Paris's Speech "Was Not Planned"

Paris's Speech "Was Not Planned" - Updated

According to Ken Ehrlich, producer of the memorial service, Paris's brief speech at her father's memorial "was not planned," "My impression was that the brothers and sisters, and definitely not the parents, would talk. Nobody knew she would speak up. A lot of the show was not scripted. Music was laid out, but most of the speakers really spoke from their heart – people who knew Michael well – and I think that's what gave the show its heart."

Ehrlich also said that going into the tribute the Jackson family's request had been that "we don't want to do a TV show, we want to do a memorial service." The producer added, "We hope you got the feeling you were watching a memorial service."

The Jacksons specifically requested the Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and the children of Martin Luther King Jr. A few on Ehrlich's wish list were unavailable: Diana Ross, Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas and Paul McCartney.

The program was rushed into place, with one day of rehearsal. Mariah Carey, who apologized Wednesday for her rendition of I'll Be There, was the only one who didn't rehearse. Ehrlich e-mailed her, calling her concerns "silly nonsense" and noting that by being human and acknowledging the casket, she created a comfort level for acts that followed.

Source: MJFC / People / CNN / USA Today