In a statement released to ESSENCE.com Beyonce recalls meeting Houston when she was 15. “She was the ultimate legend. The ultimate woman,” writes the new mom.
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“Not only was she confident, poised, stunningly beautiful and intelligent, but she was sincere and kind. She took the time to make everyone feel like they were very important to her.”
More than admiration for her kindness, Beyonce says she is most enamored with Houston’s legendary pipes. “Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic. Her vibrato, her cadence, her control,” she says.
And what singer didn’t grow up practicing to Whitney Houston songs? Beyonce certainly did. The singer adds, “I, like every singer, always wanted to be just like her…She is our queen and she opened doors and provided a blueprint for all of us.”
Beyonce did finally get to share the stage with Houston at the 2003 VH1 Divas Live event.
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Just last month Beyonce paid her respects to another icon, singer Etta James, whom she also called a “queen.”
