Stars Pay Their Respects to Whitney Houston

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From Oprah Winfrey to Mariah Carey, celebrities gathered at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey to celebrate the life and legacy of Whitney Houston.

Along with Houston's close friends and family, the reverend Jesse Jackson, Tyler Perry, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Vivica A. Fox, Star Jones, Queen Latifah, Diane Sawyer, Kevin Costner, Alicia Keys, Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, R. Kelly and Mariah Carey were seen entering the church this morning.

Aretha Franklin was unable to attend the funeral due to illness.

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The ceremony began around 11:30 am ET when a choir -- clad all in white -- began singing a variety of spiritual hymns as the congregants took their seats.