Christina's Tribute to Whitney on BET Awards

June 19, 2001

Christina performs on the 2001 BET Awards in a special tribute to Whitney Houston

Christina at BET Christina performed along
with Luther Vandross to honor Whitney Houston at the First Annual BET Awards in Las Vegas. Houston joined the duo onstage and was the first artist ever to be given a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

Houston, a long time idol of Christina's, and who personally picked Christina for the event, said she was thrilled to accept her award. 'I see this prestigious award as another major milestone in my career,' she said in a statement released by BET. Other performers at the 2001 BET Awards include Destiny's Child, Lil' Bow Wow, Eve with Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliott and Outkast, as well as Sisqo, Usher and Patti LaBelle. It was the BET Network's highest rated show ever.

Christina gushed to Entertainment Tonight about Whitney Houston during their report from the 2001 BET Awards saying, 'I hope I give due justice to the Whitney song tonight. I'm a huge fan of hers. It's an honor to be here. I am thrilled and happy they invited me to be a part of it and to be doing something for Whitney.'

Christina sang the Whitney classic, 'Run To You' from Whitney's long list of Top 40 singles. Whitney, Christina, and Luther expressed obvious admiration for each other. After Christina's jaw-dropping performance and Whitney's display of what makes her 'The Voice,' Whitney accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award and remarked: 'First of all, I would like to thank Ms. Christina - I really wanna thank you. You are one that I truly enjoy in today's music (Christina: 'Thank you so much!'). 'You've done the best rendition of 'Run To You' - besides myself. I thank you, very much.'

-- Billboard Magazine and Al Gomes

Hear Christina's tribute to Whitney

Hear Whitney performing

Whitney's thank you to Christina

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