Wednesday, Feb. 11 marks the three-year anniversary of Whitney Houston‘s untimely passing, and while many artists have remembered the music icon on the sad occasion, Jessie J decided to open up about her influence and remark on her cover of Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” Watch the footage below, premiering exclusively on Billboard.com:
“Ten years ago this year is the anniversary of the day that I auditioned for the girl band that got me my record deal, that got me the record deal where I am now,” Jessie J recalls in the clip. “‘I Have Nothing’ was my audition song. And Whitney Houston, she’s my musical inspiration.”
Jessie J also remembers how, on the night that Houston died in 2012, she was supposed to meet the young U.K. star at the Clive Davis pre-Grammys party. The “Bang Bang” star discusses the gravity of the moment, and why “I Have Nothing” will always be special to her.
Jessie J scored a Top 10 hit on the Hot 100 last year with “Bang Bang,” which was nominated at this year’s Grammy Awards, where the singer performed alongside Tom Jones.