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July 8th, 2009
12:04 PM ET
No one knows heartbreak like a kidMichael 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 mourningFrom 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 journeyiReporter 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 entrepreneursOutside 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:
July 7th, 2009
05:40 PM ET
Was this the right kind of remembrance?The media are now in full force asking, did this memorial service say the right kind of goodbye to Jackson? The overwhelming response, we are hearing, is yes. It was entertaining in the most somber sense. It was a concert. It was a who-is-that-and-how-do-they-know Jackson event. It was a tribute album waiting to happen. It was a first for fans to hear Jackson's 11-year-old daughter Paris Katherine Jackson speak, live. She tearfully closed out the ceremony with telling millions that he was "the best father you could ever imagine." And Janet Jackson comforted her. There was a feeling that this family sticks through everything. Fans left feeling more moved than when they started watching the service. Says Mary Strickler, from Virginia: "Words are really hard to describe right now. I felt like I knew the man, the person. There’s nothing like going to a funeral with all of your best friends.” For those who grew up post-Michael Jackson's peak, this service showed how Jackson was adored. It's hard for Millennials to think of an entertainer, in their lifetime, who would yield that kind of emotion from so many different walks of life. What was your most memorable moment of the service?
July 7th, 2009
05:36 PM ET
It's so hard to say goodbyeEven though Michael Jackson's golden casket stood, spotlighted with flowers resting atop, it was still difficult for many at his memorial to grasp the reality. The King of Pop is gone. Inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the respectful quiet was often broken by shouts of support. Fans yelled things like "You're leading the choir in heaven now, Michael" and "Thank you, Michael" to express their overwhelming love for the man who gave the majority of his life to thrill and entertain them. But now he would do so no more. There was a palpable feeling of sadness. While I expected sorrow, and even a few laughs at the memorial, I didn't expect the overwhelming intimacy I felt inside the venue as fans bid farewell to one of the most famous people in the world. People consoled one another, and there was a sense of respecting the fact that they were being allowed to say a final goodbye. The Jackson family, which had shared their son, brother, father, and uncle with the world, was now inviting that world in to glimpse their mourning and share in just a small portion of their pain. It was an honor to be there, and it was obvious that many who were there understood and cherished that. –Lisa Respers France, CNN.com writer |
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