At Sunday’s BET Awards, a somber-looking Janet Jackson thanked fans for their support following the death of her brother Michael Jackson.

“My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful so they elected me to speak with all of you,” she told the crowd at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

“I would just like to say that to you, Michael is an icon,” said Janet, who wore all white. “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 your love; thank you for all your support,” she went on.

Then, with her voice trembling, she said, “We miss him so much.”

As she exited the stage, Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder and Ne-Yo performed the Jackson 5 hit “I’ll Be There” as images of the late King of Pop played on a screen in the background.

Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, also attended the awards show, which paid tribute to his late son’s life. He sat in the front row as countless musicians, from Beyonce to Lil Wayne, paid their respects.

Earlier in the night, Joe walked the red carpet.

“I wish the world had recognized him when he was living,” he told CNN when asked about his late son. “Right now, he’s bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this.”

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