Michael Jackson’s 11-Year-Old Daughter’s Heartfelt Tribute To Her Father
Jul 7th, 2009 | 5 responses
Strip away all of the controversy over his life, all of the overblown language and controversy raging about whether he was or wasn’t the “greatest entertainer in all of history,” or bigger and better than Elvis Presley, and there is one fact about Michael Jackson’s death: He’s leaving his children behind — and like most young kids who lose a parent, they are in a world of hurt. And it was perhaps symbolic, and an important reminder, when his tear-stricken 11-year-old Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson stepped out of the Jackson-imposed privacy to deliver this heartfelt message:
Reuters also notes that it was a special — and unexpected — moment:
In a memorial to Michael Jackson on Tuesday that featured superstars Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder, the moment that may be best remembered came when his 11-year-old daughter Paris spoke a few heart-wrenching words.
Paris was quietly ushered onstage with her brothers as the nearly two-hour event wound down to the strains of Jackson’s charity single “We Are the World,” then appeared to catch even members of her family off guard by addressing the hushed crowd at Staples Center.
Embraced by her aunt, Janet Jackson, who held back her long brown hair and urged her to “speak up,” Paris stepped to the microphone, tears streaming down her face, as some in the audience were already filtering out of the sports arena.
“I just want to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just wanted to say I love him so much,” Paris said, sobbing as she stood near his gold coffin.
To gasps from the throng of about 18,000 people, she then turned and buried her face in Janet Jackson’s arms and was hugged by other family members.
Coming at the end of a largely scripted tribute to Jackson that included such fiery orators as civil rights activist Al Sharpton, observers quickly predicted that Paris’ simple, impromptu eulogy to her father would be long remembered.
“Nobody was prepared for that. That will be one of the iconic moments from today’s service,” said media historian Ron Simon, who compared it to the salute to slain President John F. Kennedy by his son John during his 1963 funeral.
Put aside the controversies, the legal stories, Jackson’s wives, how his children were conceived, his plastic surgery, and what is emerging as drug use as the probable cause of death. And also put aside what most assuredly is about to come: the inevitable newspaper, magazine and book-deal accounts that will shed light on the up-until-now hidden and less flattering aspects of Jackson’s life (it happens with all celebrities and major politicians) and further shape his image for posterity and what did you have?
A child’s heartfelt expression of love and grief for her recently deceased father.
Her heart hurt and so did the hearts of many who watched how her heart hurt. Many Americans have already been there, will be there, or don’t want their kids to be there.
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Michael Jackson’s children come out of the shadows
Jackson memorial: both affirmation and denial
Memorial not fit for a King of Pop: Michael Jackson’s sendoff a little low on high notes
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EXCLUSIVE: Family Fights Over Michael Jackson’s BurialEXCLUSIVE: Family Fights Over Michael Jackson’s Burial
Michael Jackson’s Death Certificate (under cause of death it says “deferred.)
5 Responses to “Michael Jackson’s 11-Year-Old Daughter’s Heartfelt Tribute To Her Father”
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Joe,
I saw the written story about that earlier but could not find the video. Thank you for posting it. It really is heart-breaking.
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Although I feel for the young lady, every child that loses a parent goes through this. I respond to this video of a child losing a father, not to the Child of Michael jackson losing hers. I don't find much special about Michael Jackson, but I find something special about any child's love for a parent.
I actually saw this memorial service, as the only constant “news” (lib info-tainment when not progaganda) network available to me was CNN, which has been 100% infatuated with celeb Michael Jackson.
While the media's behavior about Jackson, including his memorial, was contemptible, the memorial, which presented the risk of being a circus or lurid, or bizarre, spectacle, actually was very well done (and put together in mere days!). Not only did the guy directing this just put himself in much greater future demand, but this may (for better or worse) have created expectations of future memorials of this nature.
Yes, the pinnacle of the memorial to me was Paris's appearance. Noting about it, itself, needs to be said.
Of course, my experience with my goddaughter and her childhood-onward best friend, as well as the two girls of my friend in the next place I lived, probably biases my views. [smile]
No need to worry, really, if Rowe wants future custody of her. She probably won't get it, and she shouldn't. Obviously, as all could see, she's a Jackson. Her family was there, and it's obvious.