Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston in "Sparkle"

R&B icon Whitney Houston sings a beautiful duet with her on-screen daughter Jordin Sparks on “Celebrate,” the last song Houston recorded before her death in February.

The uptempo track was produced by R. Kelly for the new movie “Sparkle,” which will hit theaters this summer, and serves as Whitney Houston’s final movie project.

“Sparkle,” a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, tells the story of three sisters who become Motown stars who are forced to deal with the pressures of fame. Houston plays the mother of the three girls, played by Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter and Carmen Ejogo.

Listen to Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks’ “Celebrate” below:

Following an introduction from Whoopi Goldberg, singers John Legend and Jordin Sparks paid tribute to the late R&B icon Whitney Houston at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

John Legend performed “The Greatest Love of All” at the piano, and Whitney’s “Sparkle” co-star Jordin Sparks sang a beautiful rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

After the performances, Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina accepted the Billboard Millennium Award on behalf of her mother, who died in February 2012.

“I just really want to say thank you to everyone who supported us through it all, not just from when it was good, but when it was bad, to just everything,” the 19-year-old said. “Thank you so much for showing that much love ’cause she deserved it. I’m just blessed to have been in such an incredible woman’s life. There will never be another one, ever.”

Watch the emotional Whitney Houston tribute below:

Bobby Brown has finally broken his silence on Whitney Houston‘s death and his current relationship with his 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina.

In an interview with the “Today” show that aired this week — his first since Whitney Houston died on February 11th 2012 — Bobby Brown talked about where he was when he found out his ex wife had died.

The 43-year-old singer told host Matt Lauer that he first learned of Houston’s death from a New Edition bandmate shortly before they were to take the stage for a concert.

Brown says he immediately called his daughter, who was too distraught to speak at the time, and someone else confirmed that Houston had indeed passed.

“I just started crying … You never expect someone close to you to just die. It was really hard,” he told Lauer.

Whitney Houston had a long history of drug abuse, but Bobby says he saw her shortly before her death, and she had a “glow” about her, which led him to believe that she was doing well, and was clean and sober.

But toxicology reports released in the months that followed Whitney Houston’s death say she had cocaine in her system at he time of her passing.

Brown says he was shocked to learn that his ex wife was still struggling with cocaine, as he himself has been clean for over seven years.

He was also quick to deny accusations that he is the one to blame for her death, and that her relationship with him was her downfall.

“It makes me feel terrible, but I know differently. I think if anyone ever knew us and spent time around us instead of time looking through the bubble, they would know how we felt about each other,” Brown said, adding that his 2005 reality show “Being Bobby Brown” helped him and Whitney to both see how their drug abuse negatively impacted their relationship.

Brushing off allegations that he he was the reason Houston started using drugs, Brown said, “I didn’t get high [on narcotics] before I met Whitney. I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn’t the one that got Whitney on drugs at all … I’m not the reason she’s gone.”

Despite everything, Brown told Lauer that his relationship with Whitney “was great … I had 14 beautiful years with that woman. I can honestly say that — I love that woman — with everything I am. And I believe she loved me the same way.”

Bobby Brown also talked about rumors that he and Whitney’s only child together — their daughter Bobbi Kristina — is a drug abuser.

“She’s fine,” the R&B singer told Matt Lauer in the second half of their interview. “She knows that her mom is gone, and she knows that she has to live.”

“I know what she is actually doing. I think people are making assumptions of what my daughter is and how strong she is,” he said. “I am her father. She talks to me about everything.”

“Everything,” he said, includes her love life, and her rumored romance with Nick Gordon, a close family friend she once called her adopted brother.

“I would expect her to have a boyfriend,” Brown told Lauer. But he shot down rumors that Bobbi Kristina and Gordon were romantically involved with each other, saying they are “definitely not” together in that way.

Though Bobbi Kristina denied to be a part of the interview, the R&B singer’s other children — three from previous relationships — joined him for part of the interview and defended their father’s reputation.

“Everyone has their ups and downs,” his daughter LaPrincia said. “You can’t always be judged for that.”

“The bad boy image is just a part of the performance,” Landon Brown — his oldest son — said.

Bobby Brown also discussed the controversy surrounding his attendance at Whitney’s funeral, where he says he and his children were told by security that they wouldn’t be able to sit together.

Bobby says he felt “disrespected,” and he didn’t want to sit separately from his family, so he simply left early, kissing the casket of his ex-wife on the way out.

“I decided that, you know, it’d be best if I just left. I kissed the casket, and me and my children left the building,” he said.

Watch the interview 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.”

The official full-length trailer for “Sparkle” — Whitney Houston‘s final film — was released by Sony Pictures this week.

The highly anticipated remake of the original movie of the same name (released in 1976) stars Houston as the mother of three girls (played by Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter and Carmen Ejogo) who form a singing group and struggle with the perils of fame.

Houston is prominent throughout the trailer, and at one point, the R&B icon belts out the classic gospel tune “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

“Sparkle” — which also stars Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Cee-Lo Green — marks Whitney Houston’s first return to movies in 16 years, but it also sadly marks her final movie role as she passed away on February 11th 2012 in Beverly Hills, just three months after filming for the movie wrapped in Detroit.

“Whitney loved this movie very much. This was her idea,” one of the film’s producers Debra Martin Chase said. “The great thing for me as her friend and her producing partner is that this movie will be an essential part of her legacy. … It’s the best performance of her life; she knew it at the time. She looked beautiful on camera and she enjoyed every minute making the movie.”

She continued, “On the one hand, I’m so excited about the movie and we’re really happy with how it turned out. (But) just to have it said yet again that this is Whitney’s last performance, it’s hard. It’s hard.”

Watch the trailer for “Sparkle” below:

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?

Monica and Brandy brought the house down last Thursday night (Mar 22) as they performed at the W Hotel in Midtown Atlanta for radio station V-103′s “Soul Session” concert series.

The R&B divas entertained the crowd with their hit solo tracks as well as their 1998 collaboration single “The Boy Is Mine” and their new collab “It All Belongs to Me.”

The concert also included a Whitney Houston tribute performance from Brandy and Monica, as well as a live sit-down interview with new V-103 radio personality Egypt Sherrod.

Other celebrities who were in the house included VH1′s “Family Hustle” reality show stars T.I. & Tiny, R&B singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss, BET reality star Toya Wright, producer/rapper Polow Da Don and a few others.

Check out the pics and the video footage below:

[Photos: FreddyO]

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]

Reps for Bobbi Kristina are shooting down rumors claiming that Whitney Houston‘s only child is engaged.

When Bobbi Kristina and her “adopted brother” Nicholas Gordon — who she’s dating now — were spotted walking around in Atlanta holding hands and kissing, we — and the rest of the world for that matter — noticed a huge ring on her engagement ring finger.

However, reps for the 19-year-old say that she and Nicholas are NOT engaged, and the ring she’s wearing is from her mother’s jewelry collection.

“She is just wearing her mom’s ring,” a source told People.

Meanwhile, friends of Bobbi K told TMZ that they were totally shocked when they found out she was and Nicholas were dating and living together.

According to our sources, Bobbi broke the news to her friends at a BBQ this week … and no one believed it until the two kissed in front of everyone. We’re told one friend felt the “relationship” was the result of each of them taking the death of Whitney too hard … but they both brushed off that notion.

The “sources” say the rest of the BBQ was a bit awkward (obviously) and everyone just tried to change to subject.

And while her grandmother Cissy Houston is calling what she and Nick are doing “incest,” Bobbi K doesn’t feel that way because she and Nick aren’t actually related.

Bobbi couldn’t care less — telling friends … she doesn’t give a damn about what Cissy thinks about her controversial relationship … and because Nick’s not her blood brother, she definitely doesn’t consider it incest.

As one source put it — Bobbi “can’t please everyone, so she is going to please herself by doing what she wants to do for once.”

Who do you agree with? Bobbi Kristina or Cissy Houston?

According to new reports from People.com, multiple sources are claiming that Bobbi Kristina and her new “boyfriend” (formerly her “adopted brother”) Nicholas Gordon are getting married.

Shortly after announcing their relationship on Twitter last week, rumors are now swirling that the pair may be engaged, especially after Bobbi Kristina was spotted out with Nick wearing a diamond ring on her engagement ring finger.

One source tells PEOPLE, “Yes, they are engaged, but the family is trying to coax her away from it. ”

Another source says, “Nick asked Krissi about a week ago to marry him” and that she’s wearing a ring that once belonged to her mom. But the source doesn’t know if Brown said yes.

The source does believe that Brown’s grandmother, Cissy Houston, “is worried.”

19-year-old Bobbi Kristina and 22-year-old Nicholas have been spotted getting affectionate in public, and by the looks of it, they don’t care who sees.

PHOTOS: Bobbi Kristina and Nicholas Gordon Spotted Kissing and Holding Hands in Atlanta

Just last week, paparazzi in Atlanta snapped a series of photos of the “couple” sharing kisses and holding hands while running errands in Atlanta, not too far away from Whitney Houston‘s former townhouse, which they’re both living in together, alone and unsupervised.

At the urging of her daughter, Whitney — who died last month in Beverly Hills — took Nicholas into her home about a decade ago and has been living with the family in that home ever since, though Whitney never legally adopted the young man.

A close family friend tells People Magazine, “I have always felt there was some interest beyond a platonic interest in each other.”

Bobbi K’s family, especially her grandmother Cissy Houston, has privately expressed outrage over the romance, with Ms. Houston calling it “incestuous.”

Cissy Houston is reportedly telling friends Nicholas is a bad influence and is taking advantage of her vulnerable granddaughter. According to recent reports, she is also said to be taking legal action to get him evicted from Whitney’s Atlanta townhome.

Your thoughts? Do you think Nicholas Gordon is taking advantage of “vulnerable” Bobbi Kristina?
And do you think they are REALLY engaged?

Nicholas Gordon — Whitney Houston‘s so-called “secret adopted son” — is refusing to either confirm or deny the rumors regarding his “relationship” with Bobbi Kristina.

You know the story. Bobbi Kris and Nick Gordon, who once considered each other brother and sister after Whitney took the young man into her home about 10 years ago, are rumored to be dating … and now there are reports floating around that they might even ENGAGED.

READ: Cissy Houston Calls Bobbi Kristina and Nicholas Gordon’s Relationship “Incestuous”

After the two were spotted out in Atlanta this week kissing and holding hands, Cissy Houston — Bobbi Kristina’s grandmother — blasted their relationship, calling it “incestuous.”

According to TMZ, Cissy, who feels like her granddaughter has problems and Nick is taking advantage of her, told a close friend, “What they’re doing is incestuous.”

Photographers caught up with Nick while he and Bobbi Kristina were out in Atlanta running errands today and asked him about the dating/engagement rumors in a number of different ways.

His response to each question?

“No comment.” — which is another way of saying “yes” without actually saying it.

Watch below:

[TMZ]

Whitney Houston‘s mother Cissy Houston does NOT approve of her granddaughter’s so-called “relationship” with her “adoptive brother” Nicholas Gordon.

The gospel legend has seen the photos and video footage of Bobbi Kristina and Nick holding hands and kissing, and she is definitely not endorsing what they’re doing.

According to TMZ:

Cissy told a close friend, “What they’re doing is incestuous.” Cissy feels her granddaughter has problems and Nick is taking advantage of her.

As we reported yesterday, Bobbi and Nick met about 10 years ago when they were younger, and Nick told “Krissy” (Bobbi Kristina’s nickname) that he was going to enlist in the Army after high school to escape drama from his own family.

Krissy told Whitney about Nick, and expressed that she didn’t want him to go, so Whitney agreed to take Nick in as her own son.

Nicholas Gordon pictured here with Bobbi Kristina and Whitney Houston

Though Nick and Bobbi Kristina aren’t blood relatives and Whitney never even officially adopted the young man, she still considered him her son, and Bobbi considered him to be an older brother.

Nick himself at one point even called Bobbi K his little sister, which makes all of this really strange, to say the least.

TMZ reports that Cissy is worried that Krissy has become vulnerable since Whitney’s passing last month, and she thinks that Nick just wants to take advantage of Krissy, who is set to inherit her late mother’s entire fortune when she turns 21 in a couple of years.

In fact, Cissy is so worried about her granddaughter’s well-being that she’s asking the Whitney Houston Estate to legally evict Nick from Whitney’s Atlanta townhome, where he and Bobbi Kristina are living together alone (doing only God knows what).

Just a few months ago, Bobbi K and Nick G were calling each other brother and sister on Twitter, and now they’re hugging, rubbing and kissing all over each other and they don’t care who knows or sees it.

Something just isn’t right about all of this.

Do you agree with Cissy? Is Nick Gordon taking advantage of Bobbi Kristina … or are they really “in love?”

Take Our Poll

There’s some strange things allegedly going on between Bobbi Kristina and her “play brother” Nicholas Gordon, the 22-year-old man who Whitney Houston “adopted” and raised as if he was her own son.

Our new friends over at HollywoodLife.com have ALL the juicy details here:

Two eyewitnesses tell HollywoodLife.com that they witnessed the 19-year-old girl lip kissing her unofficial adopted brother, Nicholas Gordon, who lives with her in Whitney Houston‘s former townhouse in Atlanta.

Our sources say Bobbi Kristina and Nick weren’t holding back their PDA during a shopping trip to Target in the community of Johns Creek, Georgia, near their gated community on March 9.

“Bobbi and Nick were in the music section and then all over the store,” two sources tell us. “Bobbi was kissing him on the mouth and holding hands. They were laughing and smiling and seemed SO happy.”

Add the eyewitnesses, “She was wearing a black short pencil bandage skirt with a black top and black knee high boots. Her hair and makeup were all done too, like she was going to go out on the town. He was in all black — black jeans, black shirt, earrings and a black wide-brimmed hat.”

Even though Bobbi Kristina, 19, and Nick, 22, wandered all around the store, they didn’t have a cart or anything with them and left in a silver SUV, the same one that’s usually seen outside their townhouse.

We know additionally for a fact that Bobbi was with Nick in Target, since he tweeted a photo of the two of them together later that afternoon in the same outfits our eyewitnesses saw and described.

Their close relationship has been going on for several months, and Bobbi and Nick’s tweets back and forth to each other prove it.

READ MORE @ HOLLYWOODLIFE.COM

It’s no secret that Bobbi Kristina Brown and her father, R&B singer Bobby Brown, don’t have the closest relationship. And now, further proving just that, Bobbi Kristina plans to legally change both her first AND last names in an effort to end all ties with her dad. (At least as far as her name is concerned)

Bobbi Kristina was obviously named after her father, and now, according to TMZ, the 19-year-old daughter of the late Whitney Houston plans on changing her entire name to simply “Kristina Houston.”

Bobbi Kris, who is set to inherit her mother’s entire fortune, first played with the idea of changing her name when her parents separated years ago, but Whitney wouldn’t let her.

But now that Whitney’s gone, Bobbi Kristina — most likely at the urging of her grandmother Cissy Houston (who isn’t the biggest Bobby Brown fan either) — is really going through with the name change and has already told her friends all about it.

Though it is unclear when the change will be made official, friends say Bobbi Kristina is in a “better place,” and made the big decision to change her name with a clear and “sober” mind.

Bobbi Kristina must REALLY despise her father right now for her to want to legally change her name.

What do you think about Bobbi Kristina Brown changing her legal name to Kristina Houston?

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:

Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson in 1984

As we mourn the sudden and unexpected death of Whitney Houston, rumors have continued to run rampant about many aspects of the R&B legend’s life.

Usually, the stories concern her substance abuse, financial woes and her 15-year marriage to R&B “bad boy” Bobby Brown, however, this time around, we’re learning something new.

Whitney Houston once had an affair with Jermaine Jackson! Or at least that’s what UK tabloid The Sun is reporting.

While Jermaine was married to Hazel Gordy (Berry Gordy’s daughter), Whitney and the Jackson 5 singer had a year-long affair, the paper reports.

In fact, if you pay attention to the man in the video for her No. 1 hit single “Saving All My Love For You,” he looks like just like Jermaine.

And not only that, but the song itself is about a woman having a relationship with a married man, and she’s “saving all her love” for him until he becomes all hers.

The Sun claims Michael Jackson was among the few people who knew about the romance, and he didn’t approve of it.

The tabloid also claims that Whitney and Jermaine never lost touch after the affair ended, and she even comforted him after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.

“Jermaine was shattered when Whitney was found dead in her hotel bathtub last month,” The Sun reports, adding that he was so overwhelmed with grief that he couldn’t even attend Houston’s funeral.

Your thoughts?

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?

UPDATE: Turns out Tina Brown is innocent (this time).

While she did in fact speak with the National Enquirer regarding Whitney’s death, Tina Brown didn’t actually snap the Whitney Houston casket photo and sell it to the tabloid, because she wasn’t even invited to the private viewing services held at the Whigham Funeral Home in New Jersey.

The culprit’s name is Raffles van Exel, and you can read all about him HERE!

————

PREVIOUS STORY: Okay, let’s cut the crap. We all know that there is a 99.99% chance that Bobby Brown’s sister Tina Brown — Whitney’s former sister-in-law — leaked that photo of Whitney Houston laying in her casket to the National Enquirer.

Why? Because she has an interview with the tabloid inside that very same issue! (Smooth move, criminal.)

The interview, featuring the headline “I did crack with Whitney!” features the usual quotes about Whitney’s former drug use, along with an admission that Tina took part as well: “Hey, I was using and she was paying. It was free.”

The exclusive “story” also includes this:

“A drug dealer had called Bobby and said, ‘Come get your wife. I’m sick of this bitch. She’s in here peep­ing out the windows and doing all kinds of s–t in the house.’”

Tina learned Whitney had been in the drug den for days giving orders to dealers and drug buyers, telling some to leave, telling others where to sit, seeing demons, thinking she was under surveillance. It became too much for the dealer. “Bobby and security had to go get her,” said Tina.

If Tina Brown did leak the photo, it wouldn’t be the first time she has outed her sister-in-law.

In 2006, she leaked a series of private photos of Whitney Houston’s bathroom (allegedly) that were sent to UK tabloid The Sun, which supposedly showed that Houston had been cooking what is known as “freebase cocaine,” or in more common terms, “crack cocaine,” in her bathroom.

When later asked about her rumored crack use, Houston told Dianne Sawyer in a now-famous interview, “Crack is cheap. I make too much money to ever smoke crack. Let’s get that straight. Okay? We don’t do crack. We don’t do that. Crack is whack.”

Tina Brown was reportedly paid around $500,000 by the National Enquirer for the rights to Whitney’s casket photo, and she probably received another hefty check for the interview.

Carolyn Whigham, the owner of the funeral home that prepared Houston’s body and helped the family plan the funeral and burial services, says that neither she nor her people were responsible for the photo’s leak, however she does know who took it, and when it was taken.

Whigham says she believes the photo was taken on February 17th, the day before the funeral, and even though she knows who did it, she will not be identifying the person because she feels as though that should be done by the Houston family.

Whitney Houston died on February 11th in California. She was 48 years old.

In light of Whitney Houston‘s recent passing, Target has decided to pull an offensive greeting card from their shelves that mocks the late music legend.

“Next time you think of dating the bad boy, consider Whitney Houston,” the card reads, in an obvious (and lame) reference the singer’s tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown.

“The card was in our stores prior to Ms. Houston’s death. As soon as this was brought to our attention, we began the process of removing the card from all applicable stores,” a rep for the store said in a statement. “It is never our intent to offend guests with the products we offer, and we take feedback from guests very seriously.”

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown were married for nearly 15 years before divorcing in 2007.

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‘s decision to run a photo of Whitney Houston‘s body laying in her casket has sparked outrage amongst fans of the singer and across media outlets worldwide who are condemning the tabloid for their tasteless deed.

Though there is no official word on how much the publication paid for the photo, it is rumored that the picture is worth a few hundred thousand dollars.

The Enquirer says that the image was taken inside the Whigham Funeral Home in New Jersey before the singer’s private wake that only “close” friends and family members attended, which means that either a friend, family member or funeral home staff member is responsible for it leaking out to the press.

However, the owner of the funeral home, Carolyn Whigham, says that it wasn’t her people who released the photo.

“I’m going to answer you as the publicist told me to answer you: We have no comment. But it was not the funeral home,” she said before expressing irritation with the media, and explaining how this is ruining her business and their reputation.

“You guys are getting me in the middle,” she said. “I am very angry, very upset, just like the family, just like the fans. We don’t like it because it implicates us. Whitney was a personal friend to me and my family. We would not do that.”

The National Enquirer’s response to the whole situation is quite amusing, at best. “I thought it was beautiful,” the magazine’s publisher Mary Beth Wright told Fox News.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time The National Enquirer has published the photo of a dead celebrity on the front of their magazine. (Shocking, we know.)

In 1977, they published a photograph of Elvis Presley in his coffin, and 3 years later in 1980, they published a photo of John Lennon after he died.

So apparently being distasteful and offensive is what the National Enquirer is all about. Nothing new here.

Your thoughts?

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)

As we reported earlier, Bobby Brown walked out of Whitney Houston‘s funeral in New Jersey today just moments before the service was scheduled to begin.

In a statement released by his rep, the R&B singer explained:

“My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions.

“I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina.

“In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events.

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

Your thoughts?

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.

As to be expected, Bobbi Kristina Brown — the only child of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown — has been taking the sudden death of her superstar mother really hard.

So hard, in fact, that after the sad news broke that Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Saturday, Bobbi Kristina had an complete emotional breakdown, and was reportedly rushed to the hospital twice in the hours that followed.

After being released from the hospital for the second time, came a report from TMZ saying that family members are trying to get the “hysterical, exhausted and inconsolable” 18-year-old some help because they fear that she might be suicidal.

Sources close to the family tell TMZ … the family believes she might try and take her own life. According to one source, the family feels Bobbi Kristina needs help and they are considering rehab as an option.

Bobby Brown released a statement today concerning the well-being of his daughter, who is currently at home resting with her brothers and sisters. (Sidebar: Bobby Brown has five children from other relationships.)

“My daughter did visit with doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,” Bobby Brown says in the statement. “She has been released and is presently with my family including her siblings.”

“Obviously the death of her mother is affecting her,” Brown continued, “However we will get through this tragedy as a family.”

Keep Bobbi Kristina in your prayers…

Jennifer Hudson could hardly hold back her tears last night at the 2012 Grammys as she performed a touching rendition of Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You” in tribute to the R&B icon who suddenly and unexpectedly died over the weekend in Hollywood.

Hudson’s rendition of the classic song was beyond perfect, as if she she was channeling the late Whitney Houston herself. And she was, because her performance was an almost exact replica of Houston’s performance of the same song at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards 20 years ago.

Throughout the performance, Jennifer appeared to be holding back tears, but when she finished, she couldn’t hold them back anymore and she finally gave in to her emotions, letting the tears flow as the audience went wild with applause.

Watch below:

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

It’s no secret that Whitney Houston and Ray J had a rumored romantic relationship that was both unexpected and mocked, considering their 17-year age difference.

Questions about their rumored romance resurfaced this week after the two were spotted having dinner in Los Angeles. Ray J was even asked about his relationship with the singer in a recent interview with “The Insider” while promoting his new book.

“You know, they blow this thing out of proportion. I mean, that’s my friend. I’ve been knowing her for years and years and years, and she’s a friend of the family,” he said on the show. “I have a lot of love for her and I have a lot of respect for her.”

He continued, “Our friendship is something that people might not understand, maybe because of the age difference, but we’ve always just been friends. We hug, we laugh, we go out to dinner. … We talk about, you know, different things in our lives and she’s a cool person.”

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

When asked directly if he and Whitney were dating, Ray J responded, “We’ve always kept our relationship as private as we could, but when we go out, she’s such an icon, it reaches the masses. But, for the most part, we’ve always been friends and we’ve kept everything hush-hush and just quiet and we really don’t focus on that.”

Ray J has yet to publicly comment on Houston’s death, and his Twitter account has been silent since Saturday morning.

His latest tweet is a Happy Birthday shout-out to his sister Brandy, whose birthday was February 11th, the very same day Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Ray J had been seen helping Clive Davis with the event the day before.

Ray J was at home Saturday when he found out Houston had been found dead in her hotel room bathtub, and he immediately rushed to the Beverly Hilton, only to get turned away by law enforcement who wouldn’t let him enter her hotel room.

A tearful and very emotional Ray J was briefly seen inside the hotel’s lobby Sunday morning surrounded by a group of friends.

The musical artist, who reportedly had been dating Houston on and off, had his hood on and was being consoled by others.

“Whitney dead,” he repeated multiple times, as one friend grabbed him by the shoulders. “Whitney dead. We all gotta live with that.”

His companions pleaded with him to calm down, and a guest services clerk seemed at a loss as the artist made demands of the hotel’s employees.

He continued, talking about “missed calls” from the deceased pop star. “We all gotta live with that.” Ray J was quiet but stern as he resisted his companions, dismissing their pleas with profanity.

Ray J and his group, two men and a woman, quickly left the lobby and went up in the hotel’s elevator. Asked for comment, one of his companions responded: “Nothing right now.”

[LAT]

Meanwhile, sources tell TMZ that Ray J, like many, is said to be “crushed” over Whitney’s sudden passing.

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.”

Hollywood gathered on a somber note last night (Sat Feb 11) at Clive Davis’ 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the same hotel where R&B legend Whitney Houston was found dead earlier in the day.

When the sad news broke, there were reports that the annual Clive Davis event would be canceled, but Davis — Houston’s longtime friend and mentor — said that the R&B/Pop icon “would have wanted the music to go on.”

“She loved music and she loved this night that celebrates music,” said Davis, adding that Houston’s family requested that the party continue.

Some of the many celebrities in attendance at the Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Richard Branson and Diana Ross included Diddy, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Quincy Jones, Kelly Rowland, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose, Jamie Foxx, Kim Kardashian, Gabrielle Union and more.

The star-studded event also featured performances from Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Marsha Ambrosius, Wiz Khalifa, Jessie J and others. Monica and Brandy were slated to perform their new single “It All Belongs to Me”, but we’re told they were unable to because they were too devastated about Whitney Houston’s passing.

Diana Ross, who was being honored at the event, told a red carpet reporter, “I won’t be able to enjoy it,” when she was asked how she felt about being the night’s guest of honor.

“By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing,” Clive Davis said at the start of the evening. “I don’t have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn’t scheduled to perform.”

He continued, “Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on.”

Check out 40+ photos from the Clive Davis 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala below:

R&B icon Whitney Houston will be remembered with a set of tribute performances at tonight’s Grammy Awards.

Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow confirmed last night at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party that Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will honor Houston — who died unexpectedly yesterday in Los Angeles — Sunday night at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

“It’s too fresh in everyone’s memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize Whitney’s remarkable contribution to music fans in general, and in particular her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years,” Ken Ehrlich, executive producer for the Grammys, announced on CNN.

Further details regarding the Whitney Houston tribute — which unfortunately had to be planned and put together at the last minute — are unknown. Neil Portnow issued the following statement yesterday:

“Six-time GRAMMY winner Whitney Houston was one of the world’s greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice.”

There are rumors floating around that Beyonce, Patti LaBelle and Celine Dion will also perform tonight at the Grammys, however those reports haven’t been confirmed.

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.”

Bobbi Kristina Brown — Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown‘s 18-year-old daughter — was reportedly rushed to the hospital late last night after having a “complete breakdown,” a source confirmed with People Magazine this morning.

According to published reports, Bobbi was taken out of the Beverly Hilton Hotel on a stretcher. The Beverly Hilton is the same hotel where Whitney Houston was found dead less than 24 hours ago.

Law enforcement sources say that Bobbi Kristina was in the hotel lobby around the same time Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at around 3:55 pm PT, but was turned away by police, which resulted in Bobbi getting into an angry shouting match with officers.

“[Bobbi Kristina] was screaming, ‘What’s wrong with her? What’s wrong with her?,” a source said.

Later that night, at around 11 pm, the 18-year-old was taken to the Cedars Sinai Medical Center “because she was having a complete breakdown,” the source added. She was released shortly after, but TMZ reported this morning that she was rushed to the hospital again, this time via an ambulance.

Bobbi Kristina is Whitney’s only child from her marriage to Bobby Brown, which lasted from 1992 to 2007.

“Her life will be shattered,” one close source told Us Weekly of Bobbi Kristina following Houston’s death. “Bobbi was always by [Whitney's] side in everything she did.”

Right now there aren’t many details regarding Bobbi Kristina’s condition, but she should definitely be kept in everyone’s thoughts and prayers…

[People, TMZ]