MJ's Star Studded Memorial

Michael Jackson’s gold casket was covered with red flowers and was wheeled out through the 20,000-strong audience and positioned in front of the stage, as a choir sang Soon And Very Soon in an emotional scene at the Staples Center.

The ceremony got under way about 10 minutes after the scheduled 10am start time as mourners waited for the hearse carrying Jackson’s coffin to arrive from the nearby Forest Lawn Cemetery where there was a private ceremony for family.

The memorial began with Motown legend Smokey Robinson reading touching tributes from Jackson’s friends Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela.

Ross, who Jackson named as guardian of his three children in his will, told of her grief in her message: “I want you to know that even though I’m not there at the Staples Center. I’m there in my heart… Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express. Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they need me.”

Michael Jackson’s 11-year-old daughter Paris broke down in tears on stage at the memorial, as she paid tribute to “the best father you could ever imagine."

Michael Jackson’s brother Marlon fired back at the pop legend’s critics in an emotional speech saying, “Maybe now Michael they will leave you alone.”

Brooke Shields, Mike Tyson, Motown legend Berry Gordy, basketball stars Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson were all in attendance, while Jennifer Hudson and John Mayer gave musical performances.

—Iain Burchell, Splash News