On the heels of sub-par and canceled live performances, Whitney Houston now has a much more serious low to battle on her hands.

According to a report, doctors informed the singer that she is suffering from early stages of emphysema, which would be an obvious culprit to Houston’s poorly received vocal performances as of late.

“She’s developed emphysema — and her doctors are warning her she’ll die a horrible death,” a friend of the singer said.

After staying silent most of the day, Whitney’s rep Kristen Foster responded, saying that  the story is “completely untrue.”