Prepare for a Lindsay Lohan Comeback Heading Your Way!

Someone give Lindsay Lohan some butter, because our girl is on a roll!

And no. We don't mean parole. At least not this time.

We mean, totally on track for a comeback, and we made our decision: We're definitely on board with this new, successful LiLo! It all started with a positive probation report—her judge even said she was in the "homestretch"—and now Lindsay is gearing up for a full-fledged, televised comeback. And, oh, did we mention that this is all happening live?!

Lindsay will be doing a bunch of interviews in New York, almost as if it were a promotional tour. Obviously with her lack of professional projects recently, you might be asking what it is that she is promoting…Well, nothing. Unless you count a comeback and a total-180 ‘tude as something to show off—and we totally do!

She'll kick off the tour on Today this Thursday, where she will sit down with Matt Lauer for a no-holds-barred interview. That evening, she'll join Jimmy Fallon for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Finally, she'll host Saturday Night Live this Saturday:

"I was on the set with her today and there was a lot of great energy," her rep Steve Honig exclusively told press men, "and she is extremely excited about working with the writers, cast and crew."

Happy to hear, Camp Lilo! Especially since Linds has hosted SNL three times before (the first when she was only 17), but this time it'll be different, as a source on the set revealed the opening is "hilarious" and appropriately "self-depricating." Ratings gold in the making! We couldn't be more excited to see Lindsay put herself completely out there—although this time we mean it in a less literal sense than last month's Playboy shoot.  

And just when you thought you were sick of Lindsay, let us remind you: She just got cast in the Elizabeth Taylor biopic, which—as we already told you—is kinda, sorta perfect! 

Now there's just one more mess we're going to need Lindsay to clean up. Someone, get her back to her roots. In case you weren't sure, we mean her damn hair. Nothing could be more refreshing than to see Lindsay back to her old self, and we think that going back to her natural auburn color would be gorgeous—not to mention perfect for this comeback thing she's got going.

What about you, Awful readers? Do you think Lindsay's ready for this next big move?

Happy 24th Birthday, Rihanna!

To think that we've witnessed this Barbados beauty win multiple music awards, dye her hair almost every color in our crayon box and land her own fashion TV show...they just grow up so fast.

Wait, is "grow up" the right term? Anyhoo...

Yesterday marks Rihanna's 24th birthday!

How will the edgy singer celebrate?

We really don't know what there is left to do, seeing as Ri-Ri has been celebrating her big day for a while now, but she can surely think of something. We also don't know if Chris Brown will be part of the festivities, but even if he is, they're "just friends" so we really shouldn't care either way.

What we do know (or at least assume) is that there will be cake. And who doesn't love cake?! (Speaking of birthday cake, did you hear about her possible collabo with Brown on her song?)

Whatever shenanigans this li'l lady gets into, we hope it's a birthday to remember.

Hugh Hefner hints at another Lindsay Lohan Playboy spread

Lindsay Lohan may not be entertaining high-profile movie deals like she once was, but it seems the troubled actress may have found her niche: naked on the pages of Playboy.

Lohan, 25, channeled her icon Marilyn Monroe for the cover of the men’s magazine last December, and while the highly-anticipated issue was leaked online and thus forced to hit newsstands earlier than anticipated, it was apparently still quite the moneymaker. 

According to multiple reports, retailers across the country were forced to re-order the issue several times over, and the “Mean Girls” star’s presence prompted a spike in subscriptions.

The Playboy founder himself, Hugh Hefner, tweeted that the “The Lindsay Lohan January-February Double Issue is breaking sales records.”

“It was huge,” Hef told the press with regards to the Lohan issue at the pre-Grammy Music Cares dinner honoring Sir Paul McCartney last week.

So with the issue's success, Lohan may very well bare her body in the adults-only magazine again.

Hefner said Lohan will “quite possibly” do another shoot.

Where Are They Now? O.J. Simpson friends and family almost two decades later

Eighteen years after starring in the most watched murder trial of the 20th Century, O.J. Simpson and those involved in the media circus surrounding the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, have receded from the headlines. 

The press tracked down the main players to see what has become of them today, almost two decades since they were the most famous people in the country, for all the wrong reasons.

The break-out star of the Simpson trial was house guest and star witness Kato Kaelin, whose Fabio-like locks and stunning inability to remember key details of the night of Nicole Brown’s murder made him a punch line for late night hosts throughout the trial.

Since the trial, Kaelin has traded on his notoriety and made numerous attempts to reinvent himself as a reality television star, first with a program called "House Guest" where he planned to live in the homes of famous people (hopefully ones without murderous intentions). He posed for Playgirl magazine shortly after the trial, and parlayed that move into a spot on  National Lampoon’s Strip Poker pay-per-view programs where he interviewed nude Playboy bunnies defeated at the poker table in something called “Kato’s Guesthouse.”

In 2008, he appeared on the FOX program “Gimme My Reality Show” where contestants like Bobby Trendy, Traci Bingham and Adrianne Curry competed to get their own, even sadder, show. In 2010 Kaelin parodied himself on “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

Kaelin tells Fox411 he is currently hosting a sports show called “Tailgating With Kato” which streams live on FilmOn.com. He recently had Lenny Dykstra on the show, and will host “Saved by the Bell” alum Dennis Haskins next. He also just filmed a comedy pilot with Dave Coulier and Jodie Sweeten from “Full House” called “Don’t Get Arrested.”

Even though the Simpson trial gave him a modicum of fame, Kaelin says he is pleased it is all over.

“Thank God there haven’t been any more murders,” Kaelin told Fox411.com.

Denise Brown, the sister of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson, became active in domestic violence advocacy following the death of her sister. She makes appearances across the country to raise funds for women’s shelters nationwide and lobbied on behalf of Arlen Spector’s Violence Against Women Act.

“Nicole's legacy will carry on not just through me, but all through the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act). After Nicole's murder then Senator Joe Biden asked me to come to DC because the VAWA was stalled in Senate Appropriation, after that it was passed,” Brown told Fox411.

Today Brown is a co-host of the D-Talks Internet Radio show which raises awareness of women’s issues and empowerment. She told us her father, Lou Brown, was too ill to be interviewed.

“He worked so hard helping domestic violence organizations and lobbying for change, but he hasn't been involved in years," Brown said. "He's 88 years old and still with us."

Brown said her sister’s two children with O.J., Sydney and Justin, both of whom are in their 20s and were raised by their father, have both moved on from their mother's murder and father's trial. Justin lives in Florida and Sydney is working in catering in Atlanta.

“The kids are doing great. This isn't just a standard remark, they really are doing great,” Brown told us.

Fred Goldman, the father of Ronald Goldman, did not return emails. After winning the proceeds, copyright and media rights to O.J. Simpson’s 2007 biography, “If I Did It,” Goldman has intermittently weighed in on court cases, including the Casey Anthony murder trial, for various news outlets.

One player from the Simpson fiasco has faded into total obscurity. Al Cowlings, O.J.’s boyhood friend who drove the infamous white Bronco, was reportedly working as a handbag sales representative in Los Angeles and facing bankruptcy when journalists checked in with him on the 10-year anniversary of his joy ride. His last public sighting was by TMZ outside Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills in 2007.

And O.J.? After being found not guilty in his criminal trial, Simpson was found guilty of the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in a civil trial, and ordered to pay their families $33.5 million. Simpson is now serving up to 33 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping stemming from a memorabilia deal gone sour. He will be eligible for parole in 2017.

Simpson, who is now 64, is also facing foreclosure on his Miami, Florida home. According to reports, Simpson hasn’t made a payment on his mortgage since 2010, perhaps due to the fact that he has been locked up in the Lovelock Correctional Facility in Nevada.

Entertainment Corey Booker: 'God is in heaven, and with him is one of our angels, Whitney Houston

The funeral for music legend Whitney Houston got under way Saturday in her hometown of Newark, NJ.

After a rousing performance by the choir of the New Hope Baptist Church, A. Curtis Pharaoh, the church’s minister of music, introduced Newark Mayor Corey Booker.

“We are here to mourn our loss, but to celebrate her life,” Booker said. “God is in heaven, and with him is one of our angels, Whitney Houston.”

After several inspirational musical numbers and scripture readings from the church members, Houston's aunt, the singer Dionne Warwick, thanked those gathered for attending, and introduced actor and producer Tyler Perry.

Perry recounted a dinner he had with Houston in Atlanta years ago where he first became aware of Houston's spiritual side.

"It was at that moment I knew I would do all I can to stand with her," he said. "There was a grace that carried her from heaven down through Miss Cissy Houston ... A grace that carried her to the top of the charts. The other thing I know for sure ... Whitney Houston loved the Lord."

Gospel star Bebe Winans was the first of several scheduled gospel and pop stars to perform.

"What I'm going to miss, is crazy Whitney," Winans said before singing, recounting a story of how Houston, at the top of her fame, said she wanted to open for him and his wife Cece, "Because you're broke, right?" that had the church laughing uproariously.

Several more music and entertainment stars were also there to say good-bye to their friend, including her ‘My Bodyguard’ co-star Kevin Costner, talk show titan Oprah Winfrey, singer Mariah Carey, and actor Forest Whitaker.

Houston’s much-maligned ex-husband, Bobby Brown, and their daughter, Bobbi Kristina were in attendance as well. Brown was scheduled to perform with his band in Connecticut later Saturday evening.

Aretha Franklin, whom Houston lovingly called "Aunt Ree," had been expected to sing at the service, but fell ill.

"Regretfully, I am so sorry that I was unable to be with you at Whitney's service today," Frankin said in a statement. "I had every intention of being there. But unfortunately I had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4:00 a.m. this morning following my concert last night, which I've been having for the last few days."

The service marked exactly one week after the 48-year-old Houston -- one of music's all-time biggest stars -- was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel in California. A cause of death has yet to be determined.

Houston's death at the age of 48 marked the final chapter for the superstar whose fall from grace while shocking was years in the making. Houston had her first No. 1 hit by the time she was 22, followed by a flurry of No. 1 songs and multi-platinum records.

Over her career, she sold more than 50 million records in the United States alone. Her voice, an ideal blend of power, grace and beauty, made classics out of songs like "Saving All My Love For You," `'I Will Always Love You," `'The Greatest Love of All" and "I'm Every Woman." Her six Grammys were only a fraction of her many awards.

But amid the fame, a turbulent marriage to Brown and her addiction to drugs tarnished her image. She became a woman falling apart in front of the world.

Her last album, "I Look To You," debuted on the top of the charts when it was released in 2009 with strong sales, but didn't have the staying power of her previous records. A tour the next year was doomed by cancellations because of illness and sub-par performances.

Still, a comeback was ahead: She was to star in the remake of the movie "Sparkle" and was working on new music. Her family, friends and hard-core fans were hopeful.

Houston is to be buried next to her father, John Houston, in nearby Westfield, N.J.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Whitney Houston Funeral on now

Family, friends, and a host of celebs are expected to be in attendance today's "home going" of Whitney Houston.

We're live outside the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ where around 1,500 invited guests will pay their last respects.

Among those expected to be in attendance today ... Kevin Costner, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Revs. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton, and several more.

Whitney Houston: Funeral Scheduled Speakers List

A list of people scheduled to speak during the "home going service" for Whitney Houston was just shown to the media outside the church ... but one famous name listed will be a no-show.

Aretha Franklin will not be at the service today, CNN is reporting, due to illness.

Tyler Perry, Kevin Costner, Clive Davis and Dionne Warwick are among those scheduled to speak.

The service is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT and we'll have it for you live.

Whitney Houston: Funeral Bobby Brown Already Left

Whitney Houston's funeral has only just begun ... but Bobby Brown has already left the church.

It is unclear if Bobby left on his own accord or if he was asked to leave.

As the press first reported, after some opposition from some family members ... Bobby was officially invited to the funeral today.

Story developing ...

Michael Jackson's Ex-Manager: The Estate Is Screwing Me

Michael Jackson's former manager has filed a lawsuit against the MJ Estate, claiming he saved Michael Jackson after the molestation trial and in return he's been stiffed to the tune of millions of dollars.

Tohme Tohme says he was Michael's Manager from 2008 until shortly before his death.  Tohme claims he rehabilitated MJ both financially and personally after the trial, by coordinating media releases and shooting down false and malicious news stories about Michael.

Tohme says he saved Neverland by arranging refinancing, for which he was entitled to $2.3 million.

But the big thing -- Tohme takes credit for suggesting that MJ's final tour would be called, "This Is It."   According to the suit, during a discussion with Michael and AEG, Tohme chimed in that Michael selling the name, "This Is It" in a "high-spirited tone" would be a smash.

In addition to the $2.3 mil, Tohme wants 15% of the money Michael made from July, 2008 until the present. 

The Estate has already rejected Tohme's claim and even filed legal docs today, claiming Tohme took advantage of Michael and did nothing for him.

Britney Spears: Agrees to Pay Beauty Company To End Lawsuit

Britney Spears is coughing up some dough to settle a lawsuit in which she's accused of being a perfume traitor.

Britney was sued by Brand Sense Partners -- a beauty company that hooked her up with Elizabeth Arden to front her Radiance perfume.  Under the deal, Brand Sense was supposed to get 35% of Brit's profits.

But according to the suit, Britney and daddy Jamie entered into a secret deal with Elizabeth Arden and cut Brand Sense out of the deal.

The financial terms of the settlement are redacted, but the docs make it clear -- Britney paid Brand Sense commissions for a period of years, in addition to a lump sum.

Victoria Beckham Takes Hold of David's Package

While in town for New York Fashion Week, Victoria Beckham proved she had a sense of humor and posed under husband David Beckham's new underwear billboard and raised her hand as if she was grabbing his family jewels in NYC yesterday.

David actually posted the pic on his Facebook with the comment, "So proud of my wife taking #NYFW by the balls."

Coddle it like Beckham.

Chris Brown's Girlfriend Oh, By the Way ... We're Happy Together!

Lost in all the Chris Brown/Rihanna possible reunion madness is the fact that CB has a serious girlfriend -- and sources close to her tell TMZ the two of them are doing quite well in their relationship .... thank you very much!

Sources close to Karrueche Tran tell the press she is unfazed by the recent rash of RiRi rumors. In fact, we're told CB and KT are now actually living together.

As for CB showing up to Rihanna's birthday party, we're told that didn't bother Karrueche either ... because he came home to her that night and whisked her to Miami the next day to celebrate Valentine's Day.

According to our sources, Chris professes his love to Karrueche daily and he has no plans to leave her for Rihanna.

Almost makes you say, "Awwww" ... until you remember ...

Robin Thicke Popped for Pot Possession

Robin Thicke has been arrested for marijuana possession in New York City ... this according to law enforcement.

According to law enforcement, 34-year-old Thicke was busted this afternoon in Manhattan near Madison Square Park -- after police claim they saw the singer lighting up a joint inside a black SUV.

Sources tell SOA, Robin was extremely cooperative -- and even signed a couple autographs.

Thicke was given a desk appearance ticket and released soon after. A rep for Robin Thicke had no comment.

Fun fact: Robin is the son of actor Alan Thicke, who played Jason Seaver on "Growing Pains."

K'Naan:More Beautiful Than Silence EP {new music}

Each track sounds completely different from the last, and although the record could be a pop smash, his message is never diluted in the melody.

In a mainstream rap landscape where crime bosses like Frank White and Larry Hoover are idolized, and success is defined by the requisite amount of imported cars and “model broads,” a rapper like K’Naan is an anomaly. He’s laser-focused on dreams, peace, and unity for the greater good. He’s already made a global impact, as his biggest song-to-date, “Wavin’ Flag,” became the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Some may classify him bubblegum pop at first listen, but his message is anything but carefree. K’Naan bypasses the usual rap fare of gun toting and dope games. Instead, the AK’s he rhymes about are the ones used in a decades-old Somali war. He urges fans to get involved and donate money to benefit Somali children. For this reason, K’Naan’s five-track EP, More Beautiful Than Silence, is one of the year’s most authentic rap collections. Each track sounds completely different from the last, and although the record could be a pop smash, his message is never diluted in the melody.
More Beautiful Than Silence starts out with the Nelly Furtado-assisted track, “Is Anybody Out There?” The folk songbird emerges for K’Naan’s motivational anthem that will rest easily atop the pop charts. The track is a series of tales, similar to TLC’s “Waterfalls.” Mary suffers from depression. Adam is addicted to drugs. One need not visit a struggling nation to encounter these issues, because they’re in their own living rooms. K’Naan gets upbeat on “Nothing To Lose,” for some lyrical play with Nas.The two take listeners on a journey back to the very different blocks where they were raised. K’Naan talks pirates, and Nas talks about Queensbridge’s Vernon Blvd. Amidst the light-hearted bravado, K’Naan is sure to keep boundless dreams the main topic of discussion: “Roll dice to bet on dreams, not dollars.”
He samples Coldplay’s “Lost” on the introverted track, “Better.” Again, where most rappers tend to rap from Goliath’s perspective, K’Naan’s assumes David’s point of view. The underdog will slay the giant, with a steady noble come-up: “Music is my ammo, I’m ready for battle.” The music becomes melancholy on the title track. The haunting lullaby shows K’Naan releasing his demons, as violins, piano keys, and a choir fill the space until the song fades to black.
The final track, “Coming To America,” would seem to be the best moment for light-hearted fare, since it samples the music from the opening scene of Eddie Murphy’s cult-classic film. But it’s surprisingly the darkest of the entire EP with K'Naan expressing, “I ain’t Prince of Zamunda. My life is too gory.” Even though he rhymes about fleeing warfare and poverty, there’s something calming about the track, in that there’s light at the end of a dark tunnel.
K’Naan packs creative melodies, poetic storytelling, and soaring dreams on More Beautiful Than Silence. Core fans will love this musical appetizer, but one can only imagine the impact of his next full-length project. He’s carved a place in mainstream Hip-Hop for message music and validates the comparison to one of rock’s storytellers, Bob Dylan. Since K’Naan’s mission is to inspire global change, he’ll welcome mainstream success; if it gets his message to the ears of more listeners, and encourages them to dream big.

Lindsay Lohan One of My Movers Is Selling Me Out

One of the movers who helped pack up Lindsay Lohan's mountain of crap in her Venice home is now trying to sell photos of the actress' personal belongings ... SOA has learned.

According to sources, the mover in question took photographs of Lindsay's stuff while he was piling it into storage -- and is now trying to sell the pics ... as well as information about the storage facility Lindsay is using ... and even where she eventually plans to move.

Sources tell SOA, Lindsay's camp is aware of the situation and is currently working to find out who's behind the leak attempt.

Lindsay's people are especially freaked because the actress has made it a priority to keep a low profile the last few weeks -- following a trespasser scare on her Venice property New Year's Day.

We're told Lindsay is also afraid people might try to track down her belongings in storage and try to steal things. So far, we're told police have not been involved.

Nahla:My Daddy Scares Me

Gabriel Aubry has been accessed of multiple incidents of child neglect and endangerment ... and one of the accusers is 3-year-old Nahla, SOA has learned. 

Sources tell us the L.A. Department of Children and Family Services conducted numerous interviews with people familiar with the relationship between Gabriel, Halle Berry and Nahla. We're told DCFS now has numerous incidents that have raised concerns about Gabriel’s ability to properly parent his child.

We're told DCFS conducted an interview with Nahla, who talked about her father and described incidents involving him screaming at her --  and how it made her extremely frightened.

Our sources say DCFS has information about Gabriel  yanking the child out of the nanny’s hand, allegedly pushing the nanny while holding the child, and putting the child in harm’s way while Halle was shooting a movie in Europe.

As the press previously reported, the Dependency Court ordered that Gabriel can only have contact with his daughter in the presence of a monitor to ensure the safety of Nahla. But we're told that is just the beginning ... there will be numerous other hearings, as well as additional requirements that Gabriel must fulfill, which will include various forms of counseling.

As we reported earlier, Gabriel agreed to anger management counseling ... but we're told the Dependency Court will order more than that.

Just a note ... Dependency Court is different from the family court where Garbiel and Halle have been frequent visitors over the past year. Dependency Court is designed specifically to protect a child when there are signs of neglect or abuse. Being hauled into Dependency Court is far more serious than a family law skirmish.

Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi pulled from tub day before mom's death, report says

The day before Whitney Houston was found dead in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton, her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, fell asleep in a bathtub in the exact same hotel, Spices of Africa has learned.

According to TMZ sources, friends of Bobbi Kristina tried knocking on her door repeatedly Friday night, but she didn't answer. They then called security to get them to unlock the door and help them get Bobbi out of the tub.

Our sources say it happened on the same floor of the hotel where Whitney would be found dead the next day. We're told the room Bobbi Kristina was in was booked under Whitney's name.

Bobbi Kristina has been hospitalized twice since her mother's passing and SOA is told her family fears she might be suicidal.

Rx drugs reportedly killed Houston, but officials still probing possible drowning

LOS ANGELES –  Relatives of late pop icon Whitney Houston have reportedly been told by coroner officials that the singer died from what appears to be a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol rather than drowning.

The press, citing family sources, reports that Los Angeles County Coroner officials told relatives there was not enough water in Houston's lungs to conclude she drowned. Houston'were told she may have died before her head became submerged.

When paramedics arrived, they found the singer unresponsive in the bathtub, the Los Angeles Times reported. But while her body was found there, one source told the Times that officials were unsure whether she died of natural causes or from something else.

Spices if Africa is also reporting that Houston's mother has arranged for the singer's body to be flown back to Atlanta as early as Tuesday.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said  that an autopsy on Houston's body has been completed, but official results have been placed on hold, pending toxicology tests.

Los Angeles Deputy Coroner Ed Winter said at a press conference that the tests could take six to eight weeks to process.

Winter added that the Beverly Hills Police Department had requested a "security hold" on the results of the coroner's investigation, meaning no further details will be made available until the inquiry is complete.

He confirmed earlier comments made by police that "no foul play is suspected."

He also confirmed that Houston was found Saturday afternoon in a bathtub in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Prescription drugs had been found in the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel room where Houston's lifeless body was discovered Saturday afternoon just hours before a huge Grammy party she was to attend.

Police discovered a half dozen bottles of medication in Houston's room, Spices of Africa reported, adding that family members said Houston had been taking the prescription drug Xanax, which is often used to treat anxiety. 

When combined with alcohol, Xanax can cause drowsiness. Houston was reportedly found in her bathtub --says her head was underwater -- and could not be revived by paramedics after being removed from the tub. 

No alcohol was found in the preliminary sweep of Houston's room, Spices of Afica reports, but there were multiple reports that Houston had been drinking with friends the night before at the hotel. 

Houston had also attended rehearsals for the Grammys on Thursday, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it. The person said Houston looked disheveled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath.

She was also observed behaving "erratically" earlier in the week at a Los Angeles club, according to multiple reports.

Houston's body was removed from the hotel early Sunday morning, hours after the Grammy awards party she was there to attend had taken place four floors below her room. 

Houston was 48.

Once pop music's undisputed queen, her voice and image had been ravaged by decades of drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

Houston's death on the eve of the Grammy Awards sent shock waves through the music industry, with many stars expressing shock and sadness.

Brown reportedly broke down backstage before a show with his band New Edition in Southhaven, a few miles south of Memphis. 

Brown skipped the first song of the concert, but appeared onstage for the second. He shouted, "I love you, Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage." He then blew a kiss to the sky with visibly teary eyes.

Aretha Franklin, her godmother, said in a short statement: "I just can't talk about it now. It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen."

Houston's death will likely put a damper on Sunday's Grammy awards, music's biggest night of the year. Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to Houston at the awards, according to reports.

Grammy executive producer Ken Erhlich said event organizers believed Hudson -- the Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning artist -- could perform a "respectful musical tribute" to Houston, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"It's too fresh in everyone's memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn't recognize Whitney's remarkable contribution to music fans in general, and, in particular, her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years," Ehrlich told the newspaper.

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale."

She had the perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.

"Six-time Grammy winner Whitney Houston was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades," Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy said in a statement.

"Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice," he said.

Houston influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who, when she debuted, sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once-serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy," Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album "I Look To You." The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on "Good Morning America" went awry as Houston's voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.

A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out.

Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

GRAMMY LIVE; Celebs on the Red carpet

Afrojack

Sasha Gradiva

Reid Perry, Kimberly Perry and Neil Perry

Kelly Osbourne

Add caption

Katy Perry

Fergie in a sheer Jean Paul Gaultier

Adam Levine

Carrie Underwood

There's a somber mood in the air on the Grammy Awards red carpet tonight at the Staples Center -- where stars are turning out to honor the late Whitney Houston and some of the biggest names in music.

So far we've seen a couple of black dresses -- meaning a few stars may have made last minute outfit changes to pay their respects to Houston, who passed yesterday at the age of 48.

Spotted so far: Adele, Kelly Osbourne, Paris Hilton, David Guetta, Snooki, Kimberly Perry, Tia Carrere and some random chick with a machine gun on her arm!

Keep checking back as we update with more photo as they come in.

2012 Grammy Awards Preview

Are you ready for the music industry’s biggest night of the year – Tonight(Feb. 12) 54th annual Grammy Awards? Here’s everything you need to know about the classic rockers who are nominated for Grammys and the ones performing during the show.
To be honest, there aren’t a ton of classic rockers up for major awards this year. Jeff Beck snagged perhaps the biggest nomination, having a chance to win the Best Rock Album award for his album ‘Rock N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul.’ Beyond that, the next most prestigious honor in the classic rock world would be for Best Blues Album, which will feature no less than three members of the Allman Brothers Band facing off against each other with their various solo projects. (The Allmans will also receive a lifetime achievement award at the big event.)
Elsewhere, Paul McCartney and his former band Wings are up for Best Historical Record for the deluxe re-issue of their ‘Band on the Run’ album, while Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Keith Richards (for his production work) all received nominations in the Best Boxed Set or Limited Edition Packaging category.
But let’s face it, more people tune in for the performances than the awarding of hardware, and classic rock is well represented on the stage this year. Just recently announced is the much-hyped onstage reunion of the Beach Boys, who haven’t performed together in more than 20 years. The Beach Boys will be joined by current Grammy nominees Foster the People and Maroon 5 for their set.
Other artists slated to hit the stage include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, and Neil Young, who will take part in a scheduled tribute to McCartney. Meanwhile, another former Beatle, Ringo Starr, is scheduled to present an award during the ceremony.
Most of the awards listed above likely will be handed out during the Grammy pre-telecast, which will be webcast live online starting at 4PM ET here. The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on CBS on Sunday night at 8PM ET.
You can see a full list of the Grammy nominees in our older posts. Be sure to visit Spices of Africa throughout the night Sunday for the latest Grammy news, all the winners, recaps on performances, any big surprises and whatever else that may come up.