On July 7, 2009, a public funeral was held for the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. A private ceremony was held beforehand for Jackson’s family in Hollywood Hills at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Afterward, Jackson’s public funeral took place at the Staples Center.

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In the years that have passed, many have looked back at this public display with varying levels of reverence and criticism. A funeral being held at the Staples Center, with television networks covering the event like it’s a concert? I can certainly get why some people thought it was in poor taste. However, I also understand why it was necessary. Michael Jackson’s persona was one of the most important parts of music history in the 20th century. He was, and always will be considered, a showman. In a way, it’s apt that his funeral was such a public spectacle.

At the funeral, plenty of famous celebrities were in attendance. Jackson’s contemporaries like Mariah Carey, Berry Gordy (of Motown Records), Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and others participated in the funeral.

Michael Jackson’s Funeral Was a Spectacle, Without a Doubt

Of course, Michael Jackson’s family sat in the front row of the ceremony. Each of Jackson’s bereaved wore black, with each of his brothers wearing a single, white, sequined glove to honor Jackson’s legacy.

Smokey Robinson opened the service by reading a number of letters from those who were close to Michael Jackson but could not attend the funeral, including Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela. Elizabeth Taylor, who was a longtime friend of Jackson’s, opted not to attend the “public hoopla.”

Mariah Carey performed the Jackson 5 hit “I’ll Be There” with Trey Lorenz, and a poem written specifically for the funeral by Maya Angelou was read aloud. Queen Latifah’s elegy was particularly heartwarming.

“He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance,” said Latifah. “Somehow, when Michael Jackson sang, when he danced, he never felt distance. He felt like he was right there.”

Those who knew Jackson personally shared memories with the singer, including Berry Gordy, Brooke Shields, and others. Stevie Wonder performed “Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer” and Jennifer Hudson sang a touching gospel version of “Will You Be There”. More musical performances from Usher, Lionel Richie, and others.

The service came to a close with a touching instrumental version of the song “Man In The Mirror”, where a single spotlight shined on the empty stage. It was quite a production effort for Michael Jackson’s funeral, but who knows? Maybe the “hoopla” of it all, as Elizabeth Taylor noted, gave some closure to friends, family, and fans of Michael Jackson.