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MARIAH, J-HUD, URSH, KOBE ATTEND MJ MEMORIAL: Gordy, Smokey, Stevie and more took part in today's ceremony.
MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL UPDATE ...
*Michael Jackson's family, close friends and thousands of fans from around the world crowded into the city's downtown area Tuesday for a star-packed public memorial to the "King of Pop."
Towards the end of the ceremony, Jackson's 11-year-old daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson spoke to the crowd, a first public appearance by one of Jackson's three children, who have lived in obscurity, away from the public eye.
"Ever since I was born daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine," she said, crying and holding on to her aunt, Janet Jackson. "And I just wanted to say I love him so much."
Jackson's glittering, gold-trimmed casket was placed at the front of the stage covered in red flowers and wreaths. Pastor Lucius Smith paid tribute to Jackson, 50, who died June 25.
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Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris (third from right), cries as she attempts to speak and is consoled by Jackson's siblings (back L-R) Jermaine, La Toya, Jackie, Janet, Randy, (front L-R) Marlon, Tito, Rebbie, and her brother Prince Michael (2nd R) during memorial services for pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles July 7, 2009. At the end of the service, Paris, in tears, took the microphone to say: "Ever since I was born my daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine and I just want to say I love him so much."
Singer and actor Queen Latifah shared a poem and recalled dancing to Jackson's music when she was young. "We never felt distant, we felt like he was right there," she told the crowd. "He made you believe in yourself."
Mariah Carey performed Jackson's 1970 hit "I'll Be There" and singer Smokey Robinson read out written tributes from former South African president Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross. Stevie Wonder also sang and a glossy memorial program was filled with pictures of Jackson and testimonials from friends and family.
"We can't help but love you forever Michael," said Wonder, as he played a song on the piano.
Berry Gordy, founder of Motown, called Jackson the "greatest entertainer that ever lived." Lionel Richie also performed a song in tribute, as Jackson's children and family members watched from the audience, some wearing sparkly white gloves, a Michael Jackson trademark. A montage of Jackson's life and career played on a massive television screen.
Sports legends Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson appeared on stage together, sharing personal stories of their friendship with Jackson.
"Michael even made the Guinness Book of Records for the most charities given to by a pop star," said Bryant. "He gave so much . . . and Michael Jackson will be for us forever," said Bryant.
For MORE of this report, go HERE.
Earlier We Reported ...
*Mariah Carey, Kobe Bryant, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Lionel Richie are among the celebrities that participated in Michael Jackson's memorial service today at L.A.'s Staples Center. And if you missed it, yes, Michael's body will be there.
Also announced to attend: Ron Boyd (family friend); Andrae Crouch Choir; Berry Gordy; Justin Timberlake; Gladys Knight; Diana Ross; Shaheen Jafargholi (finalist on "Britain’s Got Talent"); Magic Johnson; Martin Luther King III; Bernice A. King; John Mayer; Lionel Richie; Smokey Robinson; Rev. Al Sharpton; Brooke Shields; Pastor Lucious Smith (family friend) and Stevie Wonder.
At press time, there was no official word on the stars' specific roles at the service, but TMZ.com quoted "multiple sources" who said Mariah Carey will perform the Jackson 5 classic, "I'll Be There," which she sang famously in an "Unplugged" special for MTV. Also, word is that for the finale, Jermaine Jackson will sing one of Michael's favorite songs, "Smile."
Meanwhile, Shalamar's Jeffrey Daniel, who says he was the first to moonwalk and taught the move to Michael Jackson, spent Friday night in the Jackson family home in Encino, LA, and revealed earlier Monday that Wonder would be a part of today's bill.
“The memorial is going to be one of the most memorable and outstanding shows ever," Daniel told the UK's Sunday Mirror. “There are still a lot of plans being discussed but one thing for sure is that Michael has always been a great show and sending him off with a great show is the best tribute we could pay him.”
The ceremony is to begin at 10 a.m. PT at the Staples Center, with live coverage carried on most television networks, including ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN, E! Entertainment, MSNBC, Fox News, TV One and TV Guide Network.
UPDATE ...
*According to TMZ and other reports, after private services this morning for the family at Forest Lawn, Michael Jackson's body and $24k gold plated coffin, will be then be taken to Staples Center for the scheduled memorial. If that's true, the already unbelievable memorial be completely off the scale.
APPLAUSE FOR MISS E.
Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jazsmin Lewis,
Gina Torres and Roger Guenveur Smith
star in the sensational stage play
APPLAUSE FOR MISS E. Available
July 7th for the first time on DVD
and Digital Download.
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