Michael Jackson’s grave is covered in flowers
Yesterday, as it has been every four years, Michael Jackson’s grave at Forest Lawn was filled with the presence of fans and many rose flower pots that decorated the entire place.
CBS News in Los Angeles wrote:
“Fans from Southern California and other parts of the world have come to Forest Lawn Park to pay their respects to the late pop icon Michael Jackson on the fifth anniversary of his death.”
Thousands of red rose branches—purchased across the world by Jackson fans through the online campaign “A Rose for Michael”—along with other memorial tributes, covered his entire grave at Forest Lawn.
And, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, letters from fans sent from far away—such as from Japan and Germany—could be seen all over the memorial site.
Die-hard fans gathered from all corners of the world to honor the pop icon at Forest Lawn.
One of them, who came from Sweden, says: “It’s very painful and emotional, but we want to celebrate the good things and also remember his great music and amazing performances.”
Jackson fans and lookalikes stood outside the grave taking photos together, some holding flowers and other items.
Darline, who came with two of her friends from Australia, says Jackson is more than just a musician and a brilliant dancer.
“So what about all those famine-stricken countries he sent food to by plane?”
They wear black Michael Jackson hats and carry bunches of red roses and a Michael Jackson doll.
Another person says: “I feel like I owe him something.”
A woman from Indiana—Michael’s birthplace—came with her daughters. She says:
“It makes me very, very sad. I grew up with him. I’m a woman in my eighties. Even my daughters were very sad about his death.”
Jackson died in June 2009 after an overdose of the drug propofol, administered by his doctor.
A fan who came from Mississippi says: “I remember that I was at home and I saw on the news that he had passed away. It was unreal. We kept telling ourselves, no, it’s a lie—it can’t be true.”
Five years have passed, and this year the fan was able to visit Jackson’s star in Hollywood, where it welcomes fans’ flowers. She says:
“My mom and I are his biggest fans, and meeting him was our biggest dream. We were the first people to buy tickets for his This Is It tour. And now I took a photo with his star. Being here and seeing his star was a wish come true for me.”
A 56-year-old woman from New York, who has been a Michael fan since childhood, says:
“His goal wasn’t only music. Through his songs, he created awareness.”
At 10 p.m., the crowd heads from Forest Lawn to Hollywood to light candles next to Jackson’s star and stay up late.
Similar ceremonies are also taking place in other parts of the world, including Spain and the Netherlands—his birthplace—as well as in front of the Neverland Ranch, which was once his home.
Fans also, as they do every year, published a memorial advertisement in the Los Angeles Times. The cost of this ad, like the rose flowers, was covered through a global collective effort.
