Feline fantastic
The biggest names in showbiz are coming forward with their tributes to the late Michael Jackson, who died yesterday at the age of 50.
Steven Spielberg: “Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend.”
Dionne Warwick: “Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with. We have lost an icon in our industry.”
Mariah Carey: “I am heartbroken. My prayers go out to the Jackson family and my heart goes out to his children. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever.”
Madonna: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”
- Madonna’s manager Guy Oseary also revealed that Madonna had been planning a surprise appearance with Jackson at his planned o2 concerts.
Beyonce: “This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day. The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the king of pop! Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about how many moments in life that take your breath away. For anyone who has ever seen, felt, or heard his art, we are all honoured to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you, Michael.”
Liza Minelli: “[He was a] kind, genuine and wonderful man [and] was one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life.”
Justin Timberlake: “I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together.”
Brooke Shields: “My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”
‘Thriller‘ director John Landis: “I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him.”
Celine Dion: “I am shocked. I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. Michael Jackson has been an idol for me all my life. He was not only a talented person but he was unique – a genius. It’s such a loss. It feels like when Kennedy died, when Elvis died. My sympathy goes to the family. It’s a big loss and it’s not even sinking in right now.”
Cher: “I am having a million reactions. When I think of him, I think of this young boy, this teenager I first met. He was a great teenager, optimistic and adorable. [He was] a great singer…a genius like Ray Charles. He had a gift… He was able to connect with people.”
Britney Spears: “He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone! I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him.”
John Mayer: “A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I truly hope he is memorialized as the ’83 moonwalking, MTV owning, mesmerizing, unstoppable, invincible Michael Jackson.”
