The Insider.com

Mariah Carey made a rare public appearance at last night's BET Awards to honor the late, great Whitney Houston.

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"The first time I heard Whitney's voice, I was mesmerized like the rest of the world," an emotional Mariah said. "Just an unknown, budding singer myself, I was captivated by the power in her range, the richness of her tone and her unique ability to wrap a lyric in emotion. We'll always have that voice we all fell in love with. She inspired us all."

And while Mariah didn't sing herself, Monica and Brandy kicked off a musical tribute to Whitney.

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The musical medley also featured a hugely emotional performance by Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, which will make even the most jaded shed buckets of tears.

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Then Whitney's Waiting To Exhale co-stars spoke lovingly about the late singer, leading into Chaka Khan bringing the house down with a celebratory performance of I'm Every Woman, perfectly in sync with the uplifting tone struck at Whitney's funeral back in February.