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Kelly Price On Whitney Houston: “She Was The Premier Artist To Me”

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Posted by Emily Exton on 02/12/2012 at 7:04 PM Rolling in the Grammys

The Popdust Files: kelly price, rolling in the grammys, whitney houston

Arrivals at the Grammy Awards have begun with a heavy heart, as many attendees have addressed the passing of Whitney Houston. Friend and collaborator Kelly Price spoke to Ryan Seacrest about learning of Houston’s tragic death on Saturday. “In my heart I was praying it was an Internet hoax,” she said. “To realize it wasn’t, I don’t even know how to explain it.” Price took the stage with Houston on Thursday night at her For The Love of R&B pre-Grammy party, in what will now be considered her final public performance. “I wasn’t expecting her to sing. I wasn’t expecting her to do that,” she explained. “She just walked up on the stage, we embraced each other and she said ‘Give me the mic.’” Price also acknowledged the great influence Houston had on her career, particularly through her transition from back-up performer to solo star. “Singing with whit has always been to me just an honor. I looked up to her prior to becoming an artist. She was just the premier artist to me.”

Overcome with emotion, and relying on to the supportive grip of Seacrest to get through the interview, Price took a moment before offering what she thought would be Houston’s wish for tonight’s show: “She would want it to be celebratory and to be about the music,” Price said. “She loved what she did.”