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Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston has died at age 48, representative Kristen Foster said Saturday night.
The cause of death and where she died were not immediately known. In May 2011, Houston got help for her much-publicized struggle with drugs and alcohol, her representative said at the time.
According to her official website, Houston, who struggled with addiction problems over the years, sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos over her career.
As news of her death spread online her fans and celebrities tweeted that they were absolutely shocked and saddened at the news.
iReport: Share your memories 
Tributes began flooding in almost immediately as people began expressing their shock at the news. Nearly all of the trends on Twitter worldwide were shortly associated with the singer's death. Among them: R.I.P Whitney Houston, #DearWhitney, #IWillAlwaysLoveYou, The Bodyguard, Bobby Brown and Wanna Dance With Somebody.
"The first full hour after the news broke saw 2,481,652 tweets and retweets, peaking at 61,227 tweets at 5:23 p.m. (all times are PST)," according to Topsy.com. "That is over a thousand tweets a second, not quite as much as during the Superbowl but still a lot."
Whitney Houston is shown trending around the entire globe Saturday night after news of her death.
Houston had been in Los Angeles and Grammy rehearsal parties were taking place one night before the music industry's biggest event. Stunned celebrities heard about the news all together.
At Grammys rehearsal hearing Whitney Houston has passed away at 48. Everyone here is absolutely stunned.—
Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) February 12, 2012
Mariah Carey, who famously performed a duet with Houston on "When You Believe" was stunned by the news.
Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston.—
Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) February 12, 2012
She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.—
Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) February 12, 2012
LaToya Jackson also took to Twitter to express her condolences to Houston's family. She and the rest of her family have gone through the turmoil of dealing with the sudden death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson.
I can't fathom the fact that #whitneyhouston has died! My heart goes out 2 her mother, daughter & her love ones. #Whitney U will be missed!—
La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) February 12, 2012
The news of Houston's death brought many people back to their childhood and reminisced on all of the ways Houston's music had entered their lives. Whether it was their love of a literal soundtrack, like "The Bodyguard," or the songs that were so embedded into their  souls that ie became soundtrack to their lives, fans shared their sadness at the loss.
Whitney's music is the soundtrack to my womanhood.—
Mother Justice (@MotherJustice) February 12, 2012
Sang I believe the children are the future 6 grade graduation like so many other kids! Will never forget whitney !! R.I.P—
ghost (@therealstylesp) February 12, 2012
Many also wanted to share their favorite memories of Whitney Houston, sparking the trend #FavoriteWhitneySong.
#FavoriteWhitneySong: What's yours?
Whitney Houston was a formative part of my childhood. And, this was our senior prom theme. Thank you, Whitney. youtu.be/tYFHAvULvJ0—
Aimie Billon (@AimieRocks) February 12, 2012
R.I.P. Whitney Houston "there can be miracles
when you believe…" — Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey youtu.be/g4EcSOygB90 via @youtube—
Roger Gonzalez (@rogergzz) February 12, 2012
Remembering Whitney Houston. This video is pretty amazing. She will be missed incredibly. youtu.be/Z1QmeEdFOSc via @youtube—
Grant Gustin (@grantgust) February 12, 2012
R.I.P. Whitney Houston. We will always love you. instagr.am/p/G4-5fTGoz4/—
Rap-Up (@RapUp) February 12, 2012
For some fellow artists, the news hit at their core. Houston, for them, was not only an icon but also an inspiration for many.
R.I.P Whitney Houston… A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV—
Usher Raymond IV (@UsherRaymondIV) February 12, 2012
Watching the news now…it's true. R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Ugh I hate that I'm even typing this…I'm shocked. She was my hero growing up.—
Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) February 12, 2012
I can't believe we have lost Whitney. I can't stop crying… I'm so sad. RIP Whitney, my hero…—
Alexandra Burke (@alexandramusic) February 12, 2012
No words! Just tears #DearWhitney—
Rihanna (@rihanna) February 12, 2012

Newark's mayor Cory Booker even took to Twitter to pay tribute to one of New Jersey's greatest starts.
RIP Whitney Houston, a Legend and great American artist. And always, one of Newark's and New Jersey's treasured daughters.—
Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 12, 2012
The tributes and reaction continue to flood in at an unbelievable pace. Among them:
Someone please tell me that it's not true about Whitney Houston passing! Such an amazing talent!—
Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 12, 2012
Shocked we've lost the immensely talented Whitney Houston! Sending prayers of peace & solace 2 her family, friends & fans! Such a loss!—
Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 12, 2012
Whitney was always so sweet to me! Was rooting for her through her struggles! Such a shame…I'm truly saddened by this news!—
Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 12, 2012
Wow just wow. This has ruined my whole day. #Iwillalwaysloveyou—
Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 12, 2012
#OneMomentInTime has propelled me to many of my grand slams victories. #whitneyhouston—
Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 12, 2012
there is a phenomenal concert going on in heaven right now. RIP Whitney.—
gino barletta (@gbstarr) February 12, 2012
 RIP Whitney Houston. Your beautiful voice will live on forever.—
Michael Muhney (@michaelmuhney) February 12, 2012
This is the saddest thing I've ever had to write in my life, R I P to one of the greatest humans that I have ever known Whitney Houston—
Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) February 12, 2012
THE VOICE is gone but the music remains. fb.me/DAvQE93l—
(@AustinBloggy) February 12, 2012
Whitney Houston. What a sad tragedy-the end of the life of an incredible talent. RIP to an amazing singer and legend.—
Joan Rivers (@Joan_Rivers) February 12, 2012
This is terrible news..I'm sick to my stomach. Nobody sang like Whitney—
Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 12, 2012
So saddened by Whitney Houston's passing. A great, beautiful talent who will be mourned by all. XxV—
Vera Wang (@VeraWangGang) February 12, 2012
RIP Whitney Houston we will alwaaaaysss love you…—
Gading Marten (@gadiiing) February 12, 2012
R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Thank you for the amazing music you brought into the world.—
Mark Zuckerberg (@ceoMarkZuck) February 12, 2012
So sad about Whitney Houston. Thank you for the music. #goodbyeQueenofpop—
Dannii Minogue (@DanniiMinogue) February 12, 2012
R.I.P. Sister WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!! We will always love you.—
Cee Lo Green (@CeeLoGreen) February 12, 2012
it's incredible the impact one voice can have. Whitney, you changed so much. A true Icon.—
Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) February 12, 2012
I remember how sweet Whitney Houston was us cast members when on SNL. The world just lost an incredible voice. Just like that. Tragic.—
Chris Kattan (@ChrisKattan) February 12, 2012

Via: This Just In