Posted on 07/07/2009 7:58:55 AM PDT by kristinn
The Jackson family has decided to bring Michael's body to the memorial service being held today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, putting off the announced plans for a private internment at Forest Lawn cemetery from 8 a.m. PDT to after the service.
The 10 a.m. PDT service is being broadcast on all the major American broadcast and cable news networks, as well as in theaters across the country, the Times Square jumbotron in New York City and on TV screens around the world.
From Entertainment Weekly, performers and friends expected at the service include: Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, Shaheen Jafargholi, Magic Johnson, Martin Luther King III, Bernice A. King, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
Michael's Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor declined an invitation to speak at the service, writing in part on Twitter: "I cannot be part of the public whoopla."
In a strange but fitting twist of fate, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus elephant parade through the streets of Los Angeles is set to take place this morning with the elephants arriving at the Staples Center just hours before the service for the circus' scheduled run at the arena.
FILE - In this July 15, 2008 file photo originally supplied by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, take an early morning stroll en route to the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Stefano Paltera, file) (Stefano Paltera - AP)
Agree about Princess Diana’s funeral. I teared up a bunch of time for that. I only teared up once of this mess.
If his bro’s and sister loved him so much why didn’t they get him off the demerol/oxycodone/valium and get him into drug treatment program?
SAY WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Ask LaToya
She’s there
GOOD GOD!!
This goes on FOREEEEEVER!
Janet should be the mom of those kids, the girl is leaning on her for support...
I wonder if they remember making fun of his nose and picking on him...who is this guy kidding.
Not defending them, but only MJ could do that.
Or as Joe Biden put it, "the clean and articulate Michael."
I don’t think I’ve ever seen more poeple fighting for the limelight in one place before.
Leave Michael alone! (best Chrissy Crocker voice)
I think I just saw LaToya in the big hat. Since the kids don’t stand a chance anyway, one of the sisters should get them.
Yeah 0bamma put Pooty on hold and told him he has to watch the Jackson funeral
gET READY ...THEY ARE GOING TO cHANNEL HIM NOW!
Marlon Jackson speaking. I guess you were never a Jackson 5 fan?
Thank you.
I wouldn’t doubt it for a minute.
Latoya is there. I need to check is Remy there or has she passed away. Blanket is soooo adorable peeking out.
LORD.
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