PHOTOSStars Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson
June 25 2009, Published 11:40 a.m. ET
Tributes to Michael Jackson are beginning to flood in from his many heartbroken friends.
"I can't stop crying over the sad news," Madonna was quoted as saying on CNN. "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."
Britney Spears has said this of the superstar, who died today: "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.
"He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"
“This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day," Beyoncé says of his passing. "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."
"Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about how many moments in life that take your breath away," she added. "For anyone who has ever seen, felt, or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you Michael.”
Justin Timberlake expressed his grief on TMZ. "I can't find the words right now to express how deeply sadden sic I am by Michael's passing," he wrote to the site.
"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. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."
Meanwhile, Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas had this to say about the star: "I am so grateful to have worked with the King. He was a gift to the world, he is a bright light and I wouldn't be surprised if the world stopped spinning tomorrow."
"I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible," his ex wife Lisa Marie Presley said today. "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."
CLICK HERE to see OK!'s look back at Michael's life...
Michael's close friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor is said to be so distraught that she can't put her sorrow into words yet: her rep simply said that her client "was too upset to issue a statement."
Legendary producer Quincy Jones, who collaborated with Michael on some of his most outstanding work, has already paid tribute.
"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," he told Vibe Magazine. "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."
Usher issued the following words: “This loss has deeply saddened me, with a heavy heart I composed this statement.
"May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael.
"I have great admiration and respect for him and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer In so many ways he transcended culture.
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"He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled Michael Jackson will never be forgotten.”
“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," Brooke Shields added to the outpouring of grief.
"I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”
Ne-Yo, who had been working with Michael on an upcoming music project said: "The energy of Michael Jackson will live forever thru the thing that he put all of his life energy into, his music.
"I will do my part to keep the melody alive, to keep the energy forever changing form, but never ever dying! Long live Michael Jackson."
Christian Audigier, an Ed Hardy clothing designer and close friend of Michael's, gave these comments to OK!: "I'm very upset, and I didn't want to believe it. He was my friend and we were very similar in how we felt about being creative. He's been such an inspiration and a dear friend. I'm sad, I'm shocked by the loss and I will always remember him."
Audigier told us he was preparing to meet up with Michael very shortly in London. Christian said he had spoken to Michael a couple days ago and he sounded great and excited about the tour.
He added that Michael told him he was working on a series of numbers related to the concerts he was preparing to do at London's O2 Arena, including a fashion line.
Michael's former publicist, Susan Blond, who helped guide Michael at the height of his fame, said this to OK!: "I don’t think it’s really hit me yet.
"My biggest memory of Michael is that Michael loved the fans. When I would say to him, ‘Do you really have to sign all these autographs?,’ he would say he did and I told him, ‘Andy Warhol just signs AW, can you sign MJ?’ He said ‘No, these are my fans, these are the people that made me.” That man loved his fans more than anyone I’ve ever met.
"He had a fun spirit and a sweetness that people didn’t see very much as he grew more guarded over the years.
"He wasn’t meant to grow old I guess."
