Janet, Grim Joe Appear at BET's Jacko Tribute

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 29, 2009 6:00 AM CDT
Janet, Grim Joe Appear at BET's Jacko Tribute
Joe Jackson arrives at the 9th Annual BET Awards yesterday in Los Angeles.    (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

The BET awards last night were turned into a  star-studded tribute to Michael Jackson, with host Jamie Foxx donning a red leather "Billie Jean" jacket and Beyonce calling Jackson "my teacher and hero." Joe Jackson, wearing a hat and sunglasses, expressed anger about the singer's death. "I have a lot of concerns," he told CNN on the red carpet. "I don't like what happened." He also appeared bitter that it was too late for his son to enjoy the tribute. "I wish the world had recognized him when he was living."

At the close of last night's tribute, Michael's tearful sister Janet, speaking for the first time since his death, told the audience: "To you Michael is an icon. To us Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts." Others attempted to add comic relief to the tribute. "If it wasn't for Michael Jackson, people like Justin Timberlake would be selling curly fries in the valley," presenter Jeremy Piven quipped. "I mean that with love." (More Michael Jackson stories.)

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