Stars honor Michael Jackson on BET’s red carpet

LOS ANGELES — Several performers strutted down the BET Awards red carpet clad in Michael Jackson inspired memorabilia in remembrance of The King of Pop.

Sean Paul, Estelle and Fonzworth Bentley were among the celebrities who donned single gloves as part of their ensembles. Sean Paul flashed a glittery cut-off motorcycle glove while Estelle opted for a skintight white one.

“I said, ‘What can I do?’” the “American Boy” singer recalled on the red carpet. “‘I’ll wear a white glove.’”

Alicia Keys, Mickey “MeMpHiTz” Wright and members of the group Day 26 were also outfitted with gloves on one hand. The singular gauntlets weren’t the only fashion homage. Professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony sported a white T-shirt with a black outline of Jackson. DeMario “Raz-B” Thornton and Wan Ali sparkled before the show with T-shirts and suits bejeweled with images of Jackson.

Throughout the awards show, host Jamie Foxx paid the biggest fashion tribute to Jackson with several outfit changes that featured signature Jackson touches, including his jackets from the “Billie Jean” and “Bad” music videos. The show became a celebration of Jackson, who was pronounced dead Thursday at UCLA Medical Center. New Edition kicked off the show with a medley of Jackson 5 songs.

Before the ceremony, several stars remembered their final encounters with Jackson. Ciara recounted talking to him on the phone. Arsenio Hall said the last time he talked to Jackson was before he moved to Bahrain.

Taraji P. Henson said she once visited Jackson’s Neverland estate when she was 10. Sean Combs said his most memorable moment occurred when the King of Pop unexpectedly showed up to one of his soirees.

“He kicked it all night,” said Combs.

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