Debbie Rowe breaks down in tears after watching daughter Paris's emotional tribute to father Michael Jackson
The biological mother of michael jackson's children, Debbie Rowe, broke down in tears after watching
Paris Katherine Jackson's emotional tribute to her late father on
television.
Friends of the woman Jackson picked as his surrogate mother comforted Rowe, 50, as Paris, 11, tearfully spoke about her love for 'the best daddy you can imagine' .
Debbie was pictured looking distraught while watching the memorial service at her Southern California ranch.
Bizarrely, she chose to wear a T-shirt with the wording 'Hi Ho It's Off To Sleep We Go'.
Nurse Debbie met Jackson while working for his dermatologist in Beverly Hills, LA. The pair married in 1996 and their son Prince Michael was born on February 13, 1997. Paris was born on April 3, 1998.
There is still some doubt as to whether she legally signed away full parental rights in doing so. And she may still try to battle for custody of the children which has for the present time been awarded to their grandmother Katherine.
But there was no doubting the genuine emotion as she watched the action at the Staples Centre.
Paris's voice broke as she braved the stage to tell an estimated global audience of 1bn: 'I just want to say... ever since I was born.... daddy has been the best father you can imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.'
Enlarge
The 11-year-old paused as she spoke, struggling to get the words out through her tears.
Her genuine emotion filled the silent Staples Center, which had earlier shook with laughter, sobs and applause as some of the world's biggest artists lined up to perform and pay tribute to Jackson.
Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and even Britain's Got Talent runner up Shaheen Jafargholi took it in turns to perform.
But after all the showmanship and glitz, it was unscripted Paris who summed up the man behind the headlines as she ended the memorial.
She and her brothers, shielded from
public view at Jackson's insistence, shed their masks to commemorate
their late father, who died aged 50 on June 25.
Throughout the event Paris sat in the front-row with her brothers, 12-year-old Prince Michael I, and Prince Michael II alongside her. She rested her head on her grandmother Katherine's shoulder as celebrities spoke about her father.
Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, clutched a doll in his father's image. At seven he is two years older than Jackson was when he started his singing career.
The coffin sat under a spotlight throughout, in front of the thousands of fans.
Smokey Robinson opened the memorial with tributes from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross, before Pastor Lucious Smith spoke on behalf of the Jackson family.
'In his very beautiful and very human heart, Michael Jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world.'
Mariah Carey was the first artist to appear on stage. Her voice quivered as she launched into a rendition of I'll Be There, accompanied by Trey Lorenz.
In a moving tribute actress Queen Latifah then shared her memories of Jackson, saying she was there to represent the fans who 'grew up loving Michael from a distance'.
'Somehow, when Michael Jackson sang, when he danced, he never felt distance,' she said. 'He felt like he was right there.'
She laughed as she remembered purchasing the Jackson 5 single Dancing Machine, before reading a poem by author Maya Angelou.
It was Jackson's skills on stage which were remembered next by Berry Gordy Jr, the founder of Motown Records, the label that signed the Jackson 5.
'He studied the greats and then became greater. He raised the bar, and then he broke the bar,' he said. 'It was kill or be killed. The more I talk about Michael Jackson, the more I feel the King Of Pop is not big enough for him.
'I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.'
Enlarge
As fans cheered Gordy then reflected on Jackson's ability as an artist. 'Off-stage he was shy, soft-spoken and childlike. But when he took the stage in front of his fans he became a different person. A master. Awesome... totally in charge.'
Stevie Wonder then serenaded Jackson's coffin with the song Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer, which featured in the movie Poetic Justice, starring Janet Jackson.
'This is a moment that I wish I didn’t live to see coming. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good,' he said.
'And I do know that as much as we may feel, and we do, that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more.'
Johnson remembered his first meeting with the superstar, who with his brother Marlon, was a season ticket holder for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After receiving a phonecall from Jackson he visited Neverland to discuss appearing in the video for Remember the Time.
On arrival Jackson's personal chef asked what he wanted to eat, and he recalled asking for grilled chicken.
'The chef brought me out the grilled
chicken, but he brought Michael a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
That was the greatest moment of my life,' he said, to laughter from the
crowd.
The two then shared the chicken, said Johnson.
Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson then gave a moving gospel performance of Jackson's Will You Be There, from the album Dangerous.
The eight-months pregnant star, whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered late last year, belted out the track.
Actress Brooke Shields, who once attended the Oscars with Jackson, broke down as she paid tribute to her friend.
'To us it was the most magical and easiest of friendships. I was 13 when we first met and from then on our friendship grew.
Enlarge
'Both of us needed to be adults very
early, but when we were together we were two little kids, having fun.
We never collaborated together, we never performed together or danced
on the same stage, although he did try to teach me the moonwalk... but
what we did do was laugh...
'When he started wearing the glove,
I was like "What's up with the glove?" He just loved to be teased... He
was a lover of life.'
'Michael Jackson was truly the best of what he was,' he said.
Usher also performed, singing Gone Too Soon. He walked towards Jackson's casket as he sang the line: 'Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight. Here one day, gone one night.'
For the show's finale This Is It Tour director Kenny Ortega came out to introduce Shaheen Jafargholi, who had been due to join Jackson onstage at the O2.
Enlarge
The Welsh Britain's Got Talent runner-up's voice shook as he performed the biggest gig of his life.
'I love Michael Jackson,' the 12-year-old told the appreciative crowd.
Friends of the woman Jackson picked as his surrogate mother comforted Rowe, 50, as Paris, 11, tearfully spoke about her love for 'the best daddy you can imagine' .
Debbie was pictured looking distraught while watching the memorial service at her Southern California ranch.
Ties that bind: Debbie Rowe, obscured by a farm
hand's elbow, can't hold back the tears as she watches daughter Paris
Jackson make her emotional tribute at the Michael Jackson memorial
service
A source told US website
X17: 'She couldn't stop crying. Her friends were hugging her but for a
few minutes she couldn't even control herself.'Bizarrely, she chose to wear a T-shirt with the wording 'Hi Ho It's Off To Sleep We Go'.
Nurse Debbie met Jackson while working for his dermatologist in Beverly Hills, LA. The pair married in 1996 and their son Prince Michael was born on February 13, 1997. Paris was born on April 3, 1998.
Staying away: Debbie Rowe was at her ranch in Palmdale, California on the day of her former husband's funeral
Debbie gave up custody of Prince Michael and Paris after her divorce from Jackson in 1999.There is still some doubt as to whether she legally signed away full parental rights in doing so. And she may still try to battle for custody of the children which has for the present time been awarded to their grandmother Katherine.
But there was no doubting the genuine emotion as she watched the action at the Staples Centre.
Paris's voice broke as she braved the stage to tell an estimated global audience of 1bn: 'I just want to say... ever since I was born.... daddy has been the best father you can imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.'
Breaking down: Paris cries after paying tribute
to her father Michael Jackson at his memorial concert, surrounded by his
family; (L to R) Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, Randy, Paris, Rebbie, Janet
and Prince Michael
Her genuine emotion filled the silent Staples Center, which had earlier shook with laughter, sobs and applause as some of the world's biggest artists lined up to perform and pay tribute to Jackson.
Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and even Britain's Got Talent runner up Shaheen Jafargholi took it in turns to perform.
But after all the showmanship and glitz, it was unscripted Paris who summed up the man behind the headlines as she ended the memorial.
Missing daddy: Paris (L) and Prince michael jackson I (R) watch the crowd while Their brother Prince Michael Jackson
II hides between them
Close: Paris and Blanket are comforted by their aunts Janet (L) and LaToya (R)
Throughout the event Paris sat in the front-row with her brothers, 12-year-old Prince Michael I, and Prince Michael II alongside her. She rested her head on her grandmother Katherine's shoulder as celebrities spoke about her father.
Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, clutched a doll in his father's image. At seven he is two years older than Jackson was when he started his singing career.
Touching goodbye: Usher performed at the casket
Jackson's brothers, each wearing one
white glove, began the concert by wheeling his flower-covered
gold-trimmed casket onto the stage at the Staples Center, where days
before his death he was rehearsing for his O2 concerts.The coffin sat under a spotlight throughout, in front of the thousands of fans.
Smokey Robinson opened the memorial with tributes from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross, before Pastor Lucious Smith spoke on behalf of the Jackson family.
Tribute: Mariah Carey sang I'll Be There with Trey Lorenz at the Michael Jackson tribute concert
'We come to this space where only
days ago Michael Jackson sang,' he said. 'First and foremost, this man
was our brother, our son, our father and our friend.'In his very beautiful and very human heart, Michael Jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world.'
Mariah Carey was the first artist to appear on stage. Her voice quivered as she launched into a rendition of I'll Be There, accompanied by Trey Lorenz.
Paying their respects: Queen Latifah shared her memories of Jackson, before Lionel Richie sang Jesus Is Love
Stevie Wonder serenaded Jackson's coffin with the song Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer
Enlarge
Performance of his young life: 12-year-old Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen sings Jackson's song Who's Lovin' You in tribute
In a moving tribute actress Queen Latifah then shared her memories of Jackson, saying she was there to represent the fans who 'grew up loving Michael from a distance'.
'Somehow, when Michael Jackson sang, when he danced, he never felt distance,' she said. 'He felt like he was right there.'
She laughed as she remembered purchasing the Jackson 5 single Dancing Machine, before reading a poem by author Maya Angelou.
It was Jackson's skills on stage which were remembered next by Berry Gordy Jr, the founder of Motown Records, the label that signed the Jackson 5.
'He studied the greats and then became greater. He raised the bar, and then he broke the bar,' he said. 'It was kill or be killed. The more I talk about Michael Jackson, the more I feel the King Of Pop is not big enough for him.
'I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.'
On the big stage: 12-year-old Shaheen with Jennifer Hudson and Lionel Ritchie
As fans cheered Gordy then reflected on Jackson's ability as an artist. 'Off-stage he was shy, soft-spoken and childlike. But when he took the stage in front of his fans he became a different person. A master. Awesome... totally in charge.'
Stevie Wonder then serenaded Jackson's coffin with the song Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer, which featured in the movie Poetic Justice, starring Janet Jackson.
'This is a moment that I wish I didn’t live to see coming. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good,' he said.
'And I do know that as much as we may feel, and we do, that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more.'
Brotherly love: Marlon Jackson gave a speech about his brother Michael as the memorial ended
Following Wonder were light-hearted reflections from Jackson's sporting friends Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.Johnson remembered his first meeting with the superstar, who with his brother Marlon, was a season ticket holder for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After receiving a phonecall from Jackson he visited Neverland to discuss appearing in the video for Remember the Time.
On arrival Jackson's personal chef asked what he wanted to eat, and he recalled asking for grilled chicken.
Saying goodbye: The rose covered coffin holding the remains of Michael Jackson rests in the front of stage
Praying at the altar of Michael: A back-lit window gives the Staples Center a church-like effect
The two then shared the chicken, said Johnson.
The eight-months pregnant star, whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered late last year, belted out the track.
My great friend: Brooke Shields, who met Jackson when she was 13, is overcome as she pays tribute
In tears: Loyal fans are moved to tears during the memorial
In a musical interlude a recording of Jackson's near-tearful voice could be heard, reading out the lyrics.Actress Brooke Shields, who once attended the Oscars with Jackson, broke down as she paid tribute to her friend.
'To us it was the most magical and easiest of friendships. I was 13 when we first met and from then on our friendship grew.
All the glitz: Michael Jackson fans packed into the Staples Center for the memorial
'We had a bond. And maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very young age.
I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived: Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr speaks
Next to offer their condolences were Martin Luther King's children - Martin Luther King III and Bernice King.
King said that his father constantly urged them to be their best.
King said that his father constantly urged them to be their best.
The show's finale: Jackson's backing singers and a children's chorus sang We are the World
'Michael Jackson was truly the best of what he was,' he said.
Usher also performed, singing Gone Too Soon. He walked towards Jackson's casket as he sang the line: 'Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight. Here one day, gone one night.'
For the show's finale This Is It Tour director Kenny Ortega came out to introduce Shaheen Jafargholi, who had been due to join Jackson onstage at the O2.
Brothers in sorrow: Randy Jackson and Tito Jackson console each other after the funeral service
The Welsh Britain's Got Talent runner-up's voice shook as he performed the biggest gig of his life.
'I love Michael Jackson,' the 12-year-old told the appreciative crowd.
评论
发表评论