Famecrawler
The Day Michael Jackson Became a Father
Anyone who watched Michael Jackson’s moving, celebrity-packed memorial yesterday will agree on one thing: the one thing everyone will remember were the 20 emotion-packed seconds when Jackson’s daughter Paris took center stage and referred to the late singer as ‘Daddy.’
For me, it was the first time in years that I saw Jackson as human, as a father, and not as a mere tragic caricature of his former self. For many of us it was a shock just to see Jackson’s kids in public, let alone speaking.
Yet there they were, unveiled for a viewing audience that numbered in the millions. And how normal they looked – 12-year-old Prince Michael, chewing gum and holding tight to his memorial service program; 7-year-old Blanket, clutching his program in one hand and holding a Michael Jackson doll in the other.
And then there was 11-year-old Paris, looking far more composed than most children her age, turning a small patent-leather purse over in her hands as other family members spoke.
And when she stepped tentatively up to the microphone, little did she know how great an impact she would have on the world.
“I just wanted to say,” she began meekly.
“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, her voice cracking with tears.
“And I just wanted to say I love him — so much.”
With that she collapsed sobbing into her aunt Janet Jackson’s arms.
In my eyes, it was the moment Michael Jackson became a father.
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6 Comments
Ali commented on Jul 08 09 at 5:57 pmPoor kids. So isolated and brainwashed. They dont know any different. Kids who are abused claim to love their parents. It is all they know.
C.G commented on Jul 08 09 at 6:06 pmWow Ali, how sensitive. Of course we the public know everything that went on in that family. Surely that’s why we know all of the nuances of each celebrities life.
For all we know M.J was a wonderful father, he is dead. Give his family the benefit of the doubt.
maylis rodriguez commented on Jul 13 09 at 3:47 pmi think michael jackson was a great father to his kids. all i have to say is i miss you michael and u changed everything in music. you are the true king of pop!!!!!
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL U WILL ALWAYS B IN MY HEART!!!
leilani diaz commented on Sep 10 09 at 4:48 amhey im just a kid like them well exactly how old paris is which is 11 i know how she felt, cuz my mom went to michael’s concert in 1997 just a year before i was born, my mom loved michael as everyone loved him, but just so you know i only knew michael when i was just 8 yrs. old i noticed his passion for music when i watched the video “thriller” i watched it in youtube with my uncle. And that is when i started searching for songs that he sung i found lots, and that is the time when i became a music LOVER, i think even though michael is far from where we are i think a part of us went with him. Michael people say your gone but your love of music will live with us forever we promise you Michael we will never forget you ill pass on your music to my children and the chrildren of my children your music will live on forever! we love the “KING OF POP”! u changed HISTORY!
PLM commented on Sep 10 09 at 6:12 amMan I feel so sorry for those kids I as old as prince I know how it feels my mom died whenn I was just 7 years old
PLM commented on Sep 10 09 at 6:13 am*I am as old as Prince*
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