LOS ANGELES, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A star-studded public memorial service paid tribute to late pop star Michael Jackson here Tuesday as thousands of randomly selected fans joined family, friends and entertainment stars to say goodbye to the King of Pop.

Jackson, who died on June 25 at a Los Angeles hospital after being rushed there in a cardiac arrest, was hailed as the " greatest entertainer that ever lived" during the two-and-a-half- hour ceremony, which featured musical performances and speeches.

The most emotional moment of the event came as Jackson's 11- year-old daughter Paris, together with family members, went to the stage and said a tearful goodbye to her father.

"I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said through tears. " And I just wanted to say I love him so much."

The girl then broke down weeping, with her aunt Janet embracing her on stage.

The public memorial service, which followed a family memorial at the Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, was in fact a celebration of the life of Michael Jackson, who died at the age of 50.

"Through his words, his music and his countless good deeds, Michael did so much to try and heal our world," said the Rev. Lucious Smith, a longtime Jackson family friend, in his speech during the event.

A church choir opened the memorial service by singing "Soon and Very Soon," as the singer's flower-covered casket was wheeled to the stage in Staples Center of downtown Los Angeles.

It was the beginning of a series of musical performances, including songs by Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. Young stars like Usher, John Mayer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson also performed to pay their tribute.

Jackson's brother Jermaine performed "Smile," a song written by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 film "Modern Times," which is believed to be Michael Jackson's favorite song.

The final part of the ceremony were performances of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World," two famous songs co-written by Jackson in 1980s as an effort of African famine-relief aid.

The Jackson family including mother Katherine and father Joe sat in the front row, looking over a stage that included a large video screen that showed photos and videos of the singer throughout his 40-year career.

The ceremony also had its humorous moments, including a story from former Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson, who said he was once invited to have a dinner at Jackson's home and shocked to see that the superstar was having a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

It was still unclear where Jackson's body would eventually be taken. Jackson's brother Jermaine had expressed a desire that Jackson be buried at Neverland Ranch, his former home in Santa Barbara County, about 200 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles.