IT was a standout moment that many considered to be the highlight of the Grammy awards, and one that the rest of the night’s performers were hard pushed to top.

With their late father absent from the proceedings, Michael Jackson’s children Prince Michael and Paris took to the stage at the Staples Centre to accept the lifetime achievement award on their father’s behalf.

Accompanied by three of their cousins, Prince Michael, 12, and his 11-year-old sister wore black suits with red armbands and red stripes down the seam of their trousers in tribute to the pop superstar.

The show-stopping appearance was punctuated by a speech by his eldest child who, looking remarkably mature and no longer with the longer hairstyle he kept before his father’s death, thanked Jackson’s fans for their support.

Prince told the audience: “We are proud to be here to accept this award on behalf of our father, Michael Jackson. First of all we’d like to thank God for watching over us these last seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support.

“We’d also like to thank the fans, our father loved you so much because you were always there for him.

“Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity, through all his hard work and dedication he has helped through many charities and donated to all of them.

“Through all his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world.” Paris added: “Daddy was supposed to be here. Daddy was going to perform this year but couldn’t. Thank you, we love you daddy.’

The children appeared after a rendition of Michael Jackson’s Earth Song, performed live by Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson in a special 3-D video montage.

— Daily Mail

POST ITS

Elton John gets dirty with Lady GaGa as they duet at the Grammys

It should be no surprise that Elton John has jumped on the Lady GaGa bandwagon. The veteran performer joined pop’s hottest newcomer onstage at the Grammys on Sunday night.

Lady GaGa began her Grammy segment alone, performing her hit Poker Face astride a pedestal in a no-expense-spared performance. She was then flung into the garbage chute of the Fame Factory set, before emerging seated at a piano, facing Elton John. Both were covered in artfully applied dirt, with Elton’s trademark glasses getting the GaGa treatment in all-over diamante. The pair battled it out at the piano, Elton singing Your Song, and GaGa Speechless.

    — Daily Mail

Beyoncé picks up record six awards

It was Ladies’ Night at the Grammy Awards as Beyoncé scooped six awards — a record for a female artist.

    The R & B superstar, who won five awards in 2004 for her debut album Dangerously In Love, went one better this year.

And she would have won seven awards if her husband Jay-Z had not beaten her in the rap/sung category. Beyoncé’s career tally rose to 16, including three with her former group Destiny’s Child.

The Single Ladies singer had ten nominations and walked away with trophies for Song Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Contemporary R&B Album.

    — Daily Mail

Frock horror for Britney Spears

Britney, who is notorious for ignoring the advice of even the very best celebrity stylists, looked a sight as she arrived in a sheer lace Dolce & Gabbana dress over a black bodysuit as she hit the red carpet at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The outfit proved more frumpy than fabulous, but there was at least one consolation — her usually matted extensions were elegantly styled into gentle, tumbling curls.

    — Daily Mail