LaToya Jackson, Michael's sister, sat in a car that was part of the line of vehicles that arrived at the funeral shortly after 8 a.m. PST. Her father, Joe Jackson, was in the first car of the processional, which included six Bentleys and Rolls Royces, eight Land Rovers, two limo buses and 19 California Highway Police motorcycle cops.
Before the memorial began on Tuesday, Los Angeles police officers checked the stage of the Staples Center, which was the same venue where Jackson rehearsed for his London concert tour just two days before he died on June 25. Below the stage, the front row was surrounded by large bouquets of multicolored flowers.
After the short, 30-minute service, Jackson's casket -- covered in a giant arrangement of red roses -- was loaded into the hearse at Forest Lawn Memorial Park and made its way to the Staples Center, which was 10 miles away.
Fans gathered outside L.A.'s Staples Center the day of Jackson's public memorial. More than 1.6 million people registered online for a chance to attend the ceremony, and only 8,750 names were chosen. Those with a ticket were given a free 14-page souvenir program with personalized notes from family and loved ones as they entered. Fans who brought gifts were asked to leave their offerings at a special table inside.
Lighting technicians and stage hands quickly finished setting up the stage, which included a giant screen that read "In Loving Memory of Michael Jackson King of Pop," as people made their way into the arena.
Jackson's brothers --Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy -- carried their brother's casket onto the stage at 10:30 a.m. PST. They all wore sunglasses and sparkling silver gloves as the crowd stood and applauded. The song, "We Are Going to See the King," began playing.
Mariah Carey, in a black gown by Jenny Packham, sang the first song at the public memorial, the Jackson 5 hit "I'll Be There." She was joined by Trey Lorenz as images of Jackson 5 flashed on the screen behind them.
Before quoting Maya Angelou, Queen Latifah spoke to the crowd. "He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style, she said. "Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his... Somehow, when Michael Jackson sang, when he danced, you never felt distance. You felt like you were right there... Michael was the biggest star on earth."
Lionel Richie -- whose daughter, Nicole Richie, is the goddaughter of Jackson -- sang "Jesus Is Loved." As he performed the gospel song, people in the crowd held hands, and afterwards, he walked right off stage and back to his seat in the fifth row.
As he sat at a grand piano, Stevie Wonder addressed the crowd. "This is a moment that I wish I didn't live to see coming," he said. "But as much as I can say that we mean it, I do know that God is good... Michael, I love you, and I've told you that many times." He performed "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer."
More than a week after she thanked fans for their support on behalf of her family at the BET Awards on June 28, Jackson's sister, attended the public memorial. The somber-looking Janet wore a black dress, beret and pearls as she stood with her parents.


John Mayer performed "Human Nature" on his guitar as the crowd clapped along. After, Jackson's brothers all got up to hug the musician.
The Jackson family sat in the front row at the Staples Center. From left, siblings Rebbie, Janet, Randy, Tito, Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine watched as stars celebrated the late musician's life. His five brothers wore matching gloves.
After Jermaine and Marlon speak, Paris asked for the microphone. "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said through sobs. "And I just wanted so say I love him so much," Janet embraced her before she and several other family members led the 11-year-old off the stage.
Jackson's casket, which remained on the stage throughout the entire two-hour televised memorial, was rolled out by family members as an instrumental version of "Man in the Mirror" played. After Jackson family friend Pastor Lucius Smith read a benediction, the event drew to a close.overall , the memorial were touched til my tears rolling down ! i seriously miss him much !
R.I.P Michael Joseph Jackson.
plus , i admire his 3 kids. they look adorable :) especially the youngest son , Prince Michael II ( blanket ) looks like his father. awww ! he can sing his father's song and do moon walk like his father. why ? because Michael had taught him :D hope he will follow his father footsteps and keep his father legacy alive ! PEACE !
R.I.P Michael Joseph Jackson.
plus , i admire his 3 kids. they look adorable :) especially the youngest son , Prince Michael II ( blanket ) looks like his father. awww ! he can sing his father's song and do moon walk like his father. why ? because Michael had taught him :D hope he will follow his father footsteps and keep his father legacy alive ! PEACE !



Jermaine Jackson held the microphone with his sparkling white glove as he sang Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," which was his younger brother's favorite song. Jermaine was the original lead singer of the Jackson Brothers before forming the Jackson 5, in which he co-led vocals with the late singer.
Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen Jafargholi -- who had been personally invited to join in Jackson's comeback tour in London -- sang "Who's Lovin' You." After the song, he said: "I love Michael Jackson. I just want to thank him so much for blessing me and every single individual on this earth."
Kenny Ortega, who was directing Jackson's comeback tour, introduced a group to sing "We Are the World." Stars such as Lionel Richie and Jennifer Hudson were on stage for the performance as well as his daughter Paris and other family members.
ohwmyGod. i love blanket too.
ReplyDeletehez so adorable! hahahaha