Drama & Details ::: The Michael Jackson Tribute Concert + J.Hudson Skipped the Show?

Last night the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert took place.  As Jackson’s siblings and children – LaToya, Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Paris, Prince and  Blanket Jackson arrived – there was still speculation about whether or not the concert would satisfy Jackson’s fans. Although Jamie Foxx was set to host and Christina Aguilera, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis and Cee Lo Green were all set to perform, the superstars of the group Black Eyed Peas canceled at the last minute. Also the live-streaming of the concert that was supposed to happen through FaceBook was canceled, due to copyright issues. Not to mention, by the morning of the day of the show, there were still 10,000 tickets left unsold (probably because the show was all the way in Wales, and ticket prices started at about $100).

But those few empty seats didn’t seem to stop the celebration at all. 50,000 people did show up anyway. Unfortunately his siblings Janet, Jermaine and Randy Jackson did not attend because they did not agree with having the show simultaneously with the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray. Here is an apology statement that Randy and Jermaine wrote:

Jennifer Hudson also had to pull out at the last minute due to what she called “production complications.” She tweeted:

Nonetheless, Ne-Yo still opened the 4 hour show. Jamie Foxx began the show by saying:

“Tonight is a history lesson. We’re going to cover five decades of greatness.”

And that, it did. Leona Lewis, Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams and others  performed on the big stage, which was shaped like a glove. Beyonce also sang “I Wanna Be Where You Are” via pre-recorded video. And Jackson’s kids even danced on stage as Jamie Foxx took a break from hosting, to sing. The media is currently raving about the red and black thriller-style jacket that his daughter, Paris, wore.

Overall the concert seemed like it was a success. Peep a few pics below.

Sources: E!Online, Essence & Huffington Post

-@Kami2Kute