Jennifer Hudson To Sing Whitney Houston Grammy Tribute

Not a full blown tribute?

Ugh. Honestly, I don’t know why there can’t be…

They should just have Dolly singing IWALY with a montage playing in the background. It would be perfect.

Ugh… I can’t stand Jennifer Hudson.  Couldn’t they get Celine Dion to do it? SHe’d be so much better… without the attitude.

Jennifer Hudson is perfect for the job!

Really, there are plenty of singers that know Whitney Houston songs. The Grammy’s is saying with the biggest collection of talent in one town, that they can’t put a full tribute together in time for the show. Any artist worth a dime, should be able to sing a song with just a piano accompanying them. It don’t have to be a full orchestra.   

That’s all well and good, but which contracted artists do you suggest they cancel?  It’s not as if they have a spare ten minutes laying around and can shove a tribute in the slot.

Every second of allotted time is booked.  To now insert a tribute, somebody is going to have to be left out.  Somebody with a contract. 

Going over the slated time costs the show and network substantial money so that’s not an ideal solution either.

That’s all well and good, but which contracted artists do you suggest they cancel?  It’s not as if they have a spare ten minutes laying around and can shove a tribute in the slot.

Every second of allotted time is booked.  To now insert a tribute, somebody is going to have to be left out.  Somebody with a contract. 

Going over the slated time costs the show and network substantial money so that’s not an ideal solution either.

 EWWW. Celine. NO.

Jennifer H ? …. why? …. they have so much options on town right now …. :/
lazy  people >:|

Jennifer Hudson is perfect for the job!

I agree.  There are only a few singers who can handle a Whitney Houston song. I think AI has produced two of them in Jennifer and Fantasia, even though both have a tendency to go over board, and  lose control of their voices.  But, Whitney songs are hard to sing, so they should give it to someone who won’t embarass herself, and right now Jennifer is one of the few obvious choices.

Really, Jennifer Hudson?! Shouldn’t an established Diva pay tribute to one of the best ever?

 curly i was with you til i read celine!  jennifer in 2009 and before is fine…today.  NO.  She lost me along with the weight.  She has a fine, powerful voice.  But it’s too heavy for me to do Whitney. 

Jennifer sang “I Will Always Love You” at a Whitney tribute a few years ago, Whitney was there, just loving it.  She really did a fantastic job, and it was respectful, she didn’t overdo it, didn’t try to show off in front of Whitney, it was classy.  Jennifer is a great person to do this, obviously it will be emotional for everyone.

on the lighter side….rememba’ kelly glover in 2002?  whitney – spot on!

Clive isn’t letting anyone that isn’t in his stable perform.  That’s why we’re getting Jennifer Hudson.

I liked the suggestion of Dolly Parton and CeCe Winans.  Christina sang Run to You during the BET tribute and Whitney loved it.  Jennifer Hudson is going to make it all about herself.  Not looking forward to this.

Jennifer Hudson with her overblown vocal theatrics…. I can’t even understand any lyrics when she sings. 

It’s not that I’m such a big Celine Dion fan, but surely with all that talent at the Grammy’s, they could get *someone* who will do Whitney justice…. and again, without the attitude.

How is Jennifer Hudson going to make it about herself?  She has never acted that way in a situation like this, she is always a class act, she didn’t overdo anything at the Michael Jackson funeral.  

My hat goes off to Jennifer (or anyone for that matter) for pulling this off on such short notice.   Not an easy thing to do!

I think all the diva’s are crying right now… and not able to sing a note on the Grammy’s that are coming up too soon… Didn’t Jennifer Hudson worked together with Whitney Houston on a movie lately ? in which Houston played Hudson’s mother ? please correct me if I am wrong… 

Ah, no one that’s not in his stable is performing? LOL… so typical of ‘ol moneybags Clive.

Dolly Parton singing ” I will always love you”… that would have been a great stunt and a great tribute…  Oh well, I also wanted to have a duet of Adam Lambert with Pink singing “Whataya want from me”… Wishful thinking…

 Yes, Dolly would be a best option if they had to choose one person to do it. I am sure a lot of artist would do it if they asked them to but it is last minute and I guess JHud was available.

No, she played Jordin Spark’s mother, it’s a movie called “Sparkle,” but Jennifer has met Houston several times, at Houston’s tribute, and Houston presented her with her Grammy award when she won.  I’m sure it is an emotional day for Jennifer, but Jennifer has proven to be able to get through in a pinch so that is why they probably asked her.  You need to be able to get someone who will get through it, and Hudson will be able to hold it in check and get through it.

Beside the song, I don’t think Dolly Parton is associated with Houston that much.  I would say her mother or Dionne Warwick singing would be great, but it’s too soon to have them do something like that.  Madonna will be there and is obviously one of the biggest stars when Houston was one of the biggest stars but let’s get serious, Madonna can’t sing a Whitney Houston song, it would be awful, she doesn’t have the voice- someone like Celine Dion, or MAriah Carey or Beyonce, but who knows if any of those people would even want to do that tomorrow night.  

@Ronnie… thank you for clearing up my confusion…. thumbs up for Jennifer Hudson….

Whitney covered one of Dolly’s songs (and made it her own), but Dolly can’t handle Whitney’s original songs.

When the Grammy’s paid tribute to Aretha Franklin Jennifer was the only performer who sang like she had good sense.  The others, who you wouldn’t expect to act like it was a contest to see who can hold the longest note, Martina Mcbride, Yolanda Adams, and Florence Welch embarrassed themselves.  People expected that type of thing from Christina Aguilera.  Jennifer was the only one to make it about Aretha.

Of course Aretha singing would be the ultimate tribute, that would be the best possible choice, but who knows if she wants to do it, and Aretha won’t fly on a plane, she drives by car or bus everywhere she goes so if she is in New York, she would have to be a screen from New York to sing it, and she is  probably too overcome with emotion, after all, she was Whitney’s Godmother.

Jennifer Hudson with her overblown vocal theatrics, she’s a poor choice
in my book. I can’t even understand any lyrics when she sings. 

This.  That’s why I don’t want Jennifer Hudson and why she will make it about herself.
 

 I know that but I think if Dolly sang a subdue tender rendition of IWALY, with lots of clips of Whitney in the background, that would be more powerful than any diva belting out any of Whitney’s songs. But you are probably right too, they will probably want someone that can sing a mashup of Whitney’s hits.  This is just so sad right now. No matter what it’s going to be a really sad night at the Grammys. :(

Whitney Houston should sing her songs. A beautiful montage of her singing her own songs would be the best tribute. Boomie is not a good choice. Dolly singing IWALY very tenderly to a montage of Whitney’s career would be almost as good as Whitney herself.

Dolly singing IWALY very tenderly to a montage of Whitney’s career would be almost as good as Whitney herself. 

Yes.  This would be perfect.  There wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house.  And it would probably go on that list of “Grammy’s Greatest Performances”.

It short notice. Whitney deserves something more than what they can put together in less than 24 hours. It’s not like it’s going to be the only tribute we will see for her in the coming months. And I bet money they will do something next year for her, as well.

Plus, I imagine they are already doing something for Etta James?

Wow, some of you attacking JHud are just going overboard. When has she ever made it “all about herself”? When has she ever had a bad attitude in any situation like this, ever?

How many artists make sense to tribute Whitney the day after her death? Celine makes zero sense to me at all and I do not understand the relevance there. Dolly Parton makes little sense to me as well. “I Will Always Love You” was possibly Whitney’s biggest hit, but she was a superstar beyond one singular song. I didn’t see people recommending the Zutons to pay tribute to Amy Winehouse after her passing, so I don’t really understand the thought process regarding Dolly. 

Also, Clive Davis has every right to choose whoever he wants. He is the person who originally signed Whitney Houston, so it makes sense that he’s going to keep the torch going in-house. What’s so wrong with that? Would it really make any more sense to choose someone with no connection to Whitney whatsoever? Does anyone honestly think somebody like Madonna, Celine, or Xtina is going to be a good choice for this?

Also, might I add that Jennifer is already extremely familiar with the song. Many artists are, but Jennifer won’t need much rehearsing because she’s performed the song many times in the past. Other artists won’t be as prepared. I think Jennifer makes the most sense and it should be a very good performance.

I grew up with Whitney, and I would guess a lot of people just want to remember the songs the way they were sang by Whitney. No offense to Jennifer, but I have not heard anyone yet who can really match Whitney’s voice when she was on the top. Simon was on CNN and they were playing The Bodyguard soundtrack. The notes were perfect, but everyone else that tries that song, ummmmm no. There are people that come close, but they usually over sing and J Hud, Christina, almost all of the younger singers don’t seem to know when to reign it in….

I remember that Tribute to Aretha and it was really bad. All the more reason to just do a montage of Whitney singing her own songs. No one needs to practice, just get an editing team to go through Clive Davis’s vault, pull out IWALY, One Moment in Time, The Greatest Love of All, I Have Nothing, etc.. and the National Anthem with the flag and Whitney singing her heart out.

I believe Chakka Chan is also suppose to sing with Jennifer.  Also, Monica and Brandy were working with Whitney earlier in the week.  They were scheduled to sing a song to her at the Grammys.

Aretha Franklin is Whitney’s Godmnother, so I don’t think she’d be able to do this.  I am sure Clive will tell Jennifer to tone it down.  I would rather see 5 singers paying tribute rather than just one.

Originally, Bruce Springsteen was to sing the opening number.  I believe that will be changed.  People need to extand the time if they are recording the entire show.  This is just so sad.  What timing…my goodness.

Tamyra Gray singing IWALY would have been THE PERFECT CHOICE!!!!
IF any doubt, check this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xKIxuUCdjU

ssssss

Gag on J. Hudson.  A montage of Whitney singing her own songs would be ten times better than listening to Hudson wail and screech. 

I saw when Jennifer sang when Whitney was being honored. (It may have been last year)  She was amazing!  Wish I could find it to see it again.

Well gag me with a spoon…I understand that JHud is one of Clive’s pet projects but to submit us to her in a Whitney tribute is just not something I want to hear.  The gal has only one singing style: loud, and its as annoying as hell.  I would rather see clips of Whitney then hear someone massacre the songs she did so well.

I agree.  I just watched Ken Erlich (the producer of the Grammies) talk about how there wasn’t enough time to put together a fitting, lengthy tribute.  IMO, rather than have JHud (or anyone else, for that matter), slap together a last minute tribute, a montage of Whitney at her best would be the most suitable move at this point.  Like the montages that they put together for the Kennedy Center honors.  I didn’t get the connection with Chaka Khan until I learned that Whitney started as a background singer for her when she was 15 years old.

I hope she is not planning on singing “I Will Always Love You” like she did on youtube, underwhelming. I would much prefer Tamyra Gray or maybe even X-Factor’s Leona Lewis.

Better than that would be to simply show clips of Whitney singing her songs.

I’m Every Woman was a Chaka remake too. 

Would it be weird to open with the SSB recording?

I’ve never been a fan of JHud or her personality but even I can admit that she is the obvious choice. Who else can be expected to do as professional a job in less than 24 hours? I’m with those who say it would be better to have a proper full blown tribute next year rather than patched together this year.

I get it, not everyone is a fan of her style of singing, but some of the suggestions I’ve read so far wouldn’t be able to do a Whitney song justice like JHud can IMO. If Christina can get so much praise for over singing Etta, I’m sure people will be satisfied with whatever JHud does with Whitney.

Good for JHud! What an honor!

Nobody is gonna sound like Whitney. Ever.

It’s a last-minute tribute, not a crowning-of-the-next-Whitney.

 Kelly definitely got overlooked.

Whitney didn’t think her singing was annoying as hell in fact, she quite enjoyed JHud’s performance and the interplay between them at the BET concert is one of the most touching things I’ve seen in a while. Looking forward to tonight’s memorium by Jhud, girl is pure class and professional enough to pull this off. 

One comment: Whitney enjoyed JHud’s singing and in this case, that is all that matters. 

UGH.  This sucks.  Jhud would have been my last pick.  I just will not be able to watch this. 

Are they that interchangeable now? 

Jordan Sparks, season 6 winner, just filmed Sparkle with Whitney playing her mom. Sony said the film is still coming in August as Whitney had finished filming. 

For real.  I don’t want Jennifer Hudson scream-singing at me.  I think I’ll just mute her part and turn up the volume on the Chaka Khan part.

This is going to be all about the money for a show like the grammys.  You can bet they are licking their chops anticipating higher viewership to see how she will be remembered at the grammys.    As for piecing together a montage, in this day and age you can’t tell me they can’t do that lickety split.   I imagine a lot of people would rather see something like that than what is planned.  Maybe it is cheaper to do last minute.  Who knows.  Bad choice.

I’m not a fan of JHuds singing style at all, and I wished they had another legend doing this.

However, it isn’t about what I want.  It’s about Whitney, and she was a fan of Jennifer and I think she’d be happy with the choice the Grammy’s made.  

Next year, I hope to hear Beyonce, or Mariah or Alicia or Mary J – hopefully all of them, on a stage together paying tribute when there’s more time to plan.  (I’m sure there will be plenty who don’t like my choices.)

I’m just glad they’re going to do something this year.  To do nothing would be highly insulting and inapporpriate IMO.

That sounds like a good plan.  I just cannot stomach Jennifer most of the time, and especially not in this instance.  None of the modern-day belters can touch Whitney in her prime, so I just would have went in a different direction completely. 

Wow.  I’m clearly in the minority here, but I think JHud is the perfect person to sing this tribute.  *shurgs* 

I will mute the TV when JenHud is on and go to YT to see a Whitney video.
Even though I love, love I Will Always love You, my favorite is
One Moment In Time.

UGH. This sucks. Jhud would have been my last pick. I just will not be able to watch this

For me, it’s not about who I like – or do not like.   As MJ tweeted, why does everything always have to turn into a fan war???   What really matters is that Whitney Huston and Jennifer Hudson were fans of one another and Whitney would have been proud. I would also think Clive must have talked to Whitney’s family about this.

She will do well. If I want to hear the real Whitney, I’ll YouTube it.

Just Google the Feb.  2010 BET Honors to watch Jennifer’s FANTASTIC rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”  That shows why she is the perfect person to sing during the tribute to Whitney.

I prefer JHud’s acting to her singing.  I think Christina Aguilera would have been a better choice.  Her tribute to James Brown, It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, was crazy good.  She does go OTT a lot of times, but in this case, I think she would do Whitney proud. 

I don’t do fanwars.  My unhappiness about this has nothing to do with AI or any AI contestant.  I just don’t like the idea at all.  I’m not a Jhud fan, never have been.  But, if I were to pick someone to do this, it wouldn’t be any other AI alumnus either.  So, it’s not about some imaginary favorite of mine getting this opportunity.  Hence, not a fanwar. 

Whitney was a legend.  She deserves more than some last minute quicky tribute.  She deserves more than JHud.  She had a one of a kind voice.  And, I’m thinking maybe that’s what we should be hearing at the Grammy’s instead of some other wanna be diva. 

I suspect the montage will be well done. Not to be morbid, but many newspapers have obits in the can for elderly celerbrities or for those who are living on the edge, just in case they need to go to press with it in 24 hours.   I wouldn’t be surprised, given Whitney’s bout with drugs, that there hasn’t been some hi-lights reel created some time ago.

I am not a fan of JHUD but if she can sing a tribute well, I’m ok with it.   But really, a legend should be singing Whitney.  I think Beyonce has the chops to pull it off and she is a heavy weight in the industry.  Has she had her baby yet?  Or perhaps some other industry legends, even if they don’t have Whitney’s range, it would be nice to see some music royalty do the tribute.

But Whitney Huston and Jennifer Hudson were fans of one another. And Clive likely talked to Whitney’s family about this tribute. Isn’t that’s all that really matters? That and also knowing that Whitney would have been very happy with the choice. Who I like or do not like is really irrelevant.

Well, I’ll say this. I dont like JHud, I’m sick of her, I’m sick of her screaming at me in the never ending WW commercials, last night I rolled my eyes at the thought of her doing the tribute..BUT after just watching her sing I Will Always Love You, in front of Whitney no less. WOW. That is all. That was pretty effing phenomenal. And Whitney seemed visibly moved so I guess I’m ok with it now.

Eh, I’m not happy about it, but I can let it go.  I don’t want to be raining on everyone’s parade here.  I’ll just have my own personal pity party LOL :).

I just wish they would show Whitney singing.  No one can compare to her, and I would think the best tribute would be to remind people, and introduce young people, to her once in a generation gift.  I mean, every news station came up with a night of clips with little time.  The tribute should be watching her gift.  No one can measure up and seems pointless to me. 

Thanks for recommending that performance.  Here’s the link to the video:

http://www.bet.com/video/bethonors/2010/jennifer-hudson-whitney-houston-tribute-2010.html

It was a terrific rendition of IWALY, and Whitney seemed to really enjoy it.  I’ve got nothing against JHud, and now that I’ve seen this video, it does appear that she’s the best choice for this tribute.  I still would prefer a video montage of Whitney though.  Maybe, they’ll have both?

Thanks for posting the link…it is awesome!

Oh, wow. That is heartwrenching. Beautiful. And look at how Whitney reacts. Thank you for finding and sharing the link.

Wow! That really says it all right there!

A tribute is for the person who is being remembered. It is for their friends, their family and their community of people. It is not about who WE want to hear or whose voice WE like best.

With all that in mind, Jennifer is the perfect person to do a last minute tribute.

I loved that performance. Thank you.

Instead of making it about Jennifer, why don’t we just show respect to Whitney?  Ripping into J-Hud brings nothing to the table.

Kelly has ZERO connection to Whitney.  Why would they pick her, other for Hudson haters to have a field day?

It’s not about who’s doing the honoring, but about who’s being honored.

That was beautiful. Jennifer did a wonderful job and they picked the right person to honor Whitney.

I’m not a hater of Jennifer Hudson by any means, but I just don’t want to hear her singing Whitney’s songs tonight.  If Whitney loved Jennifer singing her music and was a fan, that’s wonderful.  I just don’t want to hear it, simple as that.  Not sure I want to hear anyone else singing Whitney’s songs right now, but definitely not Jennifer.  I’ll admit that I’m kind of tired of Jennifer being all over the place (between the Weight Watchers ads and everything else-ugh-I’m just over her right now, and I’ve always liked her).  Eh, I’m sure she’ll do a good job and it will hopefully be a classy tribute, but I’m gonna pass.

Well, apparently, Mariah was ready to the tribute but Clive said no and insisted on Jennifer Hudson.  See, he won’t let anyone outside his stable do the tribute.  Especially since he’s trying to turn Jennifer Hudson into the next Whitney.

After seeing the performance tonight, Clive made the right choice. 

Wow so glad some one said it. I am from the Chicago area and just cannot stand Jennifer Hudson. She sucked singing it at the grammy’s and as well as singing at Michael Jackson’s Funeral. I don’t know how anyone can listen to her crap music. Someone who could do Justice to be honored to sing Whitney’s music. Rip Whitney you will be missed!

Madonna no way could she ever come close to singing it. Dolly absolutely since she sang the song first. I could even see Celine singing it she has the ability to do so has a very strong voice.