Janet Jackson, Jamie Foxx and Others Pay Tribute to Michael at BET Awards
PopEater
After his sudden death, Michael Jackson was honored at the BET Awards over the weekend.
Jackson's sister and father, Janet and Joe, were at the ceremony to pay tribute to the late King of Pop, PEOPLE reports.
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"I wish the world had recognized him when he was living. Right now, he's bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this," Joe Jackson said on the red carpet for the event.
At the end of the show, Janet stepped out on the stage to honor her brother.
"My entire family wanted to be here tonight but it was too painful. To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. He will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much. Thank you so much," Janet said tearfully.
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Jamie Foxx, who hosted the event, came out wearing a Michael-inspired red leather jacket, and even try to dance like Jackson.
"No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man. We gonna go through all of Michael Jackson," Foxx said.
Others also spoke of Jackson in their speeches at the podium. Beyonce dedicated her award to the 'Billie Jean' singer, calling him her "teacher and hero."
"The Jacksons had a profound effect on my family. If it wasn't for the Jacksons there would be no Wayans. Thank you," Marlon Wayans said while he was presenting an award with Jeremy Piven.
Piven joked, "If it wasn't for Michael Jackson, people like Justin Timberlake would probably be selling curly fries in the [San Fernando] Valley."
Best athlete winner LeBron James added his condolences. "My heart and prayers go out to the whole Jackson family. What they did for us ... was amazing."
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2009-06-29 07:08:45
