LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's memorial service Tuesday at the Staples Center drew a star-studded crowd, but not every face was a household name.
Shaheen Jafargholi, who rose to fame earlier this year on "Britain's Got Talent," was asked to perform by the Jackson family after wowing audiences on the U.K. show.
The 12-year-old had captured the eye of Jackson, who reportedly caught a glimpse of the young star on YouTube. Jackson later invited Jafargholi to join him at his planned July comeback concert run at London's O2 Arena.
"Shaheen was asked specifically by Michael Jackson's closest family to sing at the service because they knew how impressed Michael had been with him," Shaheen's headmaster, Robert Phillips, told the Times of London.
Jafargholi rekindled memories of Jackson as a child star when he took the stage in Los Angeles and performed the Jackson 5 hit "Who's Lovin' You."
"I just want to thank you so much for blessing me and every single person on this earth with your amazing music," Jafargholi said of his idol as the crowd roared its approval. "Thank you very much, Michael Jackson."
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