Celebrities and fans continue to offer condolences and prayers for the family of legendary singer Whitney Houston, as officials continue to investigate the cause of her death.
"There is no way around this: We've had a death in our family," Grammy host LL Cool J said at Sunday night's 2012 Grammy Awards.
The actor/rapper saw fit to open the ceremony with a prayer for the fallen star.
Offer your own prayers and condolences for the family at Whitney Houston's website.
"Heavenly Father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us. Today our thoughts are with her mother, her daughter and all of her loved ones," he prayed. "And although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit and to have the legacy of her music to cherish and share forever. Amen."
Other stars also paid tribute to Houston.
"I just wanted to say to Whitney up in heaven, 'We all love you Whitney Houston,'" Motown legend Stevie Wonder said.
Jennifer Hudson sang one of the deceased R&B star's biggest hits, "I Will Always Love You." Fans across the world mourned the loss of the woman many called the greatest voice of her generation and pop music's undisputed queen.
Many started posting condolences and prayers to Twitter as soon as word spread of the star's death. "I pray that...you found that peace that surpasses all understanding," wrote one fan.
From the moment she was introduced to the world, Houston was a star, selling 120 million albums worldwide, winning six Grammys, and recording 11 number one singles in the U.S.
The songstress who's musical legacy transcended generations got her start in Newark, N.J., at New Hope Church, singing in her mother's choir. At the news of her death, church members gathered to pray. "We feel that we should keep that family in prayer, and that is what we're all doing here today," said Kara Wickham, a New Hope Church member. "We lost a great person and we know that God is in charge of all things."
"There is no way around this: We've had a death in our family," Grammy host LL Cool J said at Sunday night's 2012 Grammy Awards.
The actor/rapper saw fit to open the ceremony with a prayer for the fallen star.
Offer your own prayers and condolences for the family at Whitney Houston's website.
"Heavenly Father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us. Today our thoughts are with her mother, her daughter and all of her loved ones," he prayed. "And although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit and to have the legacy of her music to cherish and share forever. Amen."
Other stars also paid tribute to Houston.
"I just wanted to say to Whitney up in heaven, 'We all love you Whitney Houston,'" Motown legend Stevie Wonder said.
Jennifer Hudson sang one of the deceased R&B star's biggest hits, "I Will Always Love You." Fans across the world mourned the loss of the woman many called the greatest voice of her generation and pop music's undisputed queen.
Many started posting condolences and prayers to Twitter as soon as word spread of the star's death. "I pray that...you found that peace that surpasses all understanding," wrote one fan.
From the moment she was introduced to the world, Houston was a star, selling 120 million albums worldwide, winning six Grammys, and recording 11 number one singles in the U.S.
The songstress who's musical legacy transcended generations got her start in Newark, N.J., at New Hope Church, singing in her mother's choir. At the news of her death, church members gathered to pray. "We feel that we should keep that family in prayer, and that is what we're all doing here today," said Kara Wickham, a New Hope Church member. "We lost a great person and we know that God is in charge of all things."
"Emotionally just distraught, but God is still good," she said.
Houston's Final Performance Only a few nights before her death, Houston attended a Grammy party with her 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina.
There, she took to the stage with Grammy nominee Kelly Price for an impromptu duet that would be her final performance.
"Jesus loves me! This I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong," Houston proclaimed through song at L.A.'s Tru Nightclub.
Those close to the star say they will remember the applause as Houston left the stage and took a final bow.
"We laughed and we joked and we cracked up, and we danced and sang. She was never more than two feet from me the entire night," Price recalled. "In retrospect it's a much bigger moment than I could have imagined," she said. "It was a big moment just because it was Whitney. The world got a gift in that they got an opportunity to see her perform one last time."
Meanwhile, California officials are continuing to investigate the cause of Houston's demise. Los Angeles County Coroner said that pending a toxicology report, it could be weeks before authorities officially determine what killed the 48-year-old star. Houston, who was in Los Angeles for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, was found dead in her hotel bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Saturday afternoon. The coroner's office said there was not enough water in the star's lungs to believe she had drowned.
Over the last decade, Houston struggled with drug and alcohol use and endured several stints in rehab. In 2009 she declared herself drug free but returned to rehab again in 2011.
Officials refuse to confirm reports by the celebrity news website TMZ that the singing star died from a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol.
"No foul play is suspected at this time," Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told reporters at a news conference.
Houston's Final Performance Only a few nights before her death, Houston attended a Grammy party with her 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina.
There, she took to the stage with Grammy nominee Kelly Price for an impromptu duet that would be her final performance.
"Jesus loves me! This I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong," Houston proclaimed through song at L.A.'s Tru Nightclub.
Those close to the star say they will remember the applause as Houston left the stage and took a final bow.
"We laughed and we joked and we cracked up, and we danced and sang. She was never more than two feet from me the entire night," Price recalled. "In retrospect it's a much bigger moment than I could have imagined," she said. "It was a big moment just because it was Whitney. The world got a gift in that they got an opportunity to see her perform one last time."
Meanwhile, California officials are continuing to investigate the cause of Houston's demise. Los Angeles County Coroner said that pending a toxicology report, it could be weeks before authorities officially determine what killed the 48-year-old star. Houston, who was in Los Angeles for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, was found dead in her hotel bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Saturday afternoon. The coroner's office said there was not enough water in the star's lungs to believe she had drowned.
Over the last decade, Houston struggled with drug and alcohol use and endured several stints in rehab. In 2009 she declared herself drug free but returned to rehab again in 2011.
Officials refuse to confirm reports by the celebrity news website TMZ that the singing star died from a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol.
"No foul play is suspected at this time," Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told reporters at a news conference.