Photo: CR: Michael Becker / FOX

By Zachary Rowell

The sudden death of Whitney Houston has affected a number of people, but the news of Whitney’s death hit American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks especially hard. There are reports that Jordin Sparks broke down, locked herself in her hotel room and cried non-stop when she heard the news.

Jordin had a personal connection to Whitney Houston. They worked together in the upcoming movie, ‘Sparkle’ which is supposed to be released later this year. The movie is loosely based on the real life story of The Supremes. During the filming of the movie, Jordin and Whitney apparently became really close. The season six American Idol winner recently opened up about their relationship at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon….

“The first day she got to [to the set] she’s scolding me, and I’m thinking this is the best day ever. She went from being this unreachable supernova pop star to my costar, friend and someone who was like a mentor to me. It was a gift and an honor to play opposite Whitney Houston in the film.”

The 22 year-old also paid tribute to Houston with an outstanding performance of “Look Into Your Heart” from Sparkle’s soundtrack.

Interestingly enough, Whitney Houston was talking to American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe  about mentoring on the new season. American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoe sent out the following tweet after finding out Whitney Houston had died,

‘@dizzy feet What is even more shocking to me regarding the death of #Whitney is that only this Wednesday she responded positively to mentoring on #Idol’

http://twitter.com/#!/dizzyfeet