By Daily Mail ReporterCreated 6:11 AM on 12th February 2012

In Hollywood, they say the show must go on.

And last night not even the death of one of the music industry’s biggest names was enough to halt a pre-Grammy’s party in Hollywood.

Clive Davis decided to press ahead with his annual soiree at the Beverly Hilton Hotel despite the fact his protege Whitney Houston died in the same establishment, mere hours earlier.

Flashing the flesh: Kim Kardashian, Amber Rose and Britney Spears arrived on the red carpet in very revealing outfits at the Clive Davis and the Recording Academy’s 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Whitney Houston was found dead just hours earlier

Distasteful: Britney and Kim look animated as they engaged in conversation inside the venue

The scene could not have been more dramatic or bizarre – as the guests made their red carpet arrival downstairs, Whitney’s body remained upstairs in her fourth-floor suite while the authorities investigated the death scene.

Poignantly Houston – who was found dead in the bathtub – was supposed to appear at the gala and was expected to perform after rehearsing for the show on Thursday with Bradyand Monica.

Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears and Amber Rose were among the stars who were arriving on the red carpet while the police investigation carried on upstairs.  

The young Hollywood starlets didn’t bother with subdued mourning attire in light of the tragedy and instead turned up in low-cut and very daring dresses.

The show must go on: Davis decided to continue with the party, despite his protege’s tragic passing. Kim seen right with actress Jane Fonda and, right, Diana Ross with Berry Gordy

Hollywood starlets: Kim and Britney pose with Sir Richard Branson, one of Saturday night’s honourees at the gala

Some celebrities decided to skip the event out of respect for the late singer, who died at just 48.

Kelly Osbourne tweeted: ‘Not going to any pre grammy parties as i dont feel it is appropriate!’

Her mother Sharon agreed, writing: ‘Can’t celebrate tonight when one of the greatest voices ever is dead.’

Miley Cyrus also decided to avoid the party scene, tweeting: ‘Just gonna stay @ home & listen 2 her records.’

Other attendees included Diana Ross, actress Jane Fonda, media mogul Sir Richard Branson – who was among the honourees at the event – and former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland.

Inside the party, Davis – Houston’s mentor, producer, champion and longtime friend – addressed party guests after a moment of silence.

Pressing ahead: Singer Ross wore a full-length black gown while Kelly Rowland, centre, slipped into a glittering blue dress as Tennis star Venus Williams opted for green

Comfort in a time of need: Singer Alicia Keys comforts Houston’s long-time mentor Clive Davis, also the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainmen

Sombre: Keys with husband, producer Swizz Beatz, left, along with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and singer Cassie

A somber Davis, reading from a sheet of paper, said: ‘I personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me. She was full of life, looking forward for tonight. She loved music and she loved this night that celebrated music.’

He added: ‘Whitney was a beautiful person and she had a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage … somany times. So simply put: Whitney would have wanted the music to go on.’

He dedicated the evening to her and asked for a moment of silence as a photo of the 48-year-old, hands wide open, looking to the sky, appeared on the screen.

Then, he said with excitement: ‘Now ladies and gentlemen, let the music begin.’

Tony Bennett, the evening’s first performer, recounted other recent big-name deaths in the music industry.’First it was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, now the magnificent Whitney Houston. Let’s legalize drugs, like Amsterdam, it’s a very sane city now.’

Party people: Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson pose with actress Michelle Trachtenberg and singer Thomas Hamilton

Remembering a musical icon: Clive Davis’s wife Barbara, left, presenter Gayle King and singer Toni Braxton

He added that Winehouse was ‘the greatest singer I’ve ever heard in my life.’

The scene was somewhat surreal given Houston’s shocking death only earlier in the day. But Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow, who called Houston a friend, said ‘canceling the party was never an option.’

‘A lot of us holding hands tonight, oneach other’s shoulders … We’ll be celebrating,’ he said. ‘The legacy she left will be here forever.’

He announced that Jennifer Hudson would perform a tribute to Houston at Sunday’s Grammys.

Earlier in the evening, India.Arie said Houston ‘set the standard for what it is to be a great female artist.’

Producer Jimmy Jam said her death was a’bittersweet irony’ given that Davis heralded Houston as a great talentto watch when he had her perform at his party in her youth.

VIPs: Actress Kathy Griffin, left, Motown singer Gladys Knight, centre, and Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg, right

Dapper:  From left, Branson, Glee actor Matthew Morrison, music producer Dr. Dre and singer Tony Bennett

‘The fact that it happened on this day, this event is where Clive Davis introduced Whitney to the world. Wesaid hello to Whitney at the Clive Davis (gala), it may be appropriate we’re saying our first goodbyes to Whitney at a Clive Davis event.

‘In a weird way it’s appropriate, the show must go on. I think Whitney would have wanted that to happen. … Tonight I think we begin to celebrate and remember.’

Police received a 911 call from hotel security about Houston at 3:43 pm local time today. Paramedics who were already at the hotel because of a Grammy party unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, he said.

Houston’s end came on the eve of music’s biggest night – the Grammy Awards.

Mentor: Clive Davis said he was ‘personally devastated’ by Whitney’s death as he addressed his guests at the event

Remembering the greats: Tony Bennett also spoke out about the deaths of Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse as he took to the stage at the pre-Grammys event

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, shewas one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale.’

But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristinevoice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

‘The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,’ Houston told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in aninfamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

Houston has a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 18, from her tumultous relationship with her ex husband Bobby Brown.

Minute’s silence: Guests at the event pay their respects as a screen shows an image of Houston

Dramatic scene: Tonight party carried on as planned at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where Whitney died earlier today