Whitney Houston Death: Bobby Brown "Deeply Saddened," Mom Cissy Houston Calls It "Unimaginable Tragedy"

Friends and loved ones continue to send out their condolences and thoughts following R&B star's tragic demise

By Brandi Fowler Feb 12, 2012 8:04 PMTags
Whitney HoustonZumaPress.com

Tributes for the late Whitney Houston have continued to pour in after she was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel room on the eve of the Grammys.

Bobby Brown said in a statement Sunday: "I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time."

Meanwhile, her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, issued the following: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney. This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends."

Also among those chiming in: her cousin Dionne Warwick and friends Oprah Winfrey and CeCe Winans...

Brown's written statement comes the morning after he performed with his New Edition bandmates Saturday, just hours after hearing the tragic news. During the show, he told the audience: "I will always love you, Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage." Brown was married to Houston for 15 years before their 2007 divorce.

Warwick, to overwhelmed for words, simply tweeted a sad face emoticon.

Winfrey, who sat down on her talk show with Houston back in 2009, also honored the singer via Twitter.

"To me Whitney was THE VOICE," the media mogul wrote Sunday. "We got to hear a part of God every time she sang. Heart is heavy, spirit grateful for the GIFT of her.

And that was just the beginning.

Houston's dear friend, Winans, who is also Bobbi Kristina's godmother, issued this statement to E! News:

"I have no words to express how I feel. Whitney was not just a friend but a sister and I am going to miss her voice, her humor but mostly her friendship. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest singers of all time but she was also a great person.  Please keep her family in prayer and the best way to honor her is to be reminded that tomorrow is not promised to any of us so love God and love each other." 

Kenny Lattimore, who hosted the Kelly Price pre-Grammy event where Houston had her last public performance, told E! News, "Whitney Houston, the singers' singer and voice that inspired the world.  Many emulated, but there is only one Whitney! My prayers pour out to her family, friends, and loyal fans around the world."

Stars like Houston's Preacher's Wife and Waiting to Exhale costars Loretta Devine and Angela Bassett and duet partner Faith Evans ("Heartbreak Hotel") also paid tribute to the legendary performer.

Loretta Devine: "I am overwhelmed. I cannot wrap my mind around this. I missed the chance to see her at a party this past Thursday and when we spoke last she had just finished Sparkle and she told me how excited she was to start production on Waiting to Exhale 2 with Angela [Bassett], Lela [Rochon] and myself. My prayers go out to her family and I am so honored for the time I spent working with her on Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher's Wife and on Boston Public. I love you, Whitney,  and I will miss your easy laugh."

Angela Basset: "I am so thankful to have been enveloped by the warmth of Whitney's great talents. They  were undeniable and vast. Whatever her burdens, she has at last laid them down and picked up instead a crown. For truly,she was and will ever be for us,  who were so captivated by her strengths—unparalleled."

Faith Evans: "Whitney was more than an inspiration to me. She was my friend. Someone who reached out to me to let me know how much she loved me from time to time. I always reminisce on our girl talks and laugh at the times she'd invite me to join her exotic trips that I couldn't afford. Lol! I will always adore that woman! My heart aches for her daughter and her loving family."

As her fellow celebrities continue to issues statements of remembrance, we wanted to offer a platform for you to chime in as well but clicking the Twitter button below.