To mark the 25 years since the late, great Whitney Houston wowed music fans with her take on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and stunned film critics everywhere with her brilliant performance alongside Hollywood icon Kevin Costner in “The Bodyguard,” pop star Christina Aguilera took to the stage to pay tribute to Houston at the 2017 AMAs in Los Angeles.
Videos by Rare
After being introduced Oscar winning actress Viola Davis, Aguilera sang a medley of Houston’s hit songs, “I Will Always Love You,” I Have Nothing” “Run to You” and “I’m Every Woman.”
RELATED: Watch this crazy preview of Pink’s American Music Awards act, and you’ll see why she’s afraid
The rendition earned a standing ovation and had many audience members inside the Microsoft Theater singing along to the Whitney Houston classics, but the reaction from viewers at home was less enthusiastic, with many social media users criticizing the performance.
Tara Setmayer appeared said Christina just “didn’t measure up.”
Sooo, I’ve been a #WhitneyHouston super fan since I was 10. She’s an icon. “TheVoice” There are only a few ppl on the planet who could do a tribute to her justice & unfortunately #ChristinaAguilera didn’t measure up 2nite. Her voice wasn’t up to the task 👎🤨#WHITNEYxCHISTINA
— Tara Setmayer 🌻 (@TaraSetmayer) November 20, 2017
“Don’t ever ask me to watch a music award show again,” comedian Paul Mooney wrote. “That child called herself trying on Whitney Houston?”
https://twitter.com/PaulEalyMooney/status/932438956318380035
Journalist Clare O’Connor respected Aguilera’s effort, but acknowledged that nobody can ever compare to the real Whitney.
https://twitter.com/Clare_OC/status/932430812666003456
“All respect to Xtina, but whenever someone sings Whitney, I’m reminded no one will ever replace that voice, radio host Bradley Traynor told his followers. “Ever.”
All respect to Xtina, but whenever someone sings Whitney, I️’m reminded no one will ever replace that voice. Ever. #AMAs
— Bradley Traynor (@bradleytraynor) November 20, 2017
Some people were way less polite:
“That was such an offensive monstrosity and I hope you plan on apologizing for disrespecting a legend like that,” said one particularly aggrieved Twitter user. “You know you had NO BUSINESS SINGING WHITNEY. You literally yell like a goat. Omg.”
That was such an offensive monstrosity and I hope you plan on apologizing for disrespecting a legend like that. You know you had NO BUSINESS SINGING WHITNEY. You literally yell like a goat. Omg. @xtina
— Victoria Monét Love Account (@BtSquared2) November 20, 2017
Not all of the feedback from viewers at home was negative, though. Many agreed with the live audience:
https://twitter.com/yolandavassallo/status/932450466788605952
Christina Aquilera voice on #AMAS #TheBodyguard is like whoa 😮!! pic.twitter.com/QtKKh2XvGl
— TRUE FASHIONISTA NOW (@tfnow) November 20, 2017
Christina Aquilera nailed it tonight on the tribute to the late and great Whitney Houston! @xtina #ama!
— Cynthia Boccio (@Cynthia__NY) November 20, 2017
“The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album” was originally in released in 1992 and sold 45 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling soundtrack album of all time.
Whitney Houston passed away on Feb. 11, 2012.