( CNN ) -- Michael Jackson 's sister Janet thanked the crowd at the BET Awards Sunday night for paying tribute to her late brother . Joe Jackson , father of Michael Jackson , attends the BET Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles , California . `` My entire family wanted to be here , but it was just too painful , '' she said , holding back tears . `` To you Michael is an icon . To us Michael is family . And he will forever live in all of our hearts . '' The star-studded BET Awards was an appreciation of Michael Jackson , who died Thursday at age 50 . Watch Janet Jackson talk about her brother » . He was `` the greatest star in the world , '' Joseph Jackson , father of the late entertainer , said on Sunday night . `` I wish the world had recognized him when he were living , '' Joseph Jackson told CNN 's Don Lemon outside the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles , California . `` Right now he 's bigger than ever . But I wish he was here to see all this , to hear all this . '' When asked about circumstances surrounding his son 's death , he said , `` I have a lot of concerns but I ca n't get into that . ... I do n't like what happened . '' Watch Joe Jackson at the BET awards » . The awards opened with a fleet-footed New Edition , with Bobby Brown , performing an energized version of the Jackson 5 hit `` The Love You Save , '' to raucous praise . Host Jamie Foxx wore a red , leather `` Beat It '' jacket for his opening monologue and did his best to imitate Jackson 's backward glide across the floor . See photos of the show 's tributes » . In addition to Foxx , presenter Jeremy Piven mixed praise for Jackson with comic relief . `` If it was n't for Michael Jackson , people like Justin Timberlake would be selling curly fries in the valley , '' the actor said . `` I mean that with love . '' iReport.com : Fans share love for Jackson . This year 's performers included , Beyonce , Keyshia Cole and R & B artist Neyo who performed a hard-hitting tribute to the 1990s with appearances by acts Keith Sweat , Guy and Bell Biv Devoe . Watch celebrities walk the red carpet before the show » . The presenters included the past and present Uhura of `` Star Trek '' : Zoe Saldana , who starred in the film , and Nichelle Nichols of the TV show . The show also honored the soulful Ohio trio , The O'Jays , who were presented the Lifetime Achievement Award . Tevin Campbell performed a rendition of The O'Jays classic `` Forever Mine . '' Johnny Gill , Tyrese and Trey Songz performed a rumbling , soulful medley of The O'Jays hits that had some in the audience wondering if Songz was older than his years . Among the award winners , Atlanta , Georgia-based singer Keri Hilson , who was nominated in four categories , received best new artist and Beyonce won best female artist . Debra L. Lee , chairman and chief executive officer of Black Entertainment Television , said Jackson 's death both saddened and energized the awards organizers . `` When we heard the news of Michael Jackon 's passing we knew immediately we 'd have to change the nature of this show , '' she said . `` We put the show together in a matter of three or four days . It 's truly been a labor of love for us , '' Lee said .
Even on the red carpet , the talk is about Michael Jackson . Comment: Jamie Foxx performs in red , leather `` Billie Jean '' jacket ; does wobbly moonwalk . Janet Jackson : `` My entire family wanted to be here tonight -- It was just too painful ''