On Saturday, Houston's publicist confirmed to the Associated Press that the award-winning "I Will Always Love You" singer died. She was 48. The timing of her death, the eve of the Grammys, the biggest music event of the year, makes the horrible news even more tragic. According to CNN, Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. PT at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.The Beverly Hilton is the venue for the music industry's most prestigious pre-Grammy party hosted by veteran executive Clive Davis, who discovered Houston.
In an industry flooded with novelty artists, who disappear after scoring one hit, Houston's longevity was unquestioned when she released her debut single, the ballad "You Give Good Love" in February 1985. The song's soothing opening ad-libs displayed her soulful roots while also celebrating her pop sensibilities.
Houston's sound was distinct, and clearly separated her from the funk-laden stylings of the era's other female R&B singers. Plus, she was a model who appeared in "Glamour" and "Cosmopolitan" magazines.
Houston's sound made sense when considering her pedigree. She was the perfect melding of the styles of her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston; cousin, 1960s pop singer Dionne Warwick; and godmother, queen of soul Aretha Franklin.
Houston's self-titled debut album topped the charts and was certified diamond. Her career was impenetrable throughout the release of several follow up albums, 1987's "Whitney," 1990's "I'm Your Baby Tonight," and 1992's "The Bodyguard" soundtrack.
Houston's fans were concerned when she married R&B bad boy Bobby Brown in 1992, but they professed their happiness.
By the late 1990s, Houston's drug problems began to become tabloid fodder. In a 2002 interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Houston admitted to her struggles, but maintained that she was doing fine.
The public received its first real glimpse of Houston behind-the-scenes in 2004 when she appeared on Brown's reality series "Being Bobby Brown." The bad publicity move depicted Houston as profane, combative, and delusional, seemingly supporting the behavior of someone on drugs.
Among the saddest indications of Houston's fall was her 2009 comeback album, "I Look To You." While the album received positive reviews, her live performances signaled that the damage to her voice was beyond repair.
Whitney Houston performed the greatest national anthem in sports history
Concertgoers stormed out of her 2010 "Nothing But Love World Tour" angry, complaining that Houston was not fit to sing live, and they demanded that their ticket costs be refunded.
On stage, Houston made light of her vocal struggles, and even seemed to be confident when doing so.
But the public scrutiny intensified, and was followed by additional stints in rehab.
While the cause of death has not yet been revealed, we can only wonder whether it was drug-related.
Anyone who remembers Houston's early work and the impact it had on music can only be saddened by her death.
We here at Celebrity News and Gossip extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Everyone has demons, some overcome them and some never do. Sometimes life just gets the best of us. UPATE: Developing - Whitney Houston's body arrived at the Los Angeles County coroner's Office in the Boyle Heights area of LA 11 hours after she was declared dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Houston's family say they talked to her earlier Saturday and didn't believe anything was unusual. However, during a rehearsal last week, some witnesses said she was sweating profusely while others said she was doing handstands by the pool at the hotel. Coroner officials say they can't discuss what they saw in her room.
UPDATE: The autopsy on the body of Whitney Houston will be performed today, any results will be deferred pending a toxicology report.
Although the cause of death is unknown, it is increasingly looking like Whitney may have fallen asleep or lapsed into unconsciousness in the bathtub and drowned.
Law enforcement sources tell us, Beverly Hills cops retrieved approximately a half dozen pill bottles from Whitney's room including Xanax. No illicit drugs were found.
Whitney had been drinking the night before and authorities believe a combination ofXanax and alcohol could have fatally sedated her -- although our sources say it is simply too early to draw any firm conclusions. UPDATE : Beverly Hills police have sealed off the room where Whitney Houston died and will not enter until they obtain a search warrant we have learned.
Law enforcement sources say ... the police want to conduct a thorough search of the hotel room, but are exercising caution by getting a warrant. We're told one thing police are interested in is whether drugs are present in the room.
Although police could seize items in plain view, we're told they want a top-to-bottom search of the room.
Beverly Hills cops entered the room in response to the 911 call when emergency workers gave Whitney CPR, but we're told aside from a cursory look around the room, they conducted no search.
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