Update: Reactions to Whitney Houston's death at the age of 48 are pouring in.

The singer's ex-husband Bobby Brown addressed the crowd at his concert in Southaven, Mississippi where he performed just hours after Houston's death:

"First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage."

Here are some other messages from Houston's friends and admirers:

"Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth." — Mariah Carey, in messages posted on Twitter.

"I can't believe that Whitney is gone. My heart goes out to her family, to Clive (Davis), and to everyone who knew and loved this amazingly talented and beautiful artist. I will always love her." — Barry Manilow

"I truly, truly adored Whitney Houston. Her album 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' was the very first album I ever bought." — Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.

"I've known Whitney since she was a little girl and I loved her. She was like family to me. I will miss her." — Smokey Robinson

Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48.

The legendary singer was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, officials announced in a press conference today. An emergency call was made from the singer's hotel room at 3:43 PM PST. Life-saving resuscitation measures were attempted, but were unsuccessful. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM. 

Houston's illustrious career began in a night club, where she was discovered by producer Clive Davis at age 20, and includes holding the record for awarded female artist in history. She was also the only artist to have seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and three songs simultaneously in the Top 11. In the 1990s she made a splash in Hollywood with three back-to-back hit films: The Bodyguard (1992), Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher's Wife (1996). Her fourth film Sparkle is set to hit theaters on August 17.

Check back for updates as this story develops.

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(Photo:  David Corio / Redferns / Getty Images)