King Of Pop & Controversy Gone Too Soon

The shock of Michael Jackson's death is being felt from living rooms in Middle America to the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

Tributes to the pioneering pop star who died suddenly at the age of 50 started pouring in from the Hollywood community immediately following the tragic news.

Fellow pop icon Madonna, who with Jackson ruled radio (you know, that old fashioned thing-y with a dial and an antenna that plays music) and MTV for much of the 80s, "can't stop crying over the sad news."

She adds: "I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless." Eerily, Madonna is the same age as Jackson and their birthdays are just days apart.

Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson's closest and longstanding friends, was "too devastated" to issue a statement, according to her rep.

Taylor first called Jackson the "King of Pop" when she presented him with the Artist of the Decade award in 1989, and she remained one of his most ardent defenders throughout his trial on child-molestation charges in 1995.

Lisa Marie Presley, who was married to Jackson in the mid-1990s for a short time, says, "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."

Presley famously lost her iconic father Elvis Presley in similarly tragic circumstances. In the end, the King of Pop outlived the King of Rock 'n' Roll by just eight years.

Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson's biggest hits, including the original flick-your-Bic opus "We Are The World" says, "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic
and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words."

Celebs also expressed their shock and sadness on Twitter.

As the news broke, Lindsay Lohan and Katy Perry twittered what many were feeling and thinking, "No. OMG."

Former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland typed, "This has got to be one of the saddest days in music history!! Michael Rest In Peace! WE miss you!" While Solange Knowles, Beyonce's baby sis, shared her personal remembrances: Thank you Michael Jackson for being my FIRST of many! My mother took me to my FIRST concert, I was only two years old. I fell in love."

She added, "My fifth birthday party was M.J. themed, I insisted. My mother found a lookalike to come sing happy birthday and I KNEW he wasn't MY Michael."

Other celeb comments:

Pete Wentz: I have never felt this before in my life. I could measure my childhood 2 now on an MJ growth chart. RIP. The last legend.

John Mayer: Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.

Miley Cyrus: Michael Jackson was my inspiration. Love and blessings.

Ashley Tisdale: I have to say, the 6 of us from HSM were very lucky to have met such an amazing man. I will remember that moment forever. RIP Michael.

But the Root's Afro-ed drummer Questlove perhaps said it best, "I think it's time we let him rest in peace and learn to separate the ART and the ARTIST--that is the MJ I will forever remember."

By Paige Muller

Paige Muller, Gossip & Hollywood Hijinx
		About the author:
		Paige Muller is a gossip gal with an appreciation – some would say obsession – for Hollywood hijinx, celebrity style and the latest fashion trends.  From who hooked up, who's knocked up and "WTF are they wearing?", Paige offers all the dish, with a side of snark. When not pondering Jennifer Aniston's perplexing post-breakup PR strategy, Paige is a published writer and communications professional who has worked with brands like Dove, L'Oreal, More magazine, Gap and WE: Woman's Entertainment.
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