In the Internet age, grief is an emotion that can be expressed as instantly and publicly as any other. In the wake of Amy Winehouse‘s death on Saturday, celebrities lined up to react.
On Twitter, Kelly Osborne, a friend of the addicted singer, was emotional: “i cant even breath right my now i’m crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!”
R&B star Usher could see some consolation: “I’m so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse’s death. I’m so happy I knew you Amy…Rest Well. Gone Too Soon…we’ll miss you!!”
But fellow-singer Kelly Clarkson saw more reason for regret: “What a waste of a gifted person. What a shame she saw no hope and continued living her life in that manor [sic]. I have been that low emotionally and mentally and that is overwhelming.”
Comedian and actor Russell Brand posted a long tribute on his website, recalling how he first got to know Winehouse in London and his first impressions of her on stage: “I heard the rolling, wondrous resonance of a female vocal… and then the awe. The awe that envelops when witnessing a genius.” He also reflected on “the now glaringly obvious fact that Winehouse and I shared an affliction, the disease of addiction.”
Celebrity Rehab‘s Dr Drew Pinsky took a lesson from the event, tweeting: “SO sad, another lost to addiction. A reminder this is often a fatal condition. Recovery is possible,”—adding, a touch unnecessarily, “but sadly not for Amy Winehouse”
Meanwhile, the Winehouse family issued a statement as Amy’s father, Mitch, flew back to London from New York, where he was playing jazz: “Our family has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece. She leaves a gaping hole in our lives. We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time.”