Pellau Magazine

Wednesday was an emotional day forRay J.

For the first time since the death of Whitney Houston, his ex-girlfriend, the actor and singer returned to the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

He avoided the scene since she passed away in one of the hotel's rooms back in February, but pretty much had no choice but to enter the building again.

Ray J was on hand for a panel during the TVOne portion of the 2012 Summer Television Critics Association tour, during which he discussed his work on The Rickey Smiley Show.

Although he's been telling friends that "it hurt inside" to relive the painful past, it looks like he was in good spirits throughout the event.

The world may have moved on from Whitney's death, but it's probably not so easy for those who knew her best. We're glad Ray J was able to cope with whatever emotions he was feeling and continues to move forward with his life.