Michael Jackson memorial: Daughter Paris pays tribute
- 00:00:47
- ITN
Michael Jackson memorial: Daughter Paris pays tribute
Michael Jackson has taken centre stage for one last time at his star-studded memorial service attended by thousands of fans in LA. Former South African president Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross led tributes to the King of Pop before his coffin was taken on stage at the Los Angeles Staples Center - home to the LA Lakers basketball team. Praising Jackson for triumphing over tragedy in his life, Mandela said in a message read out by Smokey Robinson: "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." A message from Diana 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 and a nearby overflow venue, the Nokia Theater, for the two-hour ceremony honouring Jackson, who died aged 50 on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his mansion in the city. Some fans were seen breaking down in tears as the body was brought into the centre as the Andrae Crouch Choir sang on stage. Queen Latifah appeared on stage to speak of the worldwide sadness over the pop legend's death. She said: "In Birmingham Alabama and Birmingham England, we are missing Michael Jackson." Mariah Carey appeared on stage to sing a duet version of the Jackson Five classic I'll Be There, and Lionel Richie performed Jesus is Love. When it was Stevie Wonder's turn to speak, 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. As the show neared the end, one of Jackson's children paid a tearful tribute to her dad. Fighting back tears, Paris Michael Katherine, 12, 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." Security is tight outside the arena where more than 250,000 people have gathered to pay their final respects to the Thriller singer and one-time member of the legendary Motown band the Jackson 5. Jackson's good friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor has dismissed the service as "public whoopla". Writing on Twitter, the Oscar-winning actress Dame Elizabeth wrote: "I said I wouldn't go to the Staples Centre and I certainly don't want to become a part of it. I love him too much. "I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event. And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word." The memorial service comes as the courts untangle the future of Jackson's estate and police investigate the circumstances of his death.
ITN | July 7, 2009
