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
More from EW’s Music Mix:
New Paramore single “Ignorance”: Stream it today
Maroon 5 covers Frank Sinatra
Stream new Portugal. The Man track, “Everyone Is Golden” — an EW exclusive!
Twilight’s Blue Foundation: Stream an exclusive new version of “Watch You Sleeping”
addCredit(“Mark J. Terrill/AP Images”)
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.