Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Katherine, made the world shudder with the tear-filled farewell she dedicated to the King of Pop during the emotional tribute and last good-bye rendered to the singer at the Staples Center.
To the astonishment of her aunts and uncles, the 11-year-old girl did not hesitate in taking the microphone to express her love for her father.
"Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine," she said between sobs. "I just want to say that I love him so much."
Family, friends, colleagues, and fans attended the emotional lying in state tribute, gathering at the arena in order to remember the King of Pop with weeping, laughing and music.
Jackson's other children — 12-year-old Prince Michael and seven-year-old Prince Michael II — were also at the event. Both participated in singing when all the special guests went on stage at the end of the musical program with the song "Heal the World." Prince Michael II stood out because he carried a doll in the image of his dad, plus he let his white socks be seen with his black shoes, like the King of Pop's trademark look.
When all the guests sang "We are the World", the audience joined hands and sang along with their eyes fixed on the $25,000 14k gold plated bronze coffin covered with large flower arrangements at the foot of the stage.
Many of Jackson's friends who could not attend — including former South Africa President Nelson Mandela and singer Diana Ross — sent a messages that were read at the beginning of the ceremony honoring the singer who passed away on June 25 at the age 50.
As they thanked the audience, the Jackson brothers, each wearing one white glove, also broke down in tears and consoled each other.
Earlier, Jermaine Jackson sang "Smile", one of his brother's favorite songs, according to Brooke Shields.
During the event, the U.S. Congress posthumously declared Jackson an American Legend, which generated cries of "We love you, Michael" and "You're number one" from the crowd.
Some 20,000 attendees from all around the world expressed their grief over the singer's passing with tears, holding a memory book that was given away at the entrance to the premises. and singing some of Jackson's most popular songs.
While photos and videos of the King of Pop were projected on the giant screen and six smaller ones installed in various corners of the Staples Center, Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz sang "I'll Be There"; Lionel Richie, Jackson's good friend and father of his goddaughter, sang "Jesus is Love"; John Mayer played "Human Nature" on the guitar; Jennifer Hudson sang "Will You Be There"; and one of the most emotional contributions was from Usher because he came down from the stage and went up to Jackson's coffin while crying and singing "Gone Too Soon."
"This is a moment that I wished I didn't live to see," Stevie Wonder expressed before the audience's standing ovation.
Among other VIP guests that participated by singing or sharing anecdotes about Jackson were Queen Latifah, Brooke Shields, Kenny Ortega, the director of the concerts that Jackson was going to perform, the Reverend Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, famed music producer and Motown founder Berry Gordy, and basketball players Kobe Bryan and Magic Johnson.
Shields said that her friendship with Jackson was very special.
"Since we met, we would play around to see who could make the other laugh more," she said. "For me, he was like The Little Prince. He was a person who was more sensitive than talented," said the actress.
The homage closed with the phrase that his fans will remember: "I'm alive and will be here forever."
Sonia Soto, one of the winners of the tickets that allowed them to be in the ceremony, said that she felt very excited to participate with her idol's family in the ceremony.
"These are very important moments in one's life," Soto said. "I don't understand, I never met him, I wasn't family, but I love him and his parting is very painful. least I was lucky enough to be at this ceremony and experience this pain with his loved ones. May he rest in peace."
Beny Castro, from La Paz, Baja California, also attended.
"My daughter got the tickets and here we are," Castro said. "Everything was spectacular. Even though the event wasn't rehearsed, it turned out to be spectacular and very, very emotional. I even cried from the emotion because it brought back a lot of memories. I grew up with his music, with his shows and even with his human errors, but he especially leaves us his musical legacy. He lived for his audience."
CNN reported that 2.5 billion people around the world viewed the Michael Jackson memorial on television and Internet. That's approximately five times the size of the audience that viewed the funeral for Princess Diana in 1997. Of course, when Princess Diana died, the Internet was not as common or advanced as it is today.
Nora Alicia Estrada is a writer for Impulso.
Photos courtesy of Michael Jackson family
To editor,
Just would like to say that your stories have been great, I especially like the Michael Jackson piece since it is quite unusual to read articles that do not focus on gossip.
I look forward to more quality entertainment articles as well as of our latin american artist here and abroad.
Keep up the great work!
Art.
MJ will always be remembered,his music has been a landmark not just for African-American but for all ethnicities whether White, Mexican,Latino, Asian etc.etc.
i am Mexican-American and love Mexican Regional Music, but MJ has alawys been one of my favorites
i would truly like to see more articles on hollywood and latinos
i wanna thank Ms. Estrada for this artcle, i hope to see more of this
I've enjoy the King of Pop Touches All very much, it shows the voices of diversity that our community needs so much. Keep publishing more articles like these, we need them.
I am glad to read this kind of stories in the page, I hope I can read more arts, culture and entertainment news more often. I belive that all this is part of a community identity.
Thank you.