The X Factor launched in the US in the fall of 2011 on Fox, immediately becoming the No 1 unscripted show of the season.

ENGADGET: Sony and Simon Cowell intro X Factor-themed MDR-X10, celebrity headphones officially jump the shark for $300

The British creator of Pop Idol and US version American Idol sued Fox and producers FremantleMedia, seeking a credit and fees from the US X Factor.

BBC: Simon Fuller settles US X Factor case

Record executive and US X Factor judge Antonio "LA" Reid, who was being honoured at the event, worked with Houston on the soundtrack to her hit movie The Bodyguard.

BBC: Whitney Houston