MUCH LIKE A COUPLE IN LA

Whitney Houston and Ray J were spotted as they left Villa Lounge in Los Angeles last night.

Photogs snapped the 44-year-old Houston and her 27-year-old boy toy (more commonly known as Brandy’s brother) stumbling out of the celeb hot spot close to sunrise after a night of partying.

Whitney was wearing a MASSIVE diamond ring... My initial reaction was engagement(?), fearful that she was pulling a Mariah Carey. But on second thought, I'm pretty sure Ray-J's amateur porn production company is not bringing in enough for him to afford a rock like that.

On a more positive note however, Whitney is on career upswing for the first time in years. Recently leaked is a track featuring Akon, titled Like I Never Left. Check it out as well as more pics of the 'couple' below.

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN: Whitney Houston ft Akon - ‘Like I Never Left