Stars Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson

Go inside L.A.'s Staples Center with Jennifer Hudson, Usher and more as they celebrate Michael Jackson's life – through his music
By Brian Orloff
Updated July 07, 2009 03:15 PM

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A TOUCHING MOMENT

Credit: Kevin Mazur/MJ Memorial/WireImage

Before the Michael Jackson memorial begins on Tuesday morning at Los Angeles's Staples Center, Usher gets hands-on backstage with fellow performer Jennifer Hudson. The Oscar winner belted out Jackson's 1993 song "Will You Be There" with a choir backing her. Later in the show, Usher broke down during his moving rendition of "Gone Too Soon."

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UNITED FRONT

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Kim Kardashian makes a coordinated arrival – in all black – with sisters Kourtney and Khloe. After the memorial service, Kim shared her empathetic thoughts on Twitter. "Michael's children were so brave 2 stand there on stage amp speak to the world about their father," she Tweeted. "I was shaking amp crying amp what Paris did was sooo soooo brave!"

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GOOD VIBRATIONS

Credit: Kevin Mazur/MJ Memorial/WireImage

Chris Brown sends out a message of peace from his seat at the Staples Center before the show.

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FAMILY MATTERS

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Joe Jackson escorts Michael's eldest son, Prince Michael, 12, into the Staples Center before the memorial. The Jackson family patriarch received a standing ovation from the crowd inside the arena.

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STICKING TOGETHER

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Nearby, Katherine Jackson arrives with Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, before taking their seats with the family. The late singer's mother has been granted temporary custody of her three grandchildren.

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DUET PARNERS

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Mariah Carey kicks off the musical portion of the tribute with a rousing rendition of the Jackson 5's No. 1 hit "I'll Be There." The RampB star was joined by Trey Lorenz, who sang the classic song with her when she originally covered it in 1992.

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WARM WORDS

Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Reuters/Landov

Queen Latifah offers a heartfelt personal tribute before introducing Lionel Richie, who performed "Jesus Is Love." "I loved him all my life," she said. "Michael was the biggest star on earth. He let me know that as an African-American, you could travel the world."

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SUPPORT SYSTEM

Credit: Harrison Funk/MJ Memorial/WireImage

Lionel Richie shares a tender moment with his family – his expectant daughter Nicole Richie and her boyfriend Joel Madden – backstage at the Staples Center. Richie later returned to the stage for an all-star performance of his 1985 hit "We Are the World," which he cowrote with Jackson.

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A 'PRINCE' AMONG MEN

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Brooke Shields paid tribute to her longtime friend in an emotional speech. "He was often referred to as the King, but the Michael that I knew always reminded me more of the Little Prince," the actress said, referencing Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic novel, which she quoted. "Michael was one of a kind."

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A SAD FAREWELL

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Janet Jackson watches over her niece Paris and nephews Prince Michael and Prince Michael II a.k.a. Blanket, 7, on stage during the finale of Michael's song "Heal the World." After the sing-along, a tearful Paris spoke about her father. “Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine,” she said. “And I just want to say I love him so much.”

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