The music world has once again stopped to remember Whitney Houston.
The late and truly great singer would have celebrated her 53rd birthday today.
Tragically, of course, Houston was taken from us far too soon when her body was found in the bathtub of a Beverly Hills hotel in February of 2012.
Despite the singer’s long-time struggle with substance abuse, it remains one of the more shocking deaths in Hollywood history.
Fast forward four and a half years and many musicians still cannot believe Houston is gone.
“#WhitneyHouston U are drawn on my wall becuz there will NEVER be another you VOCALLY! Or STYLE! We love u QUEEN,” wrote Missy Elliott on Twitter this morning.
And she certainly was not lone in paying tribute to Whitney on her birthday.
On Instagram, Jennifer Hudson shared an old photo of the singer, writing as a caption to the image:
“Happy birthday to the greatest Whitney Houston!”
Then there was Tika Sumpter, who co-starred in the movie Sparkle with Houston. Her Instagram message shared the same sentiment as that of Hudson, reading:
“Whitney. The greatest. Miss you.”
Back on Twitter, Paula Abdul retweeted a “We’ll always love you, Whitney Houston” message, to which she added: “Truly & always.”
Over now to And Jordin Sparks, who also starred in Sparkle and who Tweeted on this occasion:
“Wishing Mama Whitney a Happy Birthday!! I miss you! Thank you so much for your kindness & love.”
About a month after Houston died, officials determined that she passed away from a heart attack brought on by the use of cocaine.
Her death was ruled an “accidental drowning.”
Coroner Chief Craig Harvey said in a news conference that evidence pointed to Whitney as a “chronic” cocaine user and that the traces in her system were “acute,” meaning she took the drug very soon before she died.
Making the story even sadder?
Whitney’s only daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, also died of a drug overdose.
Moreover, her body was also found in a bathtub, with this tragedy taking place in January of 2015 at a home she shared with boyfriend Nick Gordon.
Controversy continues to swirl around Bobbi’s death, most notably the role Gordon played either in her drug habit or even in the hours leading up to her passing.
Bobby Brown has gone so far as to even suggest Gordon murdered his daughter.
But we’re not here now to get into any of that.
We’re here to pay tribute to Whitney Houston and the incredible life she led.
Whatever demons surrounded both her and Bobbi, let’s just hope each has now found peace on the other side.
Together.
May they rest in peace.