The service began at 10:00 a.m. PST (1:00 p.m. EST). Major news networks including Fox News, CNN and MSNBC provided live coverage. ABC, NBC and CBS began their live coverage during their morning shows.

"Man in the Mirror” is playing. Not all tickets were picked up, and some people without tickets are being admitted into the Staples Center.

CBS is tracking a black limousine with a casket in the back, apparently the body of Michael Jackson being transported to the Staples Center, with services to begin at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

Audience members call out “Michael” and “We love you Michael”.

The welcome address was by Pastor Lucious Smith, who said he was “proud to call the Jackson family my friends”. He went on to say that Michael Jackson was a son, father and friend - always a part of the beloved Jackson family”.

Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz sing “Ill Be There”.

Queen Latifah said, “Michael made you believe in yourself”. She spoke of how her and her brother’s first Michael Jackson album was “Dancing Machine” and the two of them tried to do the “robot” dance to the music of that record. Queen Latifah read a poem by Maya Angelou: “Now we know that we know nothing … with the abrupt absence of our treasure, we are alone - each of us … we are missing Michael Jackson, but we had him … we are the world”.

Lionel Richie sang “Jesus is Love” from the Commodores’ 1980 album “Heroes”. Richie was a lead singer in the group “The Commodores".

Berry Gordy stated that Michael Jackson was “the consummate student - studied the greats and became greater … Motown mourns our friend and brother, Michael Jackson … who was like a son to me”.

A melancholy Stevie Wonder mused that “… we need Michael here with us, but God must have needed him more”. He sang “I Never Dreamed Youd Leave Me In The Summer” and “Michael Why Didnt You Stay?”

Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson made joint statements saying that “Michael always cared very deeply for those in need”. Magic Johnson recalled how Michael’s chef brought him grilled chicken, but brought Michael a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, which surprised Johnson very much, and brought a lot of laughter from the audience.

Jennifer Hudson, in a white maternity dress, sang “Will You Be There”: Michael Jackson’s spoken lyrics were flashed on the screen: “I’ll never let you part, for you are always in my heart”.

Al Sharpton spoke at length, advising people to “understand the journey of Michael, understand what he meant to us” and that he had a “dream that changed culture all over the world … Michael didn’t accept limitation.”

John Mayer played an instrumental-only guitar solo “Human Nature”, one of Michael Jackson’s songs.

Brooke Shields emotionally told of her early friendship with Michael Jackson, and how they were both child celebrities. She joked a little about their friendship and said that “our friendship grew. Michael always knew he could count on me for support”.

Jermaine Jackson sang a Charlie Chaplin song from his film “Modern Times”. It was one of Michael’s favorite songs. Michael recording a version of the song on his 1995 album, HIStory.

The adult children of Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Luther King III and his sister, Bernice King stood at the podium together. MLK’s son spoke of Michael Jackson‘s originality, and said “if you can’t be a highway, be a trail. If you can’t be a tree, be a bush.”

Shiela Jackson Lee, a city councilwoman from Houston, Texas, immediately started out by saying that “What the constitution stands for, people are innocent until proven otherwise“, and said that Michael Jackson was “one of the wonderful, beautiful symbols”.

Usher walked over to Michael Jackson’s casket and sang one of his songs, “Gone Too Soon”. He was afterwards comforted by the Jackson family, who gathered around him with hugs.

Smokey Robinson presented his shock to the people and said that he “couldn’t believe someone so young could sing like that … you never would think you’d live long enough to see him gone .. He is going to live forever and ever and ever and ever … he will live on forever. One of my greatest blessings was getting to know the Jackson family and Michael”. He went on to say that “the world will never forget Michael Jackson.” To Michael, he wanted to say “I’m proud that I had the chance to know you”.

Shaheen Jafargholi, a finalist on Britains Got Talent show, sang Michael Jackson’s song “Whos Lovin You”. Afterwards, he says he would like to “Thank Michael (Jackson) for blessing me and everyone on this earth with his music”.

Kenny Ortega said he was a tour organizer for Michael Jackson and thanked Shaheen for singing Michael Jackson’s song. His words were that Michael was a “living testament to being timeless and timely … Michael Jackson will live in our hearts always”.

Singers and musicians altogether sing “We Are The World” and brought a children’s choir on stage to join in the chorus.

Jermaine Jackson thanks everyone for coming out. He spoke about his younger brother Michael, saying “I was his backbone and had his back. We thank you.”

Marlon Jackson says “I hurt .. Trying to understand why the Lord has taken our brother … Michael, part of me went with you … a part of you will live on in all of us”.

Michael’s daughter Paris wanted to speak, and told the audience “I just want you to know that ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father in the whole world. I just want to say (that) I love him so much”. Paris is comforted by her Uncle Randy and her Aunt Janet.

Pastor Lucious Smith returns to the podium to deliver the closing prayer. He said “… there will never be another Michael Jackson .. Look at the man or woman in the mirror, and change the way we treat each other. The music of Michael Jackson brings us together, here and around the world.” In prayer, he says: “We thank you for the memory of Michael Jackson“.