Whitney Houston Remembered

Entertainment luminaries such as Ricky Martin, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Ellen DeGeneres, and Mariah Carey have taken to Twitter and other social media networks to share their condolences with the family, friends, and fans of the late Whitney Houston.

Houston died Saturday at age 48 in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, just hours before she was scheduled to perform at the annual pre-Grammy Awards party hosted by her mentor and close friend, Clive Davis. The Beverly Hilton was, ironically, also the location for the release party for her 2009 album, I Look to You, which was to have marked a big comeback for the award-winning singer who had sold more than 170 million records. As the star-studded audience listened to a few tracks from the album, it was apparent that Houston was no longer capable of hitting and sustaining the crystal-clear high notes from her peak, but there was definitely a sense of optimism and good will in the room. Unfortunately, despite having a minor hit with the Alicia Keys-penned anthemic dance song "Million Dollar Bill, album sales would prove to be disappointing. Sparkle, Houston's final project, a remake of the 1976 film about a female singing group, will be released in August and will reported feature two new songs by the late singer.

Among Houston's peers who have offered thoughts on her death are the following:

Ricky Martin: RIP Whitney Houston. Sending my love and deepest condolences to her family and friends. Fly Whitney Fly.

Dolly Parton: Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song, and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, "Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.

Ellen DeGeneres: Very sad news about Whitney. My heart and prayers go out to her daughter and family.

Mariah Carey: She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.

Oprah Winfrey: To me Whitney was THE VOICE. We got to hear a part of God every time she sang. Heart is heavy, spirit grateful for the GIFT of her.

Bette Midler: Please, please someone tell me it's not true...

Queen Latifah: Oh Dear Lord! Hurting so Bad!!! MY Sister Whitney!!!!!!! Newark please Pray!!! World Please Pray!

Paula Abdul: I am devastated. I am absolutely devastated at the news about Whitney Houston. Such a tragic, tragic loss.

Christina Aguilera: We have lost another legend.

Adam Shankman: I choreographed I'm your baby tonight miss you angel.

Jennifer Lopez: Such a loss. One of the greatest voices of our time. Sending out prayers to her family... #R.I.P.Whitney.

Aretha Franklin: My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby.

Cher: My feelings about Whitney!Life is hard 4 everyone,Sadness Disappointment, Loss,Fear,insecurity,Loneliness, IMAGINE DOING IT IN A SPOTLIGHT.

Barbra Streisand released a statement to the media saying, "She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us."

Producer Craig Zadan, who with partner Neil Meron, worked with Houston on the 1997 television musical Cinderella, tells Broadway World, "Neil (Meron) and I worked closely with Whitney on the TV production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and the movie was a magical experience. We had a reunion with Whitney last year in Atlanta and she seemed to be in a great place emotionally and we subsequently began developing a new film for her which we had hoped to do later this year. It's such a tragedy and we're so heartbroken at this terrible loss, both personally and professionally. We will miss her a lot."

A tribute to Houston will take place during the Grammy Awards tonight. Jennifer Hudson, who will sing Houston's biggest hit "I Will Always Love You," reportedly broke down in tears during rehearsal today.

Watch some of Houston's most celebrated performances on the following pages.

One of Houston's first television performances was her gorgeous, stirring take on "Home" from The Wiz.

Houston's first single from her debut album established her immediately as a vocalist to be reckoned with.

The lead single from Houston's second album found the singer loosening up a bit from the polished image she'd projected with her debut.

Houston's rendition of the national anthem is perhaps the one by which all others are measured.

Houston's cover of the Dolly Parton hit featured in her film debut The Bodyguard would become the song with which she's most close associated.

Alicia Keys wrote this dance anthem, reminiscent of early Houston hits like "How Will I Know," for the singer's final album.