Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston: Hudson's Tribute Brought Her to Tears
Country singer Dolly Parton, who wrote Whitney Houston's iconic song "I Will Always Love You," released an updated statement Monday on the R&B singer's death.
In an official statement released today, Parton reacted to Jennifer Hudson's performance at Sunday's Grammy Awards:
"I was brought to tears again last night, as I'm sure many were, when Jennifer Hudson sang 'I Will Always Love You' on the Grammys in memory of Whitney. Like everybody else, I am still in shock. But I know that Whitney will live forever in all the great music that she left behind. I will always have a very special piece of her in the song we shared together and had the good fortune to share with the world. Rest in peace, Whitney. Again, we will always love you."
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Parton wrote and performed "I Will Always Love You" in 1974. Houston later made the song an international hit in 1992 when it was featured on the soundtrack to the film "The Bodyguard," starring Kevin Costner.
Houston, who died Saturday at the age of 48, was honored through several tributes at the Grammy Awards.
She was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Calif., Saturday. The cause of her death may not be known until weeks later as toxicology results are awaited and an investigation is pending.
Relatives of the singer told TMZ.com that prescription drugs and alcohol might have been the cause .
After learning of her death, Parton, like many music artists around the world, took to the Internet to offer their reactions and condolences.
"Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston," Parton wrote Saturday on her website. "I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song, and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'"
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "I'M EVERY WOMAN" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "IT'S NOT RIGHT BUT IT'S OK" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S FINAL PERFORMANCE BEFORE DEATH
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON & BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN PERFORMING "MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE"
SEE VIDEO OF LL COOL J'S PRAYER FOR WHITNEY HOUSTON ON GRAMMYS 2012
