Video: Queen Latifah on Michael Jackson Memorial

"The Insider" caught up with Queen Latifah Wednesday night in New York where she was a guest on "Late Night With David Letterman" and the star opened up about being a part of Michael Jackson's emotional public memorial.

 

"It was an honor and a privilege," Latifah tells "The Insider" about being a part of the ceremony, and admits she was impressed but not surprised by Michael's kids. "It's a strong family so I'm not surprised that the kids are as strong and as beautiful as they are."

During the show, Latifah went on to tell the talk show host about the memorial and how it was touching to see so many people who knew and loved Michael come together to celebrate and honor the King of Pop.

"It was beautiful, it was poignant, sad, funny, it just had so many moments," she says. "It was just wonderful to see all the people who really knew him, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, his brothers, daughter, just celebrating the great entertainer that he was, the great human being."

The 39-year-old star also talked about the influence Michael had on her own career as an entertainer as well as his effect on the world, and the way he broke down cultural barriers.

"He was a huge influence especially being a black kid," she says. "It was fantastic, it was inspiration that let you know that you could make it. To see him go around the world and see him touch so many different people. People who couldn't speak English were so touched by his music. He really broke down a lot of barriers."

Click here to read more star reactions to Tuesday's public memorial.

Published 7/9/09 by the Insider

Comments (4)

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  • I wish MJ could have been there to see how many people he inspired. Right now it's all about the tragedy and of course 15 minutes BACK in the spotlight for some..but once the dust settles it's going to be about his visionary approach to an industry that will never be the same because of him. Everyone has a story to tell and not all of the story will be sweet and flowery...but what you leave the world when your story ends is what the whole story was really about. MJ's story leaves us with more joy than sorrow when all is said and done. I miss him.
    simpleeput 7/10/09 Reply
  • I have www.michaeljacksonmemorialfoundation.com andwww.michaeljacksonmemorialfund.com I would be willing to take a pay per click or sell it outright call 7275479649
    Anonymous 7/9/09 Reply
  • I miss you Michael:'(
    NeverLetGo 7/9/09 Reply
  • that was so nice to know that other people still take him as a king of pop. I can tell you that his daughter loved him very much.And in other thought that Debbie woman should not take the kids away.you see now she want the kids. I remember when she said" that they are his kids and I don t have nothing to do with it and that she doesn't wants them back.So i think that they should stay with whoever they are staying with.
    Anonymous 7/9/09 Reply