It’s been almost a week since the passing of Whitney Houston. Today one of Whitney’s close friends and one of the people to spend time with her during her last days, Ray J , has released a statement to the Associated Press.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Friday, he said he’s spent the last few days trying to “process the emptiness that I feel.”

The singer said the world lost an icon but he lost a “close friend.” Calling her by her nickname, he added: “Nippy I miss you so much!”

His representative, Courtney Barnes, says Ray J, whose sister is singer Brandy, will be at Saturday’s funeral for Houston in Newark, N.J.

We countinue to send our love and support to all those directly affected by this tragic loss!