Kevin Costner delivers moving tribute to Whitney and her real ‘bodyguard’

Kevin Costner honoured music executive Clive Davis, thanking him for providing guidance to pop star Whitney Houston since their collaboration on 1992’s hit film ‘The Bodyguard’ and shepherding its hit song ‘I Will Always Love You’, reports ‘Variety’.

Costner’s speech for Davis — delivered at the music executive’s much-awaited annual pre-Grammys gala at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday evening (U.S. Pacific Time) — touched on his long, storied career and the pair’s personal relationship.

The tribute carried particular weight in the room, according to ‘Variety’, as Houston died on the night of Davis’s pre-Grammys gala in 2012.

“Neither one of us in the end could protect your beloved Whitney, but your fingerprints on her life are clean my friend,” Costner said. “You were a miracle in her life. Thank you for being her bodyguard, Clive.”

Later in the evening, Jennifer Hudson also paid respects to Houston, giving a stirring performance of the singer’s ‘Greatest Love of All’. (IANS)

Read: Grammy Awards: Chris Brown throws a temper tantrum after Robert Glasper’s Grammy win

List of Grammy winners in top categories

Los Angeles, Feb. 6 (PTI/AP): Winners on Sunday in the top categories at the 65th Grammy Awards:

Best R and B Song: “CUFF IT,” Beyonce

Best country album: “A Beautiful Time,” Willie Nelson

Best pop vocal album: “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles.

Best rock album: “Patient Number 9,” Ozzy Osbourne

Best rock performance: “Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile

Best rock song: “Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile

Best rap performance: “The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar

Best rap song: “The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar

Best melodic rap performance: “WAIT FOR U,” Future featuring Drake and Tems

Best R and B album: “Black Radio III,” Robert Glasper

Best R and B performance: “Hrs and Hrs,” Muni Long

Best traditional R and B performance: “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA” by Beyonc

Best progressive R and B album: “Gemini Rights,” Steve Lacy

Best alternative music performance: “Chaise Longue” by Wet Leg

Best alternative music album: “Wet Leg,” Wet Leg

Best audio book, narration and storytelling recording: “Finding Me,” Viola Davis

Best traditional pop vocal album: “Higher,” Michael Bubl

Best solo country solo performance: “Live Forever,” Willie Nelson

Best country duo/group performance: “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

Best country album: “‘Til You Can’t,” Cody Johnson

Best music video: “All Too Well: The Short Film,” Taylor Swift.

Producer of the year, non-classical: Jack Antonoff

Best comedy album: “The Closer,” Dave Chappelle

Best musical theatre album: “Into The Woods (2022 Broadway Cast Recording)”

Best music film: “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story”

Best song written for visual media: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto,” Lin-Manuel Miranda

Best jazz vocal album: Samara Joy

Best Americana album: “In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile

Best Americana performance: “Made Up Mind,” Bonnie Raitt

Best American roots song: “Just Like That…,” Bonnie Raitt

Best dance/electronic recording: “Break My Soul,” Beyonc

Best metal performance: “Degradation Rules,” Ozzy Osbourne featuring Tony Iommi

Best engineered, non-classical album: “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles

Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: “Encanto”

Best score soundtrack for visual media: “Encanto,” Germaine Franco

(AP/PTI)