Though it’s been months since the death of Whitney Houston, the hurt and pain of her passing still permeates the industry and that sense of love and loss was deeply felt at the Billboard Music Awards when John Legend, Jordin Sparks and Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, all paid tribute to the late musical icon.
Whoopi Goldberg led the tribute with a brief introduction before making way for Legend who sat at his piano to perform a great rendition of “The Greatest Love Of All,” and Jordin Sparks followed up with an impressive rendition of Houston’s iconic hit, “I Will Always Love You.”
But the real show was happening in the audience. While the two singing stars were belting out Houston classics, Bobbi Kristina, who was there with her boyfriend, Nick Gordon, and aunt, Pat Houston, was seen in the audience, crying as the stars paid tribute to her mother.
And the room swelled with emotion and tears as Bobbi Kristina and Pat took to the stage to accept the Millenium Award on behalf of Houston.
“I just really want to say thank you to everyone who supported us through it all, not just from when it was good, but when it was bad, to just everything,” said the 19-year-old. “Thank you so much for showing that much love ’cause she deserved it. I’m just blessed to have been in such an incredible woman’s life. There will never be another one, ever.”
Watch the moving tribute below and be sure to check out five other touching artist tributes after the cut. – nicholas robinson
