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As of Saturday, the star-studded Hope For Haiti telethon had already raised an estimated $58 million for the island’s earthquake victims.

More monetary donations continued to pour in over the rest of the weekend, and the “Hope for Haiti Now” album of the night’s musical performances, which hit the No. 1 spot in 18 countries on Saturday, is expected to rake in even more money in iTunes sales.

Celebrities including Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Bono, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Madonna, and Stevie Wonder participated in the event.

Proceeds from the telethon have been donated to the Red Cross, UNICEF, the U.N. World Food Programme, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation, and the Yele Haiti Foundation.

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Michael Jackson’s casket has just been loaded into the Staples Center, and the event is about to begin. We’ll be updating you on the event here. Watch a live stream of the broadcast, above.

10:12 AM: Smokey Robinson has just finished addressing the crowd.

10:20 AM: Rev. Jesse Jackson and his family have just entered the arena. Other people, presumed to be Michael’s family members are also entering the center.

10:23 AM: Michael’s immediate family members are taking their seats.

10:32 AM: A choir has taken the stage. Michael’s casket is being carried in.

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10:34 AM: The casket is being displayed right in front of the stage.

10:37 AM: Pastor Lucius Smith is addressing the crowd.

10:39 AM: Mariah Carey has just taken the stage. She is performing I’ll Be there. Tre Lorenz has joined her on stage.

10:45 AM: Queen Latifah is addressing the crowd.

10:50 AM: Lionel Richie has taken the stage. He is signing Jesus is Love.

10:54 AM: Berry Gordy, founder of Motown is speaking to the audience.

11:07 AM: Stevie Wonder has taken the stage. He is performing I Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer.

11:15 AM: Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson are now speaking.

11:18 AM: Magic Johnson says that Michael ate KFC.

11:21 AM: A very pregnant Jennifer Hudson is performing Will You Be There.

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11:25 AM: Rev. Al Sharpton is addressing the crowd.

11:33 AM: John Mayer has taken the stage. He is performing Human Nature.

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11:39 AM: Brooke Shields is now on stage making a speech.

11:48 AM: Jermaine Jackson has taken the stage to perform Smile (with a sequined glove).

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11:53 AM: Martin Luther King III is making a speech.

11:54 AM: Bernice King is speaking.

11:59 AM: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has taken the stage.

12:08 PM: Usher is now making his appearance. He is singing Gone Too Soon.

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12:14 PM: Smokey Robinson is now back on stage.

12:19 PM: Britain’s Got Talent’s Shaheen Jafargholi is singing.

12:22 PM: Concert director Kenny Ortega has just introduced Shaheen. He is now making his speech.

12:25 PM: A line-up of various artists are now performing We Are The World.

12:28 PM: A group of children have now taken the stage. They are singing Heal The World. Michael’s kids Prince, Paris, and Blanket are among them - unmasked.

12:34 PM: Michael’s brothers are now taking turns making their last statements, and thanking the crowd for showing up.

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12:40 PM: Michael’s daughter Paris is now speaking. She told the audience, “Ever since I was born, daddy was the best father you could ever imagine, and I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

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12:42 PM: Michael’s casket is now being carried out of the venue.

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Stevie Wonder and Usher, among others took to the stage at the Staples Center late last night to rehearse for Michael Jackson’s memorial, which will take place about an hour from now.

Usher performed Gone Too Soon, and a choir of children sang a version of We Are The World.

One witness told reporters,

The rehearsal was extremely moving - many people watching were in tears. The stars’ performances were superb but the set and the production were equally breathtaking.

There won’t be a dry eye in the house on the night when those huge pictures of Michael as a boy appear. And the performance of Gone Too Soon was incredible - Usher could not have picked a more fitting epitaph.

CNN reported earlier today that the rehearsal was interrupted several times when performers broke down in tears.

The Sun published the photos below of Usher and Stevie Wonder’s tribute performances last night.

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More Michael Jackson Memorial Details

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More details have been leaking in about Michael Jackson’s memorial service, which is set to take place at the L.A. Staples Center tomorrow.

Yesterday we confirmed that Jennifer Hudson would be performing at the event. Now, reports are saying that Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, and Usher will also make appearances. According to festival organizers, there will be a few surprise performers, someone will be performing Man in the Mirror, and Mariah Carey will sing “I’ll Be There”. The all-star line-up will come together at the end of the show to perform Michael’s 1992 hit, Heal the World.

The service will be broadcast on NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and E!.

Update: Here is the confirmed list of celebrities who will be making appearances at the event: Kobe Bryant; Mariah Carey; Andrae Crouch Choir; Berry Gordy; Jennifer Hudson; Shaheen Jafargholi (finalist on Britain’s Got Talent); Magic Johnson; Martin Luther King III; Bernice A. King; John Mayer; Lionel Richie; Smokey Robinson; Rev. Al Sharpton; Brooke Shields; Pastor Lucious Smith (family friend); Usher; and Stevie Wonder.

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/Gossip Clearing Out The Rumor Mill [Comic]

Contrary to rumors, Tom Cruise is not dead, and Stevie Wonder’s house did not burn down. WTF is it, make up celebrity rumors day?

I wanna play! OK ready?

Everyone thinks Madonna is getting it on with A-rod, and planning a trip to Malawi with him (to probably find another baby), but I call false on those rumors. My source (it meows, does it count?) says that The Material Girl is actually getting it on with Tea Leoni. That whole Billy Bob Thornton thing? Totally a cover up. Oh yeah, and John Tesh is dead.

Update: I called it.  Billy Bob is now denying having an affair with Tea.  Looks like Tea’s cover up fell through.

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