It is said, that true music is that which transcends all barriers and strikes a chord in all hearts. Evidently, Michael Jackson, for all his eccentricities and a marked turbulence in lifestyle, was the kind of performer, who managed to do just that. In a lifetime checkered with brilliance as well as bizarreness, compassion as well as controversy, and self-awareness as well as extreme denial, he created music that stirred princes and paupers alike. Celebrities and commoners stood united in their moment of grief, over the passing away of a true legend.

The universality of this grief was made all the more poignant when diva par excellence Mariah Carey, went so far as to apologize for her grief-ridden performance that probably according to her, didn’t quite do justice to her all time classic, “I’ll be there…” at MJ’s memorial service. In the wake of the myriad range of emotions that MJ’s untimely death have evinced, it was an extremely touching gesture of solidarity in emotions that transcended obvious social barriers.

Following her performance, Carey went on her Twitter page, to apologize for her lack of composure at MJ’s memorial service. She accounted for her less than perfect performance, saying that it was next to impossible for her to perform, being overwhelmed almost as she was, with tears, and doing her best to not cry. She admitted to being nearly tear-choked from the mere sight of his casket. She ended however, on a positive note about the timeless appeal of MJ’s inspiring music, that she said would “…be forever in our hearts.”