Usher Among the Celebs Paying Tribute

July 7, 2009  -Comments on Michael Jackson on the day of his memorial service:
"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." -- Jackson's daughter, Paris-Michael, who broke down in
tears.
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"Michael, when you left us, a part of me went with you. ... I
will treasure the good times, singing, dancing, laughing. ... We
will never understand what he endured ... being judged, ridiculed.
How much pain can one take? Maybe, now, Michael, they will leave
you alone." -- Marlon Jackson.
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"Michael always knew he could count on me to support him or be
his date. ... 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 say, `I started when I was
11 months old. You're a slacker. You were like 5?' Both of us
needed to be adults very early, but when we were together, we were
two little kids having fun. ... M.J.'s laugh was the sweetest and
purest of anyone I've known." -- Brooke Shields.
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"He created a comfort level, where people that felt they were
separate became interconnected with his music. ... Those young kids
grew up from being teenage, comfortable fans of Michael's to being
40 years old and being comfortable to vote for a person of color to
be the president of the United States of America. Michael did that.
Michael made us love each other. Michael taught us to stand with
each other." -- The Rev. Al Sharpton.
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"I'm here representing millions of fans around the world who
grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael
from a distance. ... Somehow when Michael Jackson sang and when he
danced ... we felt he was right there. ... He made you believe in
yourself." -- Queen Latifah.
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"When he did his iconic moonwalk, I was shocked. It was magic.
Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down. Though it
ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful." -- Motown
Records founder Berry Gordy.
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"This is a moment that I wish that I didn't live to see come.
But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is
good 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."
-- Stevie Wonder.
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"Michael was a personal love of mine. A treasured part of my
world ... " -- Smokey Robinson, reading a note from longtime
Jackson friend Diana Ross at Tuesday's memorial service in Los
Angeles.
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"You don't think you'll live to see them gone. ... He is going
to live forever and ever and ever and ever." -- Smokey Robinson.
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"We miss you, Michael." -- Mariah Carey, after singing "I'll
Be There" at Jackson's memorial service.
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"There are certain people in our popular culture that just
capture people's imaginations. And in death, they become even
larger. Now, I have to admit that it's also fed by a 24/7 media
that is insatiable." -- President Barack Obama, who was asked about
the outpouring of emotion related to Michael Jackson's death during
an interview with CBS while he was in Moscow.
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"They're holding up well in part because they're a strong
family ... a big family, religiously devout family. Therefore, they
have a sense of insulation of their faith." -- The Rev. Jesse
Jackson, on how Michael Jackson's family is coping.
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"He was a true gift and there are very few that have come to
the magnitude of influence that he had on the world." -- Neil
Portnow, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences.