Among star performers paying homage to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson's children took the stage at the Michael Forever tribute concert in Wales Saturday night.
We're very happy to be here on this special night to honor our father, 13-year-old Paris said, donning a red jacket similar to the one her father wore in the 1983 Thriller music video.
Along with Paris, 14-year-old Prince and 9-year-old Blanket appeared on the stage, shaped like a giant glove, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales to introduce a special video performance by Beyonce, singing I Wanna Be Where You Are.
She carries the torch lit by our father and it gives me great pleasure to introduce this woman, Prince said of the pregnant Beyonce.
The four-hour show to celebrate the King of Pop's music included performances by Alexandra Burke, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Cee Lo Green, Jamie Foxx, Leona Lewis and Ne-Yo.
Motown legend Smokey Robinson performed a soulful version of Jackson's She's Out of My Life.
In addition, Jackson's brothers and original Jackson 5 members, Marlon, Tito and Jackie, performed Blame it On the Boogie with British band JLS.
Can you feel his spirit in the room tonight? asked Marlon, to a crowd of 50,000 fans.
La Toya Jackson performed for the first time in nearly 20 years with vocal group 3T as mother Katherine watched in the crowd.
I had absolutely no intention of performing, La Toya told Reuters. I was hesitant about this and at the last minute I said you have to do it for him ... and I did, so I'm happy that I did. It's worth honouring him this way.
Jackson's other brothers, Jermaine and Randy, boycotted the event due to the timing, as it was amidst legal proceedings surrounding Jackson's death. Janet also chose not to perform because it was too painful, according to Reuters.
Gladys Knight ended the show with a performance of Gone Too Soon before the list of performers, along with Jackson's children, joined the stage for Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough.
While the death of Michael Jackson has been dominating the news lately, with the manslaughter trial of his doctor, Conrad Murray, goes on in Los Angeles, the tribute concert urged fans to focus in the late star's music rather than his death, according to The Associated Press.
It's not about the controversy, said Ne-Yo, who commenced the show with moonwalking and a performance of Billie Jean. It's not about the trial. It's not about his death. It's about celebrating his life. It's about celebrating his music.
Christina Aguilera performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSJamie Foxx performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSCraig David performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSNe-Yo dressed as Michael Jackson performs at the the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSThe Jackson Brothers perform during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011. REUTERSNe-Yo dressed as Michael Jackson performs at the the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSLeona Lewis performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSFormer X-Factor star Leona Lewis is not doing too bad with her £12m fortune.REUTERSGladys Knight performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSSmokey Robinson (L) and Gladys Knight perform during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSLaToya Jackson, sister of the late pop star Michael Jackson, performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours her brother, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSThe children of late singer Michael Jackson, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (L) and Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson react on stage during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours their father, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSTito Jackson (C), brother of the late pop star Michael Jackson, performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours his brother, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSCee Lo Green performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSPixie Lott performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSYolanda Adams performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSChristina Aguilera performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSAlexandra Burke performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSAlexandra Burke performs during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERSPrince Michael Jackson II (Blanket) reacts on stage at the end of the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours his father, the late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011REUTERSLaToya Jackson (2nd L), sister of the late pop star Michael Jackson, his children Prince Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (3rd L), Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket) and Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (3rd R) perform on stage during the "Michael Forever" tribute concert, which honours late pop icon Michael Jackson, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales October 8, 2011.REUTERS
