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Madonna speaks onstage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on September 13, 2009 in New York City.

Madonna speaks onstage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on September 13, 2009 in New York City.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Madonna: We "Abandoned" Michael Jackson

Sunday – September 13, 2009 – 9:51pm

Madonna delivered a touching tribute to Michael Jackson at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

Taking the stage at the beginning of the show, the 51-year-old singer - wearing all black - stated how they were both born in August of 1958 to large families in the mid-West. The only difference, she said, is that she got to have a childhood and Michael didn't.

See Michael Jackson's most unforgettable moments

She recalled how she and Jackson went out to dinner in 1991. She joked that she tried to get him to eat French fries, drink and say "bad words." Later, they went to her house to watch a movie and "his hand snuck over and held mine." Added Madonna, "In that moment, he felt like a human being."

Over the years, she said she fell out of touch with him.

She was in London when he died June 25 at the age of 50 of acute propofol intoxication.

Check out the craziest VMA costumes of all time

When he passed, "all I could think about him in that one moment was, 'I had abandoned him,' that we had abandoned him," she said. "That we had allowed this magnificant creature that once set the world on fire somehow slip through the cracks. When he was trying to build a family and rebuild his career, we were all busy passing judgment. Most of us had turned our backs on him... Sometimes, we have to lose things before we can truly appreciate them..."

Her speech ended on a positive note, as she told the audience how her two sons, Rocco, 9, and David, 4, are now obsessed with Jackson.

See photos of Michael Jackson's own children at his funeral

"There's a whole lot of crotch grabbing and Moonwalking going on in my house!" she said.

"Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being, but dammit, he was a king," she concluded. "Love live the king!"

Performers then imitated his famous moves to his hits "Thriller" and "I'm Bad" as images of Jackson played on a giant screen behind them. At the end of the medley, his sister Janet took the stage and performed an electric version of their 90s duet "Scream."

In his intro, host Russell Brand also honored the King of Pop: "Michael stayed honest and beautiful to the end. We are celebrating Michael Jackson!"

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  • October 27, 2009 - 5:11pm MEL Says:

    AND ALSO, ANONYMOUS, IT'S APPARENTLY NOT COMMON SENSE NOT TO LET YOUR KIDS SLEEP IN THE BED WITH MIKE J, CAUSE ALOT OF PARENTS DID IT THAT'S WHY HE FOT CHARGED WITH MOLESTATION, STUPID....SO IT'S NOT COMMON SENSE FOR SOME!!!!
  • October 27, 2009 - 5:07pm MEL Says:

    AND AS I SAID BEFORE, HE SPENT NEARLY ALL OF HIS $$ ON PLASTIC SURGERY AND PIMPING OUT HIS CRIB TO APPEAL TO LITTLE BOYS. SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT AT NEVERLAND RANCH. I AM NOT BASHING HIM, BUT I AM SICK OF THE RICH AND POWERFUL GETTING AWAY WITH STUFF THAT MOST OF US REGULAR PEOPLE WOULD BE UP UNDER THE JAILHOUSE FOR. WE NEED TO BE MORE TRUTHFUL AND DEAL WITH REALITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MOLESTATION ISSUES WITH CHILDREN.
  • October 27, 2009 - 5:03pm MEL Says:

    SO ANONYMOUS...WHY DIDN'T YOU POST YOUR NAME???I LOVED MIKE J AND YOU PROBABLY ARE NOT EVEN BLACK, I AM. I HAVE MY OPINION AND MY OPINION IS THAT MIKE J DID MOLEST THOSE CHILDREN, IF HE DID NOT WHY PAY THEM TO GO AWAY AND AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT IN 1993, WHY CONTINUE TO SLEEP IN THE BED WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN WHEN YOU SEE THAT IS FROWNED UPON. LOOK, IF YOU WANT TO BE STUPID AND NAIVE, THEN FINE GO AHEAD. BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF MOLESTERS OUT THERE AND SOME ARE CELEBRITIES, I.E. R. KELLY, ROMAN POLANSKI AND WE LET THEM OFF BECAUSE THEY CAN SING AND DANCE AND MOVIES. DON'T TRY TO TELL ME THAT THE EUROPENAS HAVE BETTER MEDIA THAN WE DO, IF YOU THINK SO, GO LIVE THERE AND NOT IN AMERICA..IN AMERICA, GROWN MWN DON'T SLEEP IN THE BED WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS. I LOVED MIKE J FROM WHEN I WAS LITTLE, BUT BEING NAIVE AND STUPID IS WHAT GOT HIM IN LEGAL TROUBLE AND ULTIMATELY, IT'S WHAT KILLED HIM. MIKE J PROBABLY HAD A BUNCH OF YES MEN AROUND HIM SAYING THE THINGS THAT HE WAS DOING WAS OK, SORT OF SOUNDS LIKE YOU ANONYMOUS. I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT YES MAN FOR MIKE J. THANKS TO ALL YOU YES MEN AND WOMEN, MIKE J IS DEAD. THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH AND I AM NOT HATING ON HIM AND I DO NOT DESPISE HIM. IT'S ACTUALLY A SHAME THAT MIKE J DID NOT HAVE MORE PEOPLE AROUND HIM LIKE ME, INSTEAD OF HAVING PEOPLE AROUND HIM PROBABLY LIKE YOU. YES PEOPLE!! PEOPLE THAT WILL SAY ANYTHING IS OK, AS LONG AS HE KEPT PAYING THEM.
  • October 04, 2009 - 7:48pm Anonymous Says:

    October 02, 2009 - 4:09pm Mel Says: FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT MIKE J. WAS NOT A MOLESTER: IF HE WERE ALIVE WOULD YOU TAKE YOUR SON TO NEVERLAND AND PUT HIM IN THE BED WITH MIKE J AND THEN LEAVE? I WOULD NOT!!! _________________________ I wouldn't let my kid in bed w/ no one not just M.J. I would think that was simply common sense. It has nothing to do w/ thinking he's a child molester. If you despise him so much, why bother coming here to slander a dead man. So many people get falsely accused and it's something you can never fully prove you didn't do it. IMO, he's dead & now ignorant, evil, and/or envious people can't hurt his spirit anymore. So, go ahead and be nasty and pass judgment on a person you did not know personally. Have you wondered why many people in Europe/Asia/Middle East believed in his innocence. MOST foreign media outlets are unbiased. So, people got the whole story of the trial not just what will sell papers or destroy an innocent man's career.
  • October 02, 2009 - 4:09pm Mel Says:

    FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT MIKE J. WAS NOT A MOLESTER: IF HE WERE ALIVE WOULD YOU TAKE YOUR SON TO NEVERLAND AND PUT HIM IN THE BED WITH MIKE J AND THEN LEAVE? I WOULD NOT!!!
  • October 02, 2009 - 4:06pm Mel Says:

    GROWN MEN DO NOT SLEEP IN BED WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN....
  • October 02, 2009 - 4:04pm Mel Says:

    WE DID NOT ABANDON MIKE J. HE ABANDONED BLACK AMERICA AND HE ABANDONED HIMSELF. HE SPENT MOSTLY ALL OF HIS $ ON PLASTIC SURGERY, DRUGS AND PIMPING OUT HIS HOUSE TO MAKE IT APPEALING TO LITTLE BOYS. HE WASTED HIS LIFE, LET'S NOT FORGET, HE DIED OF DRUGS AT AGE 50 AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER. I LOVED HIM WHEN I WAS LITTLE, BUT I AM GROWN NOW AND I SEE HIM FOR WHAT HE WAS, A TALENTED, BUT TOTALLY SCREWED UP PERSON. WE DID NOT DO THAT TO HIM, HE AND HIS FAMILY (HIS FATHER) DID THAT TO HIM. AND HIS MOTHER LET HIS FATHER DO WHATEVER HE WANTED TO DO TO THOSE CHILDREN AND NOW THE WHOLE JACKSON FAM IS MESSED UP, EXCEPT JANET.
  • September 30, 2009 - 9:14pm Anonymous Says:

    I'm sure Janet was the one that arranged for Madonna to give that speech. Madonna admitted she was sad she made a mistake by not being there for Michael and I hope she made the others feel a little guilty too. I read where Jon Von Jovi wouldn't share a stage with Michael after the trial. I'm sure that made him feel great even after he was found innocent. I hope karma does exist and it goes back onto these ignorant people that can't see the truth. These are the same kind of followers that can be brainwashed by the media for all kinds of other things. The media is incontrol of these simple minds that just believe what they read in national enquirer without getting the facts or being smart enough know the truth if they did have the facts. They are not worth trying to convince to change their minds.
  • September 19, 2009 - 8:18am Finally Says:

    I have never liked Madonna, but her speech for Michael moved me dramaticaly. I have just opened up towards Madonna. Thank-you Madonna for saying the things that needed to be said but wasn't being said. LONG LIVE THE KING
  • September 19, 2009 - 2:58am Deborah Says:

    The truth is that he did not molest children. One man links both accusations - Tom Sneddon. Evan Chandler was a proven liar who made his aims for extortion abundantly clear and is on record doing so. It seems people do not know that Evan Chandler gave his son a hynoptic drug before he would eventually accuse Michael,a and he (and his mother) had initally denied any abuse had taken place. Jordan purported Michael was circumcised when the opposte was true and has been confirmed by police evidentiary documents. I refer readers to See Mary A Fischer's award winning article ' Was Michael Jackson Framed?' Tom Sneddon 'fed' the media, in particular Diane Dimond and Maureen Orth with illegally released documents and incendiary quotes to keep media pressure on Michael. He knew that this would essentially 'try' the case in the media and make Evan's exorbitant financial demands more achiveable. So many people of repute have come forward detailing how Michael was not guilty of these allegations. Tom Sneddon continued to pursue Michael until 2005 to prove that he hadn't wasted him time - the results of that case are a matter of record. Readers might be interested to know the mother of the child in the second case admitted on oath she had made her son support a lie that she had been sexually assaulted by staff in J.C Penny's. The fraudulent, criminal wrongful slandering of Michael Jackson for over 15 years is tragic on so many levels. One of the side issues which is seldom mentioned is that while Tom Sneddon spent millions of tax-payers money looking for corroborating witnesses to Michael's 'so-called' abuse, a young girl called Jaycee would spend 18 years captive in his jurisdiction. I do not believe it is unfair to ask Mr Sneddon whether his conscience is clear about whether his sustained persecution of Michael Jackson on the baseis of one lone non-credible witness profoundly affected his department's efforts in finding Jaycee. And whether that would be any consolation to Jaycee's family and Jaycee herself.
  • September 19, 2009 - 2:58am Deborah Says:

    The truth is that he did not molest children. One man links both accusations - Tom Sneddon. Evan Chandler was a proven liar who made his aims for extortion abundantly clear and is on record doing so. It seems people do not know that Evan Chandler gave his son a hynoptic drug before he would eventually accuse Michael,a and he (and his mother) had initally denied any abuse had taken place. Jordan purported Michael was circumcised when the opposte was true and has been confirmed by police evidentiary documents. I refer readers to See Mary A Fischer's award winning article ' Was Michael Jackson Framed?' Tom Sneddon 'fed' the media, in particular Diane Dimond and Maureen Orth with illegally released documents and incendiary quotes to keep media pressure on Michael. He knew that this would essentially 'try' the case in the media and make Evan's exorbitant financial demands more achiveable. So many people of repute have come forward detailing how Michael was not guilty of these allegations. Tom Sneddon continued to pursue Michael until 2005 to prove that he hadn't wasted him time - the results of that case are a matter of record. Readers might be interested to know the mother of the child in the second case admitted on oath she had made her son support a lie that she had been sexually assaulted by staff in J.C Penny's. The fraudulent, criminal wrongful slandering of Michael Jackson for over 15 years is tragic on so many levels. One of the side issues which is seldom mentioned is that while Tom Sneddon spent millions of tax-payers money looking for corroborating witnesses to Michael's 'so-called' abuse, a young girl called Jaycee would spend 18 years captive in his jurisdiction. I do not believe it is unfair to ask Mr Sneddon whether his conscience is clear about whether his sustained persecution of Michael Jackson on the baseis of one lone non-credible witness profoundly affected his department's efforts in finding Jaycee. And whether that would be any consolation to Jaycee's family and Jaycee herself.
  • September 18, 2009 - 11:39pm passionflowerangel6 Says:

    Type your comment here Madonna spoke the truth and spoke from the heart it made the world stand up and listen it was wonderful what a great and powerful tribute.It is such a pity and indeed scandalous that Oprah ,who with all her power and sway could not use the time she spent talking about how she 'felt" and worrying about her 'hair" to actually defend Michael or at the very least do something to pose questions about the trials that blighted his life and shattered hs reputation. All the tax payers money that had been spent in your name to hunt an innocent man could have been challenged.She could have made a difference to his legacy by trying to clear his name .It did not matter about the colour of his skin. it was vitiligo and he spent many years trying to get people to understand it but realised that it is what you do in this life that matters. The many acts of kindness he did in his 50 years was more than any celebrity single handed.That was never spoken of in Oprahs tribute.more people need to read aphrodite jones to understand how the witchhunt really was.Micheal stood for love.Oprah could have made history and could have stood up and woken up the world with something to consider.She failed us all .
  • September 18, 2009 - 8:39pm brain child Says:

    Madonna's tribute hit allot of people hard cause told the truth. Beautifull madonna i love you for telling the truth.
  • September 18, 2009 - 4:27pm Jan Says:

    It's really sad how people can call this man a child molester when there was no proof of it. People just believe he was guilty because of the media and the fact that he was different and loved children. People need to realize that sometimes in life people are falsely accused. Regardless of what you think about him, he was someone's son, father, brother, and friend. People still love him no matter what others think. You can keep thinking he's a child molester, but we will still continue to believe he was one of the greatest entertainers on earth with a big heart to help the world. So get over it.
  • September 18, 2009 - 4:26pm Alessandra-Brasil Says:

    Michael as Brazil loves you. You are eternal in our hearts. The world press has abandoned you, but we fans will always continue at his side. Michael Jackson eu te amoooooooooooooooooo.
  • September 18, 2009 - 4:20pm Anonymous Says:

    I agree with Madonna.
  • September 18, 2009 - 1:53pm MJ Fan Says:

    To "Anonymous", ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE, LOOK AT YOUR OWN HATEFUL HEART! QUIT PROJECTING YOUR OWN EVIL THOUGHTS ONTO AN INNOCENT MAN!
  • September 18, 2009 - 10:43am Anonymous Says:

    HE HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED FOR A YEAR?! Where the hell were you when his HUGE tour was announced in March this year and IMMEDIATELY sold out, so much so that they added on FORTY more dates just to keep up with the crushing demand? People loved Michael Jackson then and people will love Michael Jackson always. LONG LIVE THE KING OF POP.
  • September 18, 2009 - 9:21am Anne Says:

    Madonna also said "Then, the witch hunt began and it seemed like one negative story after the other was coming out about Michael. I felt his pain. I know what it's like to walk down the street and feel like the whole world has turned against you. I know what it's like to feel helpless and unable to defend yourself because the roar of the lynch mob is so loud that you are convinced your voice can never be heard. " Michael Jackson was an innocent man whose career and reputation were destroyed by the media. I am devastated at his loss just on the verge of his spectacular comeback.
  • September 18, 2009 - 8:10am Deborah Ffrench Says:

    Type your commentMichael is not suddenly a saint. The truth is that he did not molest children. One man links both accusations - Tom Sneddon. Evan Chandler was a proven liar who made his aims for extortion abundantly clear and is on record doing so. It seems people do not know that Evan Chandler gave his son a hynoptic drug before he would eventually accuse Michael,a and he (and his mother) had initally denied any abuse had taken place. Jordan purported Michael was circumcised when the opposte was true and has been confirmed by police evidentiary documents. I refer readers to See Mary A Fischer's award winning article ' Was Michael Jackson Framed?' Tom Sneddon 'fed' the media, in particular Diane Dimond and Maureen Orth with illegally released documents and incendiary quotes to keep media pressure on Michael. He knew that this would essentially 'try' the case in the media and make Evan's exorbitant financial demands more achiveable. So many people of repute have come forward detailing how Michael was not guilty of these allegations. Tom Sneddon continued to pursue Michael until 2005 to prove that he hadn't wasted him time - the results of that case are a matter of record. Readers might be interested to know the mother of the child in the second case admitted on oath she had made her son support a lie that she had been sexually assaulted by staff in J.C Penny's. The fraudulent, criminal wrongful slandering of Michael Jackson for over 15 years is tragic on so many levels. One of the side issues which is seldom mentioned is that while Tom Sneddon spent millions of tax-payers money looking for corroborating witnesses to Michael's 'so-called' abuse, a young girl called Jaycee would spend 18 years captive in his jurisdiction. I do not believe it is unfair to ask Mr Sneddon whether his conscience is clear about whether his sustained persecution of Michael Jackson on the baseis of one lone non-credible witness profoundly affected his department's efforts in finding Jaycee. And whether that would be any consolation to Jaycee's family and Jaycee herself. here

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