Family, friends, and fans of the legendary music star and icon Michael Jackson gathered in his remembrance during a memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 following a private ceremony which was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
During the almost two and half hour long memorial service, many spoke about the King of Pop, Michael Jackson including Motown founder Berry Gordy, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Brooke Shields, Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), amongst others while the singer laid in his golden casket topped with roses in the center of the floor surrounded by flowers.
Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee, who attended on behalf of the members of Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus, held up a copy of a frame House Bill, shed light on Michael Jackson’s humanitarian work outside of being a performer and entertainer. Two weeks before the death of Michael Jackson, Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee was one of many to have helped lead a recognition of Michael Jackson’s life on the House floor which is to be debated on with the House of Representatives “Resolution 600″ to recognize him as an American legend, musical icon and a world humanitarian.
In addition to the speeches given, Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson sung one of his favorite songs “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin while other music artists such as Jennifer Hudson (Hold Me), Mariah Carey (I’ll Be There), Usher (Gone Too Soon), Lionel Richie (Jesus is Love), Stevie Wonder (Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer and They Won’t Go When I Go), John Mayer (Human Nature) and Britain’s Got Talent star Shaheen Jarfargholi (Who’s Loving You) performed songs performed by Michael Jackson throughout the years. Michael Jackson’s backup singers and band who was expected to be going on his 50 date “This Is It” tour in London also performed.
One of the most heartwrenching moments of the entire memorial service was when Paris Katherine Jackson, 11, spoke about her father Michael Jackson after her Uncles Marlon Jackson and Jermaine Jackson spoke. Paris Katherine Jackson, towards the end, stated how much she loved her daddy and how he was the best as she began crying after she expressed her emotions with the words that he’s the ‘best father you can ever imagine’ and ‘I miss him so much’ followed by hugging her Aunt, Janet Jackson.
View pictures here from Michael Jackson’s memorial and watch footage below from Michael Jackson’s memorial service held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Jermaine Jackson singing “Smile” at Michael Jackson memorial
Usher performing “Gone Too Soon” at Michael Jackson memorial
Mariah Carey performing “I’ll Be There” at Michael Jackson memorial
Jennifer Hudson performing “I’ll Be There” at Michael Jackson memorial
Paris Katherine Jackson speaking about her father Michael Jackson
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“I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just want to say I love him so much.” In her first public appearance ever, Michael Jackson’s 11-year-old daughter Paris ended the two-hour memorial service with these words. They were tearful and heartfelt, and Paris made an impression that is sure to last. Michael Jackson – loving father.
The news coverage continues, hours after the end of the memorial, to pay tribute to Jackson. Most television stations are staying with coverage throughout the day and into the night. In this era of 24-hour news, even this is unprecedented.
Michael Jackson in death is even bigger than he was in life. But the image of little Paris crying and saying how much she loved her “daddy” will be remembered for the fact that it put a human face on the pop superstar, who had multiple plastic surgeries and wore makeup to cover his own face.