Celebrity Tributes

Here are messages of shock, tributes and condolences that celebrities released on hearing about Michael’s passing in June 2009:

Dame Elizabeth Taylor

“My heart…my mind…are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can’t imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together. I was packing up my clothes to go to London for his opening when I heard the news. I still can’t believe it. I don’t want to believe it. It can’t be so. He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty. I don’t think anyone knew how much we loved each other. The purest most giving love I’ve ever known. Oh God! I’m going to miss him. I can’t yet imagine life with out him. But I guess with God’s help… I’ll learn. I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself, which says, ‘To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever.’ And, I will love HIM forever.”

Nelson Mandela

“Michael became close to us after he started visiting and performing in South Africa regularly…We became fond of him and he became a close member of our family. We had great admiration for his talent and that he was able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in his life. Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide.”

Diana Ross

“I’m glad that I lived in an era when I got a chance to see what everybody’s been coming up here saying, the greatest entertainer of all times. I believe so much that this is not it. We have life after this is done. So my brother’s in a place now where he is most certainly going to live forever in the hereafter. So he’s going to live forever twice, because he’s going to live forever right here because the world will never ever forget Michael Jackson. 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 ever need me.”

Lisa Marie Presley

“I am so very sad confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”

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.”

Madonna

“I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I’ve always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of its greats but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

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.”

Sir Paul McCartney

“It’s so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael.”

Bill Clinton

“He basically helped save my party from terrible financial distress, so he was very kind to me personally. He was an immensely gifted man and I think he basically meant well. I know about all the trouble he had in his life and I hope he will be remembered for his contribution as an artist. I hope his children turn out well. That would be the greatest tribute you could have.”

Barack Obama

“I grew up on his music…still have all his stuff on my iPod. I think that his brilliance as a performer also was paired with a tragic and, in many ways, sad personal life. I’m glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer.”

Liza Minnelli

“I’m devastated. He was a dear, dear friend. All I can tell you, and I’m so upset, is that he was a wonderful man, a really nice, wonderful man. He was a genius talent and I will miss him until the day I go.”

Whitney Houston

“He was my friend. He was one of the reasons I got into the music business. He inspired me. He taught me. He laughed with me. He paved the way for African American artists to be played on MTV which was huge. My heart is full of grief for his family and his children and I pray that they take solace in the incredible legacy of his music and art.”

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 his family.”

Mariah Carey

“I am heart broken. 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 is 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.”

Mark Lester

“He was in such good form, such good spirits, so positive… He was looking forward to his concerts here in London… I’m just absolutely devastated. They’re (Michael’s children) the most fabulous kids and I will do anything… I’m here for them 24/7, so whatever they need, they’ve got from me. Michael was one of the best… He made me ashamed, he was such a good father. We were just hoping and praying that these reports were unfounded.”

Jane Fonda

“I am stunned. My friend, Michael Jackson, is dead. He lived with me for a week on the ‘Golden Pond’ set after ‘Thriller’.”

Berry Gordy

“I am shocked beyond words. It’s like a dream, a bad dream. This cannot be. How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible. Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music.”

Quincy Jones

“I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on ‘The Wiz’ and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the ’80s. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all…talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Barry Manilow

“It doesn’t seem possible. How could Michael Jackson not be with us? This experience is surreal. He was one of the most gifted and original talents the world has ever known. He inspired a generation of young people and amazed the rest of the world. There has never been anyone like him. There will never be another Michael Jackson. I can’t wrap my mind around this terrible news.”

Barry Gibb

“Michael was my friend, the only recording artist I truly knew and who truly knew me. He was the Godfather to my son Michael. We have lost a dear member of our family, we are devastated. Michael you will live forever in our hearts. Fly away butterfly take it to your journeys end. We will always love you.”

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.”

David Cameron

“I know Michael Jackson’s fans in Britain and around the world will be sad today. Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer with an extraordinary talent. Everybody will be thinking of his family, especially his children, at this time.”

Britney Spears

“I was so excited to see his tour in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly into see him. He’s been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated that he’s gone.”

Cher

“I’m having a million different reactions I didn’t expect I would feel. He was a great singer – God gives you certain gifts and this child was just an extraordinary child touched by this ability. He could sing like nobody else and he was able to connect with people.”

Paula Abdul

“Words cannot begin to express my heartfelt sorrow upon hearing the news of Michael Jackson’s passing. I was blessed to be able to work with, and witness firsthand, his tremendous talent and growth through the years as he truly became an icon. Today we have all lost a legend who has touched each of our lives through his music and showmanship over the past five decades. To his family, the entire Jackson clan, and to all his adoring legions of fans throughout the world, my prayers and deepest condolences to all.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger

“He was one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry. Our hearts go out to the Jackson family, Michael’s children and to his fans worldwide.”

Beyonce Knowles

“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. I love you Michael.”

Rev Al Sharpton

“As a friend of Michael’s for the past 35 years, I call on people from around the world to pray for him and his family.”

Usher

“My heart goes out to the King of Pop and his family.”

Justin Timberlake

“We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of, not only pop music, but of all music. I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him, and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Dionne Warwick

“We have lost an icon in our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow. He will live on in my memory, and most definitely through the music he shared with so many.”

Donna Summer

“I’ve known Michael for many years and we’ve done many different things together over the years. I know his family and it’s just a total shock. I don’t even have words to say. I mean I’ll miss Michael, the world will miss Michael and I’m sure the world is in a state of grief right now. I will personally miss him, I will miss his light, I will miss his star, I will miss who he has caused other people to become because of his greatness. He upped the standard.”

Dick Clark

“I knew Michael as a child and watched him grow over the years. Of all the thousands of entertainers I have worked with, Michael was THE most outstanding. Many have tried and will try to copy him, but his talent will never be matched.”

Rev Jesse Jackson

“We are out of our joy. He is out of his pain. He was constantly challenged in the press and all he really wanted to be was the greatest entertainer and he was that.”

Ne-Yo

“Michael Jackson will live forever through the thing that he put all of his life energy into: his music. Long live Michael Jackson.”

Lenny Kravitz

“There will never be another talent like Michael Jackson. He was the first live performer I ever saw. I got to see him at Madison Square Garden when I was eight. If not for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. He gave me joy as a child and showed me the way to go. He was music. Period May you rest in peace sweet Michael. You gave us all you had to give.”

Wyclef Jean

“Michael Jackson was my musical God. He made me believe that all things are possible, through real and positive music. He can live forever. I love Michael Jackson. God bless him.”

Johnny Depp

“I was inspired by him because he was a great artist”

Lindsey Lohan

“NO OMG … sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family … I feel sick.”

Jamie Foxx

“What a great time. What a great entertainer. There will never be anybody [like him] … So our condolences go out to his family and let’s take time … to do the right thing and honor the beauty of what Michael Jackson was and not the craziness and all of the circus things that the media can grab a hold to sometimes and just go nuts. Let’s just honor that guy for all he’s done and that’s all you can say.”

P Diddy

“Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic. I will miss him.”

Robbie Williams

“Michael Jackson died then….It’s all so very sad. Couldn’t get a lyric to fit on one of the new songs…When he passed away I rewrote it with him in mind….I went on iTunes the other day to listen to snippets of his Michael’s songs…MY god…(understatement of the decade) he was good…They sound different somehow now that he’s gone.”

MC Hammer

“I will be mourning my friend, brother, mentor and inspiration. He gave me and my family hope. I would never have been me without him.”

LL Cool J

“He was one of my childhood idols. I salute you King of Pop. You made the whole world moonwalk together.”

Alice Cooper

“Michael Jackson was easily as influential as James Brown, and that’s saying a lot. He was the Fred Astaire of his time. Nobody moved like Michael, he was truly the King of Pop.”

Miley Cyrus

“Michael Jackson was my inspiration. Love and blessings.”

John Mayer

“Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we’ll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.”

JC Chasez

“Words can’t begin to describe my sadness for the loss of Michael Jackson. I was honored and humbled to have the opportunity to perform with him several times and he had a profound influence on my career. Michael forever changed the world of music and entertainment and I will always remember him for his kind and sweet spirit.”

Russell Simmons (Founder of Def Jam Records)

“Michael Jackson was my generation’s most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He’ll be missed greatly.”

Serena Williams

“Words can’t express my shock and horror. I was honoured to meet him. I think any celebrity who met Michael Jackson was completely awed. I know I was. I kept thinking, ‘Oh, my God, oh my God. It’s him, it’s him.’ So for me he was the celebrity of all celebrities.”

Roger Federer

“Obviously I love his music. … A very sad moment, I think, in the music world. He touched many people. Same for me. But I’ll obviously still listen to his music for many more years to come.”