Pop icon Whitney Elizabeth Houston was pronounced dead on the evening of Feb. 11. The shocking news of “Whitney Houston dies at the age of 48” spread worldwide in minutes after her death. “I was sad once I heard the news of her death and couldn’t believe the news,” said junior Tiana Watts.

Houston was found dead under water in a bathtub. Prescription drugs were found in a Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was staying. News sources are not completely sure what caused Houston’s death and won’t be until her autopsy reports are revealed in a few weeks.

Houston reigned during the mid-80s and mid-90s. Houston had the world in the palm of her hands and was making hits back to back. 

During the 1990s Houston had the best selling album with her first debut album “Whitney Houston,” selling 27 million records for the duration of the decade. She still holds the record for highest one week single for the song “I Will Always Love You” in 1992. Houston has won 22 American Music Awards next to Michael Jackson and has spent 51 weeks total as number one on the charts, more than any female artist. 

Houston was in the process of making a comeback recently with her hit R&B single “Million Dollar Bill.” However, in her latest concerts many fans were disappointed with Houston’s performance and many news sources suspected that she was still on drugs. 

The announcement of Houston’s death made it seem like she may not have actually overcome her addiction. 

Sophomore Tiara Simons said, “I love her song ‘I Have Nothing’ and I remember singing it in the car. I can’t believe she died; it really hurt me.” 

Regardless of Houston’s drug abuse, she was a true music icon and will forever be missed by her friends, family and fans.