Some of the biggest stars on the planet turned back into gushing Michael Jackson fans at the BET Awards, donning single gloves, swapping stories about their idol and singing The King of Pop's standards. In her first public appearance since her brother Michael's shocking death, Janet Jackson memorialized him as her beloved sibling and vowed his memory would live forever. “To you, Michael is an icon,” a somber Janet Jackson told the crowd at the end of Sunday's show. “To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts.” It was a stirring emotional climax for a telecast that was completely revamped to recognize the legacy of Jackson, who died Thursday at age 50. For the most part, it was a joyous wake. “He's the man who made it possible for me to be on the stage; I love you and I miss you,” said Ne-Yo, who sang one of Jackson's most sensual songs, “Lady In My Life.” Host Jamie Foxx 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. Throughout the night, Foxx also regularly turned up in some of Jackson's signature looks, like the wide-collar black leather outfit from “Billie Jean.” Sean Paul, Estelle and Alicia Keys were among the celebrities who at one point donned single gloves as part of their ensembles. Ciara sang Jackson's humanitarian anthem, “Heal the World,” dressed in a jacket that had Jackson's signature military epaulets. Joe Jackson, the singer's father, also represented the grief-stricken family, though he did not appear on stage. “I just wish he could be here to celebrate himself,” he said on the red carpet. “Sadly, he's not here, so I'm here to celebrate for him.” Jackson's death prompted BET producers to scramble to meet the moment. While Beyonce, Lil Wayne and Ne-Yo each took home awards, giving out trophies was an afterthought: Honoring Jackson became the show's main focus. “This is for you, Michael Jackson,” said Beyonce, as she held her trophy for best female R and B artist skyward, calling the singer “my hero.” “We all know none of us in this room wouldn't be here for Michael Jackson,” said Lil Wayne, as he picked up his award for best male hip-hop star. The night ended with Janet Jackson's memorial. “On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support,” she said. “We miss him so much, thank you so much.” Afterward, Ne-Yo and Foxx performed a somber version of the Jackson 5 classic “I'll Be There,” as photos of Jackson flashed across the screen. Jackson's mother will seek custody A legal battle appears to be looming over Michael Jackson's three young children, with a lawyer for the superstar's mother saying she will seek custody of her grandchildren. Katherine Jackson has been looking after the three children since their father suddenly collapsed and died on Thursday. “She will seek custody of the children. She loves them dearly,” family attorney Londell McMillan told CNN on the sidelines of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards at Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium. “(Michael's) children are in great care with Mrs Jackson,” McMillan said. “They're in a loving environment. She's a great grandma. I couldn't think of anyone better for these children than a grandma like Miss Katherine Jackson and the loving support of family of the Jacksons.” One Jackson confidante, new age guru Deepak Chopra, told CNN he was concerned the three siblings - the two children Jackson had with Rowe and their half-brother Michael - could be split up by a custody battle. “Well, they're going to be separated I fear, unfortunately,” Chopra said. Katherine Jackson has kept the three children out of sight at the family's compound in the middle-class Los Angeles neighborhood of Encino. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson's father declared Sunday in the strongest terms yet that he and his wife have sole authority over the late pop star's affairs. Joe Jackson said in a statement read on the red carpet before he headed into the BET Awards that he and his wife Katherine have the “personal and legal authority to act, and solely .. have authority for our son and his children.” The elder Jackson and other relatives have been holed up at the family's compound in Encino, where fans and media have camped out waiting for information on the pop star's death and upcoming funeral arrangements. Joe Jackson said his grandchildren - two boys and a girl - were his first priority now. “They're fine. They're with us,” he said.
