Michael Jackson's shocking death has prompted an outpouring of grief from people all across the world. Here are some of the tributes paid to him from people of the entertainment industry who were close friends, colleagues, or great admirers:
Quincy Jones: "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. To this day that music is played in every corner of the world, and the reason is because he had it all – talent, grace, and professionalism."
Lisa Marie Presley: "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."
Elizabeth Taylor: "My heart... my mind... are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him."
Reverend Al Sharpton: "Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama."
Berry Gordy (Motown Records founder): "I am somewhat numb. I'm shocked at the death of Michael Jackson. It's like a dream, a bad dream. He was so much like a son to me. It's just hard to realize that Michael Jackson is not here.... As a kid Michael was always beyond his years, he was an innovator, he was a genius at what he did. He had a knowingness about him. At 9 years old, when I first started working with him, he seemed to me like he had been here before. He was just so knowledgeable about life."
Sir Paul McCartney: "It's so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones."
Mariah Carey: "I am heartbroken. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world, and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever."
Brooke Shields: "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."
Eddie Van Halen: "I am really shocked; as I'm sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on 'Beat It' back in '83 — one of my fondest memories in my career. Michael will be missed and may he rest in peace."
Diana Ross: "I can’t stop crying; this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family."
Justin Timberlake: "We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together."
Madonna: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. 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."
Britney Spears: "I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"
Arnold Schwarzenegger: "We lost a great entertainer and a pop icon. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Jackson's family, friends and fans."
P. Diddy: "Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life!! He made me believe in magic. I will miss him!"
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."
Pete Wentz: "Prayers and thoughts with Michael Jackson ... I haven't hope in so long that news isn't true."
Beyonce: "He was magic...He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop!"
Usher: "May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family particularly Michael's mother, children and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael."
John Legend: "As a child of the '80s, I feel as though his music and his videos have been an inseparable part of my life and that of an entire generation. And the powerful thing about great music is that it will always live on. He was and always will be an icon."
R. Kelly: "I am truly saddened that my mentor, brother, and friend will no longer be with us physically. At the same time, I feel so blessed to have been touched by his music, his dance, his lyrics, and his pure genius. It is because of Michael's yesterday that I am who I am today!"
Celine Dion: "I am shocked. I am overwhelmed by this tragedy. Michael Jackson has been an idol for me all my life."
Sheryl Crow: "I can't say how grateful I am, especially now, that I had the opportunity to observe his greatness every single night. Because every night he really was truly an incredible performer."
Fergie: "We have lost one of the greatest icons of all time. He forever set the bar for entertainers all around the world."
Liza Minnelli: "He was a kind, genuine and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life."
Steven Spielberg: "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend."
Martin Scorsese: "Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on 'Bad', I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion."
Cher: "When I think of him, I think of this young boy, this teenager I first met … He was a great teenager, optimistic and adorable."
Ellen DeGeneres: "So sad to hear about Michael Jackson. His music changed our lives. The world has lost an amazing singer and dancer. I will miss him."
Kris Allen: "He was the most influential musical person that I had in my life. On the artist side of things, everything that he did was just so right. Every album that he did, it hit you in a way that just made you feel good. It made you feel him and feel his music. He was a genius, a complete genius."
Adam Lambert: "His voice was just one of a kind. No one else sounds like him. Furthermore, the visual stuff he brought to the table was so groundbreaking and edgy and ahead of its time, in a way. There wasn't anyone else really going out there like that."
Sources: Rolling Stone, MTV, Salon, Telegraph
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