Jennifer Hudson's emotional Grammy Awards tribute to Whitney Houston floored Dolly Parton, who wrote the signature tune the Dreamgirls star performed.
The country star was among the first celebrities to pay tribute to Houston after learning of her death on Saturday (11Feb12) and she has offered a new statement after tuning into the Grammys on Sunday night (12Feb12) and watching Hudson belt out a pitch-perfect rendition of I Will Always Love You.
Parton says, "I was brought to tears again last night, as I'm sure many were, when Jennifer Hudson sang I Will Always Love You on the Grammys in memory of Whitney.
"Like everybody else, I am still in shock. But I know that Whitney will live forever in all the great music that she left behind. I will always have a very special piece of her in the song we shared together and had the good fortune to share with the world. Rest in peace, Whitney. Again, we will always love you."
Houston hit the top of the charts in every country around the world with her powerful rendition of the song, which she recorded for The Bodyguard soundtrack.