Whitney Houston’s memory was celebrated by Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Halle Barry, and a variety of other celebs and Whitney fans during a special tribute titled “We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute to Whitney Houston.”
The Whitney Houston tribute aired Friday night on CBS and brought together some of the most amazing vocal performers who did their best to take on the legendary Whitey Houston’s greatest hits.
Hudson was a huge fan of Houston and even lists the R&B icon as one of her inspirations, so it was not surprise to see the former American Idol contestant singing her heart out on stage.
With an 80s inspired ensemble on, Jen belted out “I’m Every Woman,” “How Will I Know,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Of course nobody can really do a Whitney song like Whitney, but the powerhouse singer definitely came pretty close.
“In all her music is this beautiful energy, this beautiful spirit to it that lifts up everyone,” the 31-year-old said of Whitney’s music.
Even Usher did his best to bring Houston’s best hits back to life as he performed “I Believe In You,” a hit song from the soundtrack of the “Preacher’s Wife” – a film that earned the singer turned actress six different awards including Top Gospel Album during the Billboard Music Awards and Outstanding Leading Actress in a Motion Picture by the NAACP Image Awards.
Even other soulful music icons had to admit that when it came to singing a Whitney Houston song, they would try their best but it would never be quite the same.
“I can’t sing it like you, Whitney,” Celine Dion said before she sang “The Greatest Love of All.”
Even Brittney Spears came to the tribute to reminisce about the audition that led to her getting a record deal simply because she was brave and talented enough to do a pretty good rendition of Whitney’s “I Have Nothing.”
The tribute didn’t leave many dry eyes in the audience as the camera constantly caught celeb after celeb crying as they enjoyed that closest thing they would ever get to a Whitney Houston performance again.
“She inspired a generation of little girls and women to believe in their own dreams and to know that they had within themselves the greatest gift of all,” said Halle Barry who was crying for most of the tribute. “I was one of those little girls who then became a woman who never ever, ever stopped loving Whitney Houston.”
With over 400 awards and recognitions throughout her lifetime, the late R&B icon proved that she was just as talented as she was beautiful.
Taraji P. Henson, LL Cool J, CeCe Winans, and Yolanda Adams were among some more big names that were in attendance to celebrate the great singer/actress’s memory and amazing career.
Prior to the special tribute being aired, LL Cool J sat down with CBS to explain his thoughts about the show.
“It’s about celebrating her legacy,” LL said. “…giving her a tribute and just about celebrating a wonderful person who made a huge contribution to the music world.”
The television tribute isn’t the only way Houston has been remembered lately. During the same week a new collection of the legendary singer’s best hits was release and even included a never before heard track.
On the 27 of November we can even expect to see a photo tribute book of the R&B queen titled “Whitney: Tribute to an Icon” to be published.
Watch the full tribute below!
We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Tribute to… by Ashley_Miller_3
