Stars pay tribute to tragic Houston

Stars are expected to pay emotional tributes to Whitney Houston at tonight’s Grammy Awards after the singing legend’s shock death yesterday.

The 48-year-old’s death, confirmed by her publicist, came on the eve of the Grammy’s – the LA gala of music’s biggest occasion – and tonight’s event is likely to become a tribute to the troubled star.

Houston, herself a Grammy award-winner, was found in her hotel room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton late yesterday.

Los Angeles police said paramedics unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the troubled singer, who had battled with drug addiction, and she was pronounced dead at 3.55pm local time.

Police said there were no “obvious signs” of any criminal intent in relation to Houston’s death.

Houston, who some speculated was on the brink of bankruptcy, was pictured last week looking dishevelled and disorientated as she left a Hollywood nightclub with her daughter Bobbi Kristina after performing at a pre-Grammy party.

She had previously attended rehearsals for tonight’s Grammys, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, and it is believed she was due to perform at the annual pre-Grammy party of her long-time mentor, record producer Clive Davis, at the Beverly Hilton, but was found hours before it began. The party went ahead despite her death.

Organisers of the awards have said Houston will be remembered in a tribute by Jennifer Hudson tonight.

The death of the star, one of the world’s best-selling artists in the 1980s and 1990s, prompted a worldwide outpouring of grief, with tributes paid by some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Mariah Carey, who recorded the duet When You Believe with Houston in 1998, wrote on Twitter: “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston.

“My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world.

“She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”

Music mogul Simon Cowell described Houston as “one of the greatest singers of all time” and a “true superstar”.

He told Heart FM a lot of people receiving awards at the Grammys would owe their success to “trailblazer” Houston, adding: “It’s a night she deserves to be remembered fondly.”

Houston won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year, selling millions of albums and singles worldwide.

The 'I Will Always Love You' and 'Saving All My Love' singer also carried her success into the film industry, appearing in hit movies including 'The Bodyguard'.

But her career began to unravel as she battled with drug addiction, spending various spells in rehab. Her voice began to suffer, prompting record sales to nosedive and in 2007 her 15-year marriage to husband Bobby Brown came to an end.

Houston appeared on the 'X Factor' in Britain in 2009 following an invite from Cowell as part of a comeback, releasing a new album after seven years off the scene.

But during the performance of her single 'Million Dollar Bill' – her first UK TV appearance in 12 years – she suffered a wardrobe malfunction when a strap at the back of her dress snapped open.

She embarked on her Nothing But Love World Tour tour in 2010, but the UK leg was beset by cancellations. She was forced to reschedule the first three dates in Manchester and Glasgow after picking up a respiratory infection, and finally played her first UK gig in 11 years at the Birmingham LG Arena.

Cowell said when he met Houston at her 'X Factor' appearance she still appeared to have a “few problems”, but was a “delight to work with”.

“She was very professional, she was kind to everyone around her, she probably wasn’t altogether there, but it was still Whitney Houston and you know that you are in a presence of a legend and I will never forget that day.

“There are so few people like her in the world. They are a rarefied breed, these are true superstars, legendary divas and I say divas in the nicest possible way. She had one of the greatest voices I have ever heard in my life, ever.”

Cowell has also revealed he was going to discuss the possibility of the late singer joining the judging panel of the American 'X Factor' with producers next week.

As tributes poured in from stars across the entertainment industry, country singer Dolly Parton, whose song 'I Will Always Love You' became Houston’s biggest hit, said in a statement: “Mine is only one of millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston.

“I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, ’Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed’.”

Houston’s godmother Aretha Franklin spoke of her shock, writing on Twitter: “I just can’t talk about it now, It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobby Kris, her family and Bobby.”

Mitch Winehouse, father of late British singer Amy Winehouse who died last year, paid tribute to Houston and the recently deceased Etta James on the social networking site, writing: “Amy, Etta, Whitney. Their music will NEVER die. What a great girl group in heaven.”

Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown, also a singer, last night was said to have broken down as he took the stage before a sell-out crowd in Mississippi.

“First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”