Grammy Awards host LL Cool J brought up Whitney Houston's death almost as soon as he took the stage tonight, and started the ceremony with a prayer for her before formally welcoming the audience. Then it was more Whitney, with LL Cool J presenting a video of the beloved diva performing "I Will Always Love You" at a previous Grammy Awards. "Whitney, we will always love you," he said. Toward the end of the evening, Jennifer Hudson echoed him: Performing "I Will Always Love You" as a tribute to Houston, she closed by singing the line, "Whitney, we love you." Click to watch the video.
- Hudson had "a hard time" while rehearsing for the performance, a crew member tells the Hollywood Reporter. She was "crying and had to keep pausing" at this afternoon's rehearsal.
- Houston was also remembered at the Grammys pre-show by the parents of another fallen icon. Janis and Mitch Winehouse appeared to accept daughter Amy's award for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for "Body and Soul," her duet with Tony Bennett, Reuters reports. "Long live Whitney Houston. Long live Amy Winehouse and long live Etta James," Mitch said. "There's a beautiful girl band up there."
- Clive Davis, Houston's mentor and producer, honored Houston last night at his pre-Grammys bash, the Huffington Post notes.
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