Whitney 'joyful' before her death (From Your Local Guardian)

Whitney 'joyful' before her death

9:55am Friday 17th February 2012 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2011

Whitney Houston appeared "joyful, excited and vibrant" the day before she died, her make-up artist has said.

Reginald Dowdley said the pop star chatted happily to him about her plans for the future and showed "no signs of stress" during the three hours he spent with her last Friday.

He said: "There was no indication she wasn't going to be here beyond the weekend so I was extremely shocked to hear of her death."

The 48-year-old was found submerged in the bath in her hotel room last Saturday. Fire services and hotel security rushed to the suite but attempts to resuscitate her failed.

Meanwhile singer Ray J - who also spent time with Houston in her last days - said he's been trying to "process the emptiness that I feel".

In a statement, the star said the world lost an icon but he lost a "close friend". Calling her by her nickname, he added: "Nippy I miss you so much!"

His representative said Ray J, whose sister is singer Brandy, will be at Saturday's funeral for Houston in Newark, New Jersey.

Houston's godmother Aretha Franklin has said she believed the star had overcome her demons and was ready for a comeback, which made learning of the singer's death all the more shocking.

Interviewed on NBC's Today show, the singer said she was watching TV when she learned of Houston's death. Her reaction was: "What?! This could not be!"

Franklin said she had seen recent video of Houston, "and she looked fresh, she looked healthy and she looked gorgeous. And I thought, 'Yes, she has conquered her challenges and she's on the way.'"