LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s sister Janet Jackson and father, Joe Jackson, attended the BET Awards Sunday to thank fans and celebrate Michael.

“We’re doing fine, thank you,” Joe Jackson said on the red carpet.
“It’s a fantastic thing. It’s a great thing. I just wish (Michael) could have seen this celebration. It’s hard. He’s gone, but ... I’m here to celebrate.”
Jackson, wearing sunglasses and shaky at times when he spoke, continued: “He was the biggest star in history. I feel sorry that the biggest star in the world is gone.”
Later, backstage speaking to reporters, Jackson said Michael is “larger than he ever was before. Michael gave his love to everybody. We hope his record will never be broken.”
BET dedicated the awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium, to the memory of Michael Jackson.
New Edition opened the show singing a Jackson 5 medley including “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “The Love You Save.”
Host Jamie Foxx, decked out in Jackson garb including cropped tight black pants, white socks and loafers, followed with a re-enactment of the dance sequence from Jackson’s “Beat It” video.
“No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man,” Foxx said. “He belongs to us, and we shared him with everybody else.”
“Is there any question who was the best?” Foxx told the excited crowd. “Half of y’all can’t sell out a bathroom at a Carl’s Jr.”
Throughout the show, tributes to Jackson were interspersed with the presentation of awards in a variety of categories and performances.
Beyonce, clad in a celestial costume, sang a medley of “Ave Maria” and Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel.” Throughout the performance, the singer’s dress was transformed into an architectural, transparent fur-trimmed skirt, and she donned a tiara and a sheer white veil.
Ciara performed Jackson’s “Heal the World” and was followed by Keyshia Cole and Monica singing “Trust.”
Backstage, Ciara said she’s always been inspired by Jackson.
“I actually talked to him on the phone. He was doing a song for Hurricane Katrina. When he got on the phone, I didn’t know what to say! He said, ‘So what’s the weather like?’ I was like, ‘Hot?’ ” the singer said, bursting into tears and requesting a tissue. “I didn’t grow up in music. He is the reason (I got involved). I didn’t have any training, nothing. That’s where I get my inspiration from. I didn’t know him, but he really meant so much.”
In accepting the Humanitarian Award, Alicia Keys cited Jackson’s influence. “He has truly inspired me to use music in a way that serves the world,” she said.
Near the end of the program, Janet Jackson took to the stage to address the crowd. “My entire family wanted to be here tonight but it was just too painful, so they elected me to speak with all of you,” said the superstar’s famous sister. “I’d just like to say, 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 of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much.”
Ne-Yo and Foxx performed “I’ll Be There” to close out the show.
Earlier, stars on the red carpet recalled their fondest memories of Jackson.
“I remember trying to do the moonwalk in my house back in the day, and it was funny because it was a small house,” Sean Paul said. “But Michael Jackson was the first music that my mom and I were able to bond over.”
Marlon Wayans said he has cried “really hard” two times this year: When Barack Obama became president and when Michael Jackson died.
“I feel like the world is missing something. I think anytime I see something negative, I change the channel,” he said. “He was found innocent. Let’s not stain that. Let’s celebrate his legacy.”
“The View” host Sherri Shepherd said Jackson shaped “every aspect of our lives.”
“I challenge you to build your own soundtrack and it not include a Michael Jackson song,” she said. “I used to take the bus to his house, hoping I would catch a glimpse of him. I even tried to scale a fence once.”
Estelle, who has topped charts with “American Boy,” said Jackson took her breath away.
“I saw him once at an event and I kind of couldn’t breathe. I always wished I’d said something,” she said. “I remember when I saw him perform `Dirty Diana’ live in ’88. Wow. He was just born to do it.”
Grandmaster Flash said Jackson “graced the world” with great lyrics and music.
“We all wanted to be like Mike. It’s almost hard to believe that he’s not here. I haven’t accepted it yet,” he said.

Kelly Carter and Cindy Clark contributed to this report.