Elizabeth Taylor to Skip Jackson Memorial

Dame Elizabeth Taylor has confirmed that she will not attend the memorial service of her close friend Michael Jackson, and says that the late popstar would have “approved” of her decision.

Pouring out her grief on her official Twitter page, Taylor said, “I just don’t believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event.”

Though she has chosen to remain home, Taylor admits that she was asked to speak at Tuesday’s memorial service at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

“I cannot be part of the public whoopla,” the 77-year-old wrote. “And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word.”

The actress added: “I will always love Michael from the depth of my being and nothing can separate us. My love goes out to Katherine and Michael’s beloved children.”

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Michael Jackson Funeral Plans

After their requests to hold a public memorial at Neverland Ranch were denied, Jackson’s family has finally decided on the back-up location for their son’s funeral.

TMZ.com is reporting this morning that a motorcade will travel from Forest Lawn Mortuary in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning to the Staples Centre complex in downtown L.A., where a public memorial will be held.

At this stage, the Jackson family “still hasn’t decided” on whether the memorial will take place at the Staples Centre or the nearby, smaller Nokia Theatre. They are expected to make a decision one way or the other shortly.

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No Public Viewing, Says Jackson Family

There will be no private viewing of Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch, despite news reports that suggest otherwise.

The Jackson family has just released a statement, through their newly acquired reps, which states there will be no such service performed his former residence.

“Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland.

“Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.”

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Public Viewing of Jackson’s Body

As if the circumstances of his death – and life – weren’t already strange enough, the Jackson family has decided to transport the King of Pop’s body to his former residence, Neverland Ranch, later in the week for a public viewing of his body.

TMZ.com has learned from law enforcement officials that a 30-car motorcade (which includes a herse for Jackson’s body) will be travelling from L.A. to the singer’s infamous residence at 10 a.m. on Thursday (U.S. time).

At this stage, it looks like a public viewing will be taking place on either Friday or Saturday. That should excite the millions of fans worldwide who’ve been in tatters since news of the pop superstar’s death first broke last Thursday, some of which have even started to “commit suicide” in retaliation to his passing.

It is not known when a funeral for Jackson will be held.

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Kate & Lance Smooch in Public

After their attempted secret romantic getaway to Austin last weekend, Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong decided to go public with their new relationship, and were seen dancing and kissing the night away at Dolce & Gabanna’s annual Cannes bash.

The pair spent the evening kissing and dancing to old Madonna songs and other 80’s tracks, with a source saying that the new couple “only had eyes for each other” in the packed VIP room.

“They were beaming at each other,” the source added. “So cute.”

Other stars who attended Friday night’s VIP party included Cannes juror Natalie Portman, Lindsay Lohan (minus girlfriend Samantha Ronson), and temperamental supermodel Naomi Campbell.

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