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Celebrities Mourning Michael

Barry Gordy

Barry Gordy, who helped the Jackson 5 rise to stardom in the 1970s, said that Jackson was like a son to him, and that losing him was "like a bad dream." "I am shocked beyond words," the record exec said. "It's like a dream—a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible...I had no concern about his ability to go to the top. He was like my son. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities. "When he was not on stage, he was loving, respectful and shy. When he WAS on stage, he was so in charge you would not believe he was the same person. Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music." (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Brooke Shields "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael," said Shields. "He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing." (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, file)
Dionne Warwick Dionne Warwick, who sang on "We Are the World" with Jackson, said he was "a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with. We have lost an icon in our industry." (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Elizabeth Taylor... "Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time," her rep says. "We will direct her words to you once we receive them." (AP Photo/Mark Terrill, file)
Quincy Jones "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80's. To this day, the music we created together on "Off The Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all…talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." (AP Photo)
Lisa Marie Presl... Jackson's ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley, said that she is, "completely shocked and saddened" by his death. "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me." (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Liza Minelli "He was a kind, genuine, and wonderful man," Minelli told Entertainment Tonight. "He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life." (AP Photo/Laurent Emmanuel)
Barry Gordy Barry Gordy, who helped the Jackson 5 rise to stardom in the 1970s, said that Jackson was like a son to him, and that losing him was "like a bad dream." "I am shocked beyond words," the record exec said. "It's like a dream—a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible...I had no concern about his ability to go to the top. He was like my son. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities. "When he was not on stage, he was loving, respectful and shy. When he WAS on stage, he was so in charge you would not believe he was the same person. Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music." (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
John Mayer John Mayer posted on Twitter that "A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player." (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Madonna Madonna told People that she "can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless." (AP Photo/Riccardo Gangale)
Martin Scorsese Martin Scorsese, who directed the 18 minute-long video for Jackson's, "Bad," said "Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on 'Bad,' I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and—it really goes without saying—a true artist. "It will be a while before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us," Scorsese said. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Corey Feldman "I come to you today with great sadness, acknowledging the loss of the greatest entertainer in the history of mankind. For me he was more than that, he was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend." (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Steven Spielberg... Steven Spielberg, who was a longtime friend of Jackson, told EW.com: "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend." (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Katie Couric In a Twitter post, Couric said, "What a day....farrah then michael...complete bedlam until latimes confirmed. An obit was done when he was sick. A strange, sad life." (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Stevie Wonder A rep for Stevie Wonder said that the singer "is not available for any comment for the time being. He is emotionally distraught and chose to be quiet right now." (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Miley Cyrus In a Twitter post, Cyrus said, "Michael Jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings" (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)
Paula Abdul Paula Abdul, who worked with Jackson as a choreographer, said that she was "blessed to be able to work with, and witness first hand, his tremendous talent and growth through the years as he truly became an icon. "Today we have all lost a legend who has touched each of our lives through his music and showmanship over the past five decades." (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Will.i.am Will.i.am, who worked with Jackson on Thriller 25 last year, says how grateful he was for the opportunity to work with the artist. "I am so grateful to have worked with the King," said the black Eyed Peas vocalist. "He was a gift to the world, he is a bright light and I wouldn't be surprised if the world stopped spinning tomorrow." (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Ashton Kutcher In a Twitter post, Kutcher said, "I plea to the press to respect his wishes of maintaining the anonymity of his children. Rip Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids." (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Jordin Sparks In a Twitter post, Sparks said, "Omg I'm bawling right now. Michael...." (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
John Landis John Landis, who directed Jackson's landmark "Thriller" video and is currently in a legal dispute over royalties from the video said, "I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. "He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gift, he remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him."(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Lindsay Lohan In a Twitter post, Lohan said, "r.i.p. Michael Jackson *my love and prayers go out to the Jackson family.. 'you are not alone'" (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lance Armstrong In a Twitter post, Armstrong said, "Terrible news about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. My best to their friends, fans, and families." (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
Kim Kardashian In a Twitter post, Kardashian said, "Wow I am truly in shock that Michael Jackson has passed away! I love u Jackson family, my prayers are with the whole family!" (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Jenny McCarthy In a Twitter post, McCarthy said, "Michael Jackson has passed away. His spirit and creative influence will live on through his music that we have loved for decades." (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kirstie Alley In a Twitter post, Alley said, "Don't know what to say...so I will say I am so sorry for his family either way... What a horrible way to find these things out...sorry" (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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