Michael Jackson’s Kids At The Memorial – Paris Makes The World Cry
Posted by SunnyChanel at 7:57 AM on July 8, 2009
This morning, the memorial for Michael Jackson was held at the celebrity and fan packed Staples Center. During the speeches, remembrances and the performances what did I spend most of my time doing?
Looking for Jackson’s kids. ..Prince, Paris and Blanket were front row center along with the rest of Jackson’s large clan. The children were situated right next to their grandparents, Michael Jackson’s mum Katherine and dad Joe.
During the ceremony Prince sat stoically, in what I’m sure was a totally surreal experience, chewing tensely on a mouthful of gum. Young Blanket wiggled around in his seat while clutching what looked like a Michael Jackson action figure, Paris sat closely to her grandmother every now and then draping her arm around her grandma’s shoulder.
Most of the guests giving eulogies gave a shout out to the children. Most notably Rev. Al Sharpton who said to the kids. “There was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with.” Paris’s was wide eyed and after the comment stood up to join in a standing ovation and moments later was joined by the rest of the family and Blanket and Prince.
One of the most touching speeches was by Brooke Shields quoting the Little Prince. Saying that Michael was not a king to her but more like a Little Prince quoting , “what moves me so deeply about this sleeping little prince is his loyalty to a flower – the image of a rose shining within him like the flame within a lamp, even when he’s asleep….And I realised he was even more fragile than I thought.”
The end of the event ended with the memorial performers, Jackson’s family and the three kids singing along to ‘We Are the World’. After the crescendo of the performances, one of Michael’s brothers spoke while Paris fiddled with her purse and leaned against her aunt Janet, while Prince and Blanket stood by looking distracted by the circumstances.
What made me cry? (and I am not easily moved to tears). At the end of the tribute, Michael’s daughter Paris took the mic and said “Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I wanted to say I love him so much.” As she wept, she was taken offstage by the family. The incredibly sad ending to a moving tribute.
What did you think of the event?
I watched the tribute live in Australia, in the early hours of the morning. I was reduced to tears several times, especially while Paris was commenting about her father. The sons didn’t seem as affected, though, although that’s just what seemed apparent from afar.
I hope that MJ will never be ridiculed again after he is finally laid to rest. The people who organized the event are to be congratulated as it turned out so well.
RIP MJ
i CRY LIKE A BB WHEN I HEAR PARIS WORDS!! ITS WAS ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF THE NITE SOO SEE THAT HE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON OUT AND IN THE STAGE!! WE ARE GONNA MISS HIM THE BEST MUSICIAN EVER!! AND 4 EVER!
i believe paris set a guiness record yesterday: at one single moment, she made the entire planet cry. i pray for strength to carry on for the jackson family. in my mom’s generation, it was elvis. my generation was michael jackson – the most influential artist to ever walk this earth. whether you liked him or not, you have to respect the many, many, many good works he did.
God bless you, michael.
THE MEMORIAL WAS BEAUTIFUL…..I LOVED IT WHEN JERMAINE GOT ON STAGE AND SUNG,I THOUGHT THAT THE REST OF THE SINGING BROTHERS AND SISTERS WOULD HAVE JOINED IN BUT I GUESS THET WERE TOO HURT…,BUT THE WHOLE TIME I WAS FIGHTING BACK TEARS BUT ONCE MARLON AND ESPECIALLY PARIS GOT TO THE MIC, I WAS CRYING FOR HOURS…,I JUST WANT TO SAY AT FIRST I WAS SHAKY ABOUT THE KIDS GOING WITH THE GRANDMA BECAUSE OF JOE JACKSON,BUT ONCE I SAW THEM JULY 7TH, I KNEW THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO TALK AND TELL. SO THEY SHOULD STAY WITH THE JACKSON FAMILY. R.I.P. MICHEAL JACKSON. You deserve it. And PRINCE THE FIRST IS GORGEOUS. HE IS 12 AND I AM THE SAME.
i thought that Antoine saint-Exupery’s book the Petit Prince was Michael,seeing the wolrd through the eyes of a child….and the 2 boys were named after Le petit prince…little prince in the book…..is this true… I am so surprised at the loss I feel at his death….. its like he has always been in my life. Long live the Petit Prince with his creator.
i am from belgium, and it was beautifull!! When little Paris took the microphone, my eyes where filled with tears…r.i.p. Michael….
ill miss mj i loved his music it was cool no more songs that is really sad i fell so sorry for his kis even blanket he bearly knew his dad that must be sad