Mariah Carey Apology For Michael Jackson Memorial Service Performance

July 8th, 2009 by Castina

Tagged as: Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson

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Mariah Carey has apologized for her performance at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Nearly 20,000 fans, celebrities, and public figures attended the memorial service at The Staples Centre in Los Angles, which also included performances by Jermaine Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, and Usher.

The multiplatinum-selling singer faltered during her rendition of The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” with Trey Lorenz. In a series of poignant messages posted to her Twitter account last night, Mariah blames the shaky performance on becoming overcome with emotion after seeing the icon’s coffin.

“Trying to sing today was basically impossible for me. I could barely keep myself from crying,” Mariah later Tweeted.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to pull it together and really do it right, but I was literally choked up when I saw him there in front of me….One thing I know is, we will never really have to say goodbye to MJ. His legacy lives on through his music and the millions of people he inspired with his timeless music. He will be forever in our hearts.”

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18 Responses to “Mariah Carey Apology For Michael Jackson Memorial Service Performance”

On July 8th 2009, Deb wrote:

I think no apology is necessary from Mariah. She sang with her heart and soul ,which made her shine!
It showed her emotions for Micheal and touched everyone watching her outstanding performance by keeping it real.
On July 8th 2009, nasirddeen wrote:

I also think mariah has nohing to apologise she was just tring to potray her emotions.
On July 8th 2009, rachel wrote:

MARIAH should NOT have apologized.!!! she got up there and performed from the heart.
all these dumasses saying she cant sing….why dont you stop criticizing !
we didnt see you stupid asses up there performing…so shut the fukk up and go find somone that deserves to b criticized.

MARIAH CAREY..you go girl !!!! you did absolutely wonderful especially for being in that uncomfortable situation.!!! only thing you couldve changed was apologizing to the HATERS.!!
i guarentee michael LOVED it.!!!!
On July 8th 2009, Yvonne wrote:

I think the apology should come from MJ’s family and should be directed towards MJ’s children for having that poor girl stand in front of thousands of people and speak when it clear that her heart was breaking at the loss of her father. The children should have been kept away from the spotlight, allowing them to be involved without making a spectacle of them. That video clip has now been seen by millions of people. The children’s grief should not have been put out for all to see.
Is there no decency left in this world?
On July 8th 2009, richard wrote:

Yvonne…how in the hell do you know what the girl wanted???
On July 8th 2009, Sabrina wrote:

I think Paris wanted to say something about her father, it didn’t look to me like the forced her to do it. It broke my heart to see her and her brothers.

As for Mariah, she did great. I wouldn’t be able to get up in front of millions of people to sing at a funeral/memoria. She held her own and I’m sure Michael was smiling down on her as she sang.
On July 8th 2009, Lizzy wrote:

Mariah Did Brilliant, Anyone Could Tell That She Was Upset By Just Taking One Look At Her… You Could Almost See The Tears In Her Eyes..!

I Am Fed Up Of All These People, Fans Included Saying That She “Can’t Sing” And That ” Her Performance Was Terrible…”

In My Opinion, And Like So Many Others Have Said Here, She Doesn’t Need To Apologize… Coz Anyone Who Has Lost Someone Close To Them Will Know How Hard It IS To Get Up And Sing or even talk Like That When You’re Missing Whoever it is that you’ve lost…! You Can Tell That She Was Singing TO MICHAEL..!

So I’m Gonna End By Saying WELL DONE MARIAH, YOU DID A GREAT JOB….! :D :D And You’re True Fans Will Stick By You No Matter What..!
On July 8th 2009, Annette wrote:

Richard…Here,here!!!! He’s right Yvonne. How do you know what Paris wanted. Looked to me as though she said it on her own. Those kids are his children, his family was on the stage, that includes them. I never saw any of those kids crying until Paris said what she felt in her heart.
She’s going to miss her dad. Leave them alone!
On July 8th 2009, Annette wrote:

Mariah, you sang wonderfully.
On July 8th 2009, andrew wrote:

nariah knew kicheal, janet and the many peers in that audience-starting a memorial like that with no sense of the vibe of the crowd, knowing the worlds eyes are upon you cant be easy.
i thought her vocals sounded subtle, understated but yet very melodic- she cant win when she sings her heart out, and now shes critisized for not giving it her all.
i loved her performance
On July 8th 2009, Kayasha wrote:

Facts are facts.
Fact is the dress she wore was too revealing. I’m not saying cover up from head to toe but I am saying there is a way to dress that doesn’t show all your goodies and still look sexy (if ure aiming for that) and appropiate for this kind of setting.
Fact is she’s done a HORRIBLE job she even admit to it.So people whose arguing otherwise save your breathe.

I understand she was run down by emotion but the King of Pop was all about perfection and despite what yall make thing he wouldn’t have been happy with this performance. HONORED yes but not happy. His brother even SANG –don’t yall thing he’s suffering a BIT more then merely a person who idolize him?

He was standing right where she was, infront of the casket– singing a PERSONAL favorite song of his thats even a double blow.
Has for her voice in general–you would have been a deaf fan of Mariah’s to not KNOW her voice has changed. Now rather you still like her voice is ALL up to you–however ANY fan whose been following her career knows it’s not the same powerful voice it used to be.

Remember when she sang at the President auguartion are you telling me she was run down by eomtion there too?
Congrats on the first black Pres. but it’s not that EMOTIONALLY serious. Fact is she’s messed up her voice for many years now and instead of working on it she’s taking for granted of it. So–sobeit.
Fact is Fact.
On July 8th 2009, Sugahoneychild wrote:

No need to apologize for her vocals…what she really should have apologized for is that dress!
The chi-chis should not be on display at a funeral.

But anyway, Mariah, it was great to see Trey Lorenz again!

Thanks for the memories and the music MJ…
The Greatest Entertainer ever!
On July 8th 2009, Vitil Igo wrote:

“It was a little pitchy…dawg!”
On July 8th 2009, JsdeH wrote:

Mariah, you have absolutely NOTHING to apologize for. Your performance was fine and it proves that you are HUMAN. No matter how seasoned you are as a performer, if you are emotionally tied to someone and attempt to perform at their “homegoing service” it should be understood that the performance may be affected. It was NOT a wedding celebration, it was a “funeral”. To all those who have a problem with your singing, I would defy any of them to attempt to do the same at the service of someone they care about. I know…I started out singing at my grandmother’s and never really finished the song. Keep your head up and move on…you were fine barring the circumstance of the moment.
On July 9th 2009, eris wrote:

Kayasha! you are my hero!!! you said EVERYTHING I TOLD MY FRIENDS hahahaha from outfit to “choked up with emotion” lollll
I’m gonna have to cut and paste your comment here because it’s too good and hope everybody reads it and get some common sense!

On July 8th 2009, Kayasha wrote:

Facts are facts.
Fact is the dress she wore was too revealing. I’m not saying cover up from head to toe but I am saying there is a way to dress that doesn’t show all your goodies and still look sexy (if ure aiming for that) and appropiate for this kind of setting.
Fact is she’s done a HORRIBLE job she even admit to it.So people whose arguing otherwise save your breathe.

I understand she was run down by emotion but the King of Pop was all about perfection and despite what yall make thing he wouldn’t have been happy with this performance. HONORED yes but not happy. His brother even SANG –don’t yall thing he’s suffering a BIT more then merely a person who idolize him?

He was standing right where she was, infront of the casket– singing a PERSONAL favorite song of his thats even a double blow.
Has for her voice in general–you would have been a deaf fan of Mariah’s to not KNOW her voice has changed. Now rather you still like her voice is ALL up to you–however ANY fan whose been following her career knows it’s not the same powerful voice it used to be.

Remember when she sang at the President auguartion are you telling me she was run down by eomtion there too?
Congrats on the first black Pres. but it’s not that EMOTIONALLY serious. Fact is she’s messed up her voice for many years now and instead of working on it she’s taking for granted of it. So–sobeit.
Fact is Fact.
On July 11th 2009, wre wrote:

miriah all to be a shamed of herself damn it
On July 13th 2009, blondebeauty wrote:

Okay, I’m not a mariah fan but she’s okay…she shouldn’t of dressed like she was going to a club…but her performance I can understand she saw the coffin for the 1st time and had to face that and millions of fans…as for his brother who still got up and sung…he had a few chances to see his body and say goodbye a few times but mariah didn’t and I agree they shouldn’t of mediaized the kids but either way I’m sure paris would get out there and I think she did want to shout to the world that her daddy was the best bc at the end of the day he was their father not a huge pop star to them…cuz I kno I’d want to shout to the world my daddys the best and I’m 23 yrs old. I believe mariah just couldn’t handle the situation as well as she thought doesn’t mean we hafta freaken say she was a disgrace…usher cried at the ending n barely finished…they were sayin goodbye not tryin to entertain us…he was their friend and idol…let’s see u sing at a friends funeral wit millions of ppl n their fam n see u all hold it perfectly together
On August 5th 2009, PoorSnob wrote:

I think Mariah sang beautifully. Sure, she could’ve dressed more conservatively, but hey that’s Mariah! lol. Her voice was raw and candid and grieved! She brought tears to my eyes, and I wasn’t even there! I can understand why she apologized-she’s a perfectionist! But she sure as hell didn’t need to. Shoot, had that been me, I would’ve flat out started crying as soon as I saw his casket, damn the singing! When I was supposed to sing at my best friend’s funeral, I literally hit the floor, I couldn’t do it! I was helped off the pulput, so props Mrs. Cannon! She still ripped it.