Leona Lewis and Justin Timberlake Have Words for Michael Jackson

In a blog post, Leona Lewis spoke about one of the music industry’s biggest losses, the death of Michael Jackson. She talked about how Michael had inspired her and how he will always be in our hearts, even though he has passed away.

 Leona said, "Michael Jackson was and forever will be one of the greatest influences in music," she wrote. "I don’t know a single person who was not moved in some way by him. I remember him being such an inspiration to me and my family growing up. We’d always have MJ playing or be watching his videos or copying his dance move.

She continues, "It is a great loss to music and my prayers go out to the Jackson family. Thank you for the music Michael you will live on in our hearts forever."

In an interview with MTV UK, Justin Timberlake spoke about Michael Jackson and the memories he had with the King of Pop, “The thing about Michael is the memories. I’m lucky enough to have memories — actually, physically — with him onstage and off."

He praised Michael’s accomplishments, "To create the things that he created with his music is untouchable. He opened the minds of the world to be able to do that through his music… [it's] a feat not accomplished by many people, maybe only a handful of people. I don’t think anyone ever did it like him.

Justin also said that Michael broke down barriers, "He opened the minds of people about music. He opened the minds of people about culture. Even if it was this much in your conscious, he helped with segregation. His music did that and not a lot of people can say that. Michael was the baddest!"

I couldn’t agree more.

Image: Bauer-Griffin