she started out as a model for "17" magazine and you saw her as a spokesmodel for a cosmetic company, then singing on a very public stage. and then acting as well. she was multidimensional. that made her unique. >> it was very important because she got across her brand in a different way. the bodyguard was a breakout hit for her. the preacher's wife was a solid hit and a soundtrack that showed her range in gospel music and waiting to exhale was a big hit at movie theaters and as a soundtrack. she had another film coming out "sparkle," bishop t.d. jakes said she completed her work on that. within of my favorite films of hers and of my daughter emma is her film of "cinderella" she did with a multiracial cast. it was for little girl and little boys that wanted to watch and i think that really part of

her legacy, she is someone who wasn't just a singer, who really tried to expand her range of what performers could do in many different i was. >> what is your feeling that she was destined for greatness? we're looking at still images with dien w de dionne warwick. >> i don't think she was destined for greatness. i think it was something she had to work for. clive davis saw something when he saw her at that new york city -- >> at carnegie hall, yes. >> and took a chance to try to make her into something because you saw a lot of good raw material, dionne warwick being her cousin and cissy houston being her mom, but her album was not a huge hit out of the box.

it day budde at it debuted at 166 on the billboard chart to reach number one. he stayed with it. she kept doing the circuit, kept performing, kept pushing on radio and became the whitney houston we all know. but she had to work at it, she had to show she had the stuff to be the icon she became. >> that's a beautiful lesson being underscored. thanks so much, christopher farley of "the wall street journal" now. appreciate it. also breaking news, we continue to follow now this out of athens, greece. thousands of protesters are fighting riot police in the streets throwing rocks and setting buildings on fire while tear gas covers the city. at least 15 people are hurt, but police officers and protesters. it is happening outside the greek parliament where inside

lawmakers are deciding how to further cut public wages and benefits in return for european bailout package. cnn's matthew chance is in athens and we'll go live to athens in a moment and check in with him. now to the other top story we continue to follow. new information now about whitney houston's death. the los angeles coroner confirms to cnn that an autopsy could happen as early as this afternoon. police say there are no obvious signs of foul play. tmz quoting informed sources says the singer was found unconscious in the bath cub tub her hotel room in beverly hills. these are some of the last photos of houston taken thursday at a hollywood nightclub.

joining us now, live from los angeles, cnn's casey wian. there are reports also about whitney houston's daughter and that she, bobbi kristina, was rushed to the hospital. what can you tell us about both of those fronts? >> that's right, fredricka. the beverly hills police department confirms to me that in fact bobbi kristina brown was taken to the hospital just before noon today, rushed to the hospital, cedars-sinai hospital, here in los angeles with what they're describing as a nonlife threatening medical transport situation. they will not tell us any more details about her condition. obviously there are reports, though, she was very distraught in the hours immediately after her mother was found dead in that hotel room in the beverly hilton hotel and was not allowed to see her mother. spokesperson for cedars-sinai medical center saying that they will not confirm more deny the

fact that she is at the hospital. whitney houston's daughter, because of federal privacy laws. and as you mentioned, the autopsy of whitney houston, according to the los angeles coroner's office could happen as early today. they're also telling us it could happen tomorrow. we won't know until after that autopsy is performed whether they will release any preliminary information or if they will wait for possible several weeks or more until toxicology results are completed. we do know that the beverly hills police department is no longer on scene at the beverly hilton hotel. they will not say, though, whether that means they have completed their investigation at that site. fredricka? >> casey wian, thanks so much, in los angeles. new video is surfacing of what is being called whitney houston's last performance from thursday night, just two days before her death. houston showed up at singer kelly price's pregrammy celebration and they sang a duet of yes, jesus loves me.

♪ ♪ >> so after the duet, price told mtv that reports of houston being anything but okay were erroneous. one of whitney houston's long time friends chaka khan will pay tribute to her at the grammy awards. you can hear the emotion in her voice as she tells hln about her last conversation with houston.

>> i'm still in shock. i can't wrap my head around the fact that i won't be able to hug her and say, hey, anymore, you know? that's the hardest thing for me. >> how difficult -- >> i loved her. >> how difficult is it going to be for you tonight to put those emotions aside and give a proper tribute to whitney at the grammys? >> i don't know. i'm just going to pray that i can -- i don't know. i don't know how i'm going to do

it. but i'm going to do what i can. >> when is the last time you spoke with whitney houston? >> it was, i think, the end of -- the end of last summer, i saw her. she came to -- prince and i were working here in l.a. and she came to the gig. and she came up on stage with me and we sang together. and afterwards we talked for, like, over an hour in my dressing room. and we had a wonderful talk. and, you know, it is so surreal. i just saw her. >> it will be hard for chaka khan and inttribute this evenin.

the grammys start in about four hours. but the shock of whitney houston's death will hang over the event. let's go now to los angeles. kar kareen wynter is joining us right now. can hear it in her voice, it will be difficult, but she said she's got to do it. >> don't be surprised if chaka khan doesn't break down on stage, even jennifer hudson, she'll be part of the special tribute. and it is going to be really a big night for jennifer, you know. even before the devastating news happened yesterday, fred, she shared how whitney houston was an idol to her, even as an 11-year-old girl, she would imagine sitting in a room that whitney was across from her and they would be doing duets together. and what a lot of people may not remember is whitney presented jennifer with her very first grammy on stage in 2008. that was for best r&b album, jennifer hudson, back then. so it will be an emotional night

for her. she said at that time, fred, this was so touching, that meeting whitney houston back in 2008, it almost overshadowed the whole grammy experience. so this is how much this woman meant to her, probably still means to her. and so she's going to give it her all when she hits that stage tonight. i also want to share with you some of the statements that cnn has confirmed from a person who used to be married to whitney houston, bobby brown, of course, so broken up by what has happened and he confirmed with cnn in the statement, 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 directed towards my family and i at this most difficult time. also, a statement from whitney houston's family, 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. friends, i keep talking to, i

just contacted someone very close to bobby brown and also whitney houston, their agent, she was very gracious on the phone, but just so incredibly and understandably upset over everything that happened. i tried to ask her how bobby brown is reacting to this news that his daughter is not doing well, she's been hospitalized again, and she was so broken up, she couldn't even put the words together to have a conversation right now on the phone with me. just gives you a glimmer of what so many people here are grappling with right now. and it will continue for days to come. fred? >> karen wintekareen wynter, th much. the other big story we continue to follow, this in greece, breaking news out of athens. a massive crowd of protesters is faced off beagainst riot police. let's go to matthew chance. what more can you tell us, matthew? >> well, fredricka, within the

past few minutes the large crowds of thousands of protesters surrounding this square outside the greek parliament seem to have, you know, dissipated somewhat. we hear reports there are some isolated incidents elsewhere in the city, but essentially the main protesters which saw tens of thousands of people outside the parliament in athens, many of them clashing with riot police, seems to have gone away for the moment. many of them were protesting, all of them were protesting against the austerity measures being debated in the building right behind me. the greek parliament. they're debatie inine ining aus measures imposed on greece so they can get the bailout funds it needs to avoid bankruptcy next month. many of these people, though, have endured two years of austerity measures already. the country is in deep recession, and the last thing they want are more cuts to their public services, jobs, wages.

that's why there is so much anger on the streets of athens this evening. that's why the government here is in a very difficult position indeed. it will have to pass these measures. it looks like they will do that. but it will have to face public anger afterwards. >> and so how are, you know, first responders able to kind of contain the situation, athens, filled with historic buildings? >> reporter: well obviously some of the buildings as well have been affected by these riots this evening. we had reports of various cafes, cinemas, that have been attacked and in some instances torched by the protesters as they clash with police in the running street battles through central athens. none of the great monuments of antiquity like the kroacropolis anything like that have been

harmed. a banner was draped over the acropolis which overlooks the back of athens. but this is something that has been contained to the modern center of the greek area. >> back in the u.s. now, stars remembering whitney houston. stay with us to hear how the late pop star helped singer jennifer holliday through hard times. >> i wanted to be like her, always wanted to sing like that, never could, though. but she was a wonderful person. always giving of herself. but, you know, her music will live forever. she will forever be a superstar, forever. >> and she was. she was a super star. >> a superstar, yeah. don't make them like that anymore. maybe this vacation wasn't a good idea vacations are always a good idea ♪ priceline negoti - - no time. out quickly. you're miles from your destination. you'll need a hotel tonight we don't have time to bid you don't have to bid. at priceline you can choose from thousands of hotels on sale every day.

save yourself... some money it's what he would have wanted. today is gonna be an important day for us. you ready? we wanna be our brother's keeper. what's number two we wanna do? bring it up to 90 decatherms. how bout ya, joe? let's go ahead and bring it online. attention on site, attention on site. now starting unit nine. some of the world's cleanest gas turbines are now powering some of america's biggest cities. siemens. answers.

to lose whitney houston some seven months after we lost amy winehouse, a month after we lose etta james, another legend, to think there are three iconic singers in hopefully a better place is such a sad loss to the music industry and a sad loss to the world. >> so among those being tributed this evening, whitney houston. and actress and singer jennifer holliday was a very whitney hou. she talked about how much whitney helped her when she hit hard times. >> whitney was one of the most downhome and just nice and kind hearted. and i had met her early on because i knew so many of the same people that she knew, michael jackson, all these people that i knew, of course,

through "dream girls" and aretha franklin and singers and so i got to know her just as a nice person. she was always very kind hearted. and when i had fallen upon hard times, and had lost my home and trying to get my career back together, she kind of stepped in to try to figure out, okay, so how are you going to get work and how are you going to do and she would offer me jobs and one time she offered -- she had a birthday party, she said i can book you to sing for that. and she and i were label mates briefly. i was with arista records, i did one album for them and i also sang for the clive davis party, which she was always at. and she personally took me around to people, introduced me and personally saw after -- she was always just trying to show that she cared about people. she was also that same way with her musicians early on. and i learned from her how to treat musicians, you know, just

in terms of -- her piano player was a musical director, she loved them and his death was one of her first tragic deaths of the loss of the piano player, and how she cared for them and the family. she's always been a very caring person. and i think that it got all mixed up because she didn't have a lot to say about a lot of things, like i'm very deep and analytical about a lot of stuff. she, you didn't feel darkness from her. and you know you can get that from some people, some artists, they feel dark, they feel secretive. you didn't feel that. you always felt a light from her. she was always uplifting and trying to help people, you know, by connecting them. >> well, much more on the investigation surrounding whitney houston's death. also straight ahead, presidential politics, where do the candidates stand?

republican presidential candidate mitt romney heads into the next set of primaries with another victory in his column. he won the main caucuses narrowly, beating ron paul by just three percentage points. rick santorum and newt gingrich didn't actively compete in the state. they came in third and fourth place respectively. the main caucuses are nonbinding, which means the 21 delegates at stake will be handed out at a convention come may. romney is also the candidate

of choice of cpac, the conservative politic action conference. he won the conference straw poll this weekend, finishing seven points ahead of his closest rival rick santorum. newt gingrich came in third and ron paul finished last with 12% of the vote. mitt romney's gop presidential rivals say think they sti they still have a chance to win the nomination. >> we feel very, very good going into michigan and arizona. we're going to compete obviously heavily in michigan. we're going to compete in arizona. and we think this is a two-person race right now and we're just focused on making sure that folks know we're the best alternative to barack obama and we have the best chance of beating him. >> he does have the money and the organization. he just doesn't have the enthusiasm, i think, we are able to get in our crowd, really excited about what he believes in. that's his biggest problem. i would say, yes, he's out in

front and people keep picking away at him but he lost a few, but, you know, he picked up a little steam today. so you got to give him credit for that. >> we'll have more on presidential politics later on. turning back to whitney houston and the investigation surrounding her death, she got the world's attention, not just with her voice, but also with her looks. cover girl, 1981 and many times after that on "seven teen" magazine. i'll talk to the editor coming up. first, singer indie.arie remembers whitney. >> i didn't know her that well but she was extraordinarily loving and kind toward me. it was amazing. first year i came out, i got nominated for seven grammys and had a song on my album called hidden in the right direction and she sent me flowers and cards and said you're headed in the right direction. when i went to the grammys, i had the card in my bag, like, whitney houston knows who i am.

i've known her for a little girl up and her family, of course. and i'm venturing out to say this and may get flack, but there will never be another voice like that. >> i got that rare privilege to be front and center with whitney houston, the race horse, and it is just shocking. it is just beyond. >> tonight's grammy awards show will go on despite the death of singer whitney houston.

and authorities will not release information about the death investigation until tomorrow. the pop star died yesterday in a beverly hills hotel. she burst into the music industry's consciousness in the early 1980s as a phenomenal church singer. ♪ >> from this start at new hope baptist church in newark, new jersey, houston went on to record-breaking career as a recording artist and movie star. but in between that, she was a model too. singer jennifer hudson will be part of tonight's last second tribute at the grammy awards. cnn entertainment correspondent nichelle turner is at l.a.'s staples center where tonight's ceremony is sure to be a real tear jerker. people have been contemplating all day long how to best pay tribute to whitney houston. >> yeah, definitely, fred.

you know, i have to tell you, honestly, this has been a very odd red carpet so far. it has been open for about an hour. and you can tell there is just kind of this heaviness in the air here, a lot of people already talking about whitney houston, what she meant to them, no matter what genre of music they have been in. you talked about jennifer hudson paying tribute to whitney houston on the grammy stage tonight. let me tell you, i can tell you that we have learned jennifer hudson will be singing "i will always love you" and we know that in her rehearsals this afternoon, it was very, very emotional for her. she did have a hard time getting through the song at one point. we also spoke with just a few minutes ago the musical director for the show "glee." his name is adam anders. he was telling me and reconfirming to me what we heard from matthew morrison last night that amber riley will be singing "i will always love you" on this week's episode of "glee," their valentine's episode. this was preplanned and taped

weeks ago. he said he was texting back and forth with amber last night and she was extremely nervous, even more so now because she just wants to make sure she does the song justice for whitney's sake. fred, back to you. >> oh, boy. are they revealing any more about how the tribute will unfold? will it be, you know, sprinkled various tributes throughout the program, or do they have plans to kind of cluster it in one location of the grammy program for this evening? >> you know what, we haven't really gotten all of that information yet. earlier this morning on our air, chaka khan did say she had planned to take part in a tribute for whitney. she didn't really know how it was going to play out or what she would sing, but she did plan to take part as well. and i did speak with the president of the recording academy last night, what he told me is he felt like this was just so new and so fresh and so raw, he didn't want to do this big

over the top kind of grandiose type of tribute. he wanted to do something very appropriate, very sweet and very respectful to whitney and her family. >> all right. nichelle turner, thanks so much for keeping us posted. we'll check back with you. >> sure. >> just one indication of houston's appeal. she broke records, held by the beetles and the bgs. we'll look back at other highlights from her amazing career. [ kyle ] my bad.

[ roger ] tell me you have good insurance. yup, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...allstate. really? i was afraid you'd have some cut-rate policy. [ kyle ] nope, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...the allstate value plan. it's their most affordable car insurance -- and you still get an allstate agent. i too have...[ roger with voice of dennis ]...allstate. [ roger ] same agent and everything. [ kyle ] it's like we're connected. no we're not. yeah, we are. no...we're not. ♪ the allstate value plan. dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate.

she had such an incredible voice and such a beautiful face. i remember when i saw her first on records, just a beautiful girl. >> great memories of a great talent in whitney houston. we're also getting a statement now by whitney houston's family, reading, quote, we're 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. this statement from her ex-husband, bobby brown, saying i am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife. at this time we ask for privacy,

especially for my daughter bobbi kristina, i appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed toward my family and i at this most difficult time. and, again, we received confirmation that bobbi kristina, the daughter of bobby brown and whitney houston had earlier this afternoon been rushed to cedars-sinai hospital. it is unclear what her condition is, but our reporting says that it is a nonlife threatening event that sent her to the hospital. we'll keep you posted on bobbi kristina as well. overall, the music industry and fans all over the world are mourning the passing of whitney houston. the pop queen ruled the charts for a decade and a half. here is a look back at her golden years. ♪ because the greatest >> her was a voice instantly recognized by millions worldwide, legendary recording artist whitney houston sold more

than 170 million albums, with hits including "saving all my love for you," and "the greatest love of all." ♪ and i >> but perhaps her crowning achievement was her 1992 cover of dolly parton's "i will always love you" from her film "the bodyguard" with kevin costner. whitney houston was born into a musical family in newark, new jersey, in 1963. her incredible talent was discovered at an early age, and she was signed by arista records in 1983. her first two albums brought seven consecutive number one hits, surpassing a record set by the beatles and the bgs. ♪ i want to dance with somebody ♪ >> she went on to become music's most awarded female artist of all time, according to the guinness book of world records. she won six grammys, two emmys, 16 billboard music awards, and

23 american music awards and was named female artist of the decade at the soul train music awards in 2000. but her career stalled as she struggled with drugs and alcohol and her stormy relationship with singer bobby brown became tabloid fodder. she filed for divorce in 2006. in 2009, a comeback, houston leased her first studio album in seven years. it debuted at number one on the billboard charts. >> it humbled me and it kind of, like, kind of, like, said, okay, i think i want to do this just one more time. >> but her tour was reportedly plagued with vocal difficulties. her reps blamed an upper respiratory infection. in 2011, her publicist says houston was seeking help for her addiction. the performer was set to appear in the upcoming film "sparkle." her first movie role since "the preacher's wife" in 1996. her sudden death shocked fans

and musicians across the world. >> i am absolutely devastated by this news. i am so sad for her. she was, i mean, undoubtedly one of the greatest superstars of all time, one of the greatest voices, you know, in our lifetime we're likely ever to hear. ♪ >> whitney houston was more than a singer and actress. she was a trailblazer n 1981, she appeared on the cover of "seventeen" magazine. earlier today i talked with the current editor in chief of "seventeen" about that history-making moment. >> i was speaking with the woman who was the editor back in 1981, when whitney was first on the cover of the magazine, and she says that whitney's mother came to "seventeen," to figure out a

plan, how could they get her in the pages as a model and ultimately have her on the cover of the magazine. in fact, the other girl that is on the cover with whitney was a good friend of whitney's at the time. and whitney insisted that she do the shoot together, that she wanted her friend there. but it was all part of this sort of grand plan that they had to turn whitney into a star. and it was really -- it was a launching pad for whitney. it was incredibly iconic cover for "seventeen" magazine, really important all around. >> was the feeling perhaps at the magazine that she would be a star but a star model? did anyone know anything about her singing ability and that she would be kind of a multitalented superstar? >> well, i think this was like the beginning of whitney's path. and certainly, you know, she was in the pages of the magazine. we have seen pictures of her as a fitness model. she was regularly a fashion model for the magazine. it was so validating for this

generation of young women to see someone who looked like them on the cover. imagine the self-esteem boost that young african-american girls felt seeing someone who looks like them and they think, oh, 17 magazine thinks that girl is pretty, i must be pretty too. it is a feeling that we try to have at 17 magazine all the time for all girls that there is this incredible embracing of diversity. >> you know, i can attest to that. i was one of those little girls, you know who was looking at "seventeen" magazine all the time and there were plenty of faces in there that i admire. when it was whitney houston on the cover or whether it was her pictures inside the magazine, it was a whole other level, you know, of admiration and really kind of a feeling of encouragement that none of the other images could actually kind of convey. but then she -- but then she went on from there and then

there was, you know, cover girl makeup that also endorsed her as kind of a face of their product. so she really was a trailblazer in so many ways, well before people even knew she could sing. >> i remember so vividly when i was a teen and i -- and how well i know -- this amazing video and you wanted the hair and the makeup and the clothes. and it had nothing to do with color. i was that girl that wanted to look like whitney houston. i can imagine it so vividly. i went out and bought the eyeliner just like her. >> everyone did that. that was my conversation earlier today with the current editor in chief of "seventeen" magazine. other news, breaking tonight overseas, it is in athens greece where an angry protest march turned violent. people are hurt. we'll take you there live in a moment. ( whirring and crackling sounds )

man: assembly lines that fix themselves. the most innovative companies are doing things they never could before, by building on the cisco intelligent network. but proven technologies allow natural gas producers to supply affordable, cleaner energy, while protecting our environment. across america, these technologies protect air - by monitoring air quality and reducing emissions... ...protect water - through conservation and self-contained recycling systems... ... and protect land - by reducing our footprint and respecting wildlife. america's natural gas... domestic, abundant, clean energy to power our lives... that's smarter power today. in what passes for common sense. used to be we socked money away and expected it to grow. then the world changed... and the common sense of retirement planning became anything but common.

fortunately, td ameritrade's investment consultants can help you build a plan that fits your life. take control by opening a new account or rolling over an old 401(k) today, and we'll throw in up to $600. how's that for common sense? [ gargling ] oo-ay-ow. savings. savings. savings? progressive was the first to offer online quoting. you can do better. first to show comparison rates. ding! the "name your price" tool. oh! gosh, don't mind if i do. who was the first to offer pet injury coverage? we were. and when did you know you wanted to sell insurance? i said i wouldn't cry. um... whee! it's flo time. now, that's progressive. call or click today.

this hour's breaking news, a day of violent rioting in the streets of athens, greece. let's check in again with matthew chance. it is late at night there now. have things calmed at all? >> reporter: they have.

they have calmed quite a lot since we last spoke. there is not really any protesters on the streets at least here in the center of athens at the moment. what hasn't changed is the parliamentians are still in the building behind me, debating the austerity measures that caused so much anger here. we saw some credible scenes earlier on this evening, buildings burning, clashes and running battles between police and thousands of protesters throwing bombs and rocks that they hacked off the side of pavement here. and those big stun grenades making a dramatic noise, turning the place into something that resembled a war zone here in the center of the greek capital as well. as i say at the moment, things have coupled down a great deal. that's not to say they're not going to flare up again once the parliament passes these measures as it is expected to do within the next few hours. what is the feeling about business being conducted in this

workweek, the start of a new workweek? is there a feeling this will be very disruptive? are people staying inside if they're not out demonstrating? do they feel like they cannot go on with business as usual as it pertains to the work? >> reporter: this has been a one day protest. unions called a general strike. tomorrow is a normal workday and, you know, the fact is over the course of the last several months, over the course of the past several years, athenians have gotten used to the idea that their city comes to a complete stand still and is ravaged by protesters. is isn't fist tithe first time happened. athenians, greeks all over the country, have protested again and again against these austerity measures being passed. they're doing it again, they have done it again tonight. but the government is stuck

between a rock and a hard place. it doesn't have any option, it says, but to bend to these demands by the european union and international monetary fund to, you know, impose these austerity measures. otherwise, it will go bankrupt and that will be much more chaotic than anything the austerity measures will deliver. >> matthew chance, thank you in athens. one iconic singer remembers how whitney brought together people of different racial backgrounds. tom jones is next. >> whitney houston was my favorite singer. i thought she had the best natural female voice that i had ever heard before or since, you know. so it is -- the one good thing is she recorded so many great records so that means she lives forever, you know? amy winehouse, god bless her, but she had only done two albums. she was very young. but whitney recorded so many great things so -- but it is

still a shame that 48 years old, i mean, god, that's a shame. maybe this vacation wasn't a good idea vacations are always a good idea ♪ priceline negoti - - no time. out quickly. you're miles from your destination. you'll need a hotel tonight we don't have time to bid you don't have to bid. at priceline you can choose from thousands of hotels on sale every day. save yourself... some money

i know my voice can never compare to hers, ever. it could never be as close.

i sing because i try to, you know, follow in her footsteps and she's the reason why i sing the way i do, as strong as i do today. >> that was melanie amaro, winner of the x factor usa talent show. whitney houston transcended race in her popularity. but she really struck a cord with young african-american girls, many first inspired by whitney after she graced the cover of "seventeen" magazine in 1981. joining me now, a blogger who says she too was touched by whitn whitney's talent. la toya peterson joining us from san francisco. you blog about race and pop culture. what were you inspired to write over the last under 24 hours now? >> at this point we haven't written anything. i don't think any of us expected to lose whitney houston at age 48. i think it is important for us to look at the boundaries she

broke in terms of race and gender and what black women could expect to see and do in the pop culture space in america. >> she did touch so many young girls, you know, from a very early start, whether it was in her church, at the new hope baptist church in newark, where, you know, at 11 years old she was a solo singer with the junior choir there. so she made an indelible impression there in the community this and just simply blossomed as she became one on the national stage. >> definitely. she is -- she was iconic. a lot of people said the "seventeen" magazine cover, i was too young to experience that awakening to whitney houston. i remember her established as this huge star. i was coming of age when "the bodyguard" was popular and it was amazing to see this tall, glamorous woman, like the lena horne of our era and to see her coming and commanding such stage

presence and see her everywhere, on mtv, on b.e.t. in a time when a lot of black stars didn't have the same type of ability to cross over. it seemed like she could do anything she wanted to. >> even though there was quite a bit of press on her tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband bobby brown, did that in any way kind of jade or change your view of her? >> you know, it was just sad. i was reading some old articles, prepping the piece, and there was one in salon by rebecca chaseter who said the whitney story wasn't the bad girl going out of control, this was like the good girl, the princess who had had taken this tumble and we were waiting for her to come out of it. i was hoping for a tina turner style turn around, she gets rid of that man and gets her life clean and comes back triumphant. that seems to be the path she was on, that's why this tragedy is striking so deeply. >> if you felt there was a

message in her image, do you feel there was a message, a common thread message in her music? >> i felt like her music was all about trying to find, particularly for girls, who they are within. at first she sang about love and trying to find love and looking for love. later she started talking about how she was fine on her own, she could stand on her own two feet. i felt like whitney was urging people to look and be more reflective. >> la toya peterson, thank you for being with us and reflecting on your thoughts and memories of whitney houston. >> thank you. >> the man who people credit with discovering whitney talks about her next. [ kyle ] my bad.

[ roger ] tell me you have good insurance. yup, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...allstate. really? i was afraid you'd have some cut-rate policy. [ kyle ] nope, i've got... [ kyle with voice of dennis ] ...the allstate value plan. it's their most affordable car insurance -- and you still get an allstate agent. i too have...[ roger with voice of dennis ]...allstate. [ roger ] same agent and everything. [ kyle ] it's like we're connected. no we're not. yeah, we are. no...we're not. ♪ the allstate value plan. dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate.

...we inspected his brakes for free. free is good. free is very good. my money. my choice. my meineke. ♪ we both know i'm not what you need ♪ ♪ and i will always love you ♪ ♪ i will always love you ♪ >> hands down so many agree, "i will always love you," one of whitney houston's greatest hits,

spending 14 weeks at number one on the billboard hot 100 chart. this 1993 ballad was considered her hit song. here's part of what clive davis had to say last night. >> by now, sadly, you've all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved whitney's passing. i don't have to mask my emotions. not in front of this room, full of so many dear friends. i do have a very heavy heart and i am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many

years. whitney was so full of life. she was so looking forward to tonight. she was not scheduled to perform. she loved music. and she loved this night that celebrates music. my heart goes out to her daughter, bobbi kristina, to her mother, cissy, to all of the relatives and to so many of you here tonight, her extended family, who loved and cherished her and cherished her spirit. wit wh whitney was a beautiful person and she had a talent beyond compare. she graced this stage with her