Celebrities Pay Tribute to Amy Winehouse

Tributes have been pouring in over the last few hours, to honor Amy Winehouse, who died earlier today, aged 27.

Amy was a successful and talented recording artist, who many fans would describe as a "performer who was singing from her soul". She was nominated, and won, many awards throughout her career including Brit Awards, Ivor Novello Awards, World Music Awards and Grammys - in recognition of her first album, Frank, and the follow up, Back to Black - which brought her worldwide success and recognition. It also established her as a incredibly talented songwriter and performer. Her most recognised single was the song, Rehab, in which she, ironically, sings about refusing to go to Rehab.

In the last two years, her choice in men, and partying, had overshadowed her music career, as the press honed in on her controversial addictions to drugs, and alcohol, as well as her problematic eating disorders, which, Amy - herself, had admitted to. More recently she had been dating film director, Reg Traviss, who appeared to be helping Amy get her career back on track. She had been working on her third album.

The Recording Academy,who hold the prestigious Grammy Awards annually, issued the following statement:

"Five-time GRAMMY® winner Amy Winehouse was a dynamic performer and musician who seamlessly blended rock, jazz, pop, and soul and created a sound all her own. Her rich, soulful and unique voice reflected her honest songwriting and earned her a devoted fan following, critical acclaim, and the genuine respect and admiration of her musical peers. She will forever be remembered for her immense talent, and her music will live on for generations to come. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends, and fans during this difficult time."

Celebrities have also been coming forward with their condolences, via Twitter. Some celebs, including Lady Gaga and Rihanna, expressed their shock, by tweeting several comments regarding Amy's tragic death:

Rihanna
"I am genuinely heartbroken about this #DearAmy"
and "Dear God have mercy!!! I am SICK about this right now! #DearAmy"

Keyshia Cole
"@Tyiesha1: @keyshiacole did u you hear about Amy Winehouse?"YES. If this is true. RIP to Amy. Sending my love to her family. God Bless ALL."

Paris Hilton
"So sad to hear about Amy Winehouse. What a talent, way to young to die. Addiction is such a deadly disease. She's now in a better place."

Nicky Hilton
"Thoughts and prayers out to the family of Amy Winehouse. Very sad situation."

Randy Jackson
"Wow what a tragic loss today in the music world, Amy Winehouse such a talent. She will be missed"

Lady Gaga
"I will always have a very deep love for Amy Winehouse." - #amywinehouse #27club RIP " and
"Because of Amy,very strange girls like me go to prom with very good-looking guys." and
"I will always have a very deep love for Amy Winehouse...She's a different kind of woman."

Sharon Osbourne
"Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Amy Winehouse. She was a little girl with a big heart."

Kelly Clarkson
"I heard the news about Amy Winehouse. I'm incredibly sad. I didn't know her but I met her a few times and got to hea... http://say.ly/bCMwqT"

Katy Perry
"RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace."

Jonathan Ross (British TV Presenter/Personality)
"Just heard about poor Amy Winehouse. I liked her very much. It's such a sad thing. Poor girl."

Emma Bunton (Spice Girl)
"Such sad news about Amy Winehouse. My thoughts are with her family."

Aubrey O'Day (Playmate/Model/Singer)
"#RIP Amy Winehouse. Such a phenomenal talent."

MC HAMMER
"The demons of addiction have claimed the life but not the SOUL of a beautiful woman .. #RIPAmy"

THE OUTLAWZ (Tupac's Group)
"Rest in paradise Amy Winehouse seems like she couldnt find peace on earth i pray she found her peace now!! RIP"

There is speculation that Amy died from an overdose. Ironically, just earlier this month, singer, Tony Bennett, warned Amy wasn't doing too good, as he told British Newspaper, The Guardian - "Of all the contemporary artists I know, she has the most natural jazz voice, but I'm worried about her and I'm praying for her. She'd help everyone by sobering up and cleaning up her spirituality."

An autopsy will be carried out tomorrow, to determine the cause of death. She joins a list of legends who died at the age of 27 - including Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimmy Hendrix. Though sadly, the list is a lot longer if you include celebrities who died as a result of drugs, including Heath Ledger who died aged 28. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Amy's family and her partner.

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Words: Emily Smith
Rememba Entertainment
Picture: courtesy of freeimagefinder