In the first BET Awards ceremony since her February death, Whitney Houston was, unsurprisingly and justifiably, the recipient of a lengthy round of remembrances and musical tributes.
Houston’s longtime friend Mariah Carey kicked off the honors, telling stories about the superstar while clearly battling her emotions. That was followed by nearly 20 minutes of various tribute songs and covers dedicated the late Houston: Monica sang “I Love the Lord,” a gospel tune that Houston herself once covered; Brandy pitched in two Houston classics, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “I’m Your Baby Tonight”; the legendary Chaka Khan served up her own “I’m Every Woman,” which Houston famously remade in 1993; and finally, Whitney’s brother, Gary, and mother, Cissy, performed. It was the latter’s moving rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” that left stars in the audience — including Beyonce and Soulja Boy — and no doubt viewers at home teary-eyed.
Sunday night’s BET tribute in song was merely the latest of its kind for Houston. Check out that video below, followed by Jennifer Hudson‘s instant classic from the Grammys — the day after Houston’s death — and a clip from the Glee episode that honored Houston in April.
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