Actress Brooke Shields speaks at a memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2009. Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Usher led an emotional public memorial for Michael Jackson on Tuesday as the music world, the Jackson family and thousands of fans bade farewell to the "King of Pop." [Agencies]

Brooke Shields couldn't contain her emotions as she spoke about Michael Jackson at his memorial service.

The tearful actress failed to fight back tears as she paid tribute to the "one of a kind star" she was rumoured to have dated.

Addressing mourners at Los Angeles' Staples Center - including the late singer's family, who were all wearing a single white glove in tribute to his famous stage outfit - Brooke recalled the time the late singer had tried to teach her his famous moonwalk dance and when they tried to sneak a glance at Elizabeth Taylor's wedding dress.

She added: "The picture captions used to refer to us as an odd couple. But to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships. We made it fun."

She also said she used to tease him about his eccentric way of dressing, joking: "I was like, what's up with the glove? If you're going to hold my hand, it better be the non-gloved one, because sequins really hurt my hand!"

Tearfully recalling that Michael's favourite song had been the Charlie Chaplin-penned "Smile", Brooke ended her speech by referencing the song, saying: "We need to look up, where he is undoubtedly perched on a crescent moon, and we need to smile."

The "Billie Jean" star's brother Jermaine Jackson then performed the track.

Prior to a performance of Michael's hit "Human Nature" by John Mayer, long-time friend of the Jackson family Rev. Al Sharpton credited Michael with uniting different racial groups and making it possible for Barack Obama to become the first black US President.

He said: "It was Michael Jackson that brought blacks and whites and Asians and Latinos together.

"Because Michael Jackson kept going, he created a comfort level, where people that felt they were separate became interconnected with his music.

"Later, it wasn't strange to watch Oprah on television. It wasn't strange to watch Tiger Woods golf. He made people comfortable to vote for a person of colour for president.

"I want his children to know, there wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with."

Earlier at the service, Jennifer Hudson performed "Will You Be There" from Michael's "Dangerous" album and basketball stars Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant recalled their favourite memories of the pop icon.

(China Daily/Agencies July 8, 2009)