ON THE SCENE: MJ Memorial Recap

YBF photographer/correspondent Wil Shelton was inside the Staples Center for the Michael Jackson memorial. And here’s a recap of audience’s reactions and people in attendance that we couldn’t see on tv:

While Jennifer Hudson sang “Will You Be There”, several people in the audience audibly and visibly broke down and were virtually inconsolable.
Celebrities seen inside the Staples Center but not shown on tv: John Singleton, Jesse Jackson, LisaRaye, Lil Kim, Dionne Warwick, and Cicely Tyson.
From inside the Staples Center, you could really feel the deep and profound loss in the atmosphere.
The 20,000 audience members hung on to every word of Al Sharpton’s moving speech. Went to church on everybody in that piece…
The Jackson family was incredibly moved at Usher’s rendition of “Gone Too Soon”
Memorable quotes from the memorial:
“He is not just the King of Pop, he’s the biggest entertainer that ever lived.”-Berry Gordy

“Michael was a genius with unchallenged ability.”-Brooke Shields

“This is a moment I wished I didn’t live to see come.”-Stevie Wonder

“So much pain and ridicule. How much can 1 person take? Maybe now, they’ll leave you alone Michael.”-Marlon Jackson

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say that I love him. So much.”-A sobbing Paris Katherine Jackson.

LIVE STREAM: Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service

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Live from the Staples Center. Here’s the live stream from Michael Jackson’s memorial service. It begins at 1p EST. Leave your thoughts and comments in the Comments section

Michael Jackson’s Memorial Stage Set

Rehearsals and precessions are underway as Michael Jackson’s memorial is set to take place at 1p EST at the Staples Center. Here’s pics of Usher and Stevie Wonder rehearsing:


And just minutes ago, the Jackson family and family friends left their home in a precession line to arrive at Forest Lawn Funeral Home:


Scene from Forest Lawn right now
That is where their private funeral will take place as we speak. Afterwards, Michael’s body will reportedly be transported to the Staples Center. Here’s scenes from outside the Staples Center right now:




The stage is set and about 17,000 fans will be inside to pay their last tributes. Here’s the reported complete list of MJ’s celebrity friends who will be in attendance as well:

Ron Boyd (family friend), Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Andrae Crouch Choir, Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, 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), Usher and Stevie Wonder.

Stay tuned for more updates and live stream from the memorial starting at 12:30p EST….

Michael Jackson’s Memorial Updates

Today is Michael Jackson’s public memorial at the Los Angeles Staples Center. The city is expecting over 200,000 people to flock to the city. Staples only holds about 18-20k, so this ought to be interesting. Fans found out yesterday if they got a ticket to the memorial. It appeared as though the family had a private ceremony yesterday at Forest Lawn cemetery.

It’s been confirmed that Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder are a few of the performers for the memorial. TV stations and some radio stations are broadcasting live from the scene. Many other of Michael’s fans and friends are expected to make an appearance. But interestingly, 2 of his closest friends Quincy Jones and Elizabeth Taylor said they will not be there. Q is determined to never attend another friend’s funeral as long as he lives. And Liz says she feels like the public memorial will be a “big whoopla” she feels she shouldn’t be a part of.

Stay tuned for the details….

Tribute to MJ - The Game (Feat. Chris Brown, Diddy, Boys 2 Men, Polow Da Don & Mario Winans) - Better On The Other Side

Jermaine Jackson: I Wish It Was Me…I Was Michael’s Backbone

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Michael Jackson Updates

Funeral plans for Michael Jackson have finally been set. The memorial service for Michael will take place at the Staples Center on Tuesday at 10:00 AM. 11,000 tickets will be distributed free of charge to the general public. Some reports also say that a carnival-like procession will happen after the services as Michael body is transported elsewhere for the family’s private funeral services.

In other news, Mike’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe has stated through her awyer that she will indeed petition for custody of her and Michael’s children. She dd an interview with L.A.’s local NBC network yesterday and said she was willing to submit to any testing, including DNA, to prove she was the biological mother of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11. Rowe also said she was concerned about splitting up the three children, and would be willing to accept custody of Prince Michael II, Jackson’s youngest child. Michael’s mother, Katherine, has been granted custody as Michael expressly willed his kids to her.