Prince and Paris Talked on Stage
All of this year’s music awards ceremonies honored Michael’s memory, but the Grammys were the one that stood out above all the rest. Because it wasn’t just a tribute to him—it also focused on something that was extremely dear and important to Michael: saving the Earth.
On Sunday’s ceremony, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Usher, and Carrie Underwood sang on stage along with the broadcast of a 3D video of Earth Song. When Lionel Richie introduced the tribute performance of Earth Song, he said that performing this song for Michael was like a call to stop the destruction of the environment and the killing of animals by human beings. In the introduction to the performance, scenes of waterfalls and forests were shown, and Michael’s voice could be heard: “I respect the secrets and magic of nature.”
The lyrics of the song are powerful enough on their own: “Have you ever paid attention to the blood we’ve spilled on the Earth? Have you ever heard the crying voice of the Earth?”
During this impressive performance, the audience wore special glasses. The scenes in the video look captivating with 3D glasses, but the image quality is reduced somewhat without them.
Although this video and the simultaneous performance were a major success for the Grammys, the most memorable moment of last night’s ceremony may have been the presence of Michael Jackson’s children on stage.
Then Prince and Paris, Michael’s children, came on stage to receive their father’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Lionel Richie—on a stage that had witnessed their father’s memorial ceremony seven months earlier, just 12 days after his death. Their entrance was met with standing ovations from the audience. Dressed like their father and wearing his signature armbands, the two delivered an emotional and impactful tribute to him. Members of the 3T group, Tito Jackson’s children—Michael’s nephews—were also on stage. Although 7-year-old Blanket was present at the ceremony, he did not step onto the stage. Michael’s children were very calm and dignified, and their courageous, impressive presence earned admiration from everyone.
Prince, with a voice that sounded far more mature than his age, said:
“Being here is an honor for us, and we’re receiving this award for our father, Michael Jackson. First, we want to thank God for taking care of us during these past seven months. And we also want to thank our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We also want to thank the fans. Our father loved you so much because you were always there for him. Our father always cared about the Earth and humanity. Through all his hard work and sacrifices, he helped many charities and donated money to all of them. In all of his songs, his simple message is ‘love.’ We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. Dad, we love you.”
Then Paris said:
“Dad was supposed to be here. Dad was supposed to perform this year. But last year he couldn’t perform. Thank you. We love you, Dad.”
This was Paris’s second speech. About eight months earlier, at her father’s memorial ceremony in the same place, she had called him the best dad in the world.
Videos from last night are available on YouTube:
Michael Tribute Special Program
The Kids’ Speech
Source: eMJey / USA Today / CNN / YouTube
Although this video and the simultaneous performance were a major success for the Grammys, the most memorable moment of last night’s ceremony may have been the presence of Michael Jackson’s children on stage.
Then Prince and Paris, Michael’s children, came on stage to receive their father’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Lionel Richie—on a stage that had witnessed their father’s memorial ceremony seven months earlier, just 12 days after his death. Their entrance was met with standing ovations from the audience. Dressed like their father and wearing his signature armbands, the two delivered an emotional and impactful tribute to him. Members of the 3T group, Tito Jackson’s children—Michael’s nephews—were also on stage. Although 7-year-old Blanket was present at the ceremony, he did not step onto the stage. Michael’s children were very calm and dignified, and their courageous, impressive presence earned admiration from everyone.
Prince, with a voice that sounded far more mature than his age, said:
“Being here is an honor for us, and we’re receiving this award for our father, Michael Jackson. First, we want to thank God for taking care of us during these past seven months. And we also want to thank our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We also want to thank the fans. Our father loved you so much because you were always there for him. Our father always cared about the Earth and humanity. Through all his hard work and sacrifices, he helped many charities and donated money to all of them. In all of his songs, his simple message is ‘love.’ We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. Dad, we love you.”
Then Paris said:
“Dad was supposed to be here. Dad was supposed to perform this year. But last year he couldn’t perform. Thank you. We love you, Dad.”
This was Paris’s second speech. About eight months earlier, at her father’s memorial ceremony in the same place, she had called him the best dad in the world.
Videos from last night are available on YouTube:
Michael Tribute Special Program
The Kids’ Speech
Receiving the award from Lionel
Source: eMJey / USA Today / CNN / YouTube