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Whitney Houston Movie: 'Sparkle' Co-Star Jordin Sparks Pays Moving Tribute to Fallen 'Mentor'

Whitney Houston, Jordin SparksGetty Images

During the time they spent filming the upcoming movie 'Sparkle' together, Whitney Houston became almost like a second mother to co-star Jordin Sparks. So not surprisingly, when Sparks heard of Houston's untimely passing, the star allegedly locked herself in her hotel room and "cried non-stop" a source tells PEOPLE Magazine.

But yesterday (Feb. 23), Sparks bravely dried her tears and took the stage at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon to pay tribute to her fallen idol. Speaking to an audience that included Emma Stone, Paula Patton, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, Sparks remembered the good times with the woman she called her "mentor."

"The first day she got [to the set] she's scolding me, and I'm thinking this is the best day ever," shared Sparks of their 'Sparkle' set meeting. "She went from being this unreachable supernova pop star to my costar, friend and someone who was like a mentor to me. It was a gift and an honor to play opposite Whitney Houston in the film."

"When you see Sparkle, you will be so happy to see the joy that is on her face," Sparks continued. "Everyday started with Whitney saying, 'How are my babies doing? Are you guys good? God is good.' It translates on the screen."

After her emotional speech, Jordin then treated the audience to a performance of 'Look into Your Heart' -- a song recorded for the 'Sparkle' soundtrack.

Remembering Whitney Through Photos



Watch 'Whitney Houston Biography'






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ghgfere

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September 09 2012 at 11:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mreunome

To all you nasty people . . . grow up! Stop mocking this beautiful and talented woman from my hometown.
she was human and had flaws like all of us, and she had talent unlike any of us. She was not a drug addict most of her life (probably very little) . . . just a fragile human being. I feel sad for her mom and daughter. How about a modicum of respect for her family and the talent she had shared with the world.

February 29 2012 at 12:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andi

The first Sparkle movie was not good and this one won't be good either. Stop trying to make Houston a God. She was not. She was a drug addict and she is dead. None of you helped her with her problems. None of you stopped her from looking like a ghetto hood rat on that reality show. Where were you then? You did nothing to help her. All of you are fake and are a bunch of cry babies. Grow up. There will be other drug addicts for you to worship.

February 27 2012 at 8:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Andi's comment
karen1acworth

Andi - I am not mad at you for your comments, it shows your age. We know you are very young to say 'the first Sparkle movie was not good.' - In time you may come to appreciate that movie and if not, no love lost - something like "Twilight" might be more your style. That movie was a classic, I'm impressed, at your age, that you saw it at all- secondly - if you know Whitney Houston as a 'drug addict' you are also showing us your age. That just tells us you were not around from the beginning. Yes later in her life she had problems w/drugs, as an older person, let me tell you she had 'THE GREATEST VOICE' of this century. Sure you can name a few people who can sing, very, very well. They are singers. I am talking about 'A VOICE' - but like I said, you're young, we don't expect you to 'get it.'

February 28 2012 at 10:25 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to karen1acworth's comment
mreunome

Thank You! Well said.

February 29 2012 at 12:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down
JENNIFER

When comments are said by whites with hatred in their hearts it only show their ignorant and savage upbringing by parents that are uneducated and not knowledgeable to know this is God's green earth not their's alone. If God cared ANY thing about whites he would of given them a color and they would not have to cook themselves to be a color they despise, fill their lips with poison to look like blacks, have the no ass at all issue, and steal, kill and destroy the fabric of this country black built. So silly white people get into your history book and learn something, anything before you open your devil mouths...

February 27 2012 at 5:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cindyr040404

Not to detract from Ms. Houston"s passing or anything, but with Obama in office and the new theme of the country being "we are all equal" (as stated in the Constitution anyway) why do we allow groups like the NAACP and the Negro College Fund and the Essence Black Women in Hollywood? Do you not find this discriminatory? Would you stomp your feet if there was a Caucasian College Fund or a White Women in Hollywood group? I didn't ask about a NAAWP because white people already have the KKK.

February 26 2012 at 4:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to cindyr040404's comment
cindyr040404

My thought here is this: if we're going to be vigilant about not tolerating any kind of diversity, then we can't just say white people are all at fault, when things like this clearly continue the cycle of diversity.

February 26 2012 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
karen1acworth

to answer your question - "NO" we do not find this discriminatory. But you are right, we do need a Caucasian College Fund because this is a poorly written paragraph. College would have helped u out with that.

February 28 2012 at 10:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nanci

My sincerest condolences to Whitney's friends and family. Such an untimely loss is so very painful. Losing a parent at a young age is so difficult. Folks assume that 18 is all grown-up; but in the scheme of life's reality, 18 is still a very tender age. I so hope the struggles that brought Whitney's untimely death will become a battle cry for those of us left to tackle head on those debilitating challenges of drug and alcohol addiction. But for the Grace of God, go any one of us!

February 26 2012 at 3:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
addie

I still can't believe that she's gone! It makes no sense and it's very upsetting! R.I.P. Ms. Houston....♥

February 26 2012 at 3:04 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
English please

God Bless Whitney .. Always .. may all the well wishes come on out & wish her God Speed ... an her Family Mom Daughter etc .. may they all mourn in peace for the early passing of Beautiful Whitney .. can't name a Woman in this world more Beautiful more talented than she ... We will all "Always love her" .

February 26 2012 at 2:05 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Tamara

Diane, You not only have too much time on your hands. Your wrong. Whitney Houston was a adult. And she is the only one who is responsible for her actions. No one held a gun to her head and told her to do crack cocaine. To blame others for her actions is a cop out.

February 26 2012 at 2:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jttw123

Some of these folks need to be reminded: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything. Rest in Peace, Whitney!

February 26 2012 at 2:01 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
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