One of the standout moments of today’s Michael Jackson memorial came when a large group, including many of the afternoon’s performers, joined to sing “Heal the World.” But who, many viewers wondered, was the young woman leading everyone on that inspirational ballad? Rolling Stone’s Rock Daily blog has identified her as Judith Hill, who would have been one of the backup singers at Jackson’s upcoming London concerts. Hill’s official site has a few of her own songs available for streaming, including the funky “Excuse Me.” Head over and check them out, then let us know if you’re interested in hearing more from her.
More on Michael Jackson on EW.com:
Michael Jackson memorial: Which performance moved you most?
Michael Jackson memorial: full video and our commentary
Michael Jackson memorial: Ken Tucker’s review
Michael Jackson: A life in pictures (1991-2009)
Michael Jackson: A life in pictures (1958-1988)
Michael Jackson: 10 top videos
Michael Jackson: 18 milestones
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I called him the man that scared small children
I called him crazy I called so many names in front of people
then i went home & watched moonwalker
I said he was ugly & weird
then I would imagine meeting him & becoming his friend
I loved Michael i still love Michael
now I talk about how great he was like everybody else.
I feel like a hypocrite
but at the same time I loved him & his music & he will be missed
the biggest lesson I learned from this is that we shouldn’t be afraid to tell someone how much we love & respect them
as a people we made his life hell now that he is gone I know I owe his memory the respect I never gave him during his life
Anyone who is being honest knows that they owe him the same
My heart goes out to those good people in Michael’s life who is now dealing with the loss of their friend &/ or family member
I love you Michael I never knew u but everytime I dance in my living room to off the wall & sing man in the mirror u r with me
u brightened my life w/ ur music
She did a fabulous job!
Hope she makes it big just like Sheryl Crow, who also used to be MJ’s backup singer
I like her music so far. I would like to hear more from her.
Watch Michael Jackson’s memorial service again at
http://celebbnews.blogspot.com/
It asks you to complete a little survey but then you get the memorial! RIP MJ.
We do not speak well of the living. We do not speak evil of the dead. Why I do not know. Perhaps we should collectivelly re-think they way we run our so-called civilized societies. Appreciate others while they live and not hesitating to mention what they got wrong when commemorating them. This way society would be genuiely edified by such lives.
“Heal the world” should become the dominant agenda everywhere now!
Loved her! Was a little thrown off at first since I didn’t know who anyone was and felt like I should have, but then I just listened to her and was happy and sad and a whole lot of other things all at once.
Judith Hill was amazing. Beautiful voice and presence, and with character as well.
She was absolutely great. Give that girl a record contract.
Christine: As I mentioned on another board,entertainers shouldn’t radically change their looks unless it’s absolutely necessary. There are several actors/singers that I don’t recognize and cannot look at when they speak, and MJ was one of them. I’ll admit it, unless others. He was like Elvis, who I didn’t recognize after he blew up his weight.
The talent is when they’re young. Those are their best years. I think it’s they who left us, and not us who left them.
Though I was never a huge fan of Michael, I really liked his music especially the early years with his brothers. I watched the service with tears and my heart was broken when his daughter told the world how she felt about her daddy. The most moving times of the service for me was Brooke Shields at the podium, Jermaine Jackson singing “Smile”, Usher singing “Gone Too Soon”, Magic Johnson at the podium and of course Paris Jackson. Though I watched it with probably a billion people, it still seems so sureal and I didn’t even know him personally. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and yes, he will live on forever through his family and his music. Godspeed to you.
Judith Hill is one of the most talented unknown artists out there (I guess she’s not unknown now)… may god bless her with all life has to offer, and may her music career begin to soar like there’s no tomorrow!! GO JUDITH!!
Thank you, Kenny Ortega for showcasing the talents of MJ’s backup singers and superb dancers by allowing them to shine with “We Are The World” and “Heal The World.”
The”gypsies” (dancers, back-up singers) are somehow always overlooked at a solo artist’s concerts and performances. So it was a pleasure to see that they were honored at MJ’s memorial service. Michael was smiling and applauding above.
More from and about Judith Hill:
http://tvccs.blogspot.com/2009/07/judith-hill-singer-from-michael-jackson.html
Watching the memorial was very touching for me. From Hawaii, i never got to see him while he did a concert here but was raised with his music. He has definately touched alot of hearts and I give God and thank God for letting us have Michael Jackson for this time. Thank You Jesus! All Glory to you for blessing us with his talents that only comes from YOU.
Dumb me – I thought that singer was Corrine Bailey Rae. I wish Judith a bright future.
I was sure one of the milloins who quietly watched the memorial in bed late in the night and wept uncontrollably. I was alone in my room and prayed for him for God’s mercy and perpectual light to lead his gentle soul through. Though I was actually alone in the room, I just felt sure thhat Michael was actually there with me in spirit and watching from above.
Thank you so much! I was blown away by this singer during the broadcast, but had no idea who she was. I really like the songs on her MySpace. Best wishes for Ms Hill’s career. Would love to here her on the radio!
Judith Hill can sing. Her performance was breathtaking, I wondered why she wasn’t a famous singer herself.
Michael Jackson will always rock my world, the world has lost a lot.
Ms. Hill was fantastic!!! Give that girl a contract. I can’t wait to hear more of her music.
Ms. Hill was fantastic!!! Giver that girl a recording contract. I can’t wait to hear her voice again.
Hill was fantastic. It was a service that truly touched the heart. I was also wondering who the two blonde singers are – one was a backup singer and is right beside Hill. the other was MJ’s guitarist but what is her name? thanks for responding
Someone needs to sign this girl!!! It says on her myspace shes unsigned…I really enjoy her voice and music, its different and unique, its like a combination of Corinne Bailey Rae and Santogold.
Thanks for letting us millions of viewers know who she is! It kinda glued me more to my seat when I viewed and heard the last two songs composed by MJ which I myself btw considered to be the greatest songs of all times sung by someone I totally never knew nor heard from. The back-ups did a fantastic job and knew well that MJ trust them that much with their unequivocal talents. Yes, yes, yes…we’d love to hear more news and life of Judith Hill and thanks Michael for introducing her to us. After this memorial tribute things wouldn’t be the same anymore for this talented lady.
Kenny Ortega is the genius. He was going to direct MJ’s comeback. Give Ortega his own TV show.
The world would like to know who were the backup singers who sang WE ARE THE WORLD. They did great. They made MJ proud.
I was just bowled away by Judith Hill’s voice, and thought I was the only person struck by the beauty of her voice – but when I saw all these comments I felt so happy for her! YEAH let’s get some more music from her!
Wow, Christine…
“as a people we made his life hell now that he is gone I know I owe his memory the respect I never gave him during his life
Anyone who is being honest knows that they owe him the same”
I think we should all take a look ‘in the mirror’ and ‘make the world a better place’ by checking the assumptions and judgements we direct towards others. Most of the time, those ideas and feelings are reflections of what is in our own minds and hearts.
Beauty, Joy, and Goodness… look for it in everyone you meet; let God handle the rest.