A year ago, at the annual pre-Grammy party, Whitney Houston, the great star, walked on stage and closed the evening with a brilliant performance. Last Saturday, Houston was once again the focus before the Grammy, but her presence was a regrettable one.Earlier that day, the pop music's former queen was found dead in her hotel room.She was 48.This, no doubt, is sad news to the whole music industry and her fans all over the world. At her peak , Houston was the golden girl of the music world.From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists.She impressed audiences with her effortless, powerful and _ performance. Besides multi-million record sales, Houston made countless hits such as The Greatest Love of All, I Have Nothing, and the mostly famous I Will Always Love You.She also influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey. But by the end of her career, there was a shocking fall for this superstar.Houston had been addicted to  drugs.Her album sales declined   and the hits stopped coming and her once beautiful voice became hoarse  , unable to hit the high notes as she used to. In 2009, Houston staged a successful comeback with the albumI Look To You, which fell on top of the charts.But hoarse voice, canceled concerts, and continuous illness-Houston's comeback trail wasn't smooth at all.In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2009, Houston admitted: "It (show business) is too much for me and I wanted out." Now that Houston has finally taken a break from all the chaos , may she rest in peace. Whitney Houston died   _  .
shortly before the Grammy this year earlier last Sunday a year ago at the annual pre-Grammy party
Question: A year ago, at the annual pre-Grammy party, Whitney Houston, the great star, walked on stage and closed the evening with a brilliant performance. Last Saturday, Houston was once again the focus before the Grammy, but her presence was a regrettable one.Earlier that day, the pop music's former queen was found dead in her hotel room.She was 48.This, no doubt, is sad news to the whole music industry and her fans all over the world. At her peak , Houston was the golden girl of the music world.From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists.She impressed audiences with her effortless, powerful and _ performance. Besides multi-million record sales, Houston made countless hits such as The Greatest Love of All, I Have Nothing, and the mostly famous I Will Always Love You.She also influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey. But by the end of her career, there was a shocking fall for this superstar.Houston had been addicted to  drugs.Her album sales declined   and the hits stopped coming and her once beautiful voice became hoarse  , unable to hit the high notes as she used to. In 2009, Houston staged a successful comeback with the albumI Look To You, which fell on top of the charts.But hoarse voice, canceled concerts, and continuous illness-Houston's comeback trail wasn't smooth at all.In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2009, Houston admitted: "It (show business) is too much for me and I wanted out." Now that Houston has finally taken a break from all the chaos , may she rest in peace. Whitney Houston died   _  .
A. shortly before the Grammy this year
B. earlier last Sunday
C. a year ago
D. at the annual pre-Grammy party
Answer: