After Whitney Houston's Death, 'I Can't Stop Crying,' Says Jennifer Hudson

Emotionally Distraught Singer Opens Up

By Daniel Distant, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Whitney Houston's death has affected singer Jennifer Hudson greatly, as she says she has been unable to stop crying since the incident and her touching tribute afterwards at the 54th Grammy Awards.

During the tribute to Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson sang a truncated version of the iconic "I Will Always Love You"- Whitney fans' favorite song, according to an ongoing Microsoft Network poll. Unable to contain her emotion, she burst into tears before finishing the song, which she sang a cappella.

SEE VIDEO OF JENNIFER HUDSON'S TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON ON THE GRAMMYS

Now, she has opened up about the emotional turmoil she has been feeling following the tumultuous past few days.

"I haven't stopped crying since she passed. Her family is in my prayers," Hudson told Us Weekly. Of the performance, the American Idol alumni simply said, "It was from my heart."

What many Grammy goers and viewers at home did not realize was that Hudson's tribute, though pared down to about two minutes, was an exact duplicate of Houston's "I Will Always Love You" rendition at the 34th Grammy Awards 20 years prior. Simple and understated, Hudson seemed to channel the late superstars' essence, and the tribute was well-received.

Another little known facet of the tribute: the original song, "I Will Always Love You," was written by none other than country music star Dolly Parton. Parton owns the original songwriter's and publisher's rights to the song; Houston's, though more famous, was a cover.

That didn't stop Parton's emotions from shining through during the performance, however. Tears welled up in her eyes as Hudson paid her final respects to the late 48-year-old singer.

Other celebrities reacted as well.

"We lost our hero. I would not be standing here today if it was not for her," singer Kelly Rowland told E Entertainment. "My prayers go to her mother and her daughter. If we feel this loss, I can only imagine how heavy their loss is."

"I hope that Whitney's family and friends appreciate what we do," said Grammy host LL Cool J, who said a short prayer for the deceased icon during the show.

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