Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Jennifer Hudson Breaks Down While Rehearsing 'I Will Always Love You' For the Grammys

jhudson.jpg
Jennifer Hudson via Shutterstock

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

The weight of paying tribute to Whitney Houston's legacy at the Grammys tonight is falling on the shoulders of Jennifer Hudson, who agreed to perform Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You" at the awards ceremony.We're expecting a tear-jerking performance, but Hudson herself was having trouble making it through the song at rehearsal today without breaking down, a Grammy crew member told Perez Hilton.

Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich said told CBS that Hudson was the right person to pay tribute: "She's had some very significant appearances on the show. It felt right to ask to her to come and help us honor Whitney, which she will do musically."

Houston performed at the Grammys eight times and won several Grammys herself: she won six Grammy awards, including album of the year for The Bodyguard soundtrack and record of the year for "I Will Always Love You" in 1994.

At least Hudson has had some practice performing the song before tonight:

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today