By Jayson Rodriguez
Photo: Mark Ralston/ AFP
LOS ANGELES — Over 1 million fans who registered online for the chance to attend Michael Jackson's public memorial woke up Sunday morning (July 5) awaiting e-mail notification on whether they were selected for two tickets to the service, to be held Tuesday at the Staples Center.
According to representatives for the Jackson family, close to 1.6 million fans from around the world registered for the 17,500 tickets that will be made available to the public; 11,000 selected registrants will enter the Staples Center, while the remaining 6,500 chosen will be ushered just across a small street to Nokia Theater for a live simulcast.
Bogus reports have been circulating online, falsely attributed to The Associated Press, saying that the notification has been delayed until Monday because of the overwhelming demand. But Shawn Sachs, a publicist working with the Jackson family, told MTV News via e-mail that "nothing has changed," and fans will still be notified on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. PT. Ticket pickup will then take place on Monday, at a location away from the Staples Center. Two tickets and two corresponding wristbands will then be given to 8,750 computer-selected fans.
Are you one of the fans selected to attend Michael Jackson's memorial? Tell us about it via Twitter.com/mtvnews or Your.MTV.com.
While millions anxiously await notification, a slew of Jackson fans had already made their way to the Staples Center by Sunday. A banner honoring Jackson that was erected on Star Plaza just in front of the center has become a makeshift memorial. Many visited the site during the holiday weekend and signed the banner with messages, placed drawings of the King of Pop nearby or laid down flowers honoring the late musical icon.
"I just wrote, 'Michael, you brought so much happiness to the world. May you rest in peace,' " Los Angeles resident Jessica Rendon told MTV News. Rendon, along with her boyfriend and his cousin, waited in line for 30 minutes to tag the sign. Representatives from the Staples Center allowed fans into the barricaded area for five minutes each to take pictures or leave a message.
A Staples Center rep told MTV News that fans have been signing the banner since late Friday afternoon. On Sunday morning, the line to see the banner had stretched back to approximately 75 people. Vendors hawked King of Pop six-packs of soda, framed Los Angeles Times front pages reporting Jackson's death and other assorted items.
Just across the street, workers were building risers in front of the Nokia Theater in preparation for Tuesday's event. Officials have urged fans to stay away from the area if they do not receive tickets. But tourist organizations and previous reports suggested that as many as 750,000 people will be arriving in Los Angeles to attend the Jackson memorial.
According to the AP, a private memorial for Jackson's family will take place before Tuesday's public service. LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell would not provide details on the private event beyond confirming the location at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. As of press time, plans for the services — from special guests to whether Jackson's body will be brought to the Staples Center — were still being finalized.
For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."
Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.
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