HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Sunday night’s BET Awards paid tribute to Michael Jackson and included an appearance by his father, just days after the music icon died from an apparent cardiac arrest.
Joe Jackson spoke with CNN on the red carpet, where he expressed shock at the outpouring of support following his son’s death on Thursday.
“I wish the world had recognized him when he was living,” he told CNN reporter Don Lemon. “Right now, he’s bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this.”
The family patriarch has drawn widespread criticism for the interview, in which he quickly plugged his new record label, Ranch Records, after Lemon inquired about how the Jacksons family is holding up. On Monday, the Rev. Al Sharpton defended Jackson for speaking about his new venture.
“He wanted to send a signal to the world that the Jackson family is going to continue doing what Michael did – give music and love to the world across all boundaries and across all nationalities,” explained Sharpton.
Jackson also tried to explain his comments in a second interview with CNN on Monday. While he once again gave details about his new music venture, Jackson said: “The family and I are very proud to see all of you come out here and help us with this whole situation.”
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6qqtmoEo9k&feature=related]
