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LOS ANGELES: Celebrities and stars around the globe were overwhelmed by sorrow and shock on Thursday as they sought to absorb the news of the sudden death of pop icon Michael Jackson.
Pop diva Madonna said she was left in tears at the news because the music world had lost "one of the greats".
"I can't stop crying over the sad news," the veteran singing star told celebrity website People.com.
"I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."
"I'm absolutely devastated at this news," bestselling record producer and musician Quincy Jones told NBC, after Jackson died suddenly aged 50, apparently from a cardiac arrest, at his Beverly Hills home.
"I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together and allowed us to do what we could do through the '80s," Jones said.
"To this day that music is played in every corner of the world, and the reason is because he had it all – talent, grace, and professionalism. I've lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him."
As crowds of people began to gather at the hospital where Jackson had been rushed for treatment, the biggest and greatest of the entertainment world were struggling to take in news of his death.
Actress Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson's closest and longstanding friends, was "too devastated" to issue a statement, her spokesperson said.
But California Governor Arnold Schwarzegger issued a statement lamenting the loss of "one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry".
Schwarzenegger noted that there were "serious questions" about Jackson's personal life, but the governor said he and his wife Maria Shriver joined "all Californians in expressing our shock and sadness over his death."
"Our hearts go out the Jackson family, Michael's children and to his fans worldwide," the statement said.
"I'm just devastated, very, very sad. I pray that his soul is up there now," close friend Uri Geller told the BBC, after multiple US news outlets confirmed Jackson's death.
Jackson was best man when the television physic Geller renewed his wedding vows in 2001.
"I'm still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it is not true. It is too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us."
Geller told the BBC that he was "absolutely shocked" as Jackson had been in good shape training for his comeback tour due to launch on July 13 in London.
"Michael was in good shape because he was practising, he was training, he was rehearsing for the shows," he said.
"Michael was careful with what he ate, he was just fine. Last time I know and heard of what he was doing he was in great shape. And this is why I'm so absolutely shocked by this news and I'm praying and hoping it's not true."
US actor Jamie Foxx was in the middle of an interview with "Extra" TV when the news broke, and said that he hoped Jackson would be remembered as a "brilliant musician" and not for "the circus sideshow" that his life turned into.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband also posted his thoughts on Jackson's death on Twitter. "Never has one soared so high and yet dived so low. RIP Michael," Miliband wrote.
Many paid tribute to Jackson's influence on the world of music and dance. His album "Thriller" remains the bestselling album of all time with more than 41 million sales.
And his iconic moonwalk has passed into dance legend, endlessly copied by millions of dancers around the world.
"From a dancer's perspective, he was the epitome of the natural mover and popularised the 'moonwalk' from his Billy Jean video. Of course, the dance that he did for 'Thriller' is still performed, used and emulated constantly," said Ashley Roland, co-artistic director of the Oregon-based dance company BodyVox.
"He was an inspiration to so many, and I am one of them."
British child actor Mark Lester, the godfather to Jackson's children, said he was in shock at the news, and praised Jackson's attributes as a father.
"They're the most fabulous kids – whatever they need, they've got me," Lester told MSNBC.
- AFP/so
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