It’s been five years since we lost Whitney Houston , but one Latina singer will never forget what the icon did for women of color in the industry.
Karen Rodriguez, who is a former “American Idol” contestant, shared her Spanglish version of “I Will Always Love You” on Feb. 10, one day before the anniversary of the icon’s death.
“Whitney was graceful and elegant; her voice soared above the rest, never limited to one specific range, subject, or genre,” Rodriguez wrote on Facebook. “She broke down barriers and opened up doors previously unaccessible to female minority entertainers. And most importantly to me, she achieved success with raw and natural talent. No gimmicks. I hope you enjoy my homage to one of the greatest - Whitney, we will always love you!”
Houston debuted her rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” originally by Dolly Parton, in 1992 when she also starred in the film “The Bodyguard.” Rodriguez mixed the ‘90s version with the Spanish version “Amor Siempre Tú, originally performed by Maggie Carles.
The Latina singer is currently a Roc Nation Latin recording artist who became a viral sensation after her Spanglish rendition of Adele’s “Hello” in 2015.
