LOS ANGELES , California ( CNN ) -- Michael Jackson 's daughter touched the hearts of millions when she bid a tearful farewell to her father at his memorial service in a rare public appearance . Paris Jackson , 11 , is consoled by her uncle Marlon Jackson after delivering a tearful tribute to her father . With her brief speech , 11-year-old Paris Jackson also shocked the event 's organizers , who said her appearance was not a planned part of Tuesday 's star-studded tribute to the `` King of Pop '' at Los Angeles ' Staples Center . `` Ever since I was born , daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine , '' she said , fighting back tears as relatives consoled her . `` And I just want to say that I love him so much , '' she said as she burst into tears and sought refuge in the embrace of family members . Watch her emotional goodbye » . For many watching , Paris ' appearance marked a rare glimpse of a child who has spent most of her life shielded from the public . Born to two mothers -- Jackson 's ex-wife Debbie Rowe and an unidentified woman who reportedly served as a surrogate -- Jackson 's three children lived and traveled the world with him , their faces often covered by veils and masks when appearing in public . In its execution , the speech appeared to be a surprise to those onstage and off . `` It was a surprise they were there . All of us who know them were delighted they were strong enough to come and feel this love and great outpouring for their dad , '' Kenny Ortega , the choreographer ( `` Dirty Dancing '' ) who was directing Jackson 's `` This Is It '' comeback concerts in London , England , told CNN 's Campbell Brown . `` We would 've never expected that they had the strength . It was beautiful . '' Watch Ortega express his surprise at Paris Jackson 's tribute » . Ortega , a longtime Jackson colleague who helped design the singer 's 1990s tours , said planners left the end of the show open for family members to speak if they wished to , but he was surprised when the Jackson clan -- among them , his siblings and children -- went onstage for the two last songs , `` We Are the World '' and `` Heal the World . '' Marlon Jackson told the crowd that his sister , pop star Janet Jackson , wished to say some words . Instead , Janet appeared to encourage Paris to come forward from the sea of black dresses and suits and take the microphone , adjusting it and stroking the child 's hair as Paris delivered her words . Ortega said he was touched by Paris ' speech . `` Michael was so close with these beautiful children , '' he said . `` Little Paris was his biggest fan . ... A little girl could n't love her papa more . '' The heartfelt display sparked a groundswell of emotion in the auditorium and around the world , where millions of viewers watched the service on television and the Internet . `` The saddest moment was when Michael Jackson 's daughter spoke , '' said Angelina Martinez , who attended the service with her daughter , Jessica . `` She was really in pain . Everybody was crying inside , '' she said . `` It was beauty combined with sadness . '' Attendees , performers and speakers alike struggled for composure throughout the two-plus-hour event , which featured performances from Lionel Richie , Jennifer Hudson and Usher . But to many , Paris ' tribute cast Jackson in the one role few have experienced him as : a father . `` It was very , very touching , and really it was an example of the good parent Michael was , because when I was at Neverland and with the kids he really was a good loving father -- they had a fantastic relationship , and they were very close-knit , '' Stuart Backerman said . `` So to see Paris come on in such an emotional moment and obviously give her heart out to her father was very , very touching . '' Others saw the tribute as a whole as Jackson 's final legacy to his children . `` There are those I feel in years to come , will try to distort him to his children ... and not understand that the real challenges that Michael Jackson had to seriously face and did face and make a difference , '' the Rev . Al Sharpton said . `` And I thought it was very important to put in context for his children what he dealt with in history and what he was able to do . ''
Planners of Paris Jackson memorial say they did not know daughter would speak . Appearance marks rare occasion in which Michael seen without veil . Jackson tribute to her father strikes chord with viewers around the world . `` It was an example of the good parent Michael Jackson was , '' former Michael Jackson publicist says .