July 8th, 2009
01:59 PM ET

How will Jackson leave his stamp?

michael jackson memorial service

Rev. Al Sharpton called for a commemorative Michael Jackson stamp, online petitions are circulating to make Jackson's birthday a national holiday (August 29), and Facebook users want June 25 to be "Michael Jackson Remembrance Day."

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas said at Jackson's memorial that a resolution promising to honor Michael Jackson as an international humanitarian is on the House floor. For that promise to materialize, however, it first has to get past political critics.

Similarly, the likelihood of Jackson's image being affixed to your mail won't be known anytime soon, because the United States Postal Service doesn't evaluate commemorative stamps until five years after an individual's death.

As far as a holiday, no government representatives have touched the issue. But fans are already making promises to annually remember the pop icon, federal approval or not.

- Writer/Producer Intern Breeana Hare

July 8th, 2009
12:04 PM ET

No one knows heartbreak like a kid

Michael Jackson sang it at age 10. Then Shaheen Jafargholi did at age 12. Isn't it funny that the song "Who's Loving You?" about love and loss can be sung so well by kids?

When the "Britain's Got Talent" finalist took the stage on Tuesday, few viewers and attendees knew the power of his pipes. After his performance, it seemed as if everyone's immediate question was: Who is this kid?

The Welsh-Iranian miniature crooner first sang the Jackson 5 hit "Who's Loving You" for the U.K. television show and even managed to wow the stoic judge Simon Cowell on the show. Cowell had told Jafargholi, "This may be the start of something special for you, young man."

Indeed it was. Jafargholi's performance was so strong that once Michael Jackson saw it, he offered Jafargholi to join him on his 50-concert tour in London, according to news reports. The Jackson family personally invited Jafargholi to perform at the memorial.

The singer received a standing O after his performance at the ceremony. Jafargholi then gave a shout-out to the late King of Pop, "I want to thank him so much for blessing me and every individual on this earth with his music."

– Writer/Producer Intern Breeana Hare

July 8th, 2009
11:50 AM ET

Jackson's fans across globe in mourning

From Berlin to Tokyo, Michael Jackson fans are in mourning and are reacting to his death. One fan said that while she had hoped to see the previously planned Jackson concerts in person, she watching the memorial would allow her "to see something of Jackson."

July 8th, 2009
11:44 AM ET

iReporter captures Jackson journey

iReporter Sherri Hardin of Los Angeles takes viewers on her Michael Jackson memorial service journey, from picking her friend up in his underwear to her loss-for-words moment at the ceremony. Watch her story:

July 8th, 2009
11:30 AM ET

With big events comes entrepreneurs

Outside the Staples Center, entrepreneurs set up shop on Tuesday. They knew loyal fans had come to say goodbye to one of their favorite pop icons and that many would want to take a piece of it home with them. Buttons, T-shirts, posters, glitter gloves, whatever material that could be used to commemorate Michael Jackson, it seemed that someone had thought of it. Take a look:

Advertisement
About this blog

Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.

Advertisement
Advertisement