Janet Jackson is escorted on stage by host Jamie Foxx at the 9th Annual BET Awards. (June 28, 2009)

Janet Jackson shows up to the BET Awards to everyones supris...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — While BET celebrated the life of Michael Jackson the entertainer, Janet Jackson — in her first public appearance since her brother's shocking death — memorialized him as her beloved sibling and family member, eliciting tears as she vowed his memory would live forever.

"To you, Michael is an icon," said Jackson, holding back tears at Sunday's BET Awards. "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, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much, thank you so much."

Afterward, Ne-Yo and host Jamie Foxx performed a somber version of the Jackson 5 classic "I'll Be There," as photos of Jackson flashed across the screen.

It was a stirring emotional highlight for a show that was completely revamped to recognize the legacy of Jackson, who died Thursday at age 50. While awards were still doled out, the show's main focus was to pay tribute to the man who shaped the careers of every entertainer who walked the stage that night.

Joe Jackson, the singer's father, also was on hand to represent the grief-stricken family. "I just wish he could be here to celebrate himself," he said before the show. "Sadly, he's not here, so I'm here to celebrate for him."

And for the most part, it was a joyous wake.

"No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man," said Foxx, who kicked off the show with a re-enactment of the choreography from Jackson's iconic "Beat It" video in front of the star-studded crowd, on its feet from the start of the show

Readers have left 2 comments.

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Michael Jackson Fan on June 28, 2009 - 19:56 pm

1. What a strong woman to go on live TV just a few days after her brother dies.
God Bless this family!

We love you Michael!
Angie M. Tolbert on June 29, 2009 - 04:00 am

2. I love the way BET made this sad occasion a joyous and memorable time! Michael has joined his idol, James Brown, in heaven. They are together entertaing the souls of heavenly angels!!! The Tolbert family will love Michael and the Jackson family forever!!

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