On July 7, 2009, the world came together to mourn the loss of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, at a public funeral held in Los Angeles.

Following a private family ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills, the star-studded public memorial took place at the Staples Center—a venue more commonly associated with electrifying concerts than solemn farewells.

Over a decade later, Jackson’s public funeral remains a subject of reflection and debate. Some viewed the event’s grand scale and live television coverage as excessive, perhaps even in poor taste. Yet, given Michael Jackson’s monumental impact on music and pop culture, the spectacle felt strangely fitting.

Jackson was, after all, one of the greatest showmen in history—a performer whose life and legacy were inseparable from his public persona.

The Staples Center ceremony drew an array of iconic figures, underscoring the profound influence Jackson had across the music industry and beyond. Mariah Carey, Berry Gordy—the Motown Records founder—Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and many others paid tribute.

Jackson’s family occupied the front row, dressed in black, with his brothers wearing a single white sequined glove each, honoring one of Michael’s most iconic trademarks.

The service began with Smokey Robinson reading heartfelt letters from notable friends unable to attend, including Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela.

Elizabeth Taylor, a close confidante of Jackson’s, chose not to attend, calling the event “public hoopla.”

Mariah Carey delivered a poignant performance of the Jackson 5 classic “I’ll Be There” alongside Trey Lorenz. Legendary poet Maya Angelou’s specially penned poem was read aloud, and Queen Latifah offered a moving elegy:

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

The ceremony featured memories and tributes from those who knew Jackson personally, including Berry Gordy and actress Brooke Shields. Stevie Wonder performed the soulful “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer,” while Jennifer Hudson sang a powerful gospel rendition of “Will You Be There.”

Additional performances came from Usher and Lionel Richie, further elevating the event.

As the service drew to a close, an instrumental version of “Man In The Mirror” played while a single spotlight illuminated the empty stage—a poignant symbol of the man who had once captivated millions from that very platform.

While some criticized the spectacle surrounding Michael Jackson’s funeral, for many fans, friends, and family, the event provided a form of closure—a final tribute befitting an artist who redefined entertainment and whose legacy continues to resonate around the world.