Jennifer Hudson: paid tribute to one of her idols at Grammys
A host of the world’s biggest stars paid tribute to late singer Whitney Houston at both the Baftas in London and the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night.
The 48-year-old – who won six Grammys – had been due to attend the US music awards ceremony, with host LL Cool J opening the show with a prayer.
He said: "There is no way around this ... we have had a death in our family.
“ For me, the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer ... for our sister, Whitney Houston.”
Though Grammy organisers didn’t plan a full memorial with Whitney’s death so fresh, Jennifer Hudson struggled to keep her composure during a tribute version of I Will Always Love You.
Then there were tears in the audience as a short clip from Houston's Grammys performance in 1994 ofI Will Always Love You was played. After having sang a duet with her last week, tearful R&B star Kelly Price said: "Singing with Whitney to me, has always been an honour.
"We were supposed to meet up at Clive Davis' party."
Meanwhile, in London at the Baftas, The Helpstar Viola Davis said: “I think what was special about her was how she sang a song.
"She not only had the technical range, she had the heart and the expression. "
Tom Jones also paid tribute, and said on the red carpet that Whitney Houston was his "favourite female singer".
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