Grammys 2012: Whitney Houston Honored With Reverence & Respect (VIDEO)

on February 12, 2012 at 9:42 PM

With Whitney Houston's death occurring on the eve of the 2012 Grammy Awards, there was a huge cloud of sorrow hanging over the event. But as they say, the show must go on, and on it went, but not without much recognition and honor for Houston and the amazing impact she had on the world of music.

Rap legend LL Cool J hosted the event, and wasted no time getting to what was on everyone's mind. "How do we speak to this time, to this day? There is no way around this. We've had a death in the family. So the only thing that feels right is a prayer -- for a woman we loved, our sister, Whitney Houston."

Heavenly father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us. Today our thoughts are with her mother, her daughter and all of her loved ones. And although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit, and to have the legacy of her music to cherish and share forever. Amen.

He then shared a clip from the following 1994 Grammy performance in which she sang "I Will Always Love You."

"Whitney, we will always love you," he concluded. It was met with a standing ovation, and you could feel the chills that had spread as we watched her there on the stage where so many would stand tonight, where she inspired so many with her incredible talent. It was a beautiful and perfectly appropriate way to open the event.

On the red carpet, before the ceremony began, LL Cool J told E! News how much deliberation went into how they would handle Houston's death on the show: "We immediately had to jump in gear and try to figure out how we can be respectful and how we can show the love and the appreciation she deserves and that her life warrants and merits."

He said they discussed it "all night" to try and plan something that make her family, friends, and fan proud. Based on what we've seen so far, I'd say they've done a great job in honoring Houston in the best way possible under the awful circumstances.

Comments (21)

slw123

on Feb 12, 2012 at 9:50 PM

I didn't watch this year.

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billsfan1104

on Feb 12, 2012 at 10:52 PM

I am shocked that you and the rest of the theStir bloggers are not on here bitching that they *gasp* prayed. If it was Tebow, you would try to shut him up. Hypocrites.

i.heart.nerds

on Feb 12, 2012 at 11:54 PM

I don't watch award shows, but I am sure it was beautiful.

LOswald0314

on Feb 13, 2012 at 12:07 AM

I think they did a great job.

Nonmember comment from Chana

on Feb 13, 2012 at 5:13 AM

Honored for being a crackhead? Why does the media glorify these losers? Feel sorry for the kids with those parents.

Nonmember comment from Alana

on Feb 13, 2012 at 7:18 AM

Bashing a dead person whom you never met for having an addiction is the trashiest thing I've ever heard of. Insecure people always try so hard to feel superior.

poshkat

on Feb 13, 2012 at 8:43 AM

Jennifer Hudson ruined that beautiful song. she was HORRIBLE.

DebaLa

on Feb 13, 2012 at 8:44 AM

It was absolutely beautiful and the best it could have been given the suddenness of her passing. Untimely, yes. A surprise, no. Rest In Peace, Whitney. You finally, at least, have that.

As for the AHs that only want to bash: why not celebrate the moments that her gifts gave you pleasure instead? We are marked by what moves us, and song — her songs — were part of that.