Tributes to Michael Jackson dominated the BET Awards last night.
Joe Jackson - the father of the 50-year-old pop legend, was one of the first to pay homage to his son, speaking about him on the red carpet at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium.

"I wish the world had recognized him when he was living. Right now, he's bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this."

Janet Jackson also made an appearance, and thanked Michael's fans for all their support in the wake of his passing. 

"My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful so they elected me to speak with all of you.
"I would just like to say that to you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family, and he will forever live in all of our hearts.
"On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all your love - thank you for all your support. We miss him so much."

Jamie Fox hosted the show, and entered wearing a red leather jacket in a nod to Michael's costume in the music promo for 'Beat It'.
After the event opened to a medley of Jackson 5 songs - including 'ABC' and 'The Love You Save' - Jamie walked onto the stage to 'Beat It'.
He said:

"No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man. We are going to go through all of Michael Jackson."

The singer-and-actor also performed Michael's signature dance move the moonwalk and performed the Jackson 5 hit 'I'll Be There' alongside Stevie Wonder and Ne-Yo as images of the late King of Pop flashed up on a big screen.

Complete list of winners at the BET Awards: 

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Well, you have to give Paulina Porizkova credit for being open about the reason for her dismissal from 'America's Next Top Model.' Clearly, she isn't going the "I wanted to pursue other opportunities" route. Paulina told Access Hollywood's Billy Bush she was fired over what producers called an "ego problem."

'I must admit I was having a little bit of
an issue with Tyra [Banks] being late for every judging,' she told Billy. 'It’s
six hours later and I feel like I am being told my time is not as
valuable as hers. They pointed out that I should shut up and be
grateful for the job and that Tyra is really busy.'

'I think that
my little hissy fits about 'Well, we are all here on time. Why can’t
she (Tyra)?' didn’t go over all that well,' added Paulina, who replaced
the previous judge, supermodel Twiggy."

Paulina denied that her dismissal was in any way related to being the only other female judge.

'I don’t think that in Tyra’s universe that’s
even a consideration. I don’t think she cares,' she said. 'I’m not even
sure she was aware that I existed way out there in Siberia, much like I
am not sure she knew Twiggy existed.'

'I wouldn’t know [what kind of person Tyra is]
because all I know of her is literally when we are on set talking to
each other in front of the cameras,' the supermodel said. 'That is the
only time she would speak to me.' "

I think it would be fair to say there's no love lost between these two ladies. To add insult to injury, Paulina said she was told of her firing on her birthday. Ouch!

Well, I bet Paulina will find something that works much better for her in no time, don't you? 

Photos by INF

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Thank goodness for Tyra Banks! Her stalker has been convincted and could go to jail for up to 90 days, although is lawyer is already planning on bringing an appeal to court.

Police said Green called Tyra's studio repeatedly, asking to speak
with her, and took a bus four days from L.A. to NYC where he has no
friends or family, and went immediately to her studio. He also sent her
flowers and said they "had a thing together."

Tyra testified
that she was warned one day when she was leaving the studio that Green
had been there, and he had threatened an employee.

The man has caused Tyra to beef up security at her show and hire staff to be with her no matter where she goes. 

"I didn't know what to do. How do I live my life when I leave this
building? I had never experienced anything like this before.

I don't live that kind of sheltered, protected life," she said of her increased security staff. "I like to walk around."

UGH. That is definitely the biggest downside to fame...can't help but think of the Mexican singer Selena, who was killed by her crazy manager, when I hear about these stories. Scary stuff.

Photos by INF.