R&B singer Ray J has finally come forward to speak on the unexpected passing of 48-year old music icon Whitney Houston days after he allegedly discovered her body in a Beverly Hills hotel.
Speaking via a statement, Ray J admited the emotional turmoil Houston’s passing has had on him.
The sudden death of Whitney Houston has left her family, friends and fans broken-hearted. And on Friday (February 17), her close friend Ray J finally ended his silence, releasing this statement to MTV News: “Over the past few days I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon but I lost my close friend. Nippy I miss you so much! You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.” The “One Wish” singer was no doubt close to Houston, and while neither ever confirmed a romance, it was widely speculated that he and Houston were an item. (MTV)
Last weekend, reports emerged online claiming Ray J may have found Houston’s body.
Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel this afternoon. According to CNN, it was Ray J who found her body. At this time, it is unknown if she overdosed or committed suicide. s that Ray J found Whitney dead Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,” tweeted Justin Lear. The news station also reported that Ray J (famous for his sex tape with Kim Kardashian) and Whitney had been intimately dating and have been together for the past few days. Ray J has not tweeted anything about the death of Whitney Houston (which is understandable), who coincidentally died on his sister, Brandy’s, birthday. (Celebs Gather)
The initial reports stated Houston was pronounced dead early Saturday (February 11) evening.
Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel, officials said. She was 48. The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were “no obvious signs of criminal intent” and that the cause of her death is being investigated. Houston’s bodyguard found her body, said Courtney Barnes, publicist for hip-hop artist Ray J, who was dating the pop diva. (CNN)
Houston’s funeral is slated to take place today at noon.
Whitney Houston’s funeral is invitation-only and attendance will be limited to family and friends, but Saturday’s services are set to be seen around the world: They will stream online and be shown on a number of TV networks. Houston’s funeral is slated to begin at 9 a.m. Pacific at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J. — the late pop titan’s childhood church. Among those attending are Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown (the father of her only child, daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown), her “Bodyguard” co-star Kevin Costner, cousin Dionne Warwick, Ray J, Brandy, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry and CeCe Winans, Bobbi Kristina’s godmother. (Los Angeles Times)
