Selena Gomez pays tribute to Christina Grimmie during Miami show

At her Miami concert Saturday night, Selena Gomez gave an emotional tribute to singer Christina Grimmie, her friend and protégée, who was murdered Friday night at age 22 by a gunman who then killed himself.

Recalling how they met when Grimmie was 14 and Gomez’s stepfather, Brian Teefey, signed on as her manager, Gomez tearfully told the crowd, “One thing about Christina and her family is that she holds her faith so closely to her. And I think it’s not about her religion, and it’s not about anything or good deeds. It’s just that she had faith. And I don’t really understand how this really happened,” the 23-year-old said, her voice breaking, “but I would like to dedicate this next song to her.” She then sang the Christian band Hillsong Worship’s solemn “Transfiguration.”

Gomez was also one of the countless celebrities who tweeted heartfelt messages in honor of the slain singer. “My heart is absolutely broken,” she wrote. “I miss you Christina.”

The judges of NBC’s “The Voice,” where Grimmie had become a sensation, reacted as well. “I’m stunned and disgusted and heartbroken that we lost that sweet little girl,” tweeted Blake Shelton. “Keeping @TheRealGrimmie [Christina Grimmie’s] family in my heart and mind.” Christina Aguilera wrote, “So sad passing of @TheRealGrimmie. Beautiful member of #TheVoice family & true #Fighter. My heart goes out to her family, friends & fans. xo.”

Adam Levine, who had initially posted an Instagram photo of himself and Grimmie before the wounded singer died, wrote on Twitter afterward that he and his wife “Behati and I are absolutely devastated and heartbroken by Christina Grimmie’s death. Our hearts go out to her family.” The producers of “The Voice” similarly expressed shock and sympathy.

Actress Abigail Breslin tweeted that Grimmie was “so talented. I hope you find peace. You didn’t deserve this.” Fellow actress Hailee Steinfeld wrote that she was “at a complete loss for words. Unbelievable. My heart breaks over this news.”

Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and many other singers tweeted condolences, as did John Green, author of the novel “The Fault in Our Stars,” writing, “Christina Grimmie was such a kind, generous person, and so talented. What a light has been taken from the world.”

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Teefey posted on Grimmie’s own Twitter page to announce a fund for Grimmie’s family. “Words cannot begin to describe the pain I am feeling,” he wrote. “I learned this business through the eyes of a father and Christina was like a second daughter to me. All I wanted to do was assist her in achieving her musical dreams while protecting her from the pitfalls associated with the business. I never could have imagined this horrific event being one of the pitfalls needing to be avoided. . . . Grimms I love you, and miss you beyond comprehension.”