The 54th annual Grammy Awards kicked off with a song and a prayer on Sunday night, as the Recording Academy took time to pay tribute to Whitney Houston after her untimely and tragic death at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, on Saturday afternoon.

Host LL Cool J opened the ceremony by telling the audience: "There is no way around this. We've had a death in our family," before reading a prayer for the late singer.

"Heavenly father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us," Cool J said. "Though she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit."

Bruno Mars also included the late singer in his performance of "Runaway Baby," saying, "Tonight we're celebrating. Tonight we're celebrating the beautiful Miss Whitney Houston," while Jennifer Hudson performed a tribute to Houston during the main ceremony.


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Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to the late Etta James, who died last month. Mitch and Janis Winehouse were at the ceremony to honor Amy Winehouse, who won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Body And Soul" with Tony Bennett. "We shouldn't be here. Our darling daughter should be here," Winehouse's father, Mitch, said after he accepted the Grammy for his late daughter.

And while Kanye West -- who was not in attendance -- led the pack with seven nominations this year, it was Adele who reigned queen of the Grammys tonight!

The British songstress took home awards for Song of the Year, "Rolling in the Deep," Best Pop Solo Performance for "Someone Like You," Album Of The Year, 21, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album!

Adele gushed onstage after winning her first award of the night, "I can't believe I'm getting emotional already. My life changed when I wrote this song, and I felt it before anyone even heard it, and seeing as it's a vocal performance, I need to thank my doctors, I suppose, who brought my voice back."

Country songstress Taylor Swift also won big tonight, taking home the Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for her anti-bullying song, "Mean."

Chris Brown, Rihanna and Coldplay, Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry also performed live during tonight's awards show.

Check out a complete list of the Grammy Awards winners, after the jump ...

Are you trying to tell us something, Katy Perry?

Donning head-to-toe blue -- literally! -- Perry looked lovely in a sparkly backless Elie Saab gown, paired with $2 million worth of Norman Silverman jewels, and Christian Louboutin heels, at the Grammy awards on Sunday evening.

The 27-year-old singer, who split from hubby Russell Brand in December, is nominated for Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, for her hit song “Firework”

Perry Tweeted after entering the Staples Center for the ceremony, “You know it’s a great day when you walk into the Staples Center and all The Beach Boys are physically playing on stage.”

Amber Rose stood out on the red carpet in a vibrant yellow Versace gown with a thigh-high slit at the 2012 Grammy Awards, while her boyfriend, rapper Wiz Khalifa, kept it classy in a white and black suit, paired with a diamond marijuana necklace.

While speaking with reporters at the awards show, Rose spilled a big secret about her relationship status!

"We're not engaged," she told E! News. "Not yet. We want to get married. We're just taking our time. Whenever he wants to propose, that's when it will happen."

Will Amber become the latest celeb to get engaged in 2012?

She may not be nominated for a single thing this year, but Paris Hilton is never one to miss out on a good party!

The sexy socialite stepped on to the red carpet at the Staples Center in LA wearing a gorgeous white and gold Basil Soda gown, paired with a matching gold belt.

Hilton told E! she’s attending the ceremony to support rapper Afrojack, who is currently collaborating on new material for her upcoming sophomore album, along with Flo Rider and LMFAO.

Miss Hilton also revealed that she's been buddies with LMFAO band member, Skyler Austen Gordy, since they were kids.

"I grew up with Skyler since I was a little girl and we were like cousins. They actually used to deejay my parties, starting like eight years ago. They'd always play 'I'm In Miami, B****' and now, it's like one of the biggest hits in the world. I'm so proud of them."

He may not take home a Grammy award tonight, but Adam Levine still wins the award for the hottest arm candy!

The Maroon 5 frontman held on tight to his model girlfriend Anne V, who donned a sexy black dress that was slit so high, and cut so low, she almost made an Armani-clad Rihanna look conservative!

The happy couple walked the red carpet with Maroon 5 band members James Valentine, Mickey Madden, PJ Morton, and Matt Flynn, and the group is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their hit song “Moves Like Jagger,” along with Christina Aguilera.

Adam Tweeted after hearing the news of Whitney Houston's untimely death, “Tomorrow night at the Grammys, the only person on our minds will be Whitney Houston.”

How sheer is too sheer?

Fergie must have been in the mood to flash her fabulous figure, because the sexy singer donned an orange lace Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture gown that perfectly showed off her black underwear while walking the red carpet at the Grammy Awards, on Sunday night.

The Black Eyed Peas frontwoman brought her mom as her date to the awards show, so lets hope she has a good sense of humor!

But where was her hottie hubby Josh Duhamel -- trouble in paradise?

Taylor Swift looked absolutely stunning at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, wearing a gorgeous gold silk mermaid gown by Zuhair Murad, Neil Lane jewels and Prada heels while walking the red carpet solo.

And Swift was definitely dressed to win tonight! The country star Tweeted from the awards show, “Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. Im floating."

When Taylor rushed to the stage to accept her Best Country Solo Performance Grammy for her song “Mean,” she confessed during her acceptance speech:

“There’s nothing like writing a song about someone who’s really mean to you and makes you life miserable. and then winning a Grammy for it.”

Congrats Taylor!

Looking drop-dead sexy in a very low-cut black silk custom Giorgio Armani gown with a thigh-high slit and a mermaid train, Rihanna stole the show on the red carpet at the 2012 Grammy Awards in LA, on Sunday evening.

The S&M singer, who's set to perform at tonight's awards ceremony, paired her daring gown with Neil Lane jewels, Jacquie Aiche body necklaces, Christian Louboutin stilettos, and a Jimmy Choo clutch.

This show marks the first time Rihanna and ex-bf Chris Brown have appeared at the same awards show since his attack on her in 2009, which was also on the eve of the Grammys that year.