The Loss of a Legend

The death of Whitney Houston has certainly hit many people hard but surprisingly, many people were not too shocked to hear of her death. Given her long history of drugs and substance abuse, it seems as though her fans expected something like this to happen. One source compares Houston’s death to Amy Winehouse’s, saying, “she knew the repercussions but ignored them.” According to CNN, Houston was seen ordering several drinks before 10am on more than one occasion during the week leading up to her death.

The night before her death, Houston appeared disheveled and disoriented, an effect of combining prescription drugs with alcohol. Even so, it was a total surprise when she was found in her bath tub and pronounced dead. Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was hospitalized the following day for stress and anxiety.

As soon as news of Houston’s death hit, celebrities and fans alike took to social media outlets such as Twitter to share their thoughts and feelings on the late diva. Mariah Carey, who once sang a duet with Houston, tweeted, “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Houston.” There were many other similar tweets from artists such as Cee-Lo, Bret Michaels, Lenny Kravitz and Katy Perry.

Houston’s death caused the producers of the Grammys to scramble at the last minute to try to put something together in her honor. The host of the event, LL Cool J, led the audience in a short prayer for Houston. Later on in the evening, Jennifer Hudson paid tribute by singing a very emotional version of “I Will Always Love You,” leaving the audience in tears. Hudson herself struggled to finish as she was very emotionally distraught over the death of one of her idols.

“Relapse is common for a former drug addict,” says another source. Though Houston had spent the last several years clean, it seems as though she fell back into some of her old habits. Houston’s exact cause of death is still being investigated now. It could be up to six weeks before the toxicology report results come in.

Houston’s funeral is set for this coming Saturday, February 18 in New Jersey open only to close friends and family. No public memorial has been planned.

Though she is gone, Houston’s legacy will certainly live on through her music.