Beyonce Knowles has praised “the ultimate legend” Whitney Houston. Beyonce talked of the “painful” loss of the fellow pop singer – who was found dead in a room at the Beverley Hilton hotel on Saturday – and recalled their first meeting when she was just 15 years old.

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Beyonce said:  “The loss of Whitney Houston is painful. I remember meeting Whitney for the first time when I was 15. She was the ultimate legend. The ultimate woman. Not only was she confident, poised, stunningly beautiful and intelligent, but she was sincere and kind. She took the time to make everyone feel like they were very important to her.”

Beyonce went on to praise Whitney as a “queen” who all young female singers aspired to be like. Hopefully not exactly like!

She added in a statement to MTV:  “I, like every singer, always wanted to be just like her. Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic.”

“Her vibrato, her cadence, her control. So many of my life’s memories are attached to a Whitney Houston song. She is our queen and she opened doors and provided a blueprint for all of us. God bless her.”

Perhaps some of the celebs busy lauding Whitney will take time to reflect upon the dangers of substance abuse.