Jessie J met Whitney Houston day before her death

Jessie J was doubly distraught when she heard the news of Whitney Houston's death as she met the superstar for the first time the day before her body was found in a hotel room bath tub.

The British pop star had agreed to perform at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy Awards party in Los Angeles along with Houston, and they met during rehearsals after they were introduced by the late singer's teenage daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

She tells BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, "(The day I met Houston was) probably the most emotional day of my career... She (Bobbi Kristina) was like, 'My mum is here and wants to meet you'... Whitney was one of my huge inspirations. I've always spoken about her. She made proud (sic) to have a powerful voice."

The Price Tag star was stunned when Houston was found dead in her suite at the Beverly Hilton hotel, the same venue where the party took place, and she admits she struggled to perform in front of the famous guests.

She adds, "I had to really bring myself together and go, 'You can do it Jess'... In the audience were people that I've listened to and (who have) been inspirations. It wasn't easy... I was very proud to be representing the U.K. on such a kind of memorable night. Whitney Houston is someone that will never be forgotten and her music will live on forever."