LOS ANGELES — The BET Awards became the official Michael Jackson TV celebration on Sunday, with joyous tributes to the King of Pop from a New Edition medley of Jackson 5 songs to host Jamie Foxx’s tender monologue delivered in that classic red leather zipper jacket and white glove.
"No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man,” said Foxx, who kicked off the show with a re-enactment of the choreography from Jackson’s iconic "Beat It” video in front of the star-studded crowd, on its feet from the start of the show.
Joe Jackson, the singer’s father, was on hand to represent the grief-stricken family. "I just wish he could be here to celebrate himself,” he said. "Sadly, he’s not here, so I’m here to celebrate for him.”
Already an affair of major star wattage, the night’s show at the Shrine Auditorium was thrown under a white-hot spotlight in the wake of Michael Jackson’s death Thursday, adding attendees, doubling the number of media requests, adding an extra half-hour to the telecast and even lengthening the red carpet to accommodate all who wanted to take part.
Backstage, Ciara recounted talking on the phone with her idol and her regrets that she never got to meet him. As she talked, she started to cry. "He meant so much to me,” she said through tears.
While Jackson’s incredible influence stretched across genres, races and cultures, he had a very unique place in the world of black entertainment. His influence is arguably most visible in urban music. But that influence went beyond music: Jackson was black America’s biggest star, who broke racial barriers that allowed so many other superstars to follow.
Producers of the awards show revamped it to meet the moment. While Beyonce and T.I. were the leading award nominees, giving out trophies was an afterthought: Honoring Jackson became the show’s main focus.
by the associated press
"No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man,” said Foxx, who kicked off the show with a re-enactment of the choreography from Jackson’s iconic "Beat It” video in front of the star-studded crowd, on its feet from the start of the show.
Joe Jackson, the singer’s father, was on hand to represent the grief-stricken family. "I just wish he could be here to celebrate himself,” he said. "Sadly, he’s not here, so I’m here to celebrate for him.”
Already an affair of major star wattage, the night’s show at the Shrine Auditorium was thrown under a white-hot spotlight in the wake of Michael Jackson’s death Thursday, adding attendees, doubling the number of media requests, adding an extra half-hour to the telecast and even lengthening the red carpet to accommodate all who wanted to take part.
Backstage, Ciara recounted talking on the phone with her idol and her regrets that she never got to meet him. As she talked, she started to cry. "He meant so much to me,” she said through tears.
While Jackson’s incredible influence stretched across genres, races and cultures, he had a very unique place in the world of black entertainment. His influence is arguably most visible in urban music. But that influence went beyond music: Jackson was black America’s biggest star, who broke racial barriers that allowed so many other superstars to follow.
Producers of the awards show revamped it to meet the moment. While Beyonce and T.I. were the leading award nominees, giving out trophies was an afterthought: Honoring Jackson became the show’s main focus.
by the associated press
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