Yesterday morning, here in Los Angeles, CA, thousands of family, friends and fans of Michael Jackson paid tribute and homage to the late King of Pop in a respectful, somber yet mostly celebratory memorial service at the Staples Center in downtown LA (which you may have watched online HERE). David and I were at yesterday’s memorial service and I will share my personal experience from the event a little later on today … but I will say that it was a very beautiful, very fitting tribute to Michael Jackson. Family and friends eulogized him with words and songs as his shining casket, reportedly with his body inside, stood at the front of the venue for those in attendance to pay their respects. Here are a few photos and some info about the event itself:
His was a tumultuous life and a chaotic death, but Michael Jackson’s funeral and memorial Tuesday were orderly and celebratory, moving and bittersweet, as family, friends and fans around the world joined in lamenting the loss of the King of Pop. It was one of the most-watched celebrity sendoffs in history, telecast across multiple channels and streamed across the Internet. But the predicted traffic and crowd-control nightmares did not materialize. Thousands of police officers helped keep the ticketless crowd to a minimum — about 1,000 people vs. the 250,000 feared — and the motorcade with Jackson’s hearse encountered few problems traveling blocked-off freeways to downtown. The goodbye to Jackson started early with a private service for family and close friends at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. (A crash was heard as drivers slowed to watch the procession leave the cemetery). A star-crowded memorial program followed, at the downtown Staples Center, that was spiritual, smoothly entertaining and jubilantly roof-raising as Jackson was hailed as a superstar and humanitarian. “The King of Pop has gone to meet the King of Kings,” intoned the Rev. Lucious Smith, pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena. It was a day filled with touching moments, perhaps the most poignant when Jackson’s daughter, Paris, 11, took the microphone. “I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much,” she said, breaking into tears. That followed two hours of farewell tributes from musicians, athletes and friends of Michael Joseph Jackson, who died suddenly June 25 at age 50. The crowd of 20,000 was alternately reverent and boisterous. They watched in solemn silence as the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey sang sweetly, and older brother Jermaine crooned Smile, the theme from Charlie Chaplin’s classic film Modern Times. Usher sang Jackson’s sadly prescient Gone Too Soon as he caressed the golden casket spotlighted in front of the stage and draped in flowers. But when Kobe Bryant walked in, many jumped to their feet and started cheering and taking pictures; some reached over for high-fives. They cheered loud approval for the Rev. Al Sharpton’s fiery eulogy and laughed at a story Magic Johnson told about fried chicken. And they snapped photos with phones and rained shout-outs of “I love you, Michael!” during lulls … Other celebrities in the crowd: Cicely Tyson; P. Diddy; Rick, Kathy and Nicky Hilton; Lil Kim; Chris Brown; and Tatum O’Neal. Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela sent messages. Also absent: Jackson’s longtime pal Elizabeth Taylor, who said in a Twitter post she couldn’t bear to be part of the public hoopla, and Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s ex-wife and mother of Jackson’s two oldest children. Outside the Staples Center, the mood was festive. Vendors hawked T-shirts, buttons, photos and other memorabilia … As the memorial service ended, Jackson’s three children and eight siblings — his brothers were all wearing one beaded white glove in his honor — gathered onstage to say thanks. “We will never understand what he endured … being judged, ridiculed,” said brother Marlon, choking up. “Maybe, now, Michael, they will leave you alone.” The Rev. Smith closed by noting: “All around us are people of different cultures, different religions, different nationalities. And yet the music of Michael Jackson brings us together.” After the memorial, the family went to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private reception. It was unclear whether Jackson’s casket would be returned to Forest Lawn for burial or taken to another final resting place.
I have to tell you that I was touched by the service more than I thought I would be. As I’ve tried to make clear, I’m not the biggest Michael Jackson fan in the world (there are plenty of uberfans all around the globe who are more fitting of that title than I) but I really wanted to pay respects to such an icon of pop culture. I didn’t count in being as affected by the memorial service as I was. Mariah Carey‘s performance brought the first tears to my eyes … Brooke Shields‘s eulogy brought them back. When Paris Michael Katherine, MJ‘s 11 year old only daughter, spoke at the end of the service I absolutely burst out crying. There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere in our vicinity. Paris‘s comments were so heartfelt, so honest … so raw. I’m sure it was difficult for most to keep from crying as she declared her love for her daddy. She said, “I just want to say… ever since I was born…. daddy has been the best father you can imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.” In case you missed it, you can watch Paris‘s short speech after the jump …
I realize that this clip has been played over and over again all day long yesterday and even today … but, for me, it was THE most touching and humanizing part of the entire memorial service. If you see anything from the service, it should be this:
Yesterday’s service was so incredibly touching … I am so happy that I was able to be a part of it. As I said, my personal comments and reflections from the service will be posted later on today. Where did YOU watch the service yesterday? What did you think of the whole service? What parts affected you most?
[Photo credit: Getty; Source]
Hannah, I absolutely, 100% believe that MJ would be PROUD of his daughter for standing up there, voicing her UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for her DAD. That’s all he wanted was to be loved, and he got it with his kids. For her to have the courage to WANT to say something in front of all those people, yeah. VERY PROUD. That’s just my opinion.
I CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED!!!!
I NEVER THOUGHT WATCHING YESTERDAY WOULD HAVE SUCH AN EFFECT ON ME. THE MEMORIAL WAS VERY VERY CLASSY, AND VERY TOUCHING.
GOODBYE MICHAEL JACKSON, YOU WILL BE SOOO MISSED, A TRUE TALENT, A TRUE TALENT!!!
HERE HERE Allie!!!! I TOTALLY AGREE!!! All you have to do is roll your eyes at ppl like that…no matter what they’ll always find something wrong with everything!
I’m definitely in the “huge fan of Michael Jackson” category and I am still so deeply saddened by his passing. I was just remarking to my friends the week before how it seems like it’s not cool to call yourself a Michael Jackson fan anymore but that I was still so proud to say I was one because I am such a music lover and his music, along with the Jackson 5 stuff, is simply some of the best music that was ever created and I never get tired of listening to it.
I never believed any of the criminal allegations against him and always just found him to be a very lonely, unconventional and tortured soul. I don’t think anyone can really imagine what it must have felt like to basically live your life like a hunted animal. I know all celebrites have cameras and attention but the closest I’ve seen to the Michael Jackson frenzy was with Madonna back in the day, but she always seemed so strong in the face of it like she was in total control of it, and Britney. I feel so grateful that Britney had enough loving and supportive people around her to get her over her prescription drug problem because I think if they hadn’t, it would have been a matter of time before we were having this discussion about her funeral.
I always saw Michael as a human being first and all I can hope is that he is resting in peace now and that his family and friends are finding some comfort in the genuine outpouring of love that is coming out for him now. It’s just sad to me that it took this for a lot of people to express their true feelings for this remarkable artist.
It was a big tearfest for me from the moment I got home and turned it on (right after Mariah) up to and especially including little Paris Jackson’s words. I could not stop crying after that. I think the twittering was very respectfully done and helpful as it kept me imformed when I could not be at home for the beginning of the service. And in my opinion Twittering is no different then those who were taking pics and shouting things… And regardless it’s all what Michael would have wanted!
“Twittering is no different then those who were taking pics and shouting things”
And those people were disrespectful too.
@Hannah — At a public memorial service for one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen, which was broadcast to every corner of the world — are you serious? People just want to complain about everything. I’m sure your idiotic complaints are the right way to be respectful? STFU.
I felt that the memorial was for the fans. I feel that if the family didn’t want him there in the casket, he won’t have been there. The man had LOTS of fans, it was nice of the family to do what they did.
Furthermore, we aren’t with these celebrities 24/7 behind closed doors, we don’t know who they have a relationships with so for some of you to say that some people shouldn’t have been there, is not for you to say. They chose to be there because Michael Jackson touched them, in a way that we will never know.
I loved what Rev. Al said, the man is dead yet people still talk about the fact that he “touched little kids”. He was never proven of it and if it was true, no amount of money would shut me up. So no I don’t believe it.
I feel that we should all just LET IT REST, hater’s should be happy the “monsters” dead and his fans like me, while very sad should be happy that we have his music to live on with. Sorry I just had to vent
@ Heather — I completely agree. It’s a necessary debate, and it’s good to question this new technology. I think my earlier comments were taken as more of a negative personal attack than I meant them to be, because what you’re saying is really at the root of why I commented. Our ethics, our philosophies, our etiquette, even our laws (though I’m NOT saying Trent’s tweets should have been illegal by any means) just haven’t addressed this technology yet. I’m just wondering where we will draw the line because we got along perfectly fine without Twitter up to as recently as a year ago. We made it through many important events without it; we’ve all been at work/school when we really wanted to see something on TV or in the news before, yet now we all need instant updates? People are acting like it’s their right… and maybe it will be.
All that said, I do see where Trent’s coming from with his comments on how extraordinary this entire circumstance is. This memorial is probably not a good indicator of what will be considered appropriate in the future. I suspect that if we ever see an event like this again, the family will request no cell phones, ect. At least, they should if they’re serious about the service being a memorial, not a social event. To that end, since the Jacksons didn’t, I suppose it’s up to interpretation what kind of communication was appropriate during the service.
I thought the memorial was well put together. The only negative thing I have to say was about Mariah and that is that the dress she was wearing was inappropriate for a funeral. There was just too much cleave going on there. Not really sure on my feelings about Usher though, on one hand I’m like “oh wow I didn’t know they were so close” but on the other hand I’m like “What a tool, you sang with him one time years ago! Give the boy an Oscar for his acting abilities”
As for Trent twittering, Barbara Walters actually had a spy-cam going and she was only a few rows behind the family. From the looks of it Trent was to the side and in the balcony. Even if the Jacksons were offended at least it wasn’t right in their faces.
Lets just hope for MJ’s sake, there were more people there who were ACTUAL fans and wanted to celebrate his life…rather than those who wanted to be there simply because it was the place to be. Don’t say you wanted to pay your respects, when you never respected him during his lifetime. I think he was exploited enough already. Rest in peace MJ. You will live on through your beautiful children.
So touching! She’s very courageous, because I know how difficult it is to speak in public when you’re sad.
It’s a tragic death. I’ve watch the documentary “living with MJ” the other day. How can you build yourself a normal life after all he’s been through?
My one complaint…I did not think it was appropriate of Al Sharpton to bring up the molestation allegations at the memorial service. The children are still too young (IMO) to be hearing that about their father. And it was a memorial service, to honor his greatness, and not this “mark” on his life. It was inappropriate content for a memorial service in which not even teenage children were in attendance. I’m sure they never want to hear those allegations against their father, let alone at his memorial service.
Re the twittering. People are confusing this service with an actual funeral. The service held yesterday was a memorial service…held to celebrate and commemorate the life of someone special. And because it was MJ’s mem service, it was bound to be different to other such services. There is no set formula for memorial services other than they are determined by the sort of person being honoured. I feel certain that Trent was not the only person twittering yesterday. Why isn’t anyone getting upset that the whole shebang was televised around the world. It’s all media, which ever way you look at it. And we’re all curious about it.
Had this been the actual funeral, then twittering and maybe even televising it, is disrespectful and tasteless…although when Michael Hutchence died 12 years ago, his funeral was televised. And out of morbid curiosity we watched.
Kitty50: I thought the same thing! I’m a big Mariah fan, but jeez, I think she could have found a classier outfit than her standard Jessica Rabbit dress in black.
Usher and I share the same birthday, so I’m a bit biased! I got the impression that he wanted to give the very best performance he could for MJ, and he didn’t give a sh!t if it looked contrived or not. I’ll agree though, it did seem a little too ‘showy’, but Usher is kind of a misunderstood dude. Like MJ, a lot of things the guy does gets judged or second guessed, when it seems like he’s trying to be sincere.
That is so sad.
@J – That is exactly the point so many people fail to see. You took the words right out of my mouth. I hope more people are introduced to this viewpoint not just in regards to Michael, but to any person who’s quick to be judged “strange”. WELL SAID.
I hope they all find peace with the way they treated michael over the years…jealousy is a terrible thing!!!! Joe Jackson is just a PIMP!!!!!
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AL SHARPTON AND EVERYBODY WHO STOOD UP THERE AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MICHEAL DID NOT ONLY A GREAT JOB BUT OUTSTANDING JOB IN HONOR OF M J… I WISHED THAT DURING HIS TIME OF TRAILS & TRIBULATIONS THAT THEY ALL WOULD HAVE DID SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR HIM TO SHOW HIM HOW MUCH HE WAS LOVED, BECAUSE IT REALLY DON’T MATTER BECAUSE HE CAN’T HEAR IT OR SEE IT. THAT’S WHY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW YOU LOVE THEM. STEVIE WONDER WROTE A SONG CALLED THESE 3 WORDS SWEET & SIMPLE AND SHORT & KIND (I LOVE YOU)… I WAS A HUGE FAN OF MICHAEL JACKSON & LOVED HIM DEARLY, IN FACT I WISHED AT TIMES HE WAS MY HUSBAND SO I COULD HAVE HIS BACK WHEN PEOPLE LIKE THE PRESS,MEDIA,LIARS LIKE GAVIN & HIS FAMILY, THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO MISTREATED HIM,TOM SNEDEN NEGETIVE PEOPLE ETC. SO I COULD CHECK THEIR STUPID ASSES BUT NO MATTER HOW MUCH I AND MANY OTHERS LOVED MIKE, MIKE HAD TO LOVE HIMSELF………