Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson slated for Jackson memorial

Mariah Carrey at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Credit: AP Photo/Francois Mori

Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hudson are at least two of the names gracing the marquee memorial for Michael Jackson tomorrow (July 7) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

CNN confirmed that the "American Idol" and "Dreamgirls" star Hudson will be performing a song, with longtime Jackson collaborator Ken Ehrlich producing the whole event.

Meanwhile, TMZ (who nailed the story of Michael Jackson's passing far before any other media outlets) is reporting that Mariah Carey has been tapped to sing as well, reportedly the Jackson 5 tune "I'll Be There."

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.6 million MJ fans applied for free tickets to the memorial, with only 8,750 pairs available. A number of networks -- including ABC, CNN and Fox -- have confirmed they will be broadcasting the live event, which promises to host a number of celebrities and admirers.

Meanwhile, the L.A. Superior Court has granted Jackson's legal exectutors John Branca and John McClain the control of Jackson's remaining assets and of executing his will. Jackson's mother, Katherine, attempted to gain this control before today's hearing.

Update: Also announced as attending and/or speaking will be Stevie Wonder, LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Brooke Shields, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, John Mayer, Usher, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Andrae Crouch Choir, Shaheen Jafargholi (finalist on Britain's Got Talent) and Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice.

Look for complete coverage beginning at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST on HitFix.

Katie Hasty
Managing Editor

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After five years as a columnist and editor at Billboard, Katie Hasty joined HitFix in 2009 for music and film reporting out of New York. The Midwest native has worked as a writer, music promoter and in A&R since 1999 and performs with her band Numbers And Letters.