Awards & Special Performances > The 7th Soul Train Awards

Janet Jackson took the stage at the BET Awards in Los Angeles looking visibly shaken. Just three days after the death of her brother, Michael, she told the audience after a long pause to gather herself, “My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful. So they elected me to speak with all of you.”

Promising to keep it short, she added, “To you, Michael is an icon, to us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank toi for all of your love, thank toi for all of your support. We miss him so much. Thank...