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Watercooler: Hudson, We Have No Problem With Houston's Grammys Tribute

Something had to be done. We're just glad it was done by Jennifer Hudson.Last night, the Grammy Awards were faced with the daunting task of memorializing Whitney Houston slightly less than 24 hours after her sudden, tragic death. Would it be testimonials? A montage? A musical tribute? Early word out of ...

Damian Holbrook

Something had to be done. We're just glad it was done by Jennifer Hudson.
Last night, the Grammy Awards were faced with the daunting task of memorializing Whitney Houston slightly less than 24 hours after her sudden, tragic death. Would it be testimonials? A montage? A musical tribute? Early word out of producer Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammys bash (at which Houston was a staple and often, a celebrated performer) was that Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan had agreed to perform. Then we began to hear that the salute would occur during the show's In Memoriam section, and that more artists were being approached to participate. By show time, there was a sneaking feeling that we were in for a bombastic, overwrought display of vocal histrionics by every female artist who had ever met Houston. Or had just been to Houston.
What we eventually got was a stunning, powerful solo by Hudson, who unleashed an emotional but controlled rendition of "I Will Always Love You" that knocked our socks off and broke our hearts. And it wasn't just us. You guys tweeted things like "perfectly simple and simply perfect," and "mind blowing."
Fittingly, as the music world and Houston's fans recalled her once-stellar voice and youthful rise to acclaim, the uneven (and at time unbearable) kudocast raised a glass to toast another young powerhouse — British chanteuse Adele, who scored six Grammys and widespread praise online following her near-flawless rendition of "Rolling in the Deep." Still, even with all the appreciation shown to the night's biggest winner, it's Hudson's breathtaking tribute to a voice silenced way too early that we will always love. 
Did you watch the Grammys? What was your favorite moment?
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