2nd update: I’ve embedded the video from MSNBC after the JUMP….
Update: The service began shortly before 1:30 ET with Smokey Robinson reading messages from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross.The public memorial for Michael Jackson is set to begin at 1:30 ET today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The private service for the family at Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills ran late, pushing the memorial ahead 30 minutes.
There was also a private viewing last night at Forest Lawn.
Right now, a motorcade that includes Jackson’s family and close friends is en route to the Staples Center. A car with Jackson’s body is also a part of the memorial entourage.
Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Kobe Bryant, Brooke Shields, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, John Mayer, Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice, Shaheen Jafargholi (Britain’s Got Talent) are set to appear.
Also set to appear are Brooke Shields, Usher, Magic Johnson, Andrae Crouch Choir, Family friends Ron Boyd and Pastor Lucious Smith, and Al Sharpton. Justin Timberlake and Beyonce will attend the service, but aren’t scheduled to perform.
Elizabeth Taylor was invited to participate, but declined, “I’ve been asked to speak at the Staples Center,” she says, “I cannot be part of the public hoopla.”
The memorial will run live on most US cable news and network channels. Also the event will stream live all over the internet. You can watch the memorial HERE. Also, there will be lots of twittering and live blogging from inside the arena.
The memorial will end with the performers on stage singing the Jackson anthem, “We Are the World”.
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Yes they are. Plus, hearing her speak really made MJ human. He was a father first…. I hope people remember his children when they start talking trash about Michael again tomorrow.
Overall I think it was a great tribute. Very well done, and very moving.
Also, I’m happy they brought up his humanitarian efforts. I didn’t know he was in the guinness book for contributing to the most charities. That shows his heart.
I honestly could of watched that tribubte all day
What a beautiful and well put together memorial. For me the tears started w/ Brooke Shields and then Jermaine singing “Smile,” Usher breaking down while singing “Gone too Soon,” “We Are the World” etc. but when Marlon spoke I started bawling, and then Paris broke my heart.
I got the impression too that Paris wasn’t forced to speak and that it’s something she probaby wanted to do .. and as upsetting as it was for her I bet she’s pleased she did and in years to come I bet it means even more to her .. and her two brothers.
I’m pleased I watched this as it helped to see a different side to Michael .. a more real and human side .. away from being a star and a performer .. I loved the bit in Brooke’s speech where she said “what’s up with the glove?” …lol .. shows what a great and natural friendship they had .. two kids thrown into the world of showbiz but being totally normal, ribbing each other behind the scenes.
Michael’s kids are gorgeous.
I agree Wander3ful .. it made them all seem more real and “normal” .. just friends and family who have lost a big part of their lives and grieving like everyone else does … their emotion was real and I got no impression that any of it was stage managed.
I just bawled like a baby when Paris spoke. So touching.
Just in case anyone missed, CNN has a replay here:
http://www.cnn.com/video/fb/facebook.html?stream=stream3
Paris broke my heart!!! She made me cry!
I cried at parts but she made me cry!! 
:down_tb: I just want to hug her!!!!
Let’s all celebrate Micheal’s life!!!
There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can’t go on
Pretneding day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God’s great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need
[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Send them your heart
So they’ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand
[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
When you’re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one
[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
======================
I salute you too!! 
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL!!
Yeah all the media was saying nice things about Michael! That was annoying! Why couldn’t they say nice things about him when he was alive?!!?! And then during the memorial he got a plaque? Why couldn’t he have one when he was alive?!!?!
That is what a funeral and memorial service should be about!
The celebration of a person’s life! 
I approved it too! 
Yeah I don’t believe in wearing black in a funeral or memorial. The white she wore was perfect.
Oh Lu I’m so sorry.
He did?! I missed that part. I know why it is but what are your thoughts of why it was wrong?
Yeah I noticed that ROFL ROFL!
Creepy
– Michael Jackson signed his will on 7/7/02.
– Michael Jackson’s memorial was on 7/7/09 … exactly 7 years after the will was signed.
– Michael Jackson’s two biggest hits — “Black & White” and “Billie Jean” — were each #1 for 7 weeks.
– Michael Jackson’s three biggest albums — “Thriller,” “Bad” and “Dangerous” — each produced 7 top 40 hits.
– Michael Jackson was the 7th of 9 children.
I thought that Al Sharpton repeatedly going on about how Michael changed the world (more or less) was a bit over the top. Yes, Michael contributed greatly BUT he did not single handedly change the world, bring the races together, etc. That started with MLK and his ripple effect. Michael was effective in getting more black artists played on MTV, etc. and therefore creating his own ripple effect but he didn’t do it alone, he had help, he started the movement and those that followed will keep it going (hopefully). I thought that Congresswoman Jackson-Lee was definitely over the top in some of her speech as well.
Overall, this was very well put together and planned out. I cried when Brooke spoke, laughed at Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and just sat mesmerized crying again when We Are The World played. I smiled at the young Michael, and in awe all over again seeing his talent. My heart broke for Paris and her brothers. What an amazingly brave little girl she is.
But, boy oh boy, what an artist and humanitarian Michael is/was. The world will truly be less of a place without his talent and kindness.
Paris is a brave and beautiful soul.
Just for the historical record, I wanted to point out that Elizabeth Taylor’s tweet about not attending the memorial actually called it a “whoopla,” not a “hoopla.”
http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/celebrity/news/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=148397284>1=61504
I started watching on my garbage TV … the news stuff before the actual memorial. I then switched to watching on Hulu. I saw the skywriting from my backyard … M J and then the J was turned into a heart as the family went from Forest Lawn to Staples.
I felt it was very tasteful and moving. Not the circus I had expected. Living here, major props to the LAPD and the City of LA for how smooth things were handled in regards to traffic and people control.
I was touched in many parts, but as many said, it was when Brooke Shields spoke through her tears that I teared up. Then Jermaine singing and ripping off his rose. Marlon … and then that dear child, Paris. I completely lost it.
Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, and John Mayer were musical highlights for me, but it was all good.
I think it was a beautiful memorial service – the speakers, the music, and the videos – well done. Brooke, Jennifer, Jermaine, brought me to tears – some light chuckes too from Smokey, Magic Johnson KFC story:), and Brooke:)
Mariah Carey and the other singer (I’m sorry I don’t remember his name) were lovely singing too.
I have no more tears….I’m all cried out…That was just….
Rest In Peace Michael…Love you!
Very beautiful service and brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t watch every minute, too sad.