something she didn't seem quite able to admit when talking with abc news' diane sawyer. >> do you thinkan addict? >> i don't like to think of myself addicted. i like to think of, i had a bad habit. >> reporter: but the effects of her bad habit would be on full display at the 2001 michael jackson tribute on cbs. ♪ >> she was very thin. i was very, very concerned. >> that was when you knew she was in deep trouble? >> i knew that she was in deep trouble. >> what did you feel for your sister when you saw what the rest of the world saw? >> we said, wow, this really has gone overboard. it's really taken the best. moved into a place where it would be harder to get back to her center. >> reporter: whitney defensive about the performance. >> i'm not sick, diane. i am not sick. let's get that straight. i'm not sick. okay? i've always been a thin girl. >> but that's not just thin. >> no, it isn't. diane, tell me, do you know? >> it's scary thin. >> i can believe what you feel. i can believe that. but do you really know? do you really know? >> it's maybe the only interew she gave in her whole life