Jennifer Hudson's tribute to Whitney Houston earns standing ovation [VIDEO]

The 2012 Grammy Awards played a subdued tribute to a pop great, with an opening praying and the Jennifer Hudson tribute to Whitney Houston holding sway.

It was a rather quickly scripted impromptu memorial for the former queen of pop, Whitney Houston, who was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. PST on Saturday in her hotel room. Coroner results have not yet been announced, but prior reports have indicated she was found underwater in her bathtub.

Following an "in memoriam" segment, Hudson, the Academy-Award winning actress (for "Dreamgirls") and former "American Idol" finalist, performed a tribute to Whitney Houston by singing her hit ballad "I Will Always Love You." She sang the last words of the song as: "Whitney, we love you," and was accompanied only by piano. Hudson received a standing ovation while at the same time images of music-related celebrities and stars who had passed away in the past year were shown above her.

The single " I Will Always Love You" spent 14 weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, which at the time was a record. The single became Houston's longest run at number one (her prior record had been three weeks with 1986's, "Greatest Love of All"). The song also holds the record as the longest running number one single from a soundtrack album. It was originally a Dolly Parton song --- Parton also wrote it --- and was used as part of the soundtrack for the movie "The Bodyguard."

Details of the death of Whitney Houston are still sketchy. However, a number of prescription drugs were found in her hotel room, including the commonly used Xanax, which is used primarly to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and nausea due to chemotherapy. It is a form of benzodiazepine, and other drugs in the same class that you might recognize are Valium and Atavan. These are all called "minor tranqulizers."

Based on news of her partying on Friday night, the finding of Xanax somewhat predominates speculation. She was said to be drinking a great deal on Friday night, and alcohol and Xanax combine to synergistically increase the effects of the other. Combined, the two cause severe sedation, behavioral changes, and intoxication.

Considering the additional reports of Houston being found underwater in her tub, it all makes sense. This is still speculation, as toxicity reports have not been returned, and will not be, for four to six weeks.

Watch the Jennifer Hudson's tribute to Whitney Houston below.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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