'We lost our hero': Kelly Rowland pays emotional tribute to Whitney Houston as the stars take to the red carpet at the Grammys

Kelly Rowland led the tributes tonight as the stars emerged for the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on the day after Whitney Houston's tragic death.
The X Factor UK judge paid an emotional homage to the 48-year-old icon, saying: 'We lost our hero. I would not be standing here today if it was not for her.'
The former Destiny's Child singer made the comment as the music world mourns the loss of the legendary star on the night of one of the biggest events in the entertainment industry.

Divas: Singers Fergie, Katy Perry and Kelly Rowland arrive at the Grammy Awards 2012 in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday night

Taking a leaf out of Lady Gaga's style book: RnB star Nicki Minaj turned up in a Red Riding Hood costume and was accompanied by guest dressed as the Pope

She told E Entertainment: 'My prayers go to her mother and her daughter.  If we feel this loss I can only imagine how heavy their loss is.'
Rowland - who spoke outside the Staples Center on the Grammy Awards red carpet - also remembered meeting Houston at a Grammy event years ago, when she was still singing with Destiny's Child.

 

More...

• Grammys 2012: Live video coverage from the red carpet

She said she was 'singing Destiny's Child songs to us.'

Rowland added: 'She was just so happy and encouraging. She was very warm and embracing to us.'

Taking a turn: Rihanna graced the red carpet in a stunning backless gown split to the thigh

In the spotlight: The singer waves as an army of photographers take her photograph

Kelly Osbourne also remembered Houston, telling her E Entertainment co-hosts that the I Will Always Love You star was always kind to her.
She told the American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest: 'I knew her personally and she really was a lovely woman.'
The 27-year-old Fashion Police correspondent looked elegant in a gold sequinned dress that showed off her slim figure.
Osbourne made an appearance at the Grammy Awards just hours after refusing to attend Clive Davis' annual Grammy Awards party.
The daughter of Ozzy Osbourne wrote on her Twitter page last night: 'Not going to any pre grammy parties as i dont feel it is appropriate!'

 

Gladrags on: Actress Kate Beckinsale wowed in a short silk dress while Miranda Lambert, second from left, and Taylor Swift wore similar-looking embroidered gowns while Kathy Griffin opted for a full-length ivory dress

Putting their backs into it:  Beckinsale and Swift take a turn in their glamorous gowns for the cameras

She also tweeted: 'i truly hope you are in peace #WhitneyHouston i feel so honoured to have known you! i love you RIP!'
Rapper LL Cool J - who will host the show - also revealed a bit of the behind-the-scenes discussions to try to pay tribute to Houston tonight.
The hip-hop star revealed that the organisers were in discussions throughout last night, trying to decide how to get the balance right.
He told Seacrest that they wanted to 'come together and celebrate her life' without marring the night for first time Grammy nominees.

Paying tribute: Kelly Osbourne paid tribute to Whitney Houston saying she felt blessed to have met the singer

All white on the night: Reality star Paris Hilton, left, actress Malin Akerman and, right, Singer Robyn

Queen of the Night: Adele will sing at the Grammy Awards tonight, months after her voice was silenced by major surgery on her throat

The performer said: 'You don’t want to lay this dark cloud over their Grammy experience.'
LL Cool J didn't go into too much detail but he did say: 'I hope that Whitney Houston's family and friends appreciate what we do.'
Kelly Price, the R&B artist who was the last person to perform with the singer, broke down as she gave a red carpet interview about seeing star for the last time on Thursday night.
Price said: 'I was having a pre-Grammy party for the nominations [sic].

Legs eleven: Amber Rose slipped into a canary yellow gown while Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi donned a short black and white number

 

Lending their support: Country singer Carrie Underwood sparkled in sequins, British star Jessie J wore a metallic dress, Diana Ross slipped into a black trouser suit while singer Kelly Price - who did an impromptu performance with Houston earlier in the week, wore a sparkly red dress

Glamour: Julianne Hough, Giuliana Rancic and country singer Alison Krauss strike elegant poses

'I invited Whitney to come...
'We had a great time Thursday night. She came out. We hung out. We danced...
'I wasn’t expecting her to sing….She just walked up on the stage. We embraced each other and she said: "Give me the mike..."'
Price added: 'Singing with Whitney has always been to me just an honour.'
The artist also talked about the moment she found out her friend was dead.

Be my date: Singer Alicia Keys opted for slimming black as she posed with her producer husband Swizz Beatz while, right, singer Adam Levine of Maroon 5 with Victoria's Secret model girlfriend Anne V

They mean business: Levine - who is also a talent judge on The Voice - poses with his Maroon 5 bandmates

Model VIPs: Pregnant Victoria's Secret starlet Lily Aldridge and her pal Anne V strut their stuff for the cameras

She said: 'In my heart I was praying it was an internet hoax…and to realise it wasn’t I just don’t know how to explain it.'
Billy R Cyrus also spoke to Seacrest about Houston.
He said: 'I think there is a feeling of honour to respect and honour an incredible talent that this world has lost. 
'As a human being she's always been very nice to me and my family when we've crossed paths throughout the years.

A night of music: TV personalities Coco, left, and husband Ice-T and, right, Amy Winehouse's parents Mitch and Janis, who accepted an award on behalf of their late daughter at the ceremony

Mournful in black: Teen singer Rebecca Black, British singer Corinne Bailey Rae and Cyndi Lauper

'She sang the backdrop of our lives.'
Despite the sombre night many celebrities still arrived determined to get into the spirit of the evening.
Singer-rapper Nicki Minaj arrived in a scarlet red outfit that looked like a cross between a nun’s habit and a Red Riding Hood costume.
She courted controversy by posing on the red carpet with a man dressed up as the Pope.
In contrast Katy Perry wore baby blue to match her vibrant hair of the same colour.

Dapper gentlemen: Steve Martin, Mario Lopez and Bruno Mars look smart on the red carpet