Jordin Sparks was one of the last people to work with Whitney Houston before she passed. Since Houston’s death on Feb. 11, Sparks has been laying low. But the singer has been gradually getting back to her old routine.

The American Idol winner stepped out  in a glittery wrap dress at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon yesterday (February 23).

In a recent interview, Sparks shared how she had been handling the death of Houston.

“It comes in waves. I’m definitely trying to process it a little bit. I’m really glad I got to work with her. It was a gift that I got to know her.”

Houston and Sparks’ movie Sparkle is still set to hit theaters on August 10, 2012.