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Three years ago, Laria McCormick, the singer who performs as Marzz, found themself in turmoil. The non-binary artist had grown up attending church regularly and singing in the choir, but they were starting to feel a disconnect between their identity and their beliefs. In 2019, they began writing freestyles in the Notes app on their phone. This expression would eventually pay off, serving as inspiration for Marzz’s 2021 breakthrough track “Countless Times.”

“I made the song and was like, ‘I don’t even know how I made this song but this...

Terrace Martin has announced the release of his new album, Drones, which arrives on Nov. 5 via Sounds of Crenshaw/BMG; it’s available for preorder. The set features Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Leon Bridges, Cordae, Ty Dolla $ign, among other artists.

Martin sings, plays saxophone, keys, and more instruments on the album. Additional collaborators include Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, Yg, James Fauntleroy, D Smoke, Channel Tres, Smino, Celeste, Malaya, Kim Burrell, and Hit-Boy. The lead single is “Leave Us Be.”

“There are touches of R&b, touches of jazz, touches of hip-hop,...

Since January, Kanye West — one of the most influential rappers of the last two decades — has been publicly re-fashioning himself as a practitioner of gospel, hosting a series of “Sunday Service” events which feature him performing with a full choir. The crowning touch on this foray into inspirational music is his new album, Jesus Is King, which flirts with choral textures and references scripture. West also announced plans to release a follow-up, Jesus Is Born, on Christmas.

If these albums are a success — and Jesus Is King is already on...

Image Source: Getty / Michael Zagaris

Whitney Houston is arguably one of the greatest pop stars who ever lived. She sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide and remains the only artist to chart seven consecutive number one Billboard Hot 100 songs. No DJ in their right mind would let a night pass without playing "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" at least once. But amid all the fame and glamour of being "The Voice" of a generation, there was a dark side to Whitney's life that many have tried to unravel since her death in 2012.

What makes the Kevin Macdonald-directed documentary Whitney, in theaters July 6, different from the plethora of think pieces surrounding her life and death? That would be executive producer, Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law and former manager. Pat played a huge role in the making of the doc, convincing multiple family members to agree to be interviewed. Those interviews make...

Lionel Richie will be hitting the road a little later than expected

The 67-year-old musician tells Et in a statement that he will be rescheduling his All the Hits tour after having some issues with his knee. “When you have been performing as long as I have it takes a toll on your body. Unfortunately my recovery from a knee procedure will not have me 100% ready to start the tour next month,” Richie says in a statement. “I don’t want to disappoint my fans and I look forward to being back on stage so we can all be ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ together again.”

Watch: Sofia Richie Gets a Tiny 'L' Tattoo for Her Dad Lionel Richie

Meanwhile, a rep for Richie tells Et, "The tour will be postponed until the summer. New dates to be announced soon. All tickets for rescheduled dates will be honored."

This news comes just two days after Richie tweeted his excitement...

Ellen DeGeneres is helping dreams come true!

The Ellen DeGeneres Show host had the senior class at the Summit Academy Charter School in Brooklyn, New York, on her program on Thursday, offering them -- via Walmart -- the college dream of a lifetime.

Exclusive: Ellen DeGeneres Raves About Wife Portia de Rossi After Historic People's Choice Win

"Last time you were here, Walmart wanted to give you $25,000," DeGeneres, 59, revealed. "We've never done anything this big before, we've reached out to the people at Walmart, and they want to give each one of you a four-year scholarship."

What an amazing gift!

The students, who were overjoyed by the generosity, had opened up previously on the show about what college means to them.

Watch: Ellen DeGeneres Cancels Kim Burrell's Appearance on Her Show After Singer's Anti-Gay Sermon

"Coming to Summit, it made my dreams and goals more realistic -- coming from a single-parent house," one student...

She's not wrong!

Lion star Dev Patel appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday to promote his new film, and the talk show host couldn't help but nudge the Golden Globe-nominated actor toward a different accolade -- Sexiest Man Alive!

"Because you look so good, and people are saying you look buff and everything, I had this made for you..." Ellen DeGeneres said, before presenting the 26-year-old actor with a fake magazine cover of him as People's annual hot guy honoree. "You can hand this out ... It'll help your career!"

Watch: Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel Give Roaring Performances in 'Lion'

"I'll give it to my mom, and she'll put it at the entrance to her house," Patel responded, joking, "That's never gonna happen."

"This is very awkward," the actor playfully added, leading DeGeneres to quip back, "You don't understand Hollywood."

Exclusive: Nicole Kidman on Reevaluating Priorities and Gaining a 'Real Life' After Father's Death

Watch...

Kim Burrell has been tuned out by Texas Southern University. Gospel singer Burrell’s radio show with Texas Southern University, “Bridging the Gap,” has been cancelled following a homophobic sermon given by Burrell surfaced, the Associated Press reports. “The Kim Burrell show is no longer airing as part of Ktsu Radio programming,” a statement from the university said. Also Read: Shirley Caesar Thinks Kim Burrell Should've Spoken Up About Gays Years Ago (Video) The show launched in June. Burrell has come under fire in recent days, after a tape of her speaking at the Love & Liberty Fellowship Church began making the rounds.

The fallout continues for gospel singer Kim Burrell. After Ellen DeGeneres cancelled Burrell’s appearance on her show earlier this week following a video emerging showing the singer giving a homophobic sermon, Burrell’s radio show has now been cancelled. Burrell’s show, “Bridging the Gap,” was broadcast on Texas Southern University’s Ktsu-fm. “The Kim Burrell show is […]...

The fallout continues for gospel singer Kim Burrell.

After Ellen DeGeneres canceled Burrell's appearance on her show earlier this week following a video emerging showing the singer giving a homophobic sermon, Burrell's radio show has now been canceled.

Burrell's show, "Bridging the Gap," was broadcast on Texas Southern University's Ktsu-fm. "The Kim Burrell show is no longer airing as part of Ktsu Radio programming," Ktsu-fm said in a statement to Deadline on Thursday.

Watch: Ellen DeGeneres Cancels Kim Burrell's Appearance on Her Show After Singer's Anti-Gay Sermon

Burrell was set to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that aired on Thursday to sing "I See Victory" With Pharrell Williams, a song from the film Hidden Figures. But DeGeneres canceled Burrell's appearance after she said the singer said some "not so nice things about homosexuals." In her now viral sermon, 44-year-old Burrell suggested gay people will die in 2017 because of their "sins," and talked...

Gospel star Kim Burrell’s radio show, Bridging the Gap, has been canceled.

It’s the latest blow to Burrell’s career after a video of the singer making homophobic comments surfaced recently.

Bridging the Gap, a combination of music and discussion, was relatively new to the airwaves; it premiered on Texas Southern University radio station Ktsu in June 2016. The Houston-based college announced the cancellation in a press release, writing simply, “The Kim Burrell show is no longer airing as part of Ktsu Radio programming.”

Burrell, a star in the gospel world, had been making headway in the mainstream prior to the video’s release.

Two days after being uninvited from an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show after video of a homophobic sermon she delivered at her church, Liberty Fellowship Church International, was circulated online, pastor and gospel singer Kim Burrell’s radio show has been canceled. The show, “Bridging the Gap”, which debuted earlier this year, was broadcast on Texas Southern University’s Ktsu-fm. Tsu did not address the controversy in their decision, saying in a statement…...

Lots of people are criticizing gospel singer Kim Burrell for her anti-gay rant, but pastor Shirley Caesar has a different take: Burrell should have made her comments years ago. After video surfaced last week of Burrell saying gay people are “perverted in spirit,” Ellen Degeneres cancelled Burrell’s invitation to appear on “Ellen” alongside Pharrell Williams, with whom Burrell collaborated on the “Hidden Figures” soundtrack song “I See a Victory.” On Wednesday, a video emerged showing Caesar, star of the viral U Name It Challenge, saying in a sermon that Burrell should have “said something four years ago when our president made that stuff alright.

[[tmz:video id="0_i7ihmx77"]] Ellen DeGeneres and Pharrell took a strong stand against gospel singer Kim Burrell and her homophobic rant. Pharrell was supposed to appear with Kim to do their song from the "Hidden Figures" soundtrack -- but Ellen explained why that couldn't possibly happen after Burrell's comments ... which Pharrell summed up as "hate speech." Ellen and Pharrell had a powerful response for Burrell. The full episode airs Thursday. Janelle Monae, who co-stars in the movie, told us...

This article originally appeared on EW.com.

Ellen DeGeneres and Pharrell Williams discussed singer Kim Burrell’s homophobic remarks during Thursday’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Burrell, who worked with Pharrell on the soundtrack to Hidden Figures and is a pastor, was supposed to appear on DeGeneres’ show to perform the song “I See a Victory.” But DeGeneres canceled her appearance after a video emerged of Burrell making anti-gay comments during a sermon. (Burrell later discussed the comments in a now-deleted Facebook Live video, saying, “To every person that is dealing with the homosexual spirit, that has it,...

Pharrell Williams is a lot of things - an artist, a father, a husband - but he's recently taken on a new role: feminist. During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday, the "Runnin'" singer talked about his work writing the soundtrack for the Golden Globes-nominated film Hidden Figures and the importance of recognizing the achievements of women. "Women can," he told the host. On the subject of equality, he also opened up about the recent homophobic remarks made by singer Kim Burrell and why he supports Ellen's decision to cancel her appearance to sing with him on the show. "There's no space, there's no room for any kind of prejudice in 2017 and moving on," he explained. "I love her, just like I love everybody else, and we all got to get used to that . . . Live and let live. Love and let love." Related:These Famous Women Aren't Afraid...

Neither Ellen DeGeneres nor her Thursday guest Pharrell Williams are shying away from discussing the anti-gay elephant not in the room, Kim Burrell. On today’s pre-taped “Ellen,” Williams performs “Runnin” from the “Hidden Figures” soundtrack. He was originally booked to perform a different song from the movie, and alongside gospel singer Kim Burrell. That was, until Burrell called homosexuals “perverted” in a recent speech at a Houston-area church. “We have to talk about this before we go. You were supposed to do a different song. And you were supposed to perform it with a singer — I actually didn’t know her,...

Ellen DeGeneres is opening up about her decision to cancel singer Kim Burrell’s appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. The talk show host sat down with Pharrell Williams following his performance on the show on Thursday, which Burrell was supposed to join him for, where the two had a conversation about Burrell’s recent anti-gay sermon, in […]...

Ellen DeGeneres is opening up about her decision to cancel singer Kim Burrell's appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The talk show host sat down with Pharrell Williams following his performance on the show on Thursday, which Burrell was supposed to join him for, where the two had a conversation about Burrell's recent anti-gay sermon, in which she suggested gay people will die in 2017 for their "sins."

"We have to talk about this before we go. You were supposed to do a different song from [Hidden Figures]," explained DeGeneres, who took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that Burrell would no longer be appearing on the show. "You were supposed to perform [the other song] with a singer, I actually didn't know her, her name is Kim Burrell."

"She made a statement, she was doing a Facebook Live, and she said...

Gospel singer Kim Burrell was slated to appear and perform on The Ellen Show alongside Pharrell. Kim Burrell Will Not Appear On The Ellen Show Burrell recently gave a homophobic sermon at her Love & Liberty Fellowship Church in Houston, which she founded in 2010. She reportedly called gay people “perverted” and said that “the perverted homosexual spirit, and […]

Source: uInterview

The post ‘The Ellen Show’ Cancels Kim Burrell Appearance Following Anti-Gay Sermon appeared first on uInterview.

Ellen DeGeneres continues to mourn the loss of her friend, Carrie Fisher.

"I wanna say something about my friend, Carrie Fisher," the 58-year-old host says on Wednesday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Watch: Ellen DeGeneres Cancels Kim Burrell's Appearance on Her Show After Singer's Anti-Gay Sermon

"I knew her for a long time, she has been on the show many times and the last time was just a month ago," she continues. "I loved when she was here. She made me laugh so hard."

"She was smart, she was funny, she was hilariously honest about herself and the world around her," she concludes. "I miss you, Carrie. I love you."

Related: Joely Fisher Says Debbie Reynolds 'Would Not Last' Without Carrie Fisher, Reveals Their Last Conversation

DeGeneres then cuts to a video montage featuring various guest appearances from the Star Wars star. The tribute also touches on Fisher’s mother, Debbie Reynolds, who died...

Kim Burrell will not be appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, despite her scheduled performance on Thursday's show.

Ellen DeGeneres canceled Burrell's appearance after a video emerged earlier this week showing the singer giving a sermon in which she suggested gay people will die in 2017 because of their "sins."

Watch: Ellen DeGeneres Reflects on Coming Out:'It Became Bigger Than I Ever Thought It Would Be'

"I came to tell you about sin. That sin nature... That perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women, and it’s caused us pain on the body of Christ," Burrell preached, according to the video.

"You as a man, you open your mouth and take a man's penis in your face, you are perverted… You are a woman and will shake your face in another woman's breast, you are perverted," the 44-year-old gospel singer said in the clip.

DeGeneres, who publically...

Gospel singer Kim Burrell landed herself in hot water after making some inflammatory comments during a church sermon this weekend in which she referred to “the perverted homosexual spirit.” Following Burrell’s controversial sermon, a scheduled appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was axed, while more fallout appears to be heading her way. Related: Gospel Singer Kim Burrell’s ‘Ellen’ […]...

Gospel singer Kim Burrell had been booked to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday to perform “I See a Victory,” a song from the film Hidden Figures, with Pharrell Williams — but now the host has canceled the appearance after Burrell’s apparent homophobic remarks have caused a firestorm.

A video emerged earlier this week showing Burrell, 44, giving a sermon in which she suggested gay people will die in 2017 due to their sins.

“I came to tell you about sin. That sin nature. That perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women,...

Ellen DeGeneres announced via Twitter that she has uninvited gospel singer Kim Burrell from performing on her daytime talk show after video began circulating online of an anti-gay sermon Burrell delivered at a Houston, TX church. Burrell had been scheduled to sing “I See A Victory” from the Hidden Figures soundtrack with Pharrell Williams, on DeGeneres’ show this Thursday; Williams instead will perform solo. For those asking, Kim Burrell will not be appearing on my…...

Popular gospel singer Kim Burrell is feeling the wrath of the Internet after her shocking homophobic comments circulated online. Burrell delivered a scathing sermon, one which suggests homosexuals will die in 2017: “I came to tell you about sin. That sin nature. That perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has […]...

Kim Burrell will not be singing on “Ellen,” after all. Here’s Ellen DeGeneres‘ tweet confirming the de-booking: For those asking, Kim Burrell will not be appearing on my show. — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 3, 2017 Burrell was slated to perform alongside Pharrell Williams this week on “Ellen” — that is, until a recent video surfaced of the gospel singer calling homosexuals “perverted in spirit.” Her sermon of sorts was taped at the Love & Liberty Fellowship church in Houston. Also Read: Richard Hammond Whipped, Creamed for Saying Ice Cream Is Gay Later, Burrell used Facebook Live to clear up her remarks a bit.

[[tmz:video id="0_idoref86"]] Janelle Monae says gospel singer Kim Burrell has been 86d from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in the wake of her homophobic rant. Janelle told our photog at Lax Burrell sunk herself with an anti-gay church sermon last week. Kim did a duet with Pharrell on the soundtrack of "Hidden Figures," so she was supposed to sing it with him on Ellen's show this week ... and Janelle -- who's one of the movie's stars -- is...

Gospel singer Kim Burrell says she makes "no excuses or apologies" for a sermon at a Houston church where she referred to gays and lesbians as perverted.

A tape of Burrell preaching at the Love & Liberty Fellowship Church began circulating online. She said that "the perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women." She referred to specific homosexual acts as perverted.

Meanwhile, Burrell had been scheduled to sing a duet with Pharrell on Thursday on the talk show Ellen, where host Ellen DeGeneres is one of show business'...

“Hidden Figures” stars Janelle Monae, Pharrell Williams, and Octavia Spencer are speaking out against the homophobic remarks made by Kim Burrell, a gospel singer on the film’s soundtrack. Burrell gave a sermon on Facebook Live in which she called gay people “perverted” and allegedly suggested gay people will die in 2017. The post then went viral […]...

Gospel singer Kim Burrell is facing backlash after attacking gay people as “perverts” and sinners just days before the gospel singer is scheduled to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

A video emerged earlier this week showing Burrell, 44, giving a sermon in which she suggested homosexuals will die in 2017 due to their sins. (In addition to being a singer Burrell is also a pastor and founder of the Love and Liberty Fellowship Church International, a non-denominational Christian church located in Houston.)

“I came to tell you about sin. That sin nature. That perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion,...

After watching “Hidden Figures,” the intertwining tales of a trio of women who bolstered Nasa’s space-race efforts in the early ’60s, it’s hard to imagine the film without the contributions of Octavia Spencer and Pharrell Williams.

Alongside the incredible stories of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), Spencer’s turn as Dorothy Vaughan shines as a beautifully subtle tribute to a self-made woman who defied expectations and limitations.

In “Hidden Figures,” Vaughan anticipates the challenges of an increasingly automated approach to Nasa’s computing efforts and begins to embrace and master the Ibm computer threatening to make the work of her department obsolete. Spencer sees a greater message in Vaughan’s expansion into then-emerging areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Hook-maker extraordinaire Williams doesn’t appear on screen, but his musical contributions help bridge the half-century gap between the stories of these three...

20th Century Fox has released a new lyric video for “I See a Victory” by Kim Burrell and Pharrell Williams, featured in Hidden Figures, opening Christmas Day. Check it out:...

Fox has premiered a music (lyric) video for an original song from the soundtrack for “Hidden Figures,” titled “I See a Victory” by singer Kim Burrell and the gospel choir Echoes of Praise. Watch the video below. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer,… Continue Reading →...

The Toronto International Film Festival provided a soft landing for about 30 minutes of scenes from Theodore Melfi’s “Hidden Figures,” the 20th Century Fox drama about three African-American women who provided the mathematical brainpower that helped launch John Glenn into space.

To be clear, the film’s official release date is January 13, 2017 — for now. However, this comes out of Elizabeth Gabler’s Fox 2000 division, which also shepherded “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Life of Pi,” and the studio has been considering its awards options on the title for months. They worked with Tiff to create an official event for the unfinished film — rare for the festival, which generally reserves its attention for completed works.

Read More: ‘Hidden Figures’ Trailer: Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer Star in the Untold Story of Women Anchoring Nasa

“Hidden Figures Live” included a press line that featured stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer,...

Ryan Coogler's "Creed" topped the NAACP Image Awards nomination which were revealed this morning. "Creed" received nods for best picture, director for Coogler, actor for Michael B. Jordan, writing for Coogler and Aaron Covington, and supporting actress noms for both Phylicia Rashad and Tessa Thompson.

We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.

Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:

Entertainer Of The Year

Michael B. Jordan

Misty Copeland

Pharrell Williams

Shonda Rhimes

Viola Davis

Television

Outstanding Comedy Series

.black-ish. (ABC)

.House of Lies. (Showtime)

.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)

.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)

.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)

Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)

Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)

Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)

RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)

Outstanding Actress...

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles hasn't given a print interview since the year 2013, but all of that changed this week. Not only has Bey blessed us with a flawless new cover shoot for Beat Magazine, but she's finally breaking her silence. It's pretty phenomenal, considering she didn't utter a word for her Vogue cover in September, but if we've learned anything over the years, she does what she wants. Keep reading for the six preview quotes from her chat with Beat, then get the full interview when the issue hits stands on Oct. 21. On what fear tastes like: "What does fear taste like? Success. I have accomplished nothing without a little taste of fear in my mouth." On which Beyoncé she'd be for Halloween: "Destiny's Child 'Survivor' era with the army fatigues. Or maybe 'Bootylicious' with the gold tooth and pink tips in my hair." On what she sings in the shower: "'Holy Ghost,...

Giving it another go after two years of being divorced, NeNe Leakes remarried Gregg Leakes in a star-studded ceremony on Saturday (June 22).

Making the event even more of a spectacle, it was all part of her Bravo spinoff series, "I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding," scheduled to hit the air this fall.

Excited for the big day, on Friday the 45-year-old reality star tweeted, "Got big plans this weekend? Cause I do :)."

Bridesmaids at the blessed occasion included "Real Housewives" castmate Cynthia Bailey, with other familiar faces attending including Jill Zarin, Gretchen Rossi, Slade Smiley, Patti Stanger, Omarosa, and Marysol Patton.

Held at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Hotel, the "Old Hollywood Glam" theme included a performance by gospel singer Kim Burrell.

Ring the wedding bells… again! On June 22, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star said ‘I do’ to her ex-husband for a second time.

Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes and her husband Gregg are a married couple once again! The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on June 22.

NeNe & Gregg Leakes Married Again

The wedding, which took place at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Hotel, had an “Old Hollywood Glam” theme, according to Us Weekly, as well as a star-studded guest list. Jill Zarin, Gretchen Rossi, Patti Stanger, Omarosa, Slade Smiley, and Marysol Patton were all on hand to see NeNe and Greg (re)tie the knot. Gospel singer Kim Burrell also performed at the ceremony.

The 45-year-old reality star reportedly wore a dress designed by Gabriella Arango, and the day’s events were filmed for NeNe’s upcoming Bravo spinoff series, I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding.

Chris Brown and Beyonce Knowles are among the dominating names on the nomination list of the 2012 Bet Awards announced on Tuesday, May 22. Breezy will face off the likes of Bruno Mars, Usher, Trey Songz and Miguel in the Best Male R&B Artist. He's also nominated for Video Director of the Year and Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award.

Queen Bey, meanwhile, leads the pack by grabbing six nods in total. The wife of Jay-z will compete against Marsha Ambrosius, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige and Melanie Fiona in claiming the Best Female R&B Artist title. Her other nominations include Best Collaboration for her work with J. Cole in "Party", and Video of the Year for her clip "Countdown".

In movie field, "The Help" actress Viola Davis and "Colombiana" star Zoe Saldana are facing off each other in the Best Actress category. On the other hand, "Thor" actor Idris Elba and "Safe House...

Singer opens up about the late pop icon as he releases his cover of her track 'Exhale (Shoop Shoop).'

By Jocelyn Vena

Whitney Houston

Photo: Jun Sato/ WireImage

Just days after a number of A-listers paid tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston at her funeral on Saturday in New Jersey, R&B crooner Robin Thicke decided to pay homage to the singer in his own way.

The singer dropped a cover of Houston's classic track "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" over the weekend, arranging the song with a piano and his own sweet falsetto voice. Released in November 1995, the original version was the lead single off Houston's "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack. Thicke's soulful version definitely calls to mind Babyface, who wrote and produced the song for the late star. Noticeably, Thicke changed the song from the third person to the first person, making it a bit more personal.

"I was...

See all of the complete coverage of this emotional tribute to the incredible singer. Whitney Houston's Feb. 18 funeral has brought dozens of A-list stars to the New Hope Baptist Church in Westfield, New Jersey, and HollywoodLife.com has complete coverage of the whole ceremony. Whitney, who died at 48, is being celebrated by a huge guest list at the invite-only service, including Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, Tyler Perry, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Kim Burrell, Rickey Minor, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans and Cece Winans, L.A. Reid, Brandy and Ray J. The service began with rousing spiritual songs, an incredible reminder of Whitney's early days in the church's choir and the joy that music brought to her life. As the music quieted, there was an introduction from A. Curtis Farrow, minister of music at the church, who said he had been helping the family all week through their loss. Following him was...

By Nekesa Mumbi Moody, The Associated Press

Newark, N.J. -- The funeral for Whitney Houston is ending at the New Jersey church she attended as a child.

The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark is packed to capacity for the invitation-only service. Houston died Feb. 11 in California the day before the Grammy awards. She was 48.

Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys are among those who sang at the service. Kevin Costner, Clive Davis and others have spoken. The Rev. Marvin Winans has eulogized Houston.

The funeral ended with Houston's casket being taken out the church as her hit "I Will Always Love You" played. Her mother's sobs could be heard throughout the church, and Houston's daughter is crying too.

Houston is expected to be laid to rest near her father's grave in New Jersey.

This Is A Breaking News Update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Whitney Houston's friends and family traveled to Newark, NJ this morning to pay respects to the dearly departed icon.

Et's Full Coverage of Whitney Houston's Death

From Kevin Costner to Clive Davis, those who knew her best spoke while artists like Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys offered up musical tributes to the fallen star.

The proceedings began around 11:30 am Et when a choir -- clad all in white -- began singing a variety of spiritual hymns as the congregants took their seats.

Bobby Brown Leaves Whitney's Funeral

At 12:17, Curtis Pharaoh, the minister of music at New Hope Baptist Church, introduced Newark Mayor Cory Booker who said, "We are here to mourn our great loss, but celebrate her life. God is in heaven and with him is one of our angels, Whitney Houston."

Rev. Joe Carter then said, "Whitney, you are the only one that could bring all of us together. Whitney, today...

Whitney Houston's funeral coverage streamed live from New Hope Church in Newark, on Saturday, February 18.

Hollywood's biggest stars paid their respects to Houston, who died at age 48 last Saturday in Beverly Hills.

According to the invitation issued to the singer's friends and family, the ceremony was seen as a 'going home' service rather than a funeral. Among the mourners at Saturday's highly-charged service, were singers Chaka Khan, Brandy, Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson.

The heartbreaking tribute will take place today at noon -- check back with us for complete coverage. Whitney Houston's funeral will attract plenty of A-list stars to the New Hope Baptist Church in Westfield, New Jersey on Feb. 18, and HollywoodLife.com will have the complete coverage of all of the tributes. Whitney, who died at 48, will be celebrated by a huge guest list at the invite-only service, including Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, Aretha Franklin, Tyler Perry, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Kim Burrell, Rickey Minor, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans and Cece Winans, L.A. Reid, Brandy and Ray J. The ceremony will take place at noon and will be followed by a burial at Fairview Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her father John Russell Houston, Jr. HollywoodLife.com will have total coverage of the event, including a livestream so fans can follow along. We will also...

'Whitney, you are the only one who could bring us all together,' New Hope Baptist Church pastor says in Newark, New Jersey.

By Tomika L. Anderson

Whitney Houston in 1995

Photo: 20th Century Fox/Getty Images

The whole world went to church on Saturday (February 18) to say goodbye to one of the greatest singers of all time. Attendees of all ages, religious beliefs and walks of life, gathered to celebrate superstar singer Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a native of Newark, New Jersey. The state's governor, Chris Christie, flew flags across New Jersey at half mast in her honor.

The 48-year-old music icon died on February 11, a day before the Grammy Awards, in Los Angeles. She is expected to be buried on Sunday. (The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.)

Despite the singer's well-documented struggles with substance abuse, on Saturday, there was very little talk of controversy during the largely upbeat,...

Keys, who shared a mentor with Houston in Clive Davis, performs 'Send Me an Angel' during Saturday's funeral in New Jersey.

By Rebecca Thomas

Alicia Keys, Clive Davis and Swizz Beatz (file)

Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

After a stormy 14-year marriage to bad-boy singer Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston decided to end that chapter in 2006. Three years later, Houston had aligned again with mentor Clive Davis, the music industry impresario who first discovered a teenage Whitney belting out tunes in a nightclub and signed her to his Arista Records. Their final collaboration, I Look to You, was set to launch her on a "comeback" trail.

Like so many young singers, Alicia Keys — also a Davis acolyte — had long looked up to Houston. But the gifted songwriter cemented her connection to Houston, who was found dead at 48 a week ago, by writing the album's hit single, "Million Dollar Bill.

Whitney Houston's star-studded funeral service will be broadcast over the Internet tomorrow at 12 p.m. Est Much like all of her productions during her lifetime, Whitney Houston's funeral service Feb. 18 will be one for the ages. Held at the New Hope Baptist Church in Westfield, New Jersey, the celebration of Whitney's life will be attended by some of the biggest A-listers from Hollywood. Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, Aretha Franklin, Tyler Perry, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Kim Burrell, Rickey Minor, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans and Cece Winans, L.A. Reid, Brandy and Ray J are all expected to make appearances at the invite-only service. Stevie and Aretha will sing and Whitney's record producer, Clive Davis, will also speak to the attendees. “I would advise the public that there really is going to be nothing to see here at the church. The best thing to do would be to stay home...

Mariah Carey will be among the mourners attending Whitney Houston's funeral on Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J. She'll be arriving with Epic Records chairman and X Factor judge L.A. Reid, Carey's rep confirms to The Hollywood Reporter. Others expected to be in attendance at the funeral include Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown and their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, Kevin Costner, Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry, Rickey Minor, CeCe Winans (Bobbi Kristina's godmother) and gospel singers Kim Burrell and Donnie McClurkin. Story: Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Broadcast Live on Sirius Xm Radio Aretha Franklin,

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