E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Jennifer Hudson will help lead a tribute to Houston at the Grammys.
The Grammys will honor the memory of Whitney Houston on Sunday night, and it appears Jennifer Hudson will lead the charge.
However, viewers won’t see the show turn into a “full-blown tribute,” according to the show’s executive producer.
“We had a long-term association with Whitney. Whitney was a multi-Grammy winner. She appeared on the show a number of times ... obviously we are very saddened. We don’t want to rush to anything that wouldn’t be respectful,” Grammy executive producer Ken Ehrlich told CNN on Sunday night of the music awards show’s plan to honor Houston, who died on Saturday at age 48.
More from AH: Houston's final interview with Access
“Our plan at this point, I’ve asked Jennifer Hudson to come. We’re really, at this point, talking about what she’s going to do, but it will be something respectful,” Ehrlich said of Hudson's performance. “It’s not going to be a full-blown tribute, to me that feels like it’s too early, it’s too fresh at this moment, so we’re working on something that will be really respectful and appropriate to Whitney’s memory.”
With Grammy plans in the works for months, it’s not easy to make last-minute changes to the itinerary of the show – however, the producers have already reviewed the rundown to determine where to put the tribute to Houston. As it turns out, the shift will also have an impact on the overall feel of the program.
More from AH: Cowell planned to consider Houston for 'X Factor'
“We’ve already actually gone through the script and made a few changes just to make sure the tone is right,” Ehrlich added. “There are some shifts we wanted to make script-wise that probably make it a little more appropriate to what’s happened.”
Yet Ehrlich doused any concerns that music’s biggest night would be anything but celebratory.
“It’s still going to be a great music show. Knowing Whitney as I did, she very much would’ve wanted us ... she was a great artist and a great performer and knew the importance of thrilling an audience, and that’s what we still plan to do tomorrow.”
Related content:
Leave a Comment:
"HOUSTON,WE HAVE A PROBLEM".rip Whitney."Cocaine's a helluva drug" (R. James)."Crack is wack"(W.Houston).
Wow. Really
"You can check-out any time you like, But you can never leave" Eagles , Hotel California
She was an OK singer with 1 or 2 good songs from the 80s. I wish her family peace.
An ok singer. What planet are you from
An "ok" singer ??? Seriously ????
Oh hell no - she was a first rate DIVA.
It's such a shame that she like so many other talented people had problems with Drug and Alcohol addiction. My favorite Whitney song was "The greatest love of all" - it's too bad she didn't take that message to heart. But we are blessed to have experienced that God given talent.
Dax---
One or two hits from the 80's?
My, my - how do people walk around on this planet each day and yet manage to allow the world to completely pass you by? Amazing! Really.
My belief is that you're just trollin'. If you know Whitney Houston had any hits at all, then you certainly should know it was more than one or two - that she topped the pop charts throughout the 80's and the 90's ---
Awards:
Whitney Houston won: 6 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 2 Academy Awards and sold over 170 million albums worldwide.
"One or two hits in the 80's" - "OK" singer ...
Dax--- surely, you troll.
That's like saying Mariah Carey is an ok singer, which is preposterous. You must be one of those that think Katy Perry has the voice of a goddess. Dax-861131 we'd like to hear YOU sing since you are so critical of others' vocal abilities.
What a tragic fall from grace. Bobby Brown should be ashamed of himself. He is the one who ruined her and introduced her to all the drugs and thug life. I hope you find the peace you lost here on Earth, Whitney. RIP. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
I'm not saying Bobby Brown does not share some culpability in Whitney Houston's battle with drugs but she was a grown woman who made her own decisions, and had resources available to her to go to rehab. At some point, though we can blame her ex-husband, she also has to share in the responsibility of how her life turned out. She is just as accountable as he is. With that said, it is a sad to see someone with such great talent die so young. I wish I can say she'll serve as a cautionary tale, but I doubt people will pay attention to the cause of her death as they will keep abusing drugs with little regard for their welfare and how it affects (will affect) their loved ones. I feel for Whitney Houston's daughter.
If you knew your entertainment more better. You would know that Whitney was the one that had the money to the drugs and buy them. It wasnt bobby. Crazy
She and Bobby had been divorced for years, yet she was obviously still abusing these substances, so no, Bobby wasn't holding a gun to her head and making her use drugs and drink alcohol. He may have introduced her to drugs but she had been to rehab several times and did not kick her habit. She may have had some big demons to fight which we may never know of, but like A Parent-3921229 says, you can't put all the blame on him.
bobby can take the blame of getting her into drugs.
addictions are life controlling for many. i have no doubt if she did not become involved with this monster she would not have had those battles to fight.
the world has lost a great person who was found to be human but still soared high in the end
I can only hope that one who cried his false tears at his concert and the one who got her addicted to Coke in the first place, Mr big mouth Bobby Brown will not be there, but then it is free face time isn't it?
Whitney will definately be missed in music the world over, her talent was unsurpassed. May she finally RIP
who is to say it was bobby who started her fall, we have no idea what was going on in their life or what she was doing.We are going on what we hear on the news internernet ect.
Remember GOD is the only judge
Bobby didnt introduce her to anything. She was getting high before she met him. But this isnt the time to point fingers. People lose their lives everyday for damaging their bodies and minds. Houston was human just like the rest of us. Just mor e money. Just pray for her soul and her family. She was a grown woman. Nobody can twist your hand to make you do anything
It is possible that Bobby truly loved her, but hardcore drugs change people and can make them become abusive. Alcohol does the same thing, and some of these people don't even remember causing pain to their loved ones while under the influence. They both needed help. I am not sure if Bobby has gotten the help he needs to get away from drugs but if he hasn't, he may be the next one to go, especially now during this time of grief. People tend to abuse drugs and alcohol more after losing someone, which can lead to an overdose.
We have a great singer and performer. Only God knows what this woman has endured in life. Rip
Who gives a rats ass if these people croak.
I will forever remember her as the beautiful girl with a phenomenal voice.
I probably have one of her early cassette tapes buried in a box at the back of the closet. She was certainly better than a lot of the other acts of the time ( The Thompson Twins....Pebbles......Nu Shuz, etc. ) and so I guess she was a "diva" in her time. I'm sure they'll make a big spectacle & she'll be the star of the traditional "In Memorium" segment....but I'd rather see them STOP the show....and take the opportunity...to spend a few minutes highlighting her downfall. It might serve as a warning to others. Show her disasterous concert footage as well as the stuff from her early years.
Dennis Moore -
Wow! Really?
Why would those who truly supported Whitney Houston want to sit for three hours and watch Whitney Houston's "downfall"? That wasn't the majority of her career. But, then, obviously, you aren't someone who appreciated her overwhelming contribution to the music industry, and have no insight, whatsoever, as to the manifestations of raw talent.
I'm sure Whitney's real supporters will want to see her in all her splendor and remember how her voice moved them - to tears even. Whitney Houston is one of the "gifted" few who had real talent. Her "downfall" as you call it is regrettable. However, her "downfall" wasn't the total summation of Whitney Houston.
You sound as though you don't want people to remember her as the magnanimous singer she truly was. Just show the downfall to teach others a lesson. For three hours. Stop the show and just focus on negativity. That should sound crazy even to you.
Dennis,
An awards broadcast such as the Grammy's, which will have an audience in the hundreds of millions, really is not the venue for highlighting the failure's of a recently deceased person, no matter who it is. Would any of us want this downside preaching for one of our loved ones? There will be a host of media reflections that spotlight her drug use and the absolute dangers of this lifestyle in the next days and weeks. Grammy viewers will expect a heartfelt tribute to a singular talent of the music world.
So sad to hear of the loss at so young an Age. Our pop star and celebrity culture has long glamorized drugs and alcohol. You have people like Supermodels and the like running around opening their big mouths about all the Coke they did and all the partys they went to, like Janice Dickinson. They should be thrown in jail will all the other drug addicts. Instead, we send them to club med drug rehab!!! And we send the ordinary pot smoker to the Fed. Pen. It is disgusting.
If someone who cared about Whitney intervened at the very start of this downward spiral, and others like Amy Winehouse, we would not be reading stories like this. But the truth of the matter is, most of us like to look at the misery of others and gossip about it!!!
God bless your soul whitney. You were given a great gift and used it to your best ability for a while in your life. Which is more than can be said for others.
I do hope she is not idolized and idealized, as it is an unhealthy role model for young entertainers to believe she was something of a heroine or saint. She was blessed and given opportunities many of us would have died for, including a wonderful family an easy connections into the musical world! The talent and voice were indeed special, but so also was being born into a generation without the encumbrances many such as Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, etc. had to overcome. She wasted and pi$$ed it all away; everything she was ever given and bestowed waslost and wastedl! Young people, including her daughter, need to be told and made to understand that Whitney's downfall was DRUGS, ALCOHOL, and POOR CHOICES, all of which were her own doing and responsibility. She was no role model or positive inspiration. She, and her lifestyle and irresponsibly wasted talent, should be remembered as a tragic cautionary tale. It is indeed tragic, and one to pity and avoid rather than emulated or revered. To do otherwise, to sugarcoat it, will only encourage future generations to find something grand and noble about wasting their gifts and blessings.
Drushalli---
Whitney Houston just completed a new movie due out this summer, "Sparkle". Those involved with production claim that Whitney was in top form, voice-wise.
Whitney Houston was still a very wealthy woman at the time of her death, and had numerous live appearances scheduled, according to her large management company. All the stumbles she had cannot equal her triumphs.
Despite what you say, Whitney Houston is a role model. She's a role model of a real human being. Humans stumble. No one is perfect. However, our failures should not trump our successes. In the case of Whitney Houston, her excellence far outweighs her failures.
As humans, it's not how many times we stumble; it's how many times we get up, or even put forth the effort to get up. We're going to stumble; if you're in the limelight, your stumbles will be well-known; if you're some obscure person, you can hide your stumbles better.
If you can stop hating for a moment, you might be able to see that. If not, keep hating; apparently, it brings you some type of joy.
drushalli -
I agree with you. I'm tired of hearing about what a tragedy it is when a talented person in the entertainment industry throws away their god given gifts for drugs and alcohol. Then all we hear about are the pressures of their life styles and that's what drives them to drugs and alcohol. I don't understand why having a talent like Whitney had wasn't enough of a natural high for her and other gifted entertainers or why their lives are so bad? We need to stop idolizing those that take their life by abusing drugs and alcohol just because they can. The comment was made about not knowing what Whitney's demons were. I can't imagine they were all that bad. The reports are saying she had a great life, she just threw it away. One person I have respect for is Tina Turner. She has a great gift and talent, has gone threw hell and came out on top. If anyone had a reason to abuse drugs and alcohol it would be her, but she seems to enjoy life and enjoy what she does and goes on, what a strong person. Let's have a tribute for the entertainers that appreciate their god given gifts.
Jennifer Hudson thinks she can do Whitney justice? The arrogance of even accepting the offer.
Get a grip man. She was asked to do a tribute to her. What's your problem? Is Aretha Franklin the only person that can stand up and lead a tribute? Geezus.
Jim---
Jennifer Hudson WILL "do Whitney justice." Jennifer Hudson is another gifted singer. As Mike said, "get a grip." Sheesh!
Chaka Khan is also scheduled to sing part of the tribute. They will do a fine job as tribute singers to Whitney Houston.
If you were going to fret at all, it should be that Whitney, herself, will not be able to take the stage and sing with them, that a tribute to Whitney Houston because she is deceased should be occurring, at all.
Another victim of "keeping it real". Bobby Brown was simply a visible symptom - not the cause. She relished the lifestyle in that respect, and said in interviews in the early 90's that she was quite capable of being "raunchy" with or without him. She had all the money, not him. He was simply a soulmate in addiction and lifestyle. An addict is an addict, rich or poor, black or white. People with an addiction and ample amounts of time and money to dedicate to its call will eventually succumb. I'm surprised she made it that long. Such a waste.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Whitney was from a very traditional, religious background and Bobby introduced her to the thug culture of rap music. Of course she made her own decisions but having him by her side did not shed any enlightement when she made them. Another example why I despise the glorification of ghetto, rap, hip hop culture that we see today.
Ulises---
Bobby Brown introduced her to the "thug culture of rap music"? Please stop. Bobby Brown is an R&B singer not a rapper.
And, does anyone know the cause of Whitney Houston's death? No. The police are saying there were no obvious signs of drug abuse, no drug paraphernalia in the room, etc.
The coroner will make the determination of how she died through an autopsy. But, as it stands, no one knows the cause of death, at all, don't even have a clue, can't even guess.
Why speculate and blame Bobby Brown who was thousands of miles away, in addition to blaming other musical art forms? Just wait for the coroner's report.
First MJ and endless tributes to a pedophile and now probably the first of many more tributes to a crack-head.........anyone take time to read other articles where just a couple days before she died she attended a rehearsal for the Grammys and reeked of alcohol, cigarettes, B.O., and couldn't hold her head up???????? thought not.....
jennifer hudson's tribute should have been to keep her mouth shut. what a mess she made of a beautiful song.
I believe Jennifer's tribute was respectfully done. There arent many, if any, who can sing a Whitney Houston song and do it justice as Whitney was THE VOICE! She was an incomparable singer whose voice was used as the litmus test to determine if a person could really sang. If you could hit the notes in a Whitney Houston song, then you were considered special.
Yes, Whitney struggled with addiction but as others have stated, it should not overshadow her many accomplishments. She was an INCOMPARABLE accomplished artist who will be missed. Her addiction negatively affected her and her family. The only thing it did to us was to prevent us from seeing her beautiful talents on display for our entertainment.
Why is it that I dont see these same comments when Elvis, who was a junkie until his untimely death, is still celebrated? There is a shrine for him in Memphis and countless people who emulate him daily but the focus is not on his downfall. Instead they focus on his contributions to music, which by some accounts were stolen from the acts of others.
These entertainers are human beings! Whitney may have made mistakes, admittedly so, but NOTHING can take away from the beautiful person, voice or talent that she was. My prayers are with her family at this time.
RIP Whitney Houston Apple's Siri pays Tribute To Whitney Houston Siri Singing "I Will Always Love You" siricrazy . com