The boy who lived.
Watching the Michael Jackson Memorial: Live from LA on BBC2, and it's slightly uncomfortable: his silver coffin takes centre stage, literally, and they're all there to see him, but he's not there. The majority of the audience are wearing black, and there are flower arrangements all over the stage, but the fans are applauding and asking for more; the presentation of photos behind the speakers, showing photos of him as musician, charity worker, entertainer, brother, son. It's like a very personal funeral service that's open to thousands and thousands of people who never knew him.
An awkward number of photos show him in the same pose that Jesus wore on the Crucifixion. And that religious 'Godly' element follows into the whole thing: over the course of the hour and a half, it's almost like he's been promoted to Saint, people even saying he will "live forever and ever".
Those who were so certain of his weirdness; his wrongdoings; how quickly they've changed their tune, denouncing him as the washed up oddball singer who'd gone too far, and naming him as humanitarian, a man full of heart, a king. Funny how you only see the good bits after they're gone.
Speakers have ranged from the founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, to Queen Latifah, to the son and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Usher teared up during a heart felt rendition of "Gone Too Soon", and Jermaine Jackson's version of Michael Jackson's favourite song, Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", rightly received a standing ovation. Jennifer Hudson brought an understated strength to the stage, and Britain's Got Talent's Shaheen Jafagoli appearance and performance was a pleasant surprise.
It's very touching - that can't be denied - and I can admit I cried a little myself - all these people telling their little stories of how Michael Jackson used to eat KFC sat on the floor when guests were over, or laugh at silly impressions or visit wards full of injured soldiers and thank them is heartwarming and saddening all at the same time.
As an entertainer, he'll be remembered as a legend; as a friend, so many people have said he was pure of heart, and silly and caring; but as a human, it couldn't be clearer that he was the boy who never grew up.
RIP MJ.
An awkward number of photos show him in the same pose that Jesus wore on the Crucifixion. And that religious 'Godly' element follows into the whole thing: over the course of the hour and a half, it's almost like he's been promoted to Saint, people even saying he will "live forever and ever".
Those who were so certain of his weirdness; his wrongdoings; how quickly they've changed their tune, denouncing him as the washed up oddball singer who'd gone too far, and naming him as humanitarian, a man full of heart, a king. Funny how you only see the good bits after they're gone.
Speakers have ranged from the founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, to Queen Latifah, to the son and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Usher teared up during a heart felt rendition of "Gone Too Soon", and Jermaine Jackson's version of Michael Jackson's favourite song, Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", rightly received a standing ovation. Jennifer Hudson brought an understated strength to the stage, and Britain's Got Talent's Shaheen Jafagoli appearance and performance was a pleasant surprise.
It's very touching - that can't be denied - and I can admit I cried a little myself - all these people telling their little stories of how Michael Jackson used to eat KFC sat on the floor when guests were over, or laugh at silly impressions or visit wards full of injured soldiers and thank them is heartwarming and saddening all at the same time.
As an entertainer, he'll be remembered as a legend; as a friend, so many people have said he was pure of heart, and silly and caring; but as a human, it couldn't be clearer that he was the boy who never grew up.
RIP MJ.