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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. mannyg

    I'm sure you are talking about yourself.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:43 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Brutus

    The no talent Mariah Carey must be extremely happy of this news. She never could measure up to any of her music peers. Her jealously must now be content. Hopefully, the "angels in heaven" will call upon her soon.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:44 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • You're sic

      And just how would you know that?

      February 11, 2012 at 9:57 pm | Report abuse |
    • wow

      How can you say such a thing at a time like this.

      February 11, 2012 at 10:03 pm | Report abuse |
    • jason83

      Brutus: I hope and I pray that soeone at CNN will delete every single one of your idiotic posts. You are a j e r k

      February 11, 2012 at 10:37 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Missing her already

    I will always choose to remember the amazing talent that this woman brought to both the music world and the acting world. The Bodygaurd is still one of my favorite rainy day movies to watch. I wanna dance with somebody is one of my favorite songs ever. In fact I actually once was told by a dj that I request it too much.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:44 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Caitlyn

    RIP!!

    February 11, 2012 at 9:45 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Roland Jonkers

    Hits me deep inside.So many memories I have from her music,specially The Bodyguard sundtrack..
    Such a fine lady I will miss you.

    Roland,
    The Netherlands

    February 11, 2012 at 9:45 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Alberta

    Today we have lost a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. She now sings with the angels and our loss is their gain. May she find peace and may her family know how much she is loved. Hopefully some day their tears of today will bring smiles tomorrow remembering the daughter, mother, friend and once again her voice will bring them joy.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:46 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  7. ruphin

    R.I.P WITNEY HOUSTON :To be absent from the body;Is to be present with the Lord
    The dust returns to earth;The spirit returns to God Who gave it.missing but never forgeting. we will always lovin u.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:47 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Brutus

    All this chatter about a so-so low talent performer truly sickens me. I shall retire for the night. And if you all miss her so much, take a bottle of sleeping pills and join her.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:48 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • wow

      Jealous you never made it to the top? I think you need the bottle instead!

      February 11, 2012 at 10:06 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Jason

    Yes it is sad that such a wonderfully talented person has died but guess what people LIFE GOES ON!!! I honestly feel more sad for her children and grandchildren. She had the choice to not do all those drugs and ruin her life and career.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  10. dennis saganash Cree First Nation of Waswanipi

    the world has lost a great singer R.I.P may you sing with the angels with your beautiful voice....

    February 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Xavier

    Whitney Houston "I will always love you"

    February 11, 2012 at 9:50 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  12. flashtrum

    Sorry but these celebs feigning shock are ridiculous. Is it sad? Yes. A shock? Not at all.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:51 pm | Report abuse | Reply
    • Debbie

      yes, we are aware of the fact that Whitney had been struggling with her addictions but she was trying to turn her lifew around and had been doing agreat job at trying so yes, it is shocking. Unless you have been addicted to anything you don't know how hard it is to kick.
      RIP Whitney Houston! She will be missed deeply!!

      February 11, 2012 at 10:06 pm | Report abuse |
  13. lisa

    I remember when I was younger, very strong memories of listening and singing to Ms. Whitney, wonderful, beautiful memories, thank you Whitney, you were one of the greatest and most beautiful singers of all time!! So Sad!

    February 11, 2012 at 9:53 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  14. jason83

    RIP Whitney. I can't believe she is no longer with us. Through her music, she brought a lot of joy to millions of fans around the world. This takes me right back to when Michael Jackson died. My condolonces to her family. To her daughter, Mom will always be looking down over you, protecting you. She was a good person professionaly throughout her music career. There will be no female artist now and in the future to match her accomplishments. Thank You Whitney. RIP. What a shock. She left a huge massive blow to the enertainment world. Thank you for all of the good music over the years. You will never be forgotten, just like Michael.

    February 11, 2012 at 9:53 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Mantell

    Makes one wonder how her life would have unfolded if she never met Bobby Brown...much better I'm sure!!! RIP Whitney...love your music!!!

    February 11, 2012 at 9:53 pm | Report abuse | Reply
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