Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Daughter pays tearful tribute to Michael Jackson






:Michael Jackson's daughter paid an emotional tribute to her father at his star-studded memorial service in LA.

  • Paris Michael Katherine said: "Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine and I just wanted to say I love him so much."
  • The 11-year-old was then embraced by her aunt Janet Jackson as tears rolled down her face.
  • Paris had earlier been joined by her brothers Prince Michael, 12 and Prince Michael II, 7, on stage with the rest of the Jackson family for a final tribute to the King of Pop, singing along to his charity single, We Are the World.
  • The trio have rarely been seen in public over the past decade, and when out with their father they wore masks or veils to shield their faces from photographers.
  • Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Usher led the emotional service for Jackson as the music world and thousands of fans joined his family to say farewell.
  • Jackson's brothers, each wearing a single sequined glove in homage to his signature look, carried the singer's gold-trimmed casket into the Staples Center sports arena, where the Thriller star had rehearsed the day before his death for a highly-anticipated series of comeback concerts at London's O2 Arena.
  • Carey performed Jackson's 1970 ballad I'll Be There and singer Smokey Robinson read out tributes from former South African president Nelson Mandela and singer Diana Ross.
  • Praising Jackson for triumphing over tragedy in his life, Mandela said: "Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide.
  • "We also mourn with his friends and his family for the loss of our dear friend who we will miss and memories of him cherish for a very long time."
  • The message from Ross said: "Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they ever need me - I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him. I send my love and condolences to the Jackson family."
  • Around 18,000 fans, who won tickets in a web lottery, crowded into Staples for the two-hour ceremony honouring Jackson, who died aged 50 on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his mansion in the city.
  • When it was Wonder's turn, he said: "This is a moment I wished I had never seen come. Michael, I loved you and I told you that many times, so I'm at peace with that."
  • He dedicated his songs Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer and They Won't Go When I Go to Jackson, and was rewarded with a standing ovation inside the auditorium.
  • In a lighter moment, US basketball star Magic Johnson revealed to the crowd that Jackson had a soft spot for Kentucky fried chicken.
  • RnB singer Usher identified Jackson as his greatest inspiration and was the first artist to touch his coffin. After breaking down in tears singing Gone Too Soon, he was embraced by members of the Jackson family as he was led away from the stage.
  • Police had estimated that more than 250,000 people would gather outside the arena but the orderly crowds were much smaller than expected.
  • Family members had held a private funeral service earlier at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
    The ceremonies come as the courts untangle the future of Jackson's estate and police investigate the circumstances of his death.

By http://www.michaeljackson50.com/

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