Ryan Seacrest has confirmed that former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson has agreed to sing a Whitney Houston tribute at the 2012 Grammys. Why is this such a big deal? Because the older singer died just one day before the famous awards show event. The younger pro will be performing in front of the live studio audience that is studded with Hollywood’s most famous stars. Can she pull off singing the deceased diva’s songs without messing up the melody or song lyrics — especially on such short notice? Here’s why she was the right choice to hire for the Grammys tribute rather than hiring one of Whitney’s other famous friends like Mariah Carey…
Pop music legend Whitney Houston is dead. Found non-responsive in her Beverly Hills hotel room after a long night of partying with celebrity friends on February 10th, she was supposed to sing at a huge pre-Grammy party that happened on the 11th. While the party is scheduled to go on without her and no one has replaced the singer there, it is Jennifer Hudson who has been asked and agreed to perform a tribute to the fallen star on Grammy night February 12th, 2012, not one of her other famous friends like Mariah Carey.
The three days have flown by quickly in Hollywood as the awards show producers have been frantically trying to figure out the best way to honor the dead celebrity. Ryan Seacrest sounded quite pleased they decided to ask Jennifer Hudson to sing the tribute to Houston. Not only does her singing get his reality television competition more free press, she’s likely to do a great job on the performance piece because she recently paid tribute to Whitney Houston at the BET Awards.
Singer Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to her ‘American Idol’ Whitney Houston at the BET Honors Award show scheduled to air Feb. 1st 2010. On Saturday, the 28-year-old singer sang her rendition of Houston’s song “I Will Always Love You”.
The “Dreamgirls” actress’ performance wasn’t the only salutation Whitney Houston received that night. Prior to Hudson’s performance, gospel singer Kim Burrell sang “I Believe In You and Me” to Houston.
Both performances received standing ovation from the audience as well as Whitney Houston herself. After the stunning performances, R ‘n’ B singer Ne-Yo presented Houston with the BET Honor for Entertainment.
There is no word yet about whether or not Kim Burrell will back her up at the Grammy Awards 2012, too.
Jennifer Hudson has been in all the entertainment news for overcoming her difficult personal issues related to her family being murdered. She’s become a rock star of sorts simply for her tremendous weight loss and even appeared on the Dr. Oz Show to show off her svelte figure and coach his viewers on weight loss and fitness routines, so her name as a star has been less about pop music (her specialty) and more about her simply being a very unique and likable human being.
Hudson’s voice is likely to be a fitting match to sing the incredible ballads sung by Whitney Houston. The tribute is expected to be especially moving.
Although Houston battled drug addiction and had family dramas of her own, she was almost always able to belt out a tune that rang bells all the way up in the heavens when the skinny singer hit her strong, high notes. She also used her star power as wisely as she could over the years and under the circumstances of battling with her drug addict husband Bobby Brown — supporting humanitarian causes like the Red Cross.
While the story about what happened to Whitney Houston to cause her death is still developing, it is admirable that Jennifer Hudson and the Grammys crew have been willing to alter the show schedule to include such a special tribute. Apparently too upset to sing the tribute herself, Mariah Carey has also tweeted out condolences to the singer’s friends and family members. She claims to be utterly distraught and is in tears over the news she’s lost her celebrity friend.
If you have anything to say to the friends and family of Whitney Houston or about Jennifer Hudson’s performance, please leave your condolences and praise in the comments section below.