LOS ANGELES - Melanie Fiona has been dreaming of the day she would win her first Grammy Award since she was a little girl growing up in Toronto. When it finally happened Sunday, it was bittersweet.
The 28-year-old won a pair of Grammy prizes for her collaboration with Cee Lo Green, "Fool For You," but she was still reeling from the sudden death of her hero, Whitney Houston.
"My heart is heavy," Fiona said backstage. "It's kind of a weird feeling because there is so much excitement and adrenalin and nervousness going into this but there was such a heavy weighted feeling in my heart, which in a way levelled me out from being too extreme in either case.
"But now I feel so proud to be able to say that she was such a huge influence of mine and to be able to say I can attribute a lot of my success and this success today to what she's given to me as an artist."
Houston's death cast a pall over the Grammy festivities on Sunday, with artist after artist taking the time to pay tribute to her myriad accomplishments.
But Fiona kept the singer closer than most.
"Whitney Houston is the first voice and memory I have of music," she said. "My mom used to play her for me to fall asleep in the crib. Hers was the first song I ever sang. She has been an inspiration to me throughout my entire career, for her presence as an artist, her voice, and what she was able to do and the way she made people feel.
"I would not be up here as a nominee or as a winner without her influence and presence in my life, so it's very emotional for me."
Fiona interestingly won for a version of the Green song that wasn't included on his album, "The Lady Killer." Still, the sultry verse she added to the sizzling soul tune helped propel it to No. 1 on the R&B singles chart in the U.S.
Fiona almost didn't make it up to the stage to accept her award at all -- presenter Jimmy Jam was ready to move on when Fiona didn't immediately materialize, so the singer sprinted down the aisle in high heels and a long gown.
When she did make it up there, she remembered to thank everyone back at home.
"Excuse me, it took me a while to run in a gown," laughed Fiona, whose sophomore album "The MF Life" is due out this spring.
"This is, to say the least, a dream come true for me. I used to grow up watching the Grammys. I attended these Grammys three years ago as just an observer and to be standing up here now, winning an award, is the highest honour I could have expected today.
"I want to thank so many people for helping me get here and being a part of this amazing record. Thank you so much to my parents, my family (and) my friends back home in Toronto, Canada."
