Janet Jackson pays tearful tribute

JANET JACKSON has paid a tearful tribute to her Michael who died on Thursday aged 50.

The crowd at the annual Black Entertainment Television Awards fell silent as Jackson strode onstage.

She fought back tears as she said, "My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful, so they elected me to be here to speak with you.

"To you Michael was an icon. To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts.

"On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, and for all your support. We miss him so much."

Jackson's father Joseph was also at the event, and spoke briefly with reporters on the red carpet.

He said: "I wish the world had recognised him when he was living. Right now, he's bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this."

Inside, the starstudded event kicked off with full a reunion of New Edition, including Bobby Brown, to perform a medley of Jackson Five songs.

Ne-Yo and Ciara also paid homage to the pop superstar during the night by performing his songs.

The ceremony was hosted by Jamie Foxx, who honoured Jackson throughout the night by appearing in a number of Jacko-inspired outfits - and even Moonwalked the length of the stage at Hollywood's Shrine Auditorium, to the delight of the celeb-packed crowd that included Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Kanye West and Rihanna.

He closed the event with an emotional duet of Jackson track I'll Be There, with R&B star Ne-Yo.

Foxx was also joined onstage by T-Pain, Snoop Dogg and drummer Travis Barker to perform a spectacular version of his hit Blame it on the Alcohol, which earned Foxx and T-Pain the Best Collaboration award on the night.

Other performers included Soulja Boy Tellem, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce, who performed Ava Maria wearing a tutu and tiara - and then picked up the Best Female R&B Award, dedicating it to Michael Jackson, who she called "my hero and my teacher".