The entertainment industry is in mourning after award-winning music legend Whitney Houston was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room on the eve of the Grammys.
Stars took to Twitter to express their grief and shock.
Music moguls such as Russell Simmons, singers including Rihanna and Mariah Carey were among the biggest names in entertainment who offered their sympathy and reflected on Houston’s musical legacy.
“No words! Just tears #DearWhitney,” tweeted Rihanna.
Actress Mia Farrow shared a video of one of the singer’s performances, “Entertainment Tonight” journalist Nancy O’Dell remembered interviewing the star, and even comedians like Ricky Gervais and Joan Rivers had nothing funny to say, offering only her sincere regrets about a massive talent gone far too soon.
The news was first announced by her publicist Kristen Foster but the cause of star’s death is currently unclear. The death is not being treated as suspicious but the cause is being investigated.
On Thursday night the star was pictured looking dishevelled and worse-for-wear as she attended a pre-Grammy party in Hollywood. But earlier in the evening she had received a standing ovation for performing a duet with host Kelly Price.
Houston died hours before she was expected to perform at her longtime mentor, record producer Clive Davis’s annual pre-Grammy party, which is held at the Beverly Hilton.
Davis decided to continue with the party and stars including Alicia Keys and Serena Williams were seen arriving at the hotel.
The Grammy Awards, taking place on Sunday night, are the biggest event in the music industry’s calendar.
The ceremony is now likely to be a sombre, subdued affair that pays tribute to Houston’s huge contribution to music.
