Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicWe first told you how we caught up with Jordin Sparks last month at the Critics Choice Awards, where she gushed over working with Whitney Houston in the movie Sparkle, Whit's final project before her passing.
But instead of hinting at Whitney's turmoil, Jordin expressed just the opposite—smiling and gushing over her idol's positive and hardworking attitude on set.
And to be honest, we're fairly surprised (and skeptical) to hear there wasn't a single indication Whit may not have been doing as well as she appeared.
So, did other Sparkle sources echo the same sentiment?
You bet. And Ms. Sparks isn't the only one who thought all was well with the Hollywood legend:
"Whitney was in good shape and there weren't any major issues with her," a source on the Sparkle set revealed.
And in case you thought Jordin was just defending her idol, think again, ‘cause our source felt equally as surprised as us to hear the singer had passed:
"I'm shocked by the news, Whitney always had so many people around her, watching her," our source confessed.
So now that everyone on set seems to agree, we have to wonder what went so wrong in Whitney's life after the film? Could the "devils" Whitney famously described to Dianne Sawyer years ago have come back into play?
We certainly hope not.
Others involved with Whitney's last project are all expressing their sorrow over Hollywood's loss. T.D. Jakes, a producer of Sparkle, released the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of Whitney Houston, whom we were blessed to have just completed work with on the remake of the film Sparkle. We ask the world to join us in lifting up Whitney's family in prayer and ask God for their strength and comfort during this devastatingly difficult time. At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation. She has left behind a musical and film legacy that will endure....she will be sorely missed by us all."
Sony Pictures, distributor of Whitney's upcoming film (still slated for an Aug. 17 release, BTW), expressed a similar sentiment:
"Like all those who knew and loved her, we are shocked and saddened and the world has lost an incomparable talent. Right now our thoughts are with her daughter, her family and her friends."
So as we wait for details explaining exactly what occurred after Whitney's film (and when things first started to go wrong), we're happy to see Hollywood remembering the beauty in a positive light.
To which we say: Whitney, you're a timeless legend and we'll always love you.