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Tickets for Michael Jackson memorial touted for $100,000

By Kate Matharu on Tuesday 7 July 2009

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Michael Jackson dies at 50, World News, Celebrity News

Tickets for Michael Jackson’s memorial service are changing hands on eBay for a whopping $100,000 it has emerged, as A-list stars prepare to perform at the event in Los Angeles later today.

The King of Pop’s remembrance service has drawn the crème de la crème of the music industry – from Mariah Carey to Usher and Jennifer Hudson – to perform at the event. Meanwhile, close friends of Jackson, including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor will all be among the audience, paying tribute to the Thriller singer.

A somewhat lesser-known face will also be among the performers at the ceremony: Britain’s Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, 12, has been invited to perform by the Jackson family, who said the King of Pop had commented on how impressed he was by the schoolboy’s tribute act.

Shaheen sang Jackson’s Who’s Lovin You hit before the BGT judges in May, saying: ‘Michael was a huge inspiration to me.’

Other stars who have received an invitation to the service include President Barack Obama (who won’t attend as he is currently in Moscow), Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin and Lionel Richie.

While most of the details for the service are under wraps, it is rumoured that Mariah Carey will belt out the Jackson 5 hit, I’ll Be There.

Jackson’s ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has decided to stay away from the memorial, after her lawyer explained: ‘The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael’s legacy.’

Fans from across the globe are set to descend on the Staples Centre where the service will be held. While 1.6 million people registered to win tickets, just 8,750 names were chosen, prompting the escalating price of tickets now seen on eBay.

Meanwhile, it is thought the Jackson family will gather for a private service for the singer, before the public event kicks off.