Tributes to Michael Jackson flow on 10th Anniversary of his death

“Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian,” the Jackson estate said in a statement to The Associated Press. “A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever.”

 

Dominic Lendo dances in front of Michael Jackson's mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif., on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, on the 10th Anniversary of Jackson's death. Fans are gathering to pay tribute to the King of Pop, congregating at his former home, the cemetery where he is interred and his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His estate is calling on the superstar’s fans to perform acts of service in Jackson’s memory. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

 

At Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, Jackson’s music blasted as more than 200 fans and mourners from around the world gathered outside the mausoleum that is Jackson’s final resting place.

 
Michael Leon, 25, came from Beijing for the occasion and led the crowd in a rendition of “You Are Not Alone,” one of Jackson’s later hits.

“That song is my favorite one, and it suits the situation,” Leon said. “I’m not religious, but I hope Michael would be happy.”

Other fans came from as far as Tokyo and Florence, Italy.

Some were dressed as Jackson including 6-year-old Dominic Lendo, who showed off dance moves wearing the singer’s Billie Jean-era garb.

Kurt Williams, 21, who was also dressed as Jackson, flew in from South Carolina to be a part of the scene. He said on this anniversary it was especially important for Jackson fans to demonstrate solidarity in the wake of “Leaving Neverland.”

“Now more than ever, we’ve got to show that we know that Michael Jackson is innocent,” Williams said. “There is no muting going on. There is just a life of celebration. It’s cool to be around people who feel the same way.”

Early Tuesday, fans and workers began placing huge flower arrangements and poster-sized pictures of Jackson, some featuring signed messages from dozens of fans.

A heart made from flowers in the colors of the Iranian flag featured the message “Iran (hearts) MJ.” Another flowered heart read “Love from Denmark.”

Fans also plan to gather at Jackson’s last home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, where the singer received a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol from his doctor. Jackson was declared dead at a hospital at age 50.

Others planned to gather around Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One group planned a Hollywood rally Tuesday to declare his innocence of molestation allegations.

Thomas Mesereau, the attorney who successfully defended Jackson at his 2005 trial, issued a statement Tuesday saying “Jackson’s compassion, humanity, empathy and talent continues to inspire family, friends, supporters and fans across the globe. The legend of this great father, son, sibling and artist marches forward with characteristic brilliance and wonder. His legacy can be attacked by opportunists. But it will never be defeated.”

John Branca and John McClain, both major figures in Jackson’s career when he was alive, as co-executors have taken his badly debt-ridden estate and grossed over $1.3 billion through various Jackson-related projects in the past decade, including the film “This Is It,” a pair of Cirque du Soleil shows and the sale of Jackson assets that included The Beatles catalog.

Jackson left everything to his mother, his children and charity in his will.

The singer’s father, Joe, died last year and is buried in the same cemetery as his son, but Michael’s 89-year-old mother, five brothers, three sisters and three kids remain alive and well 10 years later .