Bobby Brown Reacts To Whitney Houston's Death, Breaks Down During Performance

Bobby Brown took to the stage just hours after Whitney Houston's death, amid reports that the late singer's ex-husband was devastated by the news of her passing.

Brown was scheduled to perform in Mississippi as part of New Edition. The controversial R&B star was said to be in "crying fits" over the news, and broke down shortly after taking the stage.

"First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all,” he said to the crowd according to the AP (via Entertainment Weekly). "Second, I would like to say, 'I love you Whitney.' The hardest thing for me to do is come on this stage."

In another mini-tribute during an intermission in the show, Houston's 1985 single "You Give Good Love" blared over the speakers.

Brown and Houston were married for 14 years, and the relationship's turbulent moments played themselves out in the public eye. Brown was charged with misdemeanor battery after a 2003 incident. Houston appeared in court with a bruise on her neck but stayed by Brown's side.

In a later interview with Oprah, Houston described Brown as her "drug," explaining that "whatever we did, we did it together." (Brown has often been portrayed as a corrupting influence on Houston, who fought a long battle with substance abuse).

Houston's self-titled debut album, released in 1985, sold 25 million copies worldwide. In total, she released seven albums and three film soundtracks; a winner of six Grammys, Houston sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide. She earned 30 Billboard Awards, 22 American Music Awards and two Emmy Awards.

Video of her last performance has appeared online. Houston sang "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" with Kelly Price just one day before she was found unresponsive in a hotel room at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

A number of media figures, celebrities and musicians have paid tribute thus far.

For more on her sudden passing, head over to HuffPost Celeb's comprehensive live blog.

Stars react to Whitney Houston's death:

Related on HuffPost:

Comments

[dooreenie]

08:32 PM on 02/18/2012

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER NO MORE BOBBY HELPED DESTROY HER I SAY HELPED AGAIN AND LOOK AT HIM NOW HE SURE DIDN'T OFFER WHITNEY AND HE WASN'T BY HER SIDE BEFORE THEY SPLIT. SHE PUT ALL HER LOVE INTO HIM AND LOOKS LIKE HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HER LOVE AND MONEY SHE HAD. SO SAD TO SAY THIS BUT IT'S THE TRUTH. R.I.P WHITNEY I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU TOO GOD BLESS THE FAMILY

[dooreenie]

08:21 AM on 02/17/2012

LOOK AT MR. BOBBY NOW HE HAS HELPED HER DESTROY HERSELF AND NOW HE'S GOING FOR ROUND #2 AND HE EVEN WOULDN'T HELP HER RECOVER ALL HE DID IS HELP TO GET MORE DRUGS AND NOW SHE'S GONE.HE'S GONE TO ROUND 2 HE DON'T CARE.

[rOb1n36]

07:53 PM on 02/18/2012

IT'S ASHAME TO BLAME BOBBY BROWN FOR WHITNEY'S DRUG USE AND BAD CHOICES. THEY HAD SOME BAD TIMES TOGETHER BUT THEY ALSO HAD SOME GREAT TIMES AND FOR WHATEVER REASONS THEY SEPARATED THEY ARE BOTH ADULTS WHOM ARE ULTIMATELY REPSONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. I HAVE MUCH LOVE FOR WHITNEY HOUSTON SHE IS A LEGEND & I LOVE BOBBY BROWN SO LET THE BLAME LYE WHERE IT DESERVES TO BE LAID, WHICH IS ON ONE'S SELF.

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:19 AM on 02/20/2012

THANK YOU. words out of my mouth

[guarantano]

01:47 PM on 02/14/2012

We will always love Whitney . Thank you for all the memories . You are the GOLD standard which all will be compared . Rest in peace hunny .

[Marjorie Minyard]

11:21 AM on 02/14/2012

No matter what Whitney or Bobby may have done it only shows how weak the flesh is. Whitney had a relationship with Jesus Christ, the son of God. Jesus died for all of us weak humans. He took the punishment for all our sins so that if we ask Him into our heart he gives us the gift of Eternal Life. YES! Whitney is dancing and singing in Heaven now! Praise God! See you soon my sweet sister!

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:18 AM on 02/20/2012

Thank You so sweet and true

[Len Hummel]

01:55 AM on 02/14/2012

he will always be seen as perhaps her greatest (and most destructive) addiction. I truly feel sorry for all three of them. ... hopefully, Whitney is truly at peace now.

[ERICOPAGEONE]

07:39 PM on 02/13/2012

SURE ITS SAD,PICK A STONE AND THROW ON BOBBY IF YOU ARE A SAINT ... ERIC

[Kay Mcleod]

10:38 PM on 02/13/2012

I can't stand bobby , he contributed to her passing. A low life bum.

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:03 AM on 02/17/2012

You should be ashame of your self. You don't know what cause Whitney's death. Why don't you people stop blaming Bobby for a grown women choices. Whitney herself stated she did drugs long before she got with Bobby. And for all you judging people Whitney DID NOT and I said DID NOT die from a drug overdoses!!!!!!!! I don't remember the media talking about Elvis Pressley who DID die of drug overdose. And many other stars

[eltonjigga rufino]

06:16 PM on 02/13/2012

No words! Just tears #DearWhitney

[dooreenie]

05:00 PM on 02/13/2012

bobby brown was part of her cause of this mess he got her hooked on the drugs & yes it is 50/50 him n her both did it all shame on him for helping detroy her career I will always love you too whitney R.I.P god bless you and the family.

[sirkeem]

02:37 PM on 02/14/2012

Are you sure he got her hooked on drugs, it could have her Aunt Dione"smokin weed" Warwick. He grew up a badboy from the projects so I guess if that makes people feel better to blame him. She had an public image made by Clive Davis that everyone believed but noone knows her private side but God, herself and Bobby and thats the real truth. RIP Whitney.

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:24 AM on 02/20/2012

Thank you. again words right out of my mouth. Mr or Ms dooreenie never made an mistake. But yet said God bless now if thats not two faced to God

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:05 AM on 02/17/2012

Your facts are incorrect!!!!! If you love her so much. Why throw stones at someone she loved very much,

[ocenbrz]

04:07 PM on 02/13/2012

Definitely a wicked attraction between these two. Instead of building each other up, they brought each other down. But I do believe she did it on her own. She didn't have to go there. Too bad she didn't' watch "The Rose". All of that talent and money just to support her drug dealers. It breaks your heart. My sympathies to her family who I am sure, suffered greatly through the years. I hope now, she is at peace. Good luck to her daughter. Don't go down that path of drugs.

[miriamfl]

04:07 PM on 02/13/2012

This guy will always be remembered as the one who took Whitney down. This woman was beautiful and talented and I don't ever recall her having a drug or alcohol problem till he came into her life.

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:09 AM on 02/17/2012

Maybe you don't recall her situation, because you and other didn't follow her until now. Yes she did and stated it many times. She loved him and he her. It is funny how the heart of love works.

[miriamfl]

03:47 PM on 02/17/2012

I have followed her and loved her voice and watched her interviews , but no one but Whitney really knows what happened there. All I remember was that she was a beautiful and talented young woman who probably had been sheltered and not very experienced with men or relationships. I remember after she married him she was different and not in a good way and I think he got her hooked. But that is water under the bridge and may she rest in peace.

[Azterix]

04:04 PM on 02/13/2012

Bobby has always been a nightmare to show-business/entertainment.

[mrsrsw]

03:13 PM on 02/13/2012

Did he ever get clean?

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:10 AM on 02/17/2012

They both got clean when they parted.

[Caymus77]

02:55 PM on 02/13/2012

Bobby Brown was a BAD influence on Whitney. Had he not been on the scene, her own family might have been able to reach her.

[jeanjedemwkwdw]

03:11 AM on 02/17/2012

Not true. And she did not die of a drug overdose

[Caymus77]

01:32 PM on 02/17/2012

And you know that how?? Brown's escapades with drugs were documented and according to what I've read,Brown is not popular with Whitney's family.

[MaxMosley]

02:30 PM on 02/13/2012

It didnt take long for the bigots to jump on this story to clutch at straws and find ANYTHING they could to stir up. Even so far as to criticize a man mourning the passing of his ex wife and mother of his daughter.

Folks...dont forget that these sick people commenting are our co-workers, neighbors and "friends" You definitely gotta watch out for them in our everyday lives. Theyre not just on the internet.

[Bill Pilgrim]

09:32 AM on 02/15/2012

Criticizing a black man is automatically considered Bigotry?

[Raven21]

01:53 PM on 02/13/2012

All the Bobby Brown defenders here say Whitney and Bobby truly loved each other and he's not responsible for her choices. They may have truly loved each other at one time, but I think his envy of her career and staying power diminished his love for her towards the end. While he may not be responsible for her choices, he certainly didn't try to move Heaven and Earth to make sure she got the long-term rehab/help she needed while married--at least for their daughter's sake.

Why didn't he cancel his show if he was so "tore up?" Because the show must go on; or to milk the opportunity for the spotlight: "Hey, remember me? I was the guy who used to be married to Whitney Houston!" Bet that increased last minute ticket sales.

[Azterix]

04:30 PM on 02/13/2012

Bingo! One more nail to the bozo's head.

[MeiLing]

05:04 PM on 02/13/2012

Obviously, the man needed/needs help himself. Why is she the innocent little angel and he's the devil? She made her own choices as well as him. Why didn't she move Heaven and Earth to get him help!