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Rediff.com  » Movies » Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson
This article was first published 15 years ago

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

June 26, 2009 14:03 IST

Image: Micheal Jackson and Britney Spears
Photographs: Reuters

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake have paid tribute to pop icon Michael Jackson, who died on Thursday after suffering a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles.

The Toxic hitmaker revealed that she was planning on catching one of his comeback concerts next month in London.

"I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him," Usmagazine.com quoted Spears as saying. "He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone."

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson
Photographs: Reuters

Timberlake also posted a tribute to Jackson on his official website.

"I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music but of all music," he wrote on his website.

"He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones," he added.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley
Photographs: Reuters

Singer Lisa Marie Presley is heartbroken after learning about ex-husband Michael Jackson's death following an apparent heart attack. The 41-year-old songtress married the king of pop in August 1994 but split 20 months later.

"I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible," Usmagazine.com quoted Presley as saying in a statement.

"I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me," she added.

Jacko, 50, reportedly suffered a massive heart attack due to drug overdose. The Thriller hitmaker collapsed and stopped breathing after he took an injection of a powerful painkiller named Demerol. An emergency call made paramedics rush to his Los Angeles home where they found he had no pulse.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor

Michael Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor is 'too devastated' to comment on his death. Her representatives have revealed that she is grieving her loss in private at this time.

"Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time. We will direct her words to you once we receive them," E!online quoted her rep as saying.

Taylor first called Jackson the 'King of Pop' when she presented him with the Artist of the Decade award in 1989. She was also one of Jackson's most ardent defenders when he was being tried on child-molestation charges in 1995. Taylor was also a guest of honour when the Thriller star gave Liza Minelli away when the Cabaret star wed David Gest.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Madonna and Michael Jackson
Photographs: Reuters

Madonna is struggling to cope with the death of Michael Jackson.

'I can't stop crying over the sad news,' People quoted Madonna, as saying. 'I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.'

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Michael Jackson and Diana Ross
Photographs: Mike Segar/Reuters

Among the other stars who paid their tribute to the pop icon was Brook Shields, who had raised eyebrows when she briefly dated Jackson. 'My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael,' she said. 'He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.'

In the picture: Jackson performs with Diana Ross at A Night At The Apollo, a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at New York City's landmark Apollo Theatre.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Michael Jackson and Luciano Pavarotti

Michael Jackson and Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti chat during the filming of a television show in Milan.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Esther Gordy Edward
Photographs: Rebecca Cook/ Reuters

Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, along with Esther Gordy Edward, sister of Berry Gordy, founder of Motown, visit the Motown museum in Detroit in this August 4, 1997 file photo.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: Oprah and Michael Jackson

Jackson shows talk show host Oprah Winfrey around the amusement park on his estate during taping of live interview in Santa Ynez in this February 10, 1993 file photo.

Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Image: South African President Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson
Photographs: Patrick De Noirmont/ Reuters

South African President Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson hug each other at the president's official home in Capetown in this July 20, 1996 file photo.