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Showbiz Tonight
Michael Jackson`s Family, Friends and Fans Bid Farewell at Memorial in L.A.
Aired July 07, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the unforgettable Michael Jackson memorial. Tonight, the heart-wrenching goodbye from Michael`s daughter to her daddy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S DAUGHTER: Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Brooke Shields` loving memories of Michael.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKE SHIELDS, ACTRESS: We both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. We were two little kids having fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And Jennifer Hudson`s soaring, spirit-lifting performance.
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HAMMER: Plus, what happened after the public memorial? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes inside the private Jackson family gathering. Tonight, the star-studded powerful performances, the emotional tributes, the worldwide reaction.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coast-to-coast coverage of the final farewell to Michael Jackson starts right now.
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Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, we are bringing you the most complete, the most powerful and emotional coverage of the extraordinary memorial service today for Michael Jackson.
This was a star-studded, tear-jerking memorial service full of images, performances and tributes that we will never forget. And in this hour, you`re going to experience it all as if you were right there.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT bringing you a remarkable lineup of reporters and guests who were all there inside the memorial service, witnessing it firsthand. We`re going to get to them in just a moment.
And we will be taking you around the world so you can get an idea of just how big an impact all of this had. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the historic day as it happened making big news right now.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Michael Jackson`s public memorial has heartfelt performances from superstars like Mariah Carey, strong words from supporters like Al Sharpton.
REVEREND AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Thank you because you gave us hope. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Michael.
HAMMER: And funny memories from long-time friends like Brooke Shields.
SHIELDS: When he started wearing the glove, I was like, "What`s up with the glove?".
HAMMER: But as 20,000 of Michael Jackson`s family, friends and fans gathered in L.A.`s Staples Center to honor the King of Pop, one tribute stood out from the rest.
P. JACKSON: I just wanted to say.
HAMMER: Michael Jackson`s 11-year-old daughter Paris who, like all of Jackson`s three kids, spent her life covered up and hidden from the world, stood with Jackson`s family on stage and asked to speak in public for the very first time. She did, and her words were heartbreaking.
P. JACKSON: . ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.
HAMMER: A powerful moment. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, with massive TV and online coverage, the Jackson memorial literally had the eyes of the world, from New York City`s Times Square.
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HAMMER: . to viewing parties in Germany. From Beirut, Lebanon, to Hong Kong, to Moscow, the entire world watched, cried and sang along to say goodbye to the King of Pop.
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Jackson`s famous brothers carried his coffin into the memorial. Each of them wore a single sequined white glove to honor the man who once sang with them as part of the Jackson 5.
BERRY GORDY, FOUNDER, MOTOWN RECORDS: He is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.
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HAMMER: Of course, Jackson`s music was a big part of the event. Mariah Carey sang "I`ll Be There".
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HAMMER: . while Jennifer Hudson sang a more recent Jackson hit, "Will You Be There." John Mayer, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder also performed. An emotional Usher touched Jackson`s casket as we sang to his idol one last time.
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And in a fiery eulogy, Al Sharpton had a message for Jackson`s three kids.
SHARPTON: I want his three children to know, there was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with.
HAMMER: Before sharing their goodbye with the world, Jackson`s family gathered to say goodbye in private at the landmark Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. Jackson`s body was then loaded into a hearse, and the somber motorcade made its way to the Staples Center. Eleven thousand Jackson fans who won an online lottery were among those at the Staples Center for the public memorial.
PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The crowd was sort of celebratory and reverential.
HAMMER: Correspondent Paul Vercammen tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT police fears of a massive and possibly unruly overflow crowd outside the Staples Center did not materialize.
VERCAMMEN: People were orderly. They were very respectful of the police.
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HAMMER: The memorial ended with a worldwide sing-along to Jackson`s hits, "We Are the World" and "Heal the World." And when "Man in the Mirror" played as Jackson`s brothers carried out his coffin, the Staples Center broke out into applause as the entire world offered a final ovation for a superstar.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
What a day. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial continues now with four people who were right there inside the Staples Center during the memorial.
Joining us tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, April Woodard, who is a host for "BET News." Also at the Staples Center, Alicia Quarles, who is an entertainment editor for Associated Press Television. In Hollywood, it`s Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." And also in Hollywood, Alicia Jacobs, who is an entertainment reporter for KVBC.
I`ve got to tell you, guys, I just thought it was a terrific event. It was wonderful. It was balanced. There were some amazing tributes today to Michael Jackson.
None, I would say, more heartbreaking than the memorable words of Michael Jackson`s 11-year-old daughter, Paris Katherine, who the world`s never heard speak publicly before. And she let everybody know how she feels about her dad. Let`s take another look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. JACKSON: Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Carlos Diaz, let me go to you first. We know how he felt watching it on TV. Everybody around here got choked up. What was it like to actually be there for that?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes, that was really an emotional moment. That was probably the most emotional moment. A very emotional day, a day that I did not expect to be so emotional. It had a concert feel going in. Everyone was very excited, the 11,000 people that were inside because they basically won the lottery to be there.
But I`ll tell you what, A.J., when that casket came in, when Michael Jackson`s casket came in, that`s when the mood changed. And people - you could just - it was like a silence. And then it was kind of like a stunned applause and the casket coming into the arena changed everything at the beginning.
HAMMER: Yes. And I would have to imagine so many people in attendance there had no idea that that casket was even going to be there because word didn`t get out until very late this morning that that, in fact, was going to take place.
Getting back to Paris for a second, we have to keep in mind, this is a young girl who, along with her two brothers, were rarely seen out in public without their faces covered.
April, off to you. I mean, this was a real rare insight into a part of Michael`s life that we rarely saw. What was it like for you being there for that?
APRIL WOODARD, HOST, "BET NEWS": Well, you know, let me tell you, as a mother, it was heartbreaking. If you didn`t have the little thing in your throat or a tear coming down on your face, you had to check your emotions because it was moving to everyone who was there.
And you know, for so long, the children remained a mystery to us. And we hardly ever saw them speak. We would see them in little clips here and there. But to see Paris and hear Paris` voice, it just made people break down in tears.
HAMMER: We also heard from other members of Michael`s family at the memorial service. His brother Marlon`s words were so, so powerful. Let`s take a look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARLON JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S BROTHER: We will never, never understand what he endured. Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathering around him. Being judged, ridiculed - how much pain can one take? Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I think Marlon so clearly put Michael`s life in a perspective there. Alicia Quarles, being there and experiencing this, do you feel like so many others now do, that you understand Michael perhaps better than you ever have before?
ALICIA QUARLES, ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, ASSOCIATED PRESS TELEVISION: I think absolutely. I think the world`s got a glimpse at a family in pain. That family is up there united and they were suffering. And if there`s something we can all relate to, we`ve all lost someone close.
I think Marlon`s words particularly resonated with us because we`ve heard from Jermaine Jackson. We`ve heard from Joe Jackson. We even heard from Janet Jackson. But to have Marlon coming out, speaking about his brother - he wasn`t a superstar to them. He was his brother. That hit me in the heart.
HAMMER: Yes, on such a human level. Alicia Jacobs, I know you spent some time with the Jackson children tonight after the memorial service. I want to talk to you about that extraordinary moment in just a couple of minutes.
But first, I have to ask you, do you believe that what happened today humanized Michael perhaps in death in a way he was never able to do in life?
ALICIA JACOBS, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER, KVBC: I do. You know, it occurred to me that at least in my lifetime, I`m not sure there`s been any event that captivated not just the country, but the entire world all at once.
I mean, as I sat there today, I thought, you know, I am truly a part of entertainment history at the very least. And I agree with Carlos. The moment Michael entered, I had chills and those chills stayed there until the very end.
HAMMER: Yes.
JACOBS: There was a point at which - I`m not sure if it showed on TV. We all joined hands, everybody in that arena.
HAMMER: We did see that, and we all felt that.
JACOBS: Amazing.
HAMMER: We were joining hands in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom - I`m not kidding you. All right. Guys, stay where you are.
Alicia, I know that you have this incredible story to tell of your encounter with the Jackson children this evening. We`ll get to that in moment as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of the Jackson memorial continues.
It`s the inside story of what happened after today`s public memorial when the family got together. It was a private family gathering that Alicia Jacobs attended. So who was there, what went on?
Then there`s Usher.
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Usher`s remarkable goodbye to Michael. So much emotion and so many amazing heartfelt tributes. In case you missed any of today`s Michael Jackson memorial, we`re going to make you feel like you were right there. The most amazing moments of the day. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial on HLN.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. After the emotional tribute at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the entire family relocated to a post-memorial service at the Wilshire Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.
And back with me, four people who were at Michael Jackson`s memorial service today. And Alicia Jacobs, I want to get back to you in Hollywood. Alicia is an entertainment reporter for KVBC.
Right after today`s memorial, there was this private gathering. I know you were there and you spoke with Jackson`s three children. Wow. What can you tell us about that?
JACOBS: I did. Actually, Janet Jackson hosted the event, as you said, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. You know, I hadn`t meant to walk up to them. I walked into the section where the family was.
And literally, Prince Michael was standing right in front of me. I looked at him and he looked at me and he smiled his adorable smile. I noticed that he was with all of his cousins.
It was kind of like when you`re a kid and you`re at the family table with the kids. And they were smiling and having fun and interacting. And I asked them - I said, "Hi." I introduced myself and said, "How are you?" And he said, "I`m fine." I said, "Was this a tough day for you?" And he said, "It was a nice day." And then he thanked me for coming, which is quite amazing. Same thing with Paris.
I mean, what struck me was how absolutely normal and grounded they were and extremely polite and really elegant children. I mean, I have to tell you, I was really impressed and did not expect that. I thought they would be a little bit odd, to tell you the truth. And they were anything but that.
HAMMER: Yes. I think today gave us a lot of insight about these kids. Alicia Quarles from APTV, there has been so much concern over the years about Jackson`s three children. Are you with me that seeing the family together as we did today kind of gives me some hope for these kids?
QUARLES: It definitely gives you hope for these kids. I`ve been covering Michael Jackson`s death for the past 12 days. I`ve talked to a lot of people that were close to Michael Jackson.
And the one consistent thing every single one of them has said is what an amazing father he was. That is something nobody can deny.
And seeing those kids up there, seeing little Paris up there so articulate, pulling at the heartstrings, you see that Michael Jackson left, not only an incredible legacy of music, but also an incredible legacy with these children.
HAMMER: And I really think what we saw today will probably go a long way towards bridging any divides between this family and perhaps bringing it together. Unfortunately, sometimes that`s what happens in death. But we`ve seen them together in a way we rarely have before.
All right. All my guests, Carlos Diaz - we`ll get to you. Alicia Quarles, Alicia Jacobs, April Woodard, I want you to stay right where you are because coming up later on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, we have to talk about Brooke Shields` unbelievably revealing story about her friend, Michael Jackson.
And we`re going to show you Usher`s emotional farewell at today`s memorial. Now, all throughout the Michael Jackson memorial and as soon as it ended, I`ve got to tell you, we literally got hundreds and hundreds of calls coming in to "Showbiz on Call." I can tell you, we`ve never gotten so many calls on anything.
Listen to this emotional call. It comes from Kaitlyn in Arizona and she was really touched by today`s memorial.
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CALLER: I just watched the memorial of Michael Jackson and I heard his daughter say things about him. I began to cry the whole time. And I`m really starting to love Michael Jackson and his music. And he will always live through his music and in our hearts.
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HAMMER: Thank you so much for your call, Kaitlyn. We also heard from Kira calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Ohio. And Kira thinks today`s celebration of Michael`s life is something we will never see again.
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CALLER: I thought today`s tribute for Michael Jackson was the greatest thing ever for someone who was a legend on this earth and who is now an angel looking over us. He will always be in my heart and be in this household. And we`ll always listen to his music for years to come. Beautiful soul, and I wish more people would have understood him.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Kira. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and tell us your feelings about the Michael Jackson memorial or anything else that`s on your mind. The phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT- BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
One of the most gripping moments of the Michael Jackson memorial for me occurred when Michael`s daughter, Paris, spoke. Unbelievable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. JACKSON: Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Let me tell you, there was not a dry eye to be found on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff. And I`ve got to say, even with all of the Michael controversies, I think we learned more about him today as a devoted dad, a loving son and brother in just two hours than perhaps we`ve learned about him in 50 years.
Coming up, we have got put together for you, in an unbelievable way, the most memorable moments of the Michael Jackson memorial.
We will also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHIELDS: We need to look up where he is undoubtedly perched in a crescent moon, and we need to smile.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I loved this part of the event. Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were childhood friends. She was very emotional today. She was fighting back the tears. But, wow, what she had to say - it was fantastic.
Tonight, Brooke shares brand-new stories about her relationship with Michael. We have never heard these memories before. And they really give you an idea of what Michael was like. You`re watching continuing coverage of Michael Jackson`s memorial on HLN.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Well, thousands packed the Staples Center in Los Angeles today. But millions upon millions all over the world watched the incredible started-studded tribute to the King of Pop.
From the Far East to the Middle East to Europe and everywhere in between, fans tuned in to remember, celebrate and say goodbye. Tonight, come along as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes you on a trip around the globe with Michael Jackson memories.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really cannot accept this news. I cannot accept M.J. has already left us.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He will live forever and give us energy for the future. Thank you, Michael Jackson.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I wanted to tell something to him. I wanted to tell Michael that even today, his many people become his fans.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He connects race, religions and just connects the people of the world.
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HAMMER: This is definitely proof that Michael Jackson was able to transcend boundaries, whether they be geographical, racial or cultural.
Well, here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. JACKSON: Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the heart-wrenching good-bye from Michael`s daughter. I got choked up when I heard this. Today`s most emotional moments, coming up.
Also this.
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HAMMER: In case you missed any of the Michael Jackson memorial, we are going to make you feel like you were right there. I`ll tell you like everyone else, I learned so much about Michael today as a dad, son and brother. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
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HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, complete coverage of the unforgettable Michael Jackson memorial. Tonight, the heart-wrenching goodbye from Michael`s daughter to her daddy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. JACKSON: Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the most memorable moments, the emotional tributes and the star-studded performances.
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Jennifer Hudson`s soaring, spirit-lifting singing. Tonight, in case you missed any of the Michael Jackson memorial, we`re going to make you feel like you were right there. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of Michael Jackson`s memorial continues right now.
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Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And right now, it`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of today`s unforgettable Michael Jackson memorial. This was a goodbye fit for a king, a star-studded tribute to a legend.
Here are the latest breaking developments at this hour. In a surprise turn of events, at the last minute, Jackson`s casket was brought to the Staples Center in Los Angeles where 20,000 of Jackson`s family, friends and fans gathered to say their last goodbyes. It was an all-star tribute to the pop legend.
Wait until you hear how Brooke Shields shared her loving memories of Michael Jackson, two child stars who had so much in common. But it was Michael`s only daughter, Paris Katherine, who brought everyone watching to tears with her heart-wrenching goodbye to her daddy.
Joining me tonight, four people who were right there inside the Staples Center during the memorial. At the Staples Center right now is April Woodard who is a host for "BET News." Also from the Staples Center tonight, Alicia Quarles who is the entertainment editor for the Associated Press Television. And in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." Also in Hollywood tonight, Alicia Jacobs, who is an entertainment reporter for KVBC.
Well, the memorial for Michael Jackson - it was filled with so much emotion, so many big stars. And I`ve got to tell you, when Brooke Shields took to the stage to pay tribute to the young boy that she befriended when she was a child star herself, you could just feel how painful Michael`s death was for her. She fought back the tears. Watch.
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SHIELDS: We had a bond. And maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. I used to tease him and I`d say, "You know, I started when I was 11 months old. You`re a slacker. You were what, five?" Both of us needed to be adults very early. But when we were together, we were two little kids having fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I think that was one of my favorite stories of the whole event. Carlos Diaz, you were right there. Brooke and Michael became longtime friends. She really knew Michael in a way few people did. This was truly extraordinary, wasn`t it?
DIAZ: She knew Michael at a time when Michael was just beginning to discover his superstardom. And it was really poignant to hear her words. And it was really amazing to me to see all of the wide range of ages that Michael Jackson has basically influenced over the years.
You had Smokey Robinson talking about Michael. And then you had Jennifer Hudson on stage performing just so amazingly. It goes to show the wide range of people that Michael touched over the years.
The thing that really was interesting to me was they had a plate-glass window like a church in the background on the big screen. And even in death, Michael`s church was the stage.
HAMMER: Yes, wow, absolutely incredible. Alicia Quarles, you were right there. Going back to what Brooke Shields was saying, which I thought was so poignant in how it put his life in perspective. What was that moment like for you inside the Staples Center?
QUARLES: That was one of the most touching moments. That moment, Paris and also when Al Sharpton said, "There was nothing wrong with your father. There was something wrong with the way he was treated," to hear from Brooke Shields, someone that knew Michael Jackson for so long.
A week ago, AP ran into her in the airport and she was crying hysterically then. This was someone she had been friends with for over 20 years, someone she had grown up with. So you could feel her pain. It was palpable.
HAMMER: Another extraordinary moment when Stevie Wonder sat down at the piano and he really shared with the whole world how much Michael`s death has really affected him. Take a look at this.
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STEVIE WONDER, SINGER: This is a moment that I wished that I didn`t live to see come. Michael, I love you, and I`ve told you that many times. So I`m at peace with that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Alicia Jacobs, sitting right there at the memorial and seeing legend after legend like Stevie Wonder get up there and pour their hearts out, it had to be extraordinary.
JACOBS: It was. I mean, Usher really touched me. I mean, you could tell how broken up he was and had gone on record for many years saying Michael Jackson was the single most important influence on him.
Another person that was really extraordinary today was my friend, Lionel Richie, who gave an amazing tribute and was sitting right in front of me with not just one, but both of his ex-wives and his three children - Nicole sitting right next to him. Nicole is actually the goddaughter of Michael Jackson.
Several times I saw her get very upset, and Lionel was comforting her throughout the entire service. So it was - yes, just extraordinary to see all of this emotion in one place for one man.
HAMMER: Yes. Lionel and Michael, so close, obviously. And he got downright spiritual during his singing performance. Of course, they co- wrote "We are the World," and they knew each other very well and for a very long time.
And of course, there were plenty of tears and there were great laughs as well. Here`s another moment that I loved - basketball legend Magic Johnson sharing a very funny story about the time that he met with Michael Jackson to talk about the video that he was to appear in "Remember the Time."
Well, Michael`s chef asked Magic what he would like to eat. Magic said grilled chicken. Listen to what happened next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAGIC JOHNSON, BASKETBALL LEGEND: The chef brought me out the grilled chicken, but he brought Michael out a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. And I went crazy like, "Wait a minute. Michael, you eat Kentucky Fried Chicken?" We had such a good time sitting on the floor eating that bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love that story. April Woodard, you were also right inside the Staples Center. Are you with me that stories like this really made it feel like a true memorial, not just some star-studded tribute concert event?
WOODARD: Yes, absolutely, A.J. And you know, he brought in friends. Kobe and Magic Johnson - these people were genuine friends with Michael Jackson and not just people that, you know, were associates but people he spent time with.
And I think that that was really an integral part of this ceremony is to have them speak about their experiences because we don`t know what happens in the day-to-day life of Michael Jackson and Magic Johnson. But when you hear stories like this, it really humanizes him and allows us to be able to relate to someone like Michael Jackson.
HAMMER: Yes. And just incredible - I mean, I keep going back to the fact that here we are at the Staples Center, some 20,000 and - at least sitting at home, I felt like I was, in fact, part of a memorial service. I mean, I just thought it was so remarkable to pull that off in such a short amount of time.
Obviously, the moment that nobody is going to forget, Michael`s only daughter, 11-year-old Paris Katherine, who unexpectedly took the microphone to pay tribute to her daddy and left everybody there and watching at home in tears.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. JACKSON: Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. I`ve now seen that clip maybe a dozen times since the actual memorial. I still get choked up watching it there. And keep in mind, we have never heard any of Michael`s kids speak publicly. And whenever they were seen in public, they always had their faces covered. Even this morning, we caught some glimpses of them coming to and going from the memorial service they had at Forest Lawn, their faces were covered.
Carlos, this was the moment of the day. There wasn`t a dry eye in the house, was there?
DIAZ: There wasn`t a dry eye. This is not just the moment of the day. This is the moment that a lot of people will never forget because we all look at Michael Jackson, no matter how old we are, as that little kid we saw growing up in the `70s.
And today, for the first time, we realized that Michael Jackson was an extraordinary father. And we got that right in that little 10-second speech from Paris. And it was really heartfelt.
HAMMER: Alicia Quarles, you were right there with Carlos, I imagine?
QUARLES: Yes, absolutely. Again, like Carlos said, we didn`t see these kids in public a lot. When we did see them, they had veils over their faces. This is the first time that we saw them publicly. Paris` words were so strong.
Katherine, Michael Jackson`s mother, is going back to court on Monday. She, of course, has temporary custody. She`s fighting for full-time custody of these children. And I think it was smart to put them out there on a worldwide stage to say, "Look at us. We`re supporting these kids. We`re strong. We`re one family."
HAMMER: Yes. It was although I don`t know that there was such deep motivation to it. But who knows? It was just a beautiful moment. April Woodard, Alicia Quarles, Carlos Diaz, Alicia Jacobs, thank you all for spending some good time and letting us know what it was really like inside there today. I appreciate it.
Well, I`ve got to say I was completely blown away with today`s memorial, how this thing was put together in such a short period of time with so many stars. Just amazing.
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HAMMER: Jennifer Hudson brought the house down. And tonight, if you missed any of these memorable moment, do not panic, don`t worry. We`re going to make it seem like you were right there. That`s next.
Also this.
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Coming up, one more very special tribute to Michael Jackson, a star- studded salute to one of Michael`s biggest gifts to us. You don`t want to miss this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial on HLN.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Today will certainly go down in history as one of the most emotional, the most heart-warming, the most profound public memorial for an entertainer ever. It was a day that defined the life, the love and the mystery of Michael Jackson for millions of people around the world.
And tonight, we bring you the absolute most amazing and touching highlights from today`s Michael Jackson memorial, moments that you do not want to miss.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SHARPTON: All over the world today, people are gathered in love to celebrate the life of a man that taught the world how to love.
GORDY: Though it ended way too soon, Michael`s life was beautiful.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SHIELDS: To the outside world, Michael was a genius with unchallenged ability. To the people who were lucky enough to know him personally, he was caring and funny, honest, pure, nonjaded, and he was a lover of life.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
MARLON JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S BROTHER: Michael, when you left us, a part of me went with you.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
QUEEN LATIFAH, ACTRESS: This morning, I spoke with perhaps one of our greatest poets, Maya Angelou. And I`m so honored that she asked me to share some words that she wrote. "No clock can tell our time and no oceans can rush our tides. With the abrupt absence of our treasure, though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone."
(MUSIC PLAYING)
P. JACKSON: Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SHIELDS: Yes, it may have seemed very odd to the outside. But we made it fun and we made it real. When he started wearing the glove, I was like, "What`s up with the glove?".
(MUSIC PLAYING)
GORDY: He sung a Smokey Robinson song called "Who`s Lovin` You," and as great as Smokey sang it, I thought Michael was better.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SMOKEY ROBINSON, SINGER: I never thought I would be here on today. You just don`t think that you`re going to see - or you`ll live to see him gone. But he will never really be gone. He is going to live forever and ever and ever and ever.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
WONDER: Michael, I love you, and I`ve told you that many times. So I`m at peace, at peace with that.
SHIELDS: Michael loved to laugh. His heart would just burst out of him when he was laughing. M.J.`s laugh was the sweetest and purest laugh of anyone`s I had ever known. His sense of humor was delightful. And he was very mischievous.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
GORDY: The more I think and talk about Michael Jackson, I feel the King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.
(APPLAUSE)
SHARPTON: Thank you because you never stopped. Thank you because you never gave up. Thank you because you never gave out. Thank you because you tore down the divisions. Thank you because you eradicated barriers. Thank you, because you gave us hope. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Michael.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: No question about it. It was a farewell fit for a king. And what an incredible day it has been. This Michael Jackson memorial is the kind of thing we may never see again in our lifetime.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
What an amazing moment this was. Coming up, one last very special star-studded tribute to Michael Jackson. This is a tribute to something incredible that Michael gave us that will certainly live on forever. You don`t want to miss this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial on HLN.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Clearly, one of the most powerful moments from today`s Michael Jackson memorial happened when everybody got on stage to sing the song "We are the World." It is a song, of course, Michael co-wrote with Lionel Richie nearly 25 years ago to raise money for famine relief in Africa.
But its message is still so relevant today. So we leave you tonight with "We Are the World."
(MUSIC PLAYING)
END
