LOS ANGELES--Michael Jackson’s sister, Janet Jackson, and father, Joe Jackson, made a surprise appearance on the red carpet at the BET Awards Sunday. “We’re doing fine, thank you,” Miss Jackson said.
“It’s a fantastic thing. It’s a great thing. I just wish [Michael] could have seen this celebration. It’s hard. He’s gone, but….I’m here to celebrate.”
Mr. Jackson, wearing sunglasses and shaky at times when he spoke, continued: “He was the biggest star in history. I feel sorry that the biggest star in the world is gone.”
BET dedicated the awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium, to the memory of Michael Jackson.
New Edition opened the show singing a Jackson 5 medley, including “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “The Love You Save.”
Host Jamie Foxx, decked out in Jackson garb, including cropped tight black pants, white socks and loafers, followed with a re-en
actment of the dance sequence from the King of Pop’s “Beat It” video.“No need to be sad,” Jamie Foxx said. “We want to celebrate this Black man. He belongs to us, and we shared him with everybody else.”
“Was there any question who was the best?” Jamie Foxx told the excited crowd. “Half of y’all can’t sell out a bathroom at a Carl’s Jr.”
Throughout the show, tributes to Jackson were interspersed with the presentation of awards in a variety of categories and performances like Jamie Fox’s “Blame It.”
Beyonce, clad in a celestial costume, sang a medley of “Ave Maria” and Sarah McLachlan’s “An
gel.” Throughout the performance, the singer’s dress was transformed into an architectural, transparent fur-trimmed skirt, and she donned a tiara and a sheer white veil.
Ciara performed Jackson’s “Heal the World” and was followed by Keyshia Cole and Monica singing “Trust.”
Earlier, stars on the red carpet recalled their fondest memories of Michael Jackson.
“I remember trying to do the moonwalk in my house back in the day, and it was funny because it was a small house,” Sean Paul said, “but Michael Jackson was the first music that my mom and I were able to bond over.”
Marlon Wayans said he has cried “really hard” two times this year: When Barack Obama became president and when Michael Jackson died.
“I feel like the world is missing something,” he said. “I think anytime I see something negative, I change the channel. He was found innocent. Let’s not stain that. Let’s celebrate his legacy.”
“The View” host Sherri Shepherd said Jackson shaped “every aspect of our lives.”
“I challenge you to build your own soundtrack and it not include a Michael Jackson song,” she said. “I used to take the bus to his house, hoping I would catch a glimpse of him. I even tried to scale a fence once.”
Estelle, who has topped charts with “American Boy,” said Jackson took her breath away.
“I saw him once at an event and I kind of couldn’t breathe,” she said. “I always wished I’d said something.”
“I remember when I saw him perform ‘Dirty Diana’ live in ‘88. Wow. He was just born to do it.”
Grandmaster Flash said Jackson “graced the world” with great lyrics and music.
“We all wanted to be like Mike. It’s almost hard to believe that he’s not here. I haven’t accepted it yet.”
“He’s gone, but I’m, here to celebrate,” Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson’s father, said. He was an unexpected arrival at the BET Awards ceremonies.
Estelle, the British star, said Michael Jackson was “just born” to perform.
Jamie Foxx dons the singer’s signature accessory.
