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'It must be perfect': Whitney Houston's estate CANCELS hologram duet with Christina Aguilera... after footage is leaked of The Voice performance

Published: 22:26 GMT, 19 May 2016 | Updated: 01:31 GMT, 20 May 2016

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The estate of Whitney Houston has axed a duet featuring a hologram of the late singer and Christina Aguilera.

Pat Houston, who is executor of the Greatest Love Of All hitmaker's estate, issued a statement about the cancellation to Entertainment Tonight on Thursday.

Whitney was to be brought back from the dead for a performance with 35-year-old Christina on an upcoming episode of The Voice.

The statement from sister-in-law Pat Simpson for the showbiz-centred television programme began: 'We are so appreciative of the opportunity for the Whitney Houston hologram to appear on NBC’s The Voice with a talent pairing as extraordinary as Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston.

Back from the dead: Whitney Houston's estate has cancelled a planned hologram performance with Christina Aguilera, as leaked footage of The Voice performance recently made its way on the internet

Canceled: The executor of Whitney's estate Pat Houston - pictured right with the late singer's brother Gary Garland - issued a statement to the showbiz-centred programme about axing the performance

'We were looking to deliver a ground breaking duet performance for the fans of both artists. Holograms are new technology that take time to perfect, and we believe with artists of this iconic caliber, it must be perfect. Whitney’s legacy and her devoted fans deserve perfection.

'After closely viewing the performance, we decided the hologram was not ready to air. We have much respect and appreciation for Christina, and she was absolutely flawless.'

In recently leaked footage from the NBC show, a hologram of the diva duets with the Genie In A Bottle singer, as they sing a medley of Whitney's hits.

Preview: While the performance was thought to be airing on Tuesday night's finale, stills and video footage have already emerged on social media

Duet: Christina is seen belting out a tune as she dances in front of a receptive audience, before a screen is pulled back to reveal Whitney onstage

While the performance was thought to be airing on Tuesday night's finale, stills and video footage had already emerged on social media.

Christina is seen belting out a tune as she dances in front of a receptive audience, before a screen is pulled back to reveal Whitney onstage.

While the collaboration is obviously the result of clever computer trickery, it looks remarkably realistic, as Mariah stands tall in a white dress, singing with the real-life Christina.

Magical moment: The two interact in the leaked footage, with a well rehearsed Christina responding in time to the hologram's cues

Leaked: The footage bares a time stamp, having apparently been leaked to social media

Rumours that The Voice coach would perform a tribute to the iconic diva, who she has often cited as an inspiration, began last week.

Christina refused to comment on the pictures, telling Entertainment Tonight: 'I am sworn to secrecy.'

and she added: 'I can't say anything, but I'm very excited about the finale. Very exciting things happening.'

Belting out: Christina refused to comment on the pictures, telling ET: 'I am sworn to secrecy'

Loving it: Hologram USA announced last year that Whitney would be going on a 'world tour; after reaching an agreement with her sister-in-law Pat, who is president of her estate

While it may seem bizarre that Whitney, who died in 2012, will be appearing on the show, holograms are proving increasingly popular.

The company Hologram USA announced last year that Whitney would be going on a 'world tour; after reaching an agreement with her sister-in-law Pat, who is president of her estate.

Rolling Stone reported at the time that 'the show will be interactive and feature the singer's greatest hits alongside as-yet-unannounced special guests.'

Not the first: Other dead stars to return to the stage include Elvis Presley, Laurence Olivier, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole

Others who have returned from the dead are Micheal Jackson, who came alive during the 2014 Billboard Awards with his hologram performing the star's signature dance moves to Slave To The Rhythm from his second posthumous album Xscape.

Then Tupac Shakur's hologram blew the minds of fans at the 2012 Coachella festival, rapping alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Other dead stars to return to the stage include Elvis Presley, Laurence Olivier, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.