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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

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Jackson fans enter memorial lottery, hoping for golden ticket

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Jackson fans enter memorial lottery, hoping for golden ticket
Jackson fans enter memorial lottery, hoping for golden ticket

Representatives of the Jackson family and L.A. city officials today announced plans for a memorial for Michael Jackson to be held Tuesday at the Staples Center.

KPCC’s Molly Peterson spoke to one of the King of Pop’s fans who came to downtown Los Angeles.

Molly Peterson: Twenty-year-old Brent Truehart drove an hour from the Moreno Valley down to L.A. Live in the hopes of getting a ticket to the memorial. For now, he’ll settling for an entry in a ticket lottery. Truehart says Michael Jackson inspired him to become a dancer and entertainer.

Brent Truehart: "I was fortunate enough to meet Michael twice. And the words that he spoke to me is never let that dream go, always follow it no matter what anybody say, go for it.

"Now I feel like I have to do this because just to be in the family’s presence during their loss, there with them showing my love and support, how we back them up. I would be truly honored. That would be a dream come true because my biggest dream was to dance with Michael on stage, and I’ll feel honored."

Eleven-thousand fans will join Jackson family members in the Staples Center. Another 6,500 people will watch a simulcast from the Nokia Theatre, just across the street.

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