The world is mourning the loss of Robin Gibb, one third of the iconic disco era band the Bee Gees.

The sad news of Gibb’s death was officially posted on his website on Sunday May 19. The statement read:

“The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery.

“The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Robin Gibb achieved great superstardom in the 60’s and 70’s with his brothers Barry and Maurice. Together, they produced several well-known love ballads and disco hits, like “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” and “Emotions” (which was re-made by Destiny’s Child).

The Bee Gees also achieved album sales of up to 200 million copies, putting them in the same league as the likes of the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, Reuters reported.

Robin Gibb — who had been battling cancer of the colon and liver — leaves behind his wife Dwina Murphy Gibb and three children, Spencer, Melissa and Robin-John. He was 62 years old.

Donna Summer, who is considered the “Queen of Disco,” died Thursday morning (May 17) morning after a battle with lung cancer.

Summer was in Florida at the time of her death. She was 63 years old.

According to TMZ, the disco queen believed she contracted lung cancer by inhaling toxic particles after the 9/11 attacks in New York City over a decade ago.

Summer, a 5-time Grammy winner, was best known for her catchy, up-beat dance songs. She shot to superstardom in the 1970′s with iconic hits like “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.”

In the 80′s, Summer continued to release hits, like “She Works Hard for the Money” and “This Time I Know It’s Real.”

Summer is survived by her husband, singer and producer Bruce Sudano and their two daughters Brooklyn and Amanda. Summer is also survived by a third daughter named Mimi from a previous marriage.

Her family released the following statement:

“Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy.
Words truly can’t express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time.”

Legendary hair stylist and fashion icon Vidal Sassoon — who is credited with creating famous haircuts like the “bob” (aka the “pixie cut”) — died Wednesday (May 9) from an unspecified illness at his home in Hollywood.

Vidal was reportedly diagnosed with leukemia in 2009, though it’s unclear if the disease played a role in his death.

Vidal Sassoon grew up in England, where his mother, who was a single parent, placed him and his brother in a Jewish orphanage for seven years because she wasn’t able to provide for them.

He told the Telegraph of his rough childhood in a 2011 interview:

“First of all what we truly have to look at is the situation. I was born in 1928 and by 1931 the Depression was beginning to mount. My father had left us, my brother, and myself. We were in Shepherd’s Bush, but we were being evicted, we had nowhere to go.”

Sassoon later fought in the Israeli army before he began training as a hairdresser.

By 1954, he had opened his first hair salon in London, and in 1973 he launched his own line of hair care products with the now-famous slogan, “If you don’t look good, we don’t look good.”

Sassoon was married four times, most recently to a woman named Rhonda, who he wed in 1992. The couple lived together up until his death.

In addition to his wife, Vidal Sassoon is also survived by his three children from a previous marriage. His daughter Catya — a mother of three — preceded him in death in 2002 at age 33 of a drug-induced heart attack.

Vidal Sassoon was 84 years old.

World renown children’s author Maurice Sendak — most famous for penning the popular children’s book “Where the World Things Are” — died early Tuesday morning (May 8) at a hospital in Connecticut after suffering a stroke last Friday.

A writer and an illustrator, Sendak rose to fame with the release of “Wild Things,” and his reputation grew over time as someone with a dark sense of humor and a brutally honest opinion.

Despite the fact that he is considered a children’s author, Sendak said in a January 2012 interview that he doesn’t even like children. “I don’t write for children. I like them as few and far between as I do adults,” he said bluntly.

First published in 1963, “Where the Wild Things Are,” considered to be one of the most popular children’s books of all time, was adapted into a major motion picture in 2009, which is also the same year President Obama read the book to a large group of children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Maurice Sendak was 83 years old.

Adam Horovitz, Mike Diamond and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys appear together at the 11th Annual Webby Awards in June 2007 in New York City.

Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch — also known by his stage name “MCA” — died Friday morning (May 4) at the age of 47 following a two-year battle with cancer.

GlobalGrind.com was the first to break the sad news. The website reported:

One of our heroes, Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, passed away this morning after a long bout with cancer.

Yauch co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D, Mix Master Mike and Ad Roc. The group has won multiple Grammys.

In 2009, Yauch announced in a video message that he was being treated for a cancerous parotid gland and a lymph node.

“So this is crazy,” he said in the video statement on the Beastie Boys’ official website. “I have some pretty heavy news … I actually have a form of cancer.”

MCA has since undergone surgery and radiation therapy, and also became a vegan at the urging of his team of doctors.

He was reportedly too sick to appear with his bandmates during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in April, and his treatments delayed the release of the group’s most recent album, “Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2.”

Adam “MCA” Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and his daughter Tenzin Losel Yauch.

Junior Seau smiles during his induction into the Chargers Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game in San Diego, California on November 27th 2011

Following an autopsy performed Thursday on NFL legend Junior Seau, the San Diego County medical examiner confirmed that the 43-year-old’s tragic death Wednesday morning was a suicide; the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound the chest.

Junior Seau was found by his girlfriend the morning of Wednesday, May 2nd after he had apparently shot himself in the chest. She immediately called 911, but attempts by emergency medical responders to revive him were unsuccessful.

Those close to the former football star say they didn’t see this coming.

“This is not anything I thought he would ever do,” former San Diego Chargers safety Miles McPherson said.

Last month, Seau attended Southern Cal’s spring football game in Los Angeles, and his friends say he was in great spirits.

“I didn’t see anything that seemed to be troubling him. He was relaxed and playing his ukulele and just enjoying being around the guys,” said former Southern Cal player Sam Cunningham. “We all had a great time with each other. He seemed to be in good spirits. The news was definitely strange, because he was in such good spirits when I saw him.”

Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, also from Southern Cal, echoed Cunningham, “I really saw nothing unusual. … There was just no indication. It was the same old Junior I’ve known all these years.”

If something was troubling Seau, he didn’t let anyone know. Police said the former pro footballer left no suicide note.

Seau’s case is similar to that of former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling, who shot himself in the chest, like Seau, last month at age 62.

But before his death, Easterling — who is said to have suffered from depression and dementia after years and years of taking hits on the football field — had joined in a concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL, one of dozens filed over the past year or so.

His wife of 36 years Mary Ann Easterling has said that despite her hsuband’s death, she will fight to continue the lawsuit, and will urge the league to establish a fund for former NFL players like her husband who suffered traumatic brain injuries as a result of their time playing professional football.

Junior Seau’s family will make the decision of whether or not they will allow further study of his brain to see if there was any damage to it as a result of his 20-year football career. It’s not known as to whether or not Seau was a plaintiff in the concussion litigation.

[Sources: CNN, USA Today]

NFL legend Junior Seau — who played in the league for 20 solid years after being drafted in 1990 — was found dead at his beachfront home in Oceanside, CA Wednesday morning (Apr 2). He was 43 years old.

Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy told the press that Seau’s girlfriend found the former NFL player unconscious with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

McCoy says investigators found a handgun in the bedroom, and the case is being investigated as a suicide … though no suicide note was discovered at the scene.

Seau’s mother Luisa Seau was hysterical and had a heart-wrenching breakdown while speaking briefly to reporters.

“Junior!” she cried. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going.” She said her son had joked with her on the phone just a few days ago, calling her “homegirl.”

“I don’t understand … I’m shocked,” she cried out.

According to TMZ, Seau sent text messages to his ex-wife and kids yesterday, telling them “I love you,” to which they all responded, but didn’t suspect anything was wrong.

Seau last saw his kids 3 weeks ago, and sources say family members didn’t notice any signs of depression in recent weeks.

Most people commit suicide by shooting themselves in the head (usually, to make sure the deed is done) … but Seau chose to shoot himself in the chest, which many believe to be a premeditated decision, considering several other NFL players have killed themselves similarly in an effort to preserve their brains for “NFL research purposes.” (New studies appear to connect football-related concussions to suicidal behavior)

His ex-wife Gina Seau told the Associated Press that Seau sustained numerous concussions during his career.

“Of course he had. He always bounced back and kept on playing,” she said. “He’s a warrior. That didn’t stop him. I don’t know what football player hasn’t. It’s not ballet. It’s part of the game.”

Seau was a standout linebacker with the University of Southern California before going to play in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. He retired after the 2009 season with the Patriots.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released the following statement via Twitter:

“All of us are deeply saddened about Junior Seau, a great player loved by teammates who also worked hard to serve his community. Junior and his family will remain in our thoughts.”

Back in October 2010, Seau drove his SUV off the side of a 100-foot seaside cliff, just hours after he was arrested for investigation of domestic violence at the Oceanside, CA home he shared with his girlfriend.

Seau — who only sustained minor injuries following the crash — later said he wasn’t trying to kill himself, insisting he had simply fallen asleep at the wheel. There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol involved with the crash.

Seau’s death follows the suicide last year of former Chicago Bears player Dave Duerson. He too, shot himself in the chest, but he specifically asked that his brain be studied to learn more about football-related damage.

Junior Seau is also incidentally the 8th member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers team to die before the age of 45 years old, joining linebacker David Griggs (1995), runningback Rodney Culver (1996), linebacker Doug Miller (1998), center Curtis Whitley (2008), defensive end Chris Mims (2008), defensive tackle Shawn Lee (2011) and linebacker Lew Bush (2011).

Junior Seau leaves behind three children — 19-year-old Sydney Beau, 17-year-old Jake Ryan, and 12-year-old Hunter Tiaina — and his ex-wife Gina Deboer.

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, surviving TLC members Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins recently sat down with Essence Magazine and paid tribute to their friend, who tragically passed away on April 25th 2002 in a car crash in Honduras.

The ladies of TLC — who are also celebrating their 20th anniversary as a group — also talked about an upcoming VH1 biopic and revealed details about an upcoming tour, and a new album featuring new music set to drop shortly after the release of the movie.

Check out the interview below:

ESSENCE.com: Today marks 10 years since we lost Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a tragic car accident. What do you remember about that day?

T-BOZ: She died a day before my birthday. I remember everything. I was with security in my Porsche and I said to them, “I feel like I’m going to get in a wreck and I want to go home.” The driver said: “Well, that’s on the other side of town.” I didn’t care; I wanted to go home. I just felt something was going to happen to me, but it wasn’t me — it was Lisa. I was sitting in a rocking chair in my daughter’s room after putting her down when I got a call from Chilli. She was screaming. I had just gotten out the hospital from fighting sickle cell so I had to be careful about getting upset. Everybody was trying to keep me calm.

I remember staying up all night and Patti Labelle and Missy Elliot calling me. Whitney Houston was at Lisa’s funeral. She sat behind me and rubbed my shoulders for two hours, while telling me, “It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be all right.” Right before that, I remember Lisa played a trick where she went missing and nobody knew where she was. This was the one time I wish she was joking and doing one of her stunts, but she wasn’t.

ESSENCE.com: People playfully identified her as the crazy one in the group because of the notable fire in 1994, among other things. What’s the biggest misconception about Left Eye?

T-BOZ: That’s the part that sucked. The fire could’ve even been stopped if they stopped acting like little girls and put the fire out. That really could’ve been settled differently. I just really wish people would’ve known her for the sweet passionate person she really was. She was very creative, too. I remember I was in the hospital for four months and she sent me a clock that she made and the clock read: “Take all the time you need.” She really put thought into things.

CHILLI: People didn’t understand how much of a heart she really had and how passionate and giving she was. She might have come across as someone who wanted to start trouble all the time, but that wasn’t it; she just had a lot to say. Sometimes when you speak what’s on your mind — I’m talking everything on your mind, and people can get a misconception of you. So because she spoke her mind, all of the time, it caused people to misjudge her.

ESSENCE.com: A lot of people believe TLC was feuding when Left Eye passed. What was your relationship like at the time?

CHILLI: It was actually very good; we had started working on the last album. We all had solo deals. I was just like, “We have to do another record” — I was willing to put everything on hold. That was the last time we got to spend quality time together before she passed. The relationship was good; she was acting silly again, playing pranks on people. Her death was very devastating for us, but I can look back and say I was happy about what our relationship was like, at that time.

T-BOZ: No matter what, everyone will go through a disagreement — that’s what makes us all different. So it’s unrealistic to tell anybody that we all agreed with everything that everyone did or said. That doesn’t happen in a real relationship. At the time, she just didn’t agree with what the record company was doing with the project, so she felt strong about standing up about it. It had nothing personal to do with the group members. I didn’t have a problem with that.

ESSENCE.com: Tell us about the VH1 biopic. Are you looking to have someone in Hollywood play you guys, or all new unknown actresses?

T-BOZ: It’s going to have to be new kids; I can’t think of anybody that can play us. It’s not just about looking like me or dressing like me, you have to have the attitude, the dance moves. The writer of the biopic, Kate Lanier, is amazing. She did the movies Set It Off and What’s Love Got to Do With It. Hopefully the movie will be out before the end of the year.

CHILLI: It’s going to be like a movie-of-the-week on VH1. You know how the Jackson Five have the movie The Jackson Five: An American Dream? It would be like that. I love how they still show the Jackson Five movie now; they will show that for the next 40 years. [Laughs] I’m really excited about it; this was a dream of mine. I knew that we would have a movie about us one day. I want to go for someone unknown to play us. I really would prefer to reach out and find someone that resembles us and who really has the acting chops and who can dance.

ESSENCE.com: When you think of TLC’s legacy, what are you most proud of?

T-BOZ: You know how now it’s easy for Black people to make it on pop radio… Back then it was hard. Michael Jackson was probably one of the first Black people to get on MTV and VH1 and then TLC “Waterfalls” was probably the second, it was so hard. I remember getting flowers for making it on MTV and then a special gift for making it on VH1 — that was like a big deal! We had to bust our butts to get on a show. When I say we broke records and I worked for mines, I worked for mine! We had to work for every last single thing.

CHILLI: From the beginning to the middle and we’re not at the end yet but I loved that we never compromised our values when it came to the subject matter and what we talked about in our songs and how we represented ourselves as women. Starting out as young women, we didn’t care that people thought that we were a fad or if people thought we didn’t dress girly enough — we were just like, “Whatever.” We were able to accomplish that with three totally different girls, in a group.

ESSENCE.com: Are we going to get another TLC album or a 20th anniversary tour?

T-BOZ: Yes, we’re going on tour; we are in negotiations now with LA. Reid, so we’ll see what happens. A lot of cool things are coming up.

CHILLI:Another TLC album? Yes, that’s for sure! We’ll have new music right after the movie drops. We have everybody that was there with us from the beginning on board. We’ll definitely have a tour; I just don’t know what we’ll call it yet.

[Essence.com]

The death of legendary TV icon Dick Clark has obviously been particularly difficult for his protege Ryan Seacrest, who considered Clark to be an idol and mentor, and also famously took over Clark’s hosting duties on ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” six years ago after the TV legend suffered a major stroke that caused him to be in poor health.

In a statement released shortly after it was announced Wednesday (Apr 18) that Clark had passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 82, Seacrest talked about the late producer’s impact on both him and the industry.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark,” Seacrest said in a statement. “He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel.”

He added: “When I joined his show in 2006, it was a dream come true to work with him every New Year’s Eve for the last six years. He was smart, charming, funny and always a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him, and I’ll always be indebted to him for his faith and support of me. He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him.”

It’s no secret that Ryan Seacrest has modeled his own career after Dick Clark’s, and his style and resume is often compared to the “American Bandstand” host.

At the beginning of Wednesday night’s episode of “American Idol,” Seacrest paid tribute to his friend and mentor.

“Without Dick, a show like this would not exist,” said Seacrest. “He will be missed greatly; our thoughts and our prayers go out to his family. I know he’s in a better place saying, ‘Hey, let’s get on with the show, OK?’ You got it, boss.”

Legendary TV icon Dick Clark reportedly died from a massive heart attac Wednesday morning (Apr 18). He was 82 years old.

According to TMZ, Mr. Clark had been in St. John’s hospital in Los Angeles following an outpatient surgery procedure last night.

After the procedure, Clark suffered a massive heart attack, and attempts from medical personnel to revive him were unsuccessful.

Dick Clark got his first big break in the 1950′s, hosting a music-themed TV show that was called “Bob Horn’s Bandstand” at the time.

Clark and TV producers eventually changed the name of the show to “American Bandstand,” which Clark continued to host and produce until 1983.

Dick Clark is also best known for his annual “New Year’s Rockin Eve” show, which he created in 1972, and hosted every year up until 2004 when he had a major stroke that forced him to retire. His health has been on the decline ever since.

Ryan Seacrest took over Clark’s hosting duties in 2006, with the TV icon appearing on the show sporadically since then. His final appearance was in 2011.

Over the span of his illustrious career, Dick Clark hosted the Miss USA (1989 – 1993) and Miss Universe (1990 – 1993) pageants, and game shows like “Pyramid,” “Scattergories,” “The Challengers” and others.

As far as his honors, awards and achievements are concerned, Clark has received a total of 5 Emmy Awards (including a lifetime achievement award), as well as a Peabody Award.

He has also been inducted into Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.

Dick Clark is survived by his third wife Kari Wigton, and his three children from his first two marriages.

Even death can’t stop Nate Dogg from doing what he did best.

The late rapper, who passed away last March, will be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California this weekend.

Sources told TMZ that Dr. Dre didn’t want to leave his friend Nate Dogg out of his performance on Sunday … so he is using hologram technology to project an image of Nate onto the stage.

Nate’s image will appear alongside Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, and Warren G to make it look like he’s actually performing with them on stage.

According to the sources, Nate will be performing several songs.

This sounds pretty exciting, but really weird, all at the same time. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!

CBS News legend Mike Wallace, the “60 Minutes” pit-bull reporter whose probing, brazen style made his name synonymous with the tough interview – a style he practically invented for television more than half a century ago – died Saturday night.

He was 93 and passed peacefully surrounded by family members at Waveny Care Center in New Canaan, Conn., where he spent the past few years. He also had a home in Manhattan.

“It is with tremendous sadness that we mark the passing of Mike Wallace. His extraordinary contribution as a broadcaster is immeasurable and he has been a force within the television industry throughout its existence. His loss will be felt by all of us at CBS,” said Leslie Moonves, president and CEO, CBS Corporation.

“All of us at CBS News and particularly at ’60 Minutes’ owe so much to Mike. Without him and his iconic style, there probably wouldn’t be a ’60 Minutes.’ There simply hasn’t been another broadcast journalist with that much talent. It almost didn’t matter what stories he was covering, you just wanted to hear what he would ask next. Around CBS he was the same infectious, funny and ferocious person as he was on TV. We loved him and we will miss him very much,” said Jeff Fager, chairman CBS News and executive producer of “60 Minutes.”

READ MORE @ CBS NEWS

11 years after her death, VH1 has updated their “Behind the Music” special with singer/actress, Aaliyah, which originally aired over a decade ago back in 2001.

Focusing on her rapid rise to fame and the tragic August 25th 2001 death that cut her life and career short, the hour-long documentary features new commentary and footage from family and peers, including Missy Elliott.

Watch below:

The final autopsy report for Whitney Houston has finally been released, revealing more shocking details about the singer’s tragic death.

According to the highly detailed 42-page report, which gives a detailed description of the state of Whitney’s room when officials arrived, a spoon with a “white powdery substance” and a “crystal-like substance” on it was found in the hotel room.

“Located in the top drawer, in the north side of the counter were remnants of a white powdery substance, and a portable mirror on a base,” the autopsy report states. Officials also found more white powder near the hotel room mirror.

The report says that Whitney’s body was discovered face down in the bathtub with a “bloody purge coming from her nose” at the Beverly Hilton hotel by her assistant/manager Pat Houston, who had just left the room for a moment to run an errand.

One of the most shocking pieces of information alludes to the idea that Houston was standing outside her bathtub, had a seizure, then fell face forward into the tub, causing trauma to her forehead, chest and upper lip, which was all noted in the report.

By the time Houston was found, she had likely been dead for at least an hour.

According to the toxicology report, Houston “possibly overdosed on a narcotic substance, prescription medications, over the counter medications and alcohol,” causing her to drown in a tub of “extremely hot water” about 12 inches deep.

Toxicology results also showed Houston had marijuana, Xanax, Flexeril (muscle relaxant), and the allergy medication Benadryl in her system, but none of those were considered factors in her death.

The official report also notes that Whitney had a “perforation of posterior nasal septum,” as a result of her history of cocaine abuse.

The report states that Whitney Houston was last seen alive by her manager/assistant Patricia Houston in her Beverly Hills hotel room at around 3 p.m. that Saturday afternoon.

After telling Whitney to take a bath in preparation of the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party at the hotel that night, Pat left the room for about an hour or so to run some errands.

When Patricia returned to the hotel room, she found an unresponsive Houston “lying face down in the bathtub filled with water.”

The report says, “The assistant called for her bodyguard, and together they pulled the decedent out of the bathtub.”

Whitney’s official cause of death was listed as accidental drowning, but heart disease and “chronic” cocaine use were listed as contributing factors.

At the time of her death, Whitney Houston was in the middle of an attempted come-back, having recently completed filming in Detroit on a remake of the movie “Sparkle.”

According to TMZ, Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston is said to be “devastated” about the details in her daughter’s final autopsy report:

Cissy Houston is telling close friends … she cried hysterically when she first heard about the Coroner’s findings — that white powder (which we know tested positive for cocaine), a drug spoon and other trappings of drug use were found in the hotel room.

Cissy says her biggest fear is that people will now remember her daughter as a druggie, and not a talented singer and family woman.

Cissy singled out Whitney’s performance of the National Anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, saying, “This is the type of thing people should remember Whitney for.”

Cissy added, “No one’s perfect. Only the Lord can judge.”

In addition to being a Hollywood conman, Raffles van Exel — if that’s even his real name — is also a “celebrity drug supplier,” and recently admitted to ridding Whitney Houston‘s hotel room of illegal drugs shortly after her February 11th death.

After the L.A. County Coroner’s Officer confirmed last week that cocaine played a major role in the death of Whitney Houston, and that she has also consumed cocaine shortly before she drowned in the bathtub, many were confused as to how that could have even been possible if investigators found no drugs in her hotel room.

Well, that’s where “Raffles van Exel” — who considers himself to be a former “close confidant” to Whitney Houston — comes in.

According to a loose translation of Dutch newspaper The Telegraph, “Raffles van Exel” came forward just four days after Houston’s death, and admitted that he cleaned up her Beverly Hilton hotel suite, though he didn’t specify what he exactly removed from the scene.

“The room had to be emptied,” van Exel confessed to The Telegraph on February 15th. “Someone had to do it.”

Here is a loose translation of the full article (via HSK):

Raffles van Exel (32), the Dutch confidant (support) of the deceased Whitney Houston, pulled out all the goodies left behind by the deceased singer from the hotel. “Someone had to do it,” Raffles told the Telegraph. “The room had to be emptied.” The house friend of Whitney comes from Deventer, and had been friends with her for a long time. He is also the main support to the bereaved relatives. “We are going through a very tough (rough) time.”

Whitney’s ex, Bobby Brown, is quite upset. Raffles must comfort him regularly. “Things are going well with now”. “I’m with him”. (Can also be translated as: “Now that I’m with him he is doing well”.

The Deventer (The person from Deventer a town in Holland, i.e.; Raffles) was also at the infamous parties last week where Whitney was completely over the top because she thought that her young love was flirting with a younger girl. Raffles had to drag the singer outside (the party). “Now she’s dead.” “I try to sleep, but I cannot.”

As we previously reported, “Raffles van Exel” is not only a Hollywood conman who conveniently pops up and gets close to celebrities in their time of need, but he also rips off celebrity websites too.

READ: Raffles van Exel Ripped Off TMZ With Fake Whitney Houston Picture

He sold TMZ a series of photos showing Whitney’s hotel room shortly after her death, and one of the photos, purportedly showing her body being removed from the building under a white sheet, was actually of her 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, who was rushed to the hospital twice after her mom died.

“Raffles van Exel” is also the person behind the infamous “Whitney Houston Casket Photo” that was sold to the National Enquirer, and according to sources, is also the man who supplied Whitney Houston with the drugs that contributed to her death.

A man who says he intends to file an affidavit against the man known as “Raffles van Exel” with the Beverly Hills Police Department revealed the following to DiaryOfAHollywoodStreetKing.com:

“Raffles always enters the country illegally. The first time he was deported was 13 years ago after being arrested in Chicago for shoplifting. Raffles has been deported at least 6 times now.

Raffles comes into your life when your down. He latched onto Michael during the molestation trial. He got Whitney during her depression.

Raffles served no purpose except being the drug supplier in these celebrity camps which he infiltrated with lies. Pat and Gary new what Raffles’ role was, yet they still allowed him to remove all evidence from the room before paramedics and police arrived.

Pat and Gary also new that Raffles had taken and sold the photos (gurney and tub) to the tabloids well before they invited him to fly on Tyler Perry’s private jet as Whitney’s body was flown home.”

So, in other words, “Raffles van Exel” supplied Whitney Houston with the drugs that ultimately killed her and conveniently “cleaned up” the scene of the crime before authorities arrived.

Sound familiar? It should, because “Dr.” Conrad Murray is serving time in jail right now for doing something similar to Michael Jackson in 2009.

Could “Raffles van Exel” become the next Conrad Murray?

[Sources: 1, 2]

Remember that Raffles van Exel guy who sold Whitney Houston’s casket photo to the National Enquirer?

Well, apparently, not only is he in the business of conning celebrities … but he likes to rip off celebrity websites too!

READ: Raffles van Exel Sold Whitney Houston’s Casket Photo to the National Enquirer

According to Forbes writer Roger Friedman (who first broke the story about van Exel), pictures of Whitney’s hotel room that were posted to TMZ shortly after her tragic February 11th death were sent in by van Exel, who probably received a sum of money for the photos, in addition to the rumored $500K he was paid by the Enquirer for the controversial casket photo.

But one of the pictures he sold to the website, which allegedly showed Houston’s body covered with a white sheet on a gurney being taken out of the Beverly Hilton Hotel the night of her death is a fake.

In fact, the “body” in the photo isn’t even Whitney’s body at all. It’s her daughter Bobbi Kristina, who was rushed to the hospital twice shortly after her mother’s death, and covered her face with the white sheet to avoid unnecessary media attention.

A person who was in the hallway (see picture) tells me the “body” under the white sheet was Bobbi Kristina, Whitney’s daughter. She was taken to Cedars Sinai Hospital twice after her mother died. Bobbi Kristina wrapped the sheet over her head so as not to be seen.

Unfortunately, when Whitney’s body was removed from the hotel much later, it was not under a sheet, but in an official coroner’s body bag–the blue or back kind you see on TV shows that get zipped up. The only person in the group other than family and Houston’s publicist Kristen Foster (seen on the far left) was van Exel.

[Forbes]

Regarding the other pictures, showing Houston’s last meal and the bathtub where her body was found, was also sent in by van Exel, who was one of the only three people who had access to the room, including Pat Houston and her husband Gary (Whitney’s brother and sister-in-law/manager).

Many believe Pat Houston is in on Raffles van Exel’s cashing in on Whitney’s death since she is the one who is basically giving this guy an all access pass to all things Whitney.

Though van Exel isn’t a family member, he traveled with the Houstons from L.A. to New Jersey on Tyler Perry’s private jet, was invited to both viewings AND the private burial, and apparently he also had access to the hotel suite where Whitney died.

$500,000 (plus the TMZ cash) is a lot of money and we have a strange feeling Pat Houston pocketed some of that too.

This Raffles van Exel guy is something serious.

What do you think about Raffles van Exel, and do you think Pat Houston is on in his latest scam?

Whitney Houston‘s good friend and rumored lover Ray J is firing back at claims from Bobby Brown‘s other sister Leolah Brown that he provided the late singer with the drugs that contributed to her tragic death.

On Thursday (Mar 22), news broke that Whitney Houston’s February 11th death was caused by accidental drowning aided by drugs in her system, including some cocaine that she had apparently taken immediately before she got into the bathtub, where her bodyguard found her unconscious.

Leolah Brown (Whitney’s former sister-in-law) was on Dr. Drew to speak about the news, and basically blamed Ray J for Whitney’s death by accusing him of supplying Whitney with the cocaine that coroners say caused her to go into cardiac arrest, pass out, then drown.

“I saw Ray J coming out of the hotel, hiding his head, being pushed into the car,” she told Drew. “Why? I looked and I said, ‘why is he hiding his face?’ He’s always trying to show his face when he’s around Whitney. Why now? Why are you trying to hide now Ray J?”

Now Ray J has spoken out against Leolah’s allegations, calling her interview with Dr. Drew “rife with false statements,” and denying any involvement with Whitney’s recent cocaine use.

And furthermore … Leolah wasn’t even anywhere near Whitney or the Beverly Hilton hotel the day she died. In fact, she and Whitney haven’t even been in contact for over a year!

His reps sent the following statement to Gossip On This:

“Even though Leolah Brown was nowhere near the Beverly Hilton Hotel on the day Whitney Houston died, CNN proceeded to broadcast an interview with Ms. Brown in which she falsely claimed that Ray J was at the hotel and contributed to Whitney Houston’s death.

“Even the most minimal inquiry with anyone actually in contact with Whitney would reveal that Leolah Brown had been out of contact with Whitney for more than a year and was no where near the scene on the day of her death.”

Ray J’s rep also said in another statement to TMZ that he didn’t even know Whitney was using cocaine again, and her allegations that he was to blame for her untimely death are NOT true … because he wasn’t with Houston the day she died. He was in San Diego.

So in other words … Leolah Brown is a big fat liar.

Whitney Houston‘s cause of death has finally been revealed.

Ever since her sudden and unexpected death back in February, many have wondered what exactly were the contributing factors.

Now those questions have finally been answered, as the L.A. County coroner’s office has released their official report on the death of Whitney Houston.

According to the coroner’s report, Whitney’s official cause of death was due to accidental drowning.

The report also states that the 48-year-old singer had cocaine in her system at the time of her death, and she also suffered from heart disease, both of which also contributed to her untimely passing.

Whitney also had small traces of marijuana, Xanax, Benadryl and other medication in her system, but neither of those contributed to her death.

A source connected to the investigation told TMZ that it is “very possible” that Whitney had a heart attack that caused her to lose consciousness and drown. The heart attack could have been triggered by hardening of the arteries due to cocaine use.

The Coroner’s Office says Whitney used cocaine “immediately prior to her collapse,” however investigators say they found ZERO evidence of cocaine in the hotel room where she died, which may be because someone allegedly removed all traces of cocaine from the room before authorities arrived.

Sources connected to Houston who where with her the day she died told TMZ that whoever removed the cocaine was also the person who supplied it to Whitney.

The police say that the investigation has not been closed, and they aren’t commenting on whether or not they are looking at charging the individual who removed the drugs with evidence tampering.

Whitney Houston was found dead by her bodyguard at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on February 11th 2012, the day before the Grammy Awards, and just hours before the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy party, both of which Houston was scheduled to attend.

Houston was laid to rest on February 19th at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, N.J. next to her father, following a star-studded televised memorial at New Hope Baptist church the day before.

The Houston family released the following statement shortly after the details of her toxicology report were revealed:

“We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure.”

Cissy Houston — Whitney’s mother — is said to be hurt after learning that her daughter was doing cocaine once again.

Sources close to the gospel legend say that she’s telling them that it’s so painful, that she feels like she’s reliving the death of her daughter all over again.

The secret is finally out. The name of the person who sold Whitney Houston‘s casket photo is … Raffles van Exel!

According to a report published by Forbes Magazine last week, sources at the Whigham Funeral Home in New Jersey know for a fact that a man named Raffles van Exel is the person who sold the heart wrenching photo of the late R&B icon Whitney Houston’s body lying in her golden coffin.

But who the hell is this guy?

Forbes says that Raffles van Exel, who also uses the aliases Raffles Benson and Raffles Dawson, is a so called “close friend” of Whitney’s who attended not just one, but TWO private viewings for the singer held at the Whigham Funeral Home in New Jersey.

The first viewing was held on Friday, February 17th, the night before the memorial service, and the second was held Sunday morning before the burial.

Staff at the funeral home — who have vehemently denied having any involvement with the photo leaking throughout this entire ordeal — say they noticed van Exel right away.

Though he’s not a blood relative of the Houston’s, his apparent close association with Whitney Houston allowed him to travel with the family on a private jet from Los Angeles to New Jersey prior to the services.

Van Exel was also literally the ONLY non-family member who attended both viewings, and he also accompanied Patricia Houston — Whitney’s former sister-in-law and manager — in her car to those, as well as the the funeral and burial services. One source says van Exel even had his own bodyguard with him, which was a bit unusual.

READ: Whitney Houston Casket Photo Published by the National Enquirer

A source from the funeral home says when the picture showed up on the cover of the Enquirer, they told the Houstons they thought van Exel was behind it, but they basically brushed them off.

“They didn’t do anything about it,” said the source. “They’re protecting him. How come they haven’t gotten him out of their circle?”

Whitney Houston fans were outraged after a photo of Whitney Houston laying in her coffin was published on the cover of the National Enquirer.

Many of Whitney Houston’s fans are blaming the Whigham Funeral Home for leaking the photo. While conducting another funeral in another part of town, one of the funeral directors says she was spat on by a stranger.

The funeral home says they’re concerned that fans think they allowed the National Enquirer picture to be taken, but they didn’t have any control over who the family invited into the private viewing room.

“The Houston family invited everyone into that room. We had no role in that. We were told their security would handle everything. They didn’t give us responsibility for that.”

Around 35 people attended the first viewing, and the Whighams says they didn’t know everyone, but what they do know, is that absolutely none of their people were involved.

In fact, one of their employees say they actually saw Raffles van Exel snap the photo with their own two eyes.

On the cover of the National Enquirer issue bearing Whitney’s casket photo, it states that the singer was buried in $500,000 worth of jewelry. But the funeral home’s owner Carolyn Whigham says that is bit of information is false.

“It was costume jewelry,” she said. “Please…”

Multiple calls and e-mails to van Exel from various media outlets have gone unreturned, and his voice mail box is full.

Forbes writer Roger Friedman says van Exel answered one of his emails, asked what he wanted, and hasn’t responded since.

Friedman also notes who this isn’t the first time Raffles van Exel has gone underground following a scandal:

The famous R&B singer George Benson (“Give Me the Night,” “Turn Your Love Around”) has his own story about Raffles.

Around 2005, he says, his lawyer had to send van Exel a cease and desist letter warning him not use the name Benson or describe himself as Benson’s son. George Benson has four living sons, and three deceased.

Benson says that around 2004-2005 van Exel had ingratiated himself into Benson’s mansion in Engelwood, New Jersey.

“He was there for a year on or off,” Benson told me. One day, Benson says, van Exel called him and told him to come home; he thought there’d been a robbery.

When Benson returned to the house, he discovered $25,000 in cash was missing. He’d taken out of the bank to pay for home repairs. By the time he made the discovery, van Exel had vanished.

“We never saw him or heard from him again,” Benson recalls. Without tangible proof, he couldn’t press charges with the local police. van Exel, as I reported in my original story, has sometimes been sued under the name Raffles Benson.

Raffles van Exel — originally from Amsterdam — was also really good friends with Michael Jackson, and was close with both him and Whitney at the time of their respective deaths. (How convenient…)

Van Exel was also reportedly on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in one of Whitney’s suites when she died, and appeared downstairs in the lobby shortly thereafter sobbing, wearing aviator sunglasses.

And get this. The guy even went on to attend the Clive Davis party, where he actually went around telling people he was the one who found Whitney dead in the tub, in an obvious attempt to gain sympathy from Houston’s big time celebrity friends and associates.

Despite the shock of Whitney’s death, Raffles still made it downstairs to Clive Davis’s party. He was dressed in formal wear, had Whitney’s tickets in his hand, and intended to sit at her table.

Just inside the ballroom he was comforted by celebrities to whom he related his story—“I found Whitney.”

Gayle King hugged him. Quincy Jones listened patiently to his story. A security guard told me later, “Well, he was up there.”

He was also hanging around with Houston all week prior to her death. On Tuesday when she emerged from a nightclub, looking disheveled, Raffles appears in a photograph on TMZ like a deer in headlights.

He is standing right behind her in a powder blue suit. On Twitter, he wrote: “STOP reading the stupid blogs.. Whitney had a great time, she looked amazing. Nothing was wrong, it was just DAMN hot in that club.”

But once again … who the hell is this guy? And how does he always get in good with celebrities?

Forbes contributor Roger Friedman continues:

He’s one of Hollywood’s mysteries. I first met him in 2005 hanging around the Jackson family during Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial. After Michael went abroad, Raffles was often seen with Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson.

He trades on being an “insider” when there’s a scandal. No one really knows him, but he’s always where there’s action and celebrities.

On the internet he claims to own a number of companies including Raffles Entertainment. He’s also been sued a couple of times, once by a partner in something called Max Records, Inc., and once by a private aviation company in Los Angeles.

I spoke to the plane company and they said they can’t comment because the situation is ongoing.

On Twitter he claims to be managing “my girl,” Chaka Khan. There are plenty of pictures of Raffles on the internet with celebrities. You can see him with everyone from Magic Johnson to Sandra Bullock.

This Raffles van Exel is a SERIOUS con artist!

Watch this video of him basically teaching people how to do what he does (which is basically lie to celebrities to get in good with them) here:

Your thoughts?

[Sources: 1, 2]

Oprah Winfrey sat down with Whitney Houston’s only child, her daughter Bobbi Kristina, in an exclusive interview that aired Sunday night (Mar 11) on “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” Winfrey’s new TV show on her OWN TV network.

Joined by her aunt and uncle, Whitney’s sister-in-law/manager Patricia Houston and her brother Gary Houston, 19-year-old Bobbi Kristina was strong and kept her composure as she talked about how she’s grieving since the death of her mother, her final moments with Whitney, and how she plans to carry on her legacy.

“I can hear her voice in spirit talking to me, ‘Keep talking to me. I got you,’” Bobbi Kristina told Oprah. “She’s always with me. I can always feel her. I can always feel her with me. She always asked me,’Do you need me?’ And I caught myself, out of nowhere, I didn’t even know I said it, I said, ‘I’ll always need you.”

She added, “I feel her pass through me all the time. I wake up at night…She would say at 5 a.m. the saints start praying. I wake up now and look at the clock and it’s 5 o’clock. I start praying … Lights turn on and off and I’m like, ‘Mom, what are you doing? I can still laugh with her and still talk to her.”

Speaking on her final moments with her mother, Bobbi Kristina recalled, “It was so early in the morning. I went to go get her and I said, ‘Come lay with me.’ She stayed with me all night and all day. She was just rubbing my head and holding me. I just slept in her arms.”

Whitney Houston was spotted out with her daughter Bobbi Kristina and her sister-in-law Patricia Houston the night before her death

Pat Houston’s interview with Oprah was a bit more “straight forward,” with her discussing Whitney’s drug use and how the Houston and Brown families once came together in the 90′s for an intervention, and how Whitney was looking for love in all the wrong places, possibly hinting at the singer’s marriage to Bobby Brown and subsequent “relationship” with Ray J, who is almost 20 years her junior.

Pat also talked about the night before Whitney’s death when she got into an argument with “X Factor” contestant Stacy Francis, how she and her brother Ray (Whitney’s security guard) found an unresponsive Whitney in the bathtub and more.

Gary Houston cleared up the confusion about the Bobby Brown funeral drama, saying that the family NEVER banned him from the services, while Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston, via a pre-taped phone conversation with Oprah, spoke on the “Whitney Houston Casket Photo” drama, saying that she doesn’t think the funeral home is responsible for the photo leaking.

Watch the full interview below:

PART 1/5:

PART 2/5:

PART 3/5:

PART 4/5:

PART 5/5:

Your thoughts?

Ray J is still feeling the loss of R&B icon Whitney Houston, who passed away last month in California at the age of 48.

During an appearance Friday at the Brotherhood Crusade and Mothers in Action event in Los Angeles, Ray J opened up publicly for the first time about the death of his dear friend Whitney Houston.

“I really miss my friend, you know, I really do,” an emotional Ray J told reporters. “I’m still hurting.”

“I’m really emotional right now, I really don’t know what to say,” he continued. “It’s just such a tough time for me. I been through a lot in these past two weeks. I’m able to look at life a whole different way.”

During Ray J’s charitable visit, the 31-year-old also donated school supplies to children in need.

“Like Whitney, I love giving back to kids,” he said. “I enjoy being around people that support me and that give me a sense of peace, and that’s what these kids do for me.”

Watch Ray J open up about Whitney Houston below:

The details of Whitney Houston’s Last Will and Testament have been revealed, and her 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina will get EVERYTHING!

Houston’s will, which was officially signed in 1993 and filed in Atlanta, doesn’t mention any specific assets, however, it does stipulate that all of the singer’s belongings should go to her surviving children, and Bobbi Kristina was Whitney’s only child.

What exactly does Bobbi Kris get, you ask? Well, in a nutshell … pretty much everything. Literally!

All of Whitney Houston’s money, furniture, cars, clothes, jewelry, personal items, etc. goes straight to Whitney’s only child.

According to Inside Edition, who first obtained the 19-page document, Bobbi Kristina’s inheritance will be placed in a trust until she turns 21. When she turns 25 years old, she’ll get more money, and the rest will come until she turns 30.

Houston’s beloved mom Cissy had been named as Executor in the Will, but according to probate documents, she renounced the appointment shortly after her daughter’s death in February.

When the will was filed on Wednesday, a Fulton County, Ga. probate judge named Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, Marion (Patricia) Houston, as the sole Administrator of the estate.

The will was first drafted up in 1993, and was amended in April 2000 when Houston was still married to Bobby Brown, who is mentioned in the will, but gets absolutely nothing. (No surprise there!)

According to The Hollywood Reporter, since Whitney’s death, her albums have sold 648,000 copies, and based on royalty payments of $1 per album, Houston’s family has made almost $700,000 from those album sales.

Whitney Houston tragically died nearly a month ago on February 11th at the Beverly Hilton hotel in California the night before the Grammy Awards.

Pending toxicology tests that could take several weeks to come back, a cause of death for the R&B icon hasn’t been determined.

What do you think about Whitney Houston’s Will, and the fact that Bobbi Kristina gets EVERYTHING?

As we previously reported, Oprah Winfrey will be interviewing Whitney Houston‘s 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown on an upcoming episode of “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” set to air next Sunday (Mar 11) on OWN.

During the hour-long interview, Bobbi Kristina, joined by her Aunt Patricia (Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager) and her Uncle Gary (Whitney’s brother), will address the rumors surrounding Whitney’s passing, and how they would like for her life to be remembered.

Check out a preview clip below:

Robert Sherman pictured here with his son Jeffrey

Songwriter Robert Sherman, best known for penning the infectious Disney tunes “It’s a Small World After All” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” died Monday, March 5 in London.

While few details are currently known about the circumstances, news of the 86-year-old’s death was posted by Sherman’s son Jeff late Monday evening via Facebook. Read the full statement below.

READ MORE @ THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Whitney Houston‘s daughter Bobbi Kristina will speak out for the first time ever in an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey that will air on the media queen’s new TV show, “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”

Bobbi Kristina, who just turned 19 years old this past Sunday, will join her aunt Patricia (Whitney’s sister-in-law/manager) and uncle Gary (Whitney’s brother) in the 1-hour TV special that is scheduled to air on the OWN network next Sunday (Mar 11).

According to a press release, the one-hour special will allow Bobbi Kristina, Whitney’s only child, to “[share] personal memories of her mom and how she would like the iconic superstar to be remembered.”

Oprah’s last interview with Whitney Houston while she was alive aired back in 2009 when the R&B icon was planning a comeback with her album “I Look to You” following a very public divorce and public battle with drug abuse.

Oprah Winfrey was one of the guests invited to Houston’s funeral in Newark, New Jersey last month.

Whitney Houston was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, February 11th. She was 48 years old.

An exact cause of death has yet to be determined as investigators await toxicology tests that could take up to 6 weeks to return.

Sources revealed to US Weekly that Bobbi Kristina, Whitney’s only child with her ex husband Bobby Brown, has been taking the loss of her mother extremely hard.

“Her mama died, so she broke down. Nobody expected her to pass as quickly as she did. [Bobbi Kristina] had a nervous breakdown,” Houston family member Ray Watson told Us of the teen, who was hospitalized for stress and anxiety one day after her mother was found dead February 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

“She’s got to stay strong and be with her family, and [around that] love,” former Jackson 5 crooner Jermaine Jackson told Us of the grief-stricken Bobbi Kristina.”She’s gotta embrace her family.”

Bobbi Kris was obviously very close to her mother, so it will be interesting to find out what she shares in this first interview.

Will you be watching Bobbi Kristina’s interview with Oprah?

Controversial blogger Andrew Breitbart died early Thursday morning (Mar 1) of a heart attack at the age of 43.

According to various confirmed reports, Breitbart — who founded a popular news website called Breitbart.com, and was famously behind the big Anthony Weiner penis pic scandal — died “unexpected from natural causes” shortly after midnight in Los Angeles.

Breitbart, a political blogger, was also very influential in creating The Huffington Post, one of the most visited news sites in the world. He also played a big role in the success of another popular news website, The Drudge Report.

Breitbart later launched his own sites, including BigJournalism.com, BigGovernment.com, BigHollywood.com and the aforementioned Breitbart.com.

A statement on his website reads, “We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior.”

Breitbart is survived by his four children and his wife Susannah.

Davy Jones, the lead singer of popular 1960′s group “The Monkees,” died after having a massive heart attack Wednesday (Feb 29) in Florida. He was 66 years old.

According to initial reports from TMZ, the singer suffered the heart attack at a ranch where he was visiting his horses.

A ranch hand found the distressed singer sitting in his car, complaining that he wasn’t feeling well and he was having trouble breathing.

The ranch hand reportedly called the paramedics, and Jones was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Davy Jones, pictured 2nd to the left holding the UK flag, with "The Monkees" in 1967

Along with Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, Davy Jones joined The Monkees back in 1965, and together, the group produced several popular songs, including three No. 1 hits: “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m A Believer.”

Davy Jones is survived by his wife Jessica and 4 daughters from previous marriages.

For more on Davy Jones’ life and career, visit Billboard.com.

Whitney Houston‘s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, wrote her late daughter a touching letter that was published in her funeral program.

The R&B icon, who died at the age of 48 in Beverly Hills earlier this month, was honored in a televised funeral service, held last Saturday (Feb 18) at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where she grew up and got her start as a singer.

In Cissy’s heartfelt letter, the 78-year-old expresses her love and appreciation for her late daughter and surprisingly reveals that when Whitney was born, the Lord told her that she wouldn’t be wouldn’t be here long.

She also talks about how she believes Whitney’s spirit came to visit her before finding out she had passed.

“How I love you Nippy, and how I miss you, your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me and sometimes you’d call just to say ‘hi Mommie, I love you so much.’ I loved you so much more,” Ms. Houston writes.

Read Cissy Houston’s touching letter to Whitney Houston below:

Dearest Whitney:

The presence of God blessed our home with life, love, joy and peace. You and your brothers were the center of divine love attracting God’s richest blessings. You were a child of God. We had so much love in our home that was truly from on high.

You always gave without expecting anything in return and our love was the force that multiplied these blessings higher and higher. I never told you that when you were born the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long and I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.

God said it’s time Nippy; your work is done. The other day on February 11th He came for you. But not without warning. For two months now I have been depressed, crying, lonesome and sad not knowing why.

On Saturday, before I found out about your transition, my doorbell rang. I went to answer it but there was no one there. It rang again and again, no one was there so I called the concierge to tell him someone was ringing my doorbell. He checked the cameras and told me that no one was there. You promised me you were coming to spend time with me after the Grammys. I believe the spirits allowed you to come after all.

How I love you Nippy and how I miss you, your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me and sometimes you’d call just to say “hi Mommie, I love you so much,” I loved you so much more.

I love you,
I’ll miss you,

Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.

Rest my baby girl in Peace, you’re now in the arms of Jesus.

Love, Mommie

The National Enquirer — that filthy rag that sits on newsstands as you’re checking out at grocery stores and pharmacies — has placed a highly controversial image of late singer Whitney Houston on the cover of their latest issue.

The image, dubbed “Whitney’s Last Photo” and apparently taken inside the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, shows the R&B icon laying in her golden casket.

According to the Enquirer, Whitney was wearing her favorite purple dress, $500,000 worth of jewelry and golden slippers. The word “Nippy” — her childhood nickname — was embroidered above her head in the casket’s silk lining.

No word on how much money the magazine gave a member of Whitney’s camp/family (or a funeral home staff member) for the photo, which we believe to be very distasteful, and all around just WRONG.

The image was clearly unauthorized and if her family wanted people to see Whitney in this state, then her private funeral service — which was televised — would have had an open casket.

“Too soon” almost seems appropriate here … but doing something like this isn’t out of character for the Enquirer, who regularly ridiculed Houston and showed her in her darkest moments throughout the latter parts of her life. Now they actually have a picture of her dead.

The “death photo” (or “coffin photo”) comes just a week after NE hired an actress to pose in the position that Whitney was reportedly found in after she was pulled out of the bathtub, and actually published the image to the front cover of the gossip rag.

Whitney Houston died on February 11th — the day before the Grammys — after her bodyguard found her unresponsive in the bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California.

Do you think it was wrong for the National Enquirer to publish a photo of Whitney Houston laying in her coffin?

Following a beautiful and inspirational home going service at New Hope Baptist Church in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, R&B/Pop icon Whitney Houston was officially laid to rest in a brief, private ceremony in nearby Westfield.

A golden hearse carrying the singer’s casket and playing “I Will Always Love You” while the driver cried behind the wheel pulled into Fairview Cemetery early Sunday (Feb 19) as about 100 or so fans lined the surrounding streets.

Whitney was buried next to her father John Russell Houston Jr, who died in 2003. Fans gathered near her gravesite, which was adorned with a spray of flowers, the next day.

Houston’s low-key burial service marks the end of a weekend that saw some of the biggest celebrities pay tribute to her at a memorial and celebration of her life and career.

Several major media outlets, including CNN and E! Entertainment, broadcast the nearly four-hour-long event at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, where Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Kevin Costner and more paid their respects to Houston.

STORY: Whitney Houston Remembered by Friends and Family at Funeral in New Jersey

The R&B/Pop superstar died on February 11th at the age of 48 in Beverly Hills. An autopsy has been completed, however the results are on hold pending a toxicology report, which will determine whether or not prescriptions played a role in her sudden and untimely death.

Shortly before her passing, Whitney told her music industry mentor Clive Davis that she planned on getting back on track ahead of the August release of her new movie “Sparkle.”

“It was like old times and she looked at me and quietly said, ‘I want you to know I’m getting in shape. I’m swimming an hour or two a day and I’m committed to get my high notes back — no cigarettes — plenty of vocal exercising — Clive, I’ll be ready by August,’” Davis said as he spoke at Houston’s funeral on Saturday.

“Well, Whitney I’m gonna hold you to it. Everyone in heaven — including God — is waiting. And I just know you’re gonna raise the roof like no one has ever done before.”

Photos of the obituary program used during Whitney Houston‘s funeral Saturday (Feb 18) at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey have been released.

The day before the service, photos from the program used during singer’s wake and private viewing, held Friday night (Feb 17) at the Wingham Funeral Home in Newark, were released.

PHOTOS: Full Obituary Program from Whitney Houston’s Wake

Originally believed to be the official funeral program, the program from the wake was well put together and featured photos of the singer in happier times with friends and family, including her daughter Bobbi Kristina, as well as a detailed biography.

The obituary program from yesterday’s funeral services is much more detailed, and the biography is longer and more descriptive of Whitney’s illustrious music career.

The funeral obituary program also features a poem written to Houston by her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston.

Noticeably missing from BOTH programs is any photos (or mention) of Bobby Brown, who Houston was married to for 15 years, between 1992 and 2007.

Brown was invited to Houston’s funeral and attended, however he left (or was asked to leave) shortly before the service began after a dispute with organizers about seating arrangements.

READ: Whitney Houston Remembered by Friends and Family at Funeral in New Jersey

“This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur,” Brown said in a statement responding the situation. “I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.”

Take a look at Whitney Houston’s Funeral Obituary Program below:

One of the most touching moments during Whitney Houston‘s beautiful funeral service yesterday was when her chrome casket was led out of the church while her song “I Will Always Love You” played in the background.

As the casket was carried down the aisle, Ray J, who was seated near the front of the church with his sister Brandy, touched the side of the coffin, covering his mouth and breaking down into tears before falling into an inconsolable weep.

Ray J is rumored to have been romantically involved with Whitney on-and-off, and was seen out with the 48-year-old singer in L.A. the week before she died in Beverly Hills.

“Over the past few days I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words,” the singer/rapper/producer said in a statement released the day before the funeral.

READ: Ray J Distraught and “Crushed” Over Whitney Houston’s Death

He continued, “The world lost an icon but I lost my close friend. Nippy I miss you so much! You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.”

Watch below:

It was a very emotional day as Whitney Houston was honored by a large number of her family and close friends Saturday (Feb 18) at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

Pastor and gospel singer Marvin L. Winans presided over the nearly 4-hour service, which, as Winans noted, had more celebrities in attendance than the Grammys last week.

Whitney Houston’s private, invitation-only funeral was only attended by around 1,500 people (church capacity), but millions all over the world watched either from their computers and television sets as Houston was remembered by her friends and family in a number of touching musical tributes tributes and speeches.

Among the many in attendance at Houston’s funeral were her good friends BeBe and CeCe Winans, Tyler Perry, Ray J, Brandy, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Oprah Winfrey, her “Bodyguard” co-star Kevin Costner, her music mentor Clive Davis, and of course her famous family members, including cousin Dionne Warwick, mother Cissy Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina.

Noticeably absent was Houston’s godmother Aretha Franklin, who just moments before the service began was forced to cancel her performance (and attendance) at the funeral due to illness.

Bobby Brown showed up, however he was reportedly turned away after he brought a large group of family members with him. According to reports, his invitation only included a plus two.

The touching, gospel-infused service also featured performances from Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and others, as well as a few words from Dionne Warwick, Tyler Perry, Clive Davis, Bishop TD Jakes, Kevin Costner, Whitney’s manager/sister-in-law Patricia Houston and more.

WATCH: Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry, R. Kelly, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder and More Honor Whitney Houston at Funeral

Whitney Houston “really loved the Lord,” as Tyler Perry noted, so it was only fitting that her home-going reflect that, and it did, as millions around the world watched and were touched by the moving service.

“Jesus Loves Me” was the very last song Houston sang in public before her death on February 11th in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 48, and gospel singer CeCe Winans performed the song in honor of Houston’s memory and her love for Jesus.

At the time of her death, Houston was in Hollywood for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, and was scheduled to attend her longtime mentor Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party at the same hotel where she was found dead. A cause of death has not been determined yet.

During the tear-jerking funeral service, Houston’s chrome-colored casket, covered with a large spray of flowers, rested in the front of the altar at the church where she grew up and got her start as a singer.

When the service ended, Houston’s iconic and legendary recording of “I Will Always Love You” was played as her casket was led out of the sanctuary, with her mother Cissy Houston right behind being supported by a pair of escorts.

Whitney Houston will be laid to rest Sunday at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.

Funeral services for Whitney Houston were held Saturday (Feb 18) at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

The emotional home-going service featured performances from Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and others, as well as a few words from Dionne Warwick, Tyler Perry, Clive Davis, Bishop TD Jakes, Kevin Costner and more.

Watch below:

BONUS: THE ENTIRE SERVICE (BEGINNING TO END)

An emotional Bobby Brown was spotted getting into his car shortly after arriving to Whitney Houston‘s funeral in New Jersey Saturday (Feb 18).

The 43-year-old R&B singer — who married Whitney Houston in 1992, had a daughter (Bobbi Kristina) with her, then divorced in 2007 — was reportedly denied entry to Newark, New Jersey’s New Hope Baptist Church, where funeral services for Houston are being held.

Shortly after the service began came initial reports from Twitter users that Bobby was seen leaving the church with a sad expression on his face, with his fiancee Alicia Etheridge and his children at his side.

According to reports from AP, Brown arrived to the church with a large, 9-person entourage as the service began.

He walked up to the casket, touched it, then walked to the back of the New Jersey church to take his seat.

Security guards told Brown that would be seated, and the large group accompanying him would be seated elsewhere.

Brown, upset that his people couldn’t sit with him, walked out with his entourage, and they all left in waiting SUVs.

Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted:

I am at Whitney’s funeral. I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney!

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) February 18, 2012

Brown is scheduled to perform tonight at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The funeral home responsible for Whitney Houston‘s funeral arrangements have released the obituary that will used during services to honor the life of the music legend and R&B icon.

The memorial program includes photos of Houston with her family and friends, including daughter Bobbi Kristina and Michael Jackson, who preceded Houston in death in 2009.

Noticeably missing from the program is Bobby Brown, who Houston was married to for 15 years, between 1992 and 2007.

Funeral services for Houston — who suddenly and unexpectedly died Saturday, February 11th at the Beverly Hilton hotel in California — will be held at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, the church where Houston grew up in and sang as a child.

As we previously reported, the services will be streamed live online through the Associated Press, giving fans a chance to take part in the private services, which are invitation only.

Celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry, and more, as well as Bobby Brown, will attend tomorrow’s services. Stevie Wonder and Houston’s godmother Aretha Franklin are scheduled to perform.

The service is scheduled to begin at 12 noon EST on Saturday, February 18th.

Check out the full obituary program below:

It’s almost been a week since Whitney Houston passed away, and now the singer’s on-and-off boyfriend Ray J has finally broken his silence.

The singer/rapper/producer released the following statement Friday morning:

Over the past few days I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon but I lost my close friend. Nippy I miss you so much! You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.

-Ray J Norwood

According to US Weekly, on February 9th, two days before she died, Whitney Houston was spotted hanging out with her daughter Bobbi Kristina and “cuddling” with Ray J before jumping on stage for a duet of “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” with Grammy nominee Kelly Price.

Whitney Houston is all smiles on a night out with Ray J at Sunset Plaza in West Hollywood, California on February 3rd, 2012.

The week before, Whitney and Ray J — who were said to be rekindling their romance — were pictured out at the Sunset Plaza together, which sadly later went on to become the last time the public would see the pair out together.

READ: Ray J Distraught and “Crushed” Over Whitney Houston’s Death

Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub at her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton in California last Saturday afternoon (Feb 11) just hours before the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy event, which the R&B icon was scheduled to attend. She was 48 years old.

READ: Whitney Houston was Found Underwater and Unconscious in Bathtub

Houston will be buried in New Jersey on Saturday, February 18th following a funeral service that will be streamed live online and on select TV networks starting at 12 pm EST.

Contrary to previous rumors and reports, Bobby Brown will be attending Whitney Houston‘s private funeral service in New Jersey this weekend.

TMZ reported earlier in the week that Brown was “extremely disappointed” after learning that several members of his ex wife’s family did not want him to attend her funeral.

While he never received any official word from the family about his invite status, “sources” told the website that Brown was warned by several people that the Houston family wasn’t very fond of him, so he should stay away from Whitney’s funeral.

But it looks like the Houstons have had a change of heart, and realize that Brown needs to be there, especially for his 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, who has obviously been having a hard time dealing with the sudden death of her mother.

“At the last minute, the family felt that it would keep the peace at the funeral [to have Bobby there] … even though some family members were against it,” sources close to the Houston family revealed to TMZ.

The funeral is planned for Saturday at 12 noon. The ceremony will be streamed live online (courtesy of the AP) from the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

In addition to Bobby Brown, other celebrities slated to attend Whitney Houston’s funeral include Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry and others. Aretha Franklin (Houston’s godmother) and Stevie Wonder are scheduled to sing.

Immediately after the funeral, TMZ reports that Bobby Brown hop on a flight to Connecticut where he will perform with New Edition at the Mohegan Sun Indian Casino at around 8pm Saturday night.

The private funeral service scheduled for Whitney Houston will be streamed live online via satellite this Saturday (Feb 18) from the New Jersey church where she grew up, according to the singer’s publicist.

The “invitation-only” funeral will be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey Saturday afternoon at 12pm, and the Associated Press has been allowed one camera in the venue, which hold about 1,500 people.

While fans aren’t invited to attend the private service, they will be able to watch live either online or on television, if the AP allows broadcasters to air the footage.

According to various confirmed reports, Whitney Houston’s funeral services will be presided over by gospel singer Marvin Winans, a long-time friend of the family.

Following the service, the R&B icon will be buried next to her father Russell Houston Jr. (who died in 2003) at Fair View Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, her death certificate states.

Whitney Houston's fans surround a make-shift memorial outside New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Whitney Houston died last Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 48.

The singer was found submerged underwater in a bathtub by a member of her staff just hours before she was scheduled to attend a lavish pre-Grammy party hosted by her mentor and music industry icon Clive Davis.

Police have said that there were no signs of foul play, and the L.A. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said that there were no signs of trauma on her body when an autopsy was performed Sunday.

Investigators removed a number of prescription drugs from Houston’s hotel room, but they haven’t given out what exactly those medications were, though it was reported that in her hotel room were several different bottles of prescription pills — including ibuprofen (pain killer), Xanax (anti-anxiety drug), Midol (for menstrual cramps), and amoxicillin (for bacterial infections), among others.

While coroners have yet to determine an official cause of death, it is believed that the entertainer, who battled drug addiction during her life, perhaps died as a result of having a heart attack from the cocktail of drugs she was taking, as well as the alcohol (beer and wine) she drank before getting into the bathtub.

The L.A. County Coroner’s office also told Houston’s family that there wasn’t enough water in her lungs to conclude that she had drowned, and she was already dead before her head went underwater.

Toxicology test results that will reveal the the medications and quantities, if any, that were in Houston’s system when she died could take up to six weeks.

Meanwhile, Whitney Houston’s sudden and unexpected death is being compared to the equally sudden and unexpected death of Michael Jackson nearly 3 years ago.

In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston talked about how she was shaken by Michael Jackson’s death. Jackson was 50 years old (2 years older than Whitney) when he died in 2009 from an overdose of the anesthetic drug propfol.

Like her friend Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston was also on the verge of a career comeback before her death on February 11th.

Also like Jackson, Houston’s record sales have soared since her death, with some of her old recordings being propelled to the top of the charts on iTunes and Amazon.

It’s being reported that her singles and albums collectively have moved a whopping 1 million units in less than a week.

As Billboard.com notes, it’s expected that Houston’s catalog of albums and songs will see even bigger sales next week, after a full week’s worth of impact from her passing is felt on the charts.

The charts released next week will reflect the sales week set to end on Sunday, February 19th.

As far as her funeral is concerned, fans who want to tune in to the services can watch online at the following link this Saturday around 12 noon EST: http://www.livestream.com/aplive

In the days following Whitney Houston‘s sudden and unexpected passing comes new reports detailing her last moments alive, how her body was found and a potential cause of death.

According to police, the 48-year-old singer was “underwater and apparently unconscious” when she was found in the bathtub in a hotel room at the Beverly Hilton.

“She was underwater and apparently unconscious,” Beverly Hills police said. “Ms. Houston was pulled from the tub by members of her staff and hotel security was promptly notified.”

The police report also states that in her hotel room were several different bottles of prescription pills — including ibuprofen (pain killer), Xanax (anti-anxiety drug), Midol (for menstrual cramps), and amoxicillin (for bacterial infections), among others.

While coroners have yet to determine an official cause of death, it is believed that the entertainer, who battled drug addiction during her life, perhaps died from a mixture of drugs before her body became submerged in the bathtub.

So in other words, Houston most likely did not drown, and was already dead before she went underwater.

TMZ obtained photos of the hotel room, showing Whitney Houston’s last meal, which included a hamburger, fries and a turkey sandwich.

The pictures also show a glass of champagne or wine and a beer that Whitney apparently consumed shortly before she died, adding to the theory that she was mostly likely dead — as a result of having a heart attack from the cocktail of drugs she had taken in addition to the alcohol — before her body became submerged underwater where she was found.

The coroner ruled that right now it is impossible to determine an official cause of death, but foul play was ruled out.

The L.A. County Coroner’s office also told Houston’s family that there wasn’t enough water in her lungs to conclude that she had drowned, and she was already dead before her head went underwater.

When emergency medical responders first arrived on the scene at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, they say they “observed Whitney Houston to still be unconscious and unresponsive.”

Paramedics battled to revive the singer, but their efforts were futile, as Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55pm PST, just hours before she was set to attend the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy party at the same hotel.

At first, it was believed that Ray J (Houston’s 17 years younger on/off boyfriend whom she dated between 2007 and 2009) had found her.

But the singer and reality TV star (and brother of R&B singer Brandy) later released a statement saying he “was nowhere near the scene but no less distraught.” He also noted that he had received “missed calls” from Houston, saying, “We all gotta live with that.”

With the Clive Davis party set to go on in a couple of hours, many believed the event would be canceled. However, the gala went on as planned, even with Houston’s body still in the building, which left everyone scratching their heads.

At the beginning of the gathering, Davis told attendees that he believed Whitney Houston wouldn’t have wanted them to cancel the annual event, and she would have “wanted the music to go on.”

But what was the deal with Houston’s body still being left in the building on the 4th floor in her hotel suite as her friends and music industry associates gathered downstairs, just a few floors down?

According to reports from Radar Online, management at the Beverly Hilton Hotel asked the coroner to leave Houston’s body in her room until the Clive Davis party was finished, amid security concerns and “out of respect for Whitney Houston.”

The website also reported that management didn’t want to upset hotel guests and the celebrities who were attending the Clive Davis event. “It would be insensitive for the van to be driven out with her body as limos were pulling away with the A-list guests,” a source said.

Houston’s body was eventually removed when investigators completed their on-scene work shortly after midnight.

Whitney’s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, issued the following statement in the days that followed: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney. This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends.”

Whitney Houston’s friends have also spoken out about the singer’s premature death, saying that it “was not a great surprise” due to her “downward spiral,” which was assisted by the ‘yes people’ the music legend apparently surrounded herself with.

“As sad as this sounds, it’s not a great surprise and yet, it’s unbelievable,” a music industry source revealed to People Magazine. “There are demons she fought privately and publicly for many years. She’s been on a downward spiral for a long time and when you have those people around you that enable the behavior … she couldn’t shake those demons.”

One source said the singer spent her last days in a drug-fueled trance and was “like a zombie.”

Whitney’s body was released to her family earlier this week and was flown via Tyler Perry’s private jet back to her hometown of Newark, New Jersey.

Sources say Perry — the highest paid man in entertainment — was devastated to hear about his close friend’s death, and offered his plane for her family to use right away.

According to sources close to the family, arrangements for Whitney Houston’s private funeral are currently being worked on.

Beyonce is the latest celebrity to react to the death of Whitney Houston, one of R&B/Pop music’s greatest icons and voices who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in Los Angeles Saturday.

Read Beyonce’s heartfelt statement, which was posted to her official website, below:

Beyonce, Jewel, Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston perform during the VH1 Divas Duets concert in Las Vegas in May 2003

The loss of Whitney Houston is painful. I remember meeting Whitney for the first time when I was 15. She was the ultimate legend. The ultimate woman.

Not only was she confident, poised, stunningly beautiful and intelligent, but she was sincere and kind. She took the time to make everyone feel like they were very important to her.

I, like every singer, always wanted to be just like her. Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic. Her vibrato, her cadence, her control.

So many of my life’s memories are attached to a Whitney Houston song. She is our queen and she opened doors and provided a blueprint for all of us.

God bless her.

- Beyoncé

Whitney Houston‘s ex husband Bobby Brown is among the many celebrities who have been left devastated by the singer’s unexpected death over the weekend.

After hearing the news that his former wife (and the mother of his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown) had suddenly passed, Bobby Brown — who was preparing to go on stage in Mississippi with his New Edition bandmates — was reported by TMZ to be “distraught” and “in and out of crying fits.”

The New Edition concert in Mississippi went on as scheduled, and Bobby performed with the group, but it was obviously difficult for the R&B singer, who paid tribute to Houston in the middle of his performance by pointing to the sky and saying, “I love you Whitney.”

“The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage,” Brown told the sold out crowd before walking off the stage to grieve, unable to finish the show.

Brown, who divorced from Houston in 2007 after 15 years of marriage, said he chose to go on with the performance because New Edition fans have been loyal to the group for more than 2 decades.

One of Houston’s early hits “You Give Good Love” played during an intermission, which prompted fans to stand up and sing along to the music.

Brown and Houston married in July 1992 and had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina, on Mach 4, 1993.

The couple’s infamously tumultuous relationship was often tabloid fodder and the subject of a ton of (mostly negative) media attention up until they separated in September 2006, followed by their divorce in 2007.

“When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,” Whitney Houston told Rolling Stone in 1993. “You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that’s their image. It’s part of them, it’s not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody’s angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.”

Many of Houston’s fans will forever blame Brown for Houston’s later personal difficulties, which included a purported drug habit Houston once denied.

Bobby Brown released an official statement on Sunday, saying, “I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time.”

Whitney Houston‘s sudden and unexpected death Saturday (Feb 11) in Beverly Hills at the young age of 48 has no doubt sent shockwaves throughout the music industry.

Since the extremely sad news broke, several of the R&B/Pop icon’s industry friends, associates and admirers have all sent out their condolences either through their respective PR teams or on popular social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Read some of the heartfelt messages below:

Quincy Jones: “I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney’s passing. Ashford & Simpson first made me aware of Whitney when she was just 16, and I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly.”

Aretha Franklin: “I just can’t talk about it now. It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby.”

Toni Braxton: “My heart is weeping…RIP to the Legendary Diva & Icon Whitney Houston!!!!! Such an incredible influence over music as a whole! She’s paved the way for every single singer in the music industry. Iconic, legendary, innovating, amazing, humble…1 the best in the world”

Mariah Carey: “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”

Usher: “R.I.P Whitney Houston… A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV”

Justin Bieber: “just heard the news. so crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family.”

Tyrese: “WHITNEY HOUSTON HAS PASSED AWAY.. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.. THIS IS UNREAL.. MAY GOD BLESS HER DAUGHTER AND FAMILY REST IN SINGING HEAVEN …”

Solange Knowles: “At this time, the question is not how she went… It is how she will be remembered. I will always remember Whitney Houston as a true legend. I will always remember Whitney Houston as a true, outstanding, talent. A radiant beauty. A magical smile. A voice that made you shiver.”

Rihanna: “No words! Just tears #DearWhitney”

Ne-Yo: “We love you Whitney Houston…”

Alicia Keys: “I feel sick… Life is precious, we are fragile souls. Let’s love each other! I miss you beautiful Whitney, the whole world misses you!!”

Diddy: “Whitney Houston!!! OMG!! I really can’t believe this.. This is one of the saddest days ever..”

Young Jeezy: “R.I.P. Whitney Houston, 1 of the most talented&beautiful black women of our time. She shared her pain&triumphs with us. #GoneButNotForgotten”

Paris Hilton: “So sad to hear the news about Whitney Houston. :( She was such a beautiful and talented woman. My heart goes out to her family.”

Kathy Griffin: “She was A TALENT & A LEGEND. She was never a ‘reality star.’ No jokes from me about Miss Houston today.”

Spike Lee: “God Bless The Dead. Whitney Houston R.I.P. She Was Only 48 Years Young.”

Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins: “Whitney Houston was by far one of the greatest artist I ever worked with. One of the most amazing, anointed, gifted voices I’ve ever had the chance to capture in the studio. Most importantly she was a beautiful person, she had such a sweet, beautiful spirit. She blessed us with so much greatness in songs that we can never ever forget her. Whitney was a dear friend and my family will truly miss her. Our love and prayers go out to the entire Houston family! We love and miss u Whitney!”

Wyclef Jean: “This is the saddest thing I’ve ever had to write in my life, R I P to one of the greatest humans that I have ever known Whitney Houston”

Mike Tyson: “Condolences to the Houston family, especially Bobbi Kristina. I’m lost for words. Prayers and love.”

Kevin Hart: “I just Heard that Whitney Houston passed away 2day, I want everyone 2 remember her for what she was & that’s a LEGEND & A music Icon! RIP My prayers go out to her family & friends!!! I’m speechless right now……RIP Whitney Houston”

Queen Latifah: “Oh Dear Lord! Huritng so Bad!!! MY Sister Whitney!!!!!!! Newark please Pray!!! World Please Pray!”

Kimora Lee Simmons: “RIP Whitney my lady… Always one of the Most Beautiful! Maybe now u will be at peace….love you and the family forever.”

Russell Simmons: “deeply saddened by the death of Whitney Houston…may she rest in peace”

Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child: “I truly, truly adored Whitney Houston. Her album ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ was the very first album I ever bought.”

Barry Manilow: “I can’t believe that Whitney is gone. My heart goes out to her family, to Clive (Davis), and to everyone who knew and loved this amazingly talented and beautiful artist. I will always love her.”

Rev. Al Sharpton: “The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird.”

Smokey Robinson: “I’ve know Whitney since she was a little girl and I loved her. She was like family to me. I will miss her.”

Tony Bennett: “Whitney Houston was the greatest singer I’ve ever heard and she will be truly missed.”

Nicki Minaj: “Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time.”

Swizz Beatz: “I hate to say these words about my sister & friend R.I.P To the Great Whitney Houston you will always be loved in this world!! #Deans”

Kelly Rowland: “I am beyond heartbroken. Whitney Houston was undoubtedly one of the greatest singers & performers of all time & such a huge influence on me. She embraced me when I first started out with Destiny’s Child, with love, with encouragement and with that powerhouse voice. My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to her daughter, her mother and to all of her loved ones.”

Bruno Mars: “This is terrible news..I’m sick to my stomach. Nobody sang like Whitney”

Christina Milian: “I’m so sad to hear of #WhitneyHouston’s passing. May she rest in peace. My prayers & condolences to her daughter & family. 4ever remembered”

Busta Rhymes: “Can’t believe we’ve lost another 1 of our Royalty. Sister Queen Whitney Houston. God Bless on ur journey as u now stand with the Most High.”

Lil’ Kim: “A voice, a talent, and a spirit that will forever remain incomparable. RIP to the Queen, Whitney Houston.”

Jennifer Lopez: “Such a loss. One of the greatest voices of our time. Sending out prayers to her family… #R.I.P.Whitney.”

Ciara: “RIP Whitney Houston. A Legend lost:( Her voice was insurmountable, her smile was illuminating, she was truly one of a kind and a huge inspiration to me. She has always had sweet and fun words to say to me. I will cherish the moment I was able to share with her, forever. This is truly unbelievable. My prayers and condolences to her family at this sad time.”

R&B icon Whitney Houston died this afternoon, reps for the singer have confirmed to multiple media outlets today. She was 48 years old.

According to confirmed reports, Houston was found unresponsive by her bodyguard, who immediately notified hotel security, who then called 911.

Police arrived to the scene within minutes and paramedics performed CPR, but they were unable to revive the music legend, who was pronounced dead at approximately 3:55 PM PT.

Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen reported that there were “no obvious signs of criminal intent” and her death is currently being investigated.

Whitney Houston was married to Bobby Brown from 1992 to 2007. They have 1 daughter together.

Houston, who famously battled drug addiction for years, died on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards, and was also set to appear in “Sparkle,” a remake of the 1976 hit move, which was loosely based on the story of The Supremes.

“Sparkle” was Houston’s first movie role since “The Preacher’s Wife,” released in 1996. Houston also starred alongside Kevin Costner in “the Bodyguard” in 1992.

After “The Bodyguard,” Houston went on to appear in several more movies in the 1990s, including “Waiting to Exhale.”

Her last public appearance was Thursday night when she attended a pre-Grammy concert in Hollywood hosted by R&B singer Kelly Price. She surprised everyone when she took the mic and performed an impromptu rendition “Jesus Loves Me,” in what would become her last performance.

Over an illustrious musical career than spanned over 3 decades, Whitney Houston won two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music AWards.

According to her official website, Houston sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos.

She also scored seven straight Billboard No. 1 hits in the 1980s, including “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).”

Billboard says that her soundtrack for the movie “The Bodyguard” is one of the top 10 biggest-selling albums of all time, featuring the hit single “I Will Always Love You.”

On the personal side, Houston had a high-profile marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown, with whom she had one child with, Bobbi Kristina.

Houston and Brown were married between the years of 1992 and 2007.

In addition to her daughter, Whitney is also survived by her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, and her cousin, R&B legend Dionne Warrick.

Everyone keep Amar’e Stoudemire in your prayers. The NBA star’s older brother Hazell Stoudemire died in a car accident early this morning in Florida.

The accident happened on Route 27 in Lake Wales. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Stoudemire was driving at a “high rate of speed” when he collided with the rear of a tractor trailer.

He died on the scene. The Florida Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Stoudemire was not wearing a seat belt when he smashed into the big rig … and they are unsure if alcohol was a factor.

[TMZ]

This is so sad to hear. Another young life gone too soon. RIP :(

The world of music has lost another legend.

“Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius was found dead at his home in Los Angeles early Wednesday morning (Feb 1), and cops believe it was from an apparent suicide.

According to the LAPD, police responded to a call of a shooting at Cornelius’ home this morning before they found him at around 4am PST with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 75 years old.

Don Cornelius, a former DJ and radio reporter, premiered “Soul Train” — an R&B themed youth-oriented dance show — on Chicago’s independent TV network WCIU.

The show was moved to syndication the following year when stations in several other cities started to pick it up.

When “Soul Train” moved to Los Angeles, it became a national hit before becoming an international hit, running in syndication for 25 years before going off the year in 2006.

Cornelius ended his run as host of the show in 1993, but remained its executive producer.

Over the years, the Soul Train brand expanded, and had become more popular, with awards shows like the Soul Train Music Awards, honoring R&B, jazz and gospel performers, and the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, which focuses on female artists.

According to TMZ, Cornelius underwent a bitter divorce in 2009 and told an L.A. judge that he was experiencing “significant health issues” and wanted to finalize the divorce proceedings before he died.

The Los Angeles Times reported that there was no sign of foul play at the scene of his death, but they are still investigating.

In a 2010 interview with the Times, Mr. Cornelius said he was excited about a moving project he was developing about “Soul Train.”

“We’ve been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn’t be the ‘Soul Train’ dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project,” he said. “It’s going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show.”

Soul Train, which ran for 35 years straight, is known as the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history.

In response to Etta James‘ passing today, Beyonce — who famously portrayed the legendary blues singer in a 2008 movie called “Cadillac Records” — has released a statement via her official website. The statement reads:

“This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed.”

Beyonce’s version of “At Last” (Etta James’ most famous song) earned the R&B/Pop diva a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance.

Beyonce also performed the song at President Barack Obama’s historic inaugural ball in 2009, which was initially met with some criticism from the feisty and always outspoken James, who said at a concert, “That woman he had singing for him, singing my song … she’s going to get her ass whipped.”

But fortunately, Ms. James later came around, saying that she was just joking and her comments weren’t meant to be harmful.

Beyonce is currently at home resting after giving birth to her first child Blue Ivy Carter earlier this month.

Legendary blues singer Etta James has died following a lengthy battle with leukemia at her home in Riverside, California, her manager confirmed with multiple major media outlets today. She was 73 years old.

“This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world,” James’ manager and longtime friend Lupe De Leon said. “She was a true original who could sing it all – her music defied category. I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always.”

Over a career that spanned 50 years, Etta James won four Grammy Awards and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles on January 25, 1938, the future music legend began singing in church before she was discovered in 1954 by bluesman Johnny Otis, who changed her name from “Jamesetta Hawkins” to “Etta James.”

James’ biggest hits to date include “Good Rockin’ Daddy,” “All I Could Do Is Cry,” her first hit “Wallflower,” and of course, the immensely popular “At Last.”

Throughout her career, Ms. James battled drug and alcohol addiction, and was in and out of rehab, including a 17-month stint in the mid-1970′s, without much success.

Finally, in 1988, when James admitted herself to the Betty Ford Clinic in 1988 for codeine addiction just before her 50th birthday, “I took back my life,” says James, who remained clean after that.

In the early 1990s, Jaguar licensed her song “At Last” to use in a television ad, giving the song way more exposure than it had when it was originally released in 1961, which gave her a career boost.

James continued to perform in the 1990′s, and she came into the spotlight again in 2008 when Beyonce portrayed her in the movie “Cadillac Records,” which was loosely based on Chess Records where James recorded in the 1960s.

While James says she enjoyed the movie, she thought that it “had some inconsistencies,” and for the most part, ignored the success she had on records and on black radio before she came to Chess Records in 1960.

The music legend praised Beyonce’s performance, although in 2009, she was disappointed that the White House invited Beyonce to sing “At Last” at President Obama‘s inauguration instead of her.

She also said that Beyonce “should get her ass whooped,” though she later said that she was joking.

In April 2009, Ms. James sang “At Last” on “Dancing with the Stars,” which would be one of her last performances.

Because of her ongoing health problems, James had slowed down with performing in 2010 when she was admitted to the hospital with a blood infection, among other ailments, including Alzheimer’s disease.

In May 2011, Ms. James was admitted to the hospital again with a urinary tract infection and “sepsis” (a blood infection), her son Sametto James explained to Reuters at the time.

Ms. Etta James is survived by her husband of 41 years Artis Mills, and their two sons.

Today marks what would have been Aaliyah‘s 33rd birthday.

It has been over 11 years since we lost Aaliyah Dana Haughton to a tragic plan accident, however her musical influence still resonates throughout the industry today.

Celebrities have taken to Twitter to honor her memory, including rappers Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Lil Kim and her biggest fan in recent times Drake.

Read their tribute messages below:

#HappyBirthdayAaliyah Thank u to all of Aaliyah fans 4 remembering the impact she has had on music! So appreciated!

January 16, 2012 1:38 AM via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@MissyElliott

Missy Elliott

Baby girl.

January 16, 2012 1:39 AM via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@Drake

Drizzy

#HappyBirthdayAaliyah My Angel!!!!! I Love U and Miss U So Much :( !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 16, 2012 4:47 AM via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@LilKim

Lil' Kim

happy birthday aaliyah babygirl i miss you

January 16, 2012 1:09 AM via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@Timbaland

Timbaland

R.I.P. Babygirl (Jan 16, 1979 – Aug 25, 2000)

The man who police believe shot and killed up and coming Brick Squad rapper Slim Dunkin has turned himself in to police in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to various confirmed reports, independent rapper Young Vito (born: Vinson Hardimon), surrendered to Atlanta police Monday afternoon (Dec 26) at around 3 pm.

Apparently, the rapper had cut his dreadlocks off and shaved his goatee in an extremely foolish effort to disguise his appearance while he was on the run.

He was taken to the Fulton County jail on murder and gun possession charges.

“We got a call from Mr. Hardimon’s attorney. They wanted to turn themselves in to me personally,” Detective David Quinn told WSBTV, adding that investigators are still searching for more information in the case.

Atlanta police had been looking for Hardimon, advising him to turn himself in because they had reason to believe that his life might be in serious danger.

Police say 28-year-old Hardimon fatally shot 24-year-old Mario Hamilton, known by his rap name “Slim Dunkin,” on Friday, December 16th at an Atlanta recording studio.

Witnesses say that Dunkin was shot in the chest during a fight that allegedly started over a stolen piece of candy.

Investigators believe Hardimon is the man who argued with Slim Dunkin, pulled out a pistol, and shot him in cold blood.

Though Hardimon is currently in police custody, law enforcement officials are still seeking more information about the incident.

“We did get some cooperation from witnesses but we’re still urging the public, whoever was at 1074 Memorial Drive on Dec. 16, to give us a call,” Detective Quinn said.

Hardimon, who was reportedly free on bond after police arrested him for pulling a gun out on two women back in April, is expected to appear in court sometime on Tuesday (Dec 27) to face his murder charge.

Slim Dunkin was laid to rest this past Friday (Dec 23) with a funeral service attended by family members and close friends in Atlanta.

[WSBTV]