Singer Whitney Houston passes away at 48

On Saturday, Feb. 11, the music industry lost an icon. Singer and actress Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her fourth floor room of the Beverly Hilton Hotel at 3:55 p.m in Los Angeles.

The cause of death for the 48 year-old pop superstar is currently unknown.

Houston made her first splash on the music scene in 1985 when she released her original self-titled album.

The album initially received a subdued commercial response before garnering more success and popularity that summer.

Houston went on to record an additional six studio albums and three motion picture soundtracks.

The six-time Grammy winner is perhaps best known for earning the longest running number one single of all time by a female artist with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

The single, which lasted 14 consecutive weeks at the top spot, helped make her a household name.

Houston has also sold over 200 million albums and singles, earning 30 Billboard Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 2 Emmys and a slew of other awards and nominations.

In addition, Houston’s seven consecutive number one singles in the pop music industry set a record that has yet to be beat.

The news brings much grief to fans worldwide. “I just can’t talk about it now. It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, coming across the TV screen,” said Houston’s godmother, renowned soul singer Aretha Franklin.

Houston’s ex-husband, singer Bobby Brown was reported to be in “crying fits” upon hearing the news and broke down shortly after taking the stage at a show in Mississippi.

“I would like to say, ‘I love you Whitney.’ The hardest thing for me to do is come on this stage,” said Brown.

Houston is survived by her mother, two brothers and 18 year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston.

[This article previously appeared in The Forum, Vol. 10.4]