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Fans, celebrities react to Whitney Houston's death: 'We will always love you'
February 11th, 2012
08:53 PM ET

Fans, celebrities react to Whitney Houston's death: 'We will always love you'

Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston has died at age 48, representative Kristen Foster said Saturday night.

The cause of death and where she died were not immediately known. In May 2011, Houston got help for her much-publicized struggle with drugs and alcohol, her representative said at the time.

According to her official website, Houston, who struggled with addiction problems over the years, sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos over her career.

As news of her death spread online her fans and celebrities tweeted that they were absolutely shocked and saddened at the news.

iReport: Share your memories 

Tributes began flooding in almost immediately as people began expressing their shock at the news. Nearly all of the trends on Twitter worldwide were shortly associated with the singer's death. Among them: R.I.P Whitney Houston, #DearWhitney, #IWillAlwaysLoveYou, The Bodyguard, Bobby Brown and Wanna Dance With Somebody.

"The first full hour after the news broke saw 2,481,652 tweets and retweets, peaking at 61,227 tweets at 5:23 p.m. (all times are PST)," according to Topsy.com. "That is over a thousand tweets a second, not quite as much as during the Superbowl but still a lot."

Whitney Houston is shown trending around the entire globe Saturday night after news of her death.

Houston had been in Los Angeles and Grammy rehearsal parties were taking place one night before the music industry's biggest event. Stunned celebrities heard about the news all together.

Mariah Carey, who famously performed a duet with Houston on "When You Believe" was stunned by the news.

LaToya Jackson also took to Twitter to express her condolences to Houston's family. She and the rest of her family have gone through the turmoil of dealing with the sudden death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

The news of Houston's death brought many people back to their childhood and reminisced on all of the ways Houston's music had entered their lives. Whether it was their love of a literal soundtrack, like "The Bodyguard," or the songs that were so embedded into their  souls that ie became soundtrack to their lives, fans shared their sadness at the loss.

Many also wanted to share their favorite memories of Whitney Houston, sparking the trend #FavoriteWhitneySong.

#FavoriteWhitneySong: What's yours?

For some fellow artists, the news hit at their core. Houston, for them, was not only an icon but also an inspiration for many.

Newark's mayor Cory Booker even took to Twitter to pay tribute to one of New Jersey's greatest starts.

The tributes and reaction continue to flood in at an unbelievable pace. Among them:

 
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Filed under: Music • Showbiz • Whitney Houston
soundoff (301 Responses)
  1. Heisman Trophy Winner Billy Sims and wife Evonne Sims

    Whitney's music, poise and life has blessed and impacted three (3) generations of the Sims family. We learned about the death of Whitney from the tearful voice of my granddaugter. She was in tears and hurting severely to learn of the death of the greatest entertainer ever in our opinion. Whitney is loved by me, my daughter and her daughter, a legacy and love that we will always remember and cherish. She is and will always be in our hearts and soul. Whitney sang with such grace and elegance which made her the exceptional and beautiful person she was in the eyes of many of us (the whole world). We don't understand the will of God, but we must realize that he makes no mistakes and I beleive before we allows the enemy to have her again, he took control and grabbed her up for himself, because she really is his to have. We love Whitney. She is special and so loved. We love her in the music industry and she was also a great actor, her movies Waiting To Exhale, The Preacher's Wife and our favorite "The BodyGaurd". There is not enough words to express our feelings of pain, hurt and condolences regarding our beloved Whitney. God bless this beautiful family. We pray deeply for gorgeous Bobbi Christina, who lost a mother and a friend and for her adorable, wonderful mother Cissy and for her ex-husband and Bobbi Christina's father, Bobby Brown, for the entire Whitney Houston family--We love you and pray for grace and healing in your lives. As stated there is not enough words to express our feelings and love for the great Whitney Houston. She lives on forever. Her legacy has and will always touch the lives of young and old everywhere. Whitney thank you for touching the lives of our entire family and thank you for your time with us. 1963-2012 will always be a time span of great remembrance for us and for the world, simply because you existed. RIP from Heisman Trophy Billy Sims, wife Evonne Sims, daughters and other family members, including the Chatman Family.

    February 12, 2012 at 4:36 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  2. TheRat

    How can so many be shocked at this news? Yes, her talent was immense and she leaves behind a profound body of work. But the pre-mature death of a raging drug addict is about as "shocking" as news of another politician caught up in a ethics scandal.

    February 12, 2012 at 4:39 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  3. chris

    Just think Whitney would be still alive if she had never met Bobby Brown. After many years of abuse the body never fully recovers. Bobby should be ashamed.

    February 12, 2012 at 4:45 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  4. sever4

    Friggin Bobby Brown ruined her...

    February 12, 2012 at 4:47 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • chris

      ya ya you know it. Incredible he's sober and she's dead.

      February 12, 2012 at 4:50 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Vasilisa C. Hamilton

    I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Whitney Houston. Her God-given talent was a coming-of-age soundtrack for my life. She displayed an uncommon beauty and elegance during her modeling and acting career, long before she became a recording artist.

    I believe that God sometimes heals us by calling us home. May God's peace comfort her survivors and everyone who cherishes her remarkable music.

    February 12, 2012 at 5:26 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  6. DarrellS

    Growing up with an alcoholic father and abusive mother, I grew into an emotionally-troubled teen and troubled 20-something. Whitney's songs helped me cope with my feelings, and helped me make it through those troubled time. I'm truly thankful for her gift to us.

    The gift of song is indeed a very powerful gift. It has the ability to inspire and comfort and uplift. And I argue that Whitney Houston indeed used her gift, and did not squander it one bit. The music industry, and paparazzi, and just plain fame have the ability to destroy true talent. We see it over and over.

    I, for one, will remember Whitney for what she HAS contributed to life and society. Her true legacy is that she touched millions with her songs, probably billions! My favorite song is One Moment In Time. And although her time was cut short due to a drug addiction, Whitney indeed lived that One Moment In Time we all seek.

    Peace be with you, Whitney! Thanks for sharing your beautiful voice with us. You will be missed!

    February 12, 2012 at 5:40 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  7. jwsassy1

    RIP Whitney loved u'r songs.. U will be missed

    February 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  8. marvin foucher

    I love u always whitney your dog deuce dog from jersey by way of detroit what up mike houston ain't heard from u in years sorry about your sister she was this worlds gift call me if u c this onelove

    February 12, 2012 at 6:17 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Lisa W

    I am still reeling from the news of Whitneys untimely passing last night. Whitney was the Queen of the 80's. Her music simply dominated the radio. I still have her debut album – with the gorgeous face of an ingenue gracing the cover. Whitney represents so much to me, not only as an amazing songstress but as a break through role model for young African American women who like myself struggled with identity issues in the 80's. Whitney's loss is personal for many, many people, but of course it is felt most by her family. I pray for Gods peace and encouragement for the Houston and Brown families, most especially her daughter.

    February 12, 2012 at 6:25 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Jane

    It is sad to think what drugs have done to people. Was her daughter not worth living for? R.I.P Whitney.

    February 12, 2012 at 7:58 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  11. richard tenorio

    My prayers go to miss whitney houston children and family may the lord jesus christ give them peace and comfort through this hard time ,whitney was an awesome singer with an awesome voice she will be miss.

    February 13, 2012 at 2:45 am | Report abuse | Reply
  12. JIM

    Yes this is very sad but the sad thing is we lost Whitney many years ago. The person we lost last night was a shell of the real Whitney. I pray that she is in the arms of God now getting the peace she was looking for. I pray for her daughter that she finds the love she should have from her family. Whitney I miss you but I have missed you all these years. Rest in peace my child and God Bless You. Bobby Brown was your devil.

    \\

    February 13, 2012 at 8:18 am | Report abuse | Reply
  13. joy

    someone called someone a fool no she was the fool for taking drugs and putting her daughter at risk to not having a mother put blame where blame belongs she did this to her daughter

    February 13, 2012 at 8:59 am | Report abuse | Reply
    • Poboy321

      Unless you've been attacked by demons like this you can not speak on it. She was human like you,But for the Grace of God there you go, be careful how you point fingers. Her family needs your prayers not your finger pointing.

      February 13, 2012 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Tracy Smith

    Whitney, you were "Waiting to Exhale" and trying to figure out "Why Does It Hurt So Bad". In spite of it all, you really wanted that "One Moment in Time" where somebody could say "Count on Me" and really mean it. So...in your process of "Getting to Happy", you turned to God and said "I Look to You" and He replied "I Will Always Love You". Now, you are experiencing "The Greatest Love of All". You can finally close your eyes and exhale ....Rest My Dear Whitney...You have your WINGS, You are free!!!!I Will Always LOVE YOU! MAY GOD BLESS!

    February 13, 2012 at 9:13 am | Report abuse | Reply
  15. angie

    It sadden me to see Whiteny Houston gone so soon! I grow up listening to her amazing voice. No one can be compare to Whitney. Her voice and music tough people lives in different ways. It sadden me the most when people and the news keep talking about her negative side of life that she gone through or had to face. My heart goes out to her Daughter and her Mother.

    February 13, 2012 at 11:15 am | Report abuse | Reply
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