Whitney houston hearse - H 2012
Getty ImagesNewark’s New Hope Baptist Church is large enough to hold 1,500, but even so, many music industry figures are watching the Whitney Houston funeral service on television or via live stream. And many have taken to Twitter to express their sympathy for the loss of Houston and celebrate her music.
Executive Andre Harrell, the former president of Motown, tweeted, “Whitney today is your day babe, today is your day Amen.” He later wrote that he was watching on BET “where I know she was loved for good n bad times she was cherish [sic]”
Sylvia Rhone, also a former head of Motown, has been tweeting her thoughts, including, “A lot of praising going on in our house!!#RIPWhitneyHouston.”
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Talk show host Wendy Williams wrote, “I’m watching with a very heavy heart…RIP.”
The Today Show‘s Al Roker, however, couldn’t bring himself to watch, tweeting, “Can’t watch the service. An overwhelming sense of sadness. Pray for her and so many others who are suffering under the yoke of addiction”
Wrote Downtown Julie Brown: “I was fortunate to have witnessed Whitney at her happiest. She gave Music wings. Songs flight. Hearts joy #WHITNEYCNN”
Even X Factor finalist Stacy Francis, who famously clashed with Houston two days before her death, chimed in, tweeting: “Whitney Houston is still effecting the lives of many .. right now! people are about to get saved!!! amazing.”
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Many more are re-tweeting messages from mourners attending the services, such as Cece Winans, who wrote a couple hours before the funeral’s start, “Getting ready to go to my friend’s homegoing. I know God will do something extra special. Keep praying for the family. Love you all!”
And Doug Davis, music industry attorney and son of Sony Music chief creative officer Clive Davis, noted: “Yesterday we shared pain & tears w/ the Houstons at the viewing, but today we’ll send Nippy home by celebrating her life in memories & songs”
After the service, producer Rodney Jerkins, who had worked with Houston, wrote, “Glad she was honored with such respect and dignity. Glad the world had a chance to experience God’s light!
Twitter: @THRMusic
