WHITNEY HOUSTON thrilled the editors of teen magazine SEVENTEEN when she sent them a special note to commemorate the glossy's 60th birthday.

The soul diva recalled making her debut in the publication when she was just 17 back in December 1980 and editors back then gave her a big break.

Houston remembers, 'Before I became a professional singer, I was a model and Seventeen gave me one of my first breaks. There were not many African-American models at the time and I will always be grateful to Seventeen for including me.'

Supermodel TYRA BANKS also recalls getting her big break in the magazine, appearing in a staged barbecue shoot with CAMERON DIAZ, and the magazine has received other starry birthday greetings from SARAH JESSICA PARKER, BRITTANY MURPHY and LINDSAY LOHAN.