By Tay Shi'an

SHE couldn't speak a word of English until she fell in love with Michael Jackson.

So determined was she to learn all his songs, and to be able to speak to him if she could meet him one day, that Ms Zhou Danni (left), 20, a student from China, enrolled in a language school to learn English for five months.

She said: 'When I first heard his songs, I thought he sounded like a woman, so I didn't really like him. Then I saw his videos and I was blown away.

'There's a dance stage for him in heaven... I think he'll never die, he will always live in our hearts.'

Three fans, aged between 19 and 21, pulled off a Tribute to the King memorial event at Hong Lim Park yesterday, which featured Jackson's music videos and concerts, projected on a big screen with a booming sound system in front.

The trio had only two days to organise it, so they were amazed when some 300 fans attended.

There was also a candlelight vigil, a giant banner where fans signed farewell messages, and a beautiful larger-than-life silhouette of a dancing, windblown Jackson, which took co-organiser Ng Shunyi, 19, eight hours to sketch and spray paint.

It was at the feet of this banner that fans like Mr Mohan Sundaralingam, 32, and Mr Ahmet Deveci, 25, laid flowers and other gifts, and lit candles.

The event cost $1,500, mostly for an events company to put up scaffolding for the banners, and provide the projector, screen and confetti. The three organisers are splitting the cost among themselves, although they found a sponsor for the sound system.

Jackson impersonators came in full force, like Mr Mike Rajen, 47, now an offshore salesman, who arrived with dozens of posters.

He took his wife and 8-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, and showed his children some signature moves.

Tariq Ijaz, 19, came decked out in Jackson's signature fedora (the black felt hat) and a black jacket. He posed gamely for pictures, grabbing his crotch in classic MJ style while his three siblings cheered him on.

There was even a monk - Venerable Shi Fa Rong from the Hood In Jing She Abbot.

He first heard Jackson's songs about 30 years ago, before he went to live in the monastery.

'He's the same age as me. My birthday is also in August,' mused the monk in Mandarin.

'He died too soon. He was like a Laughing Buddha - he brings joy to the world. When people see him, they are happy. That's not easy.'

For co-organiser Suraj Upadhiah, 21, the most touching moment came when fans shared their stories, like one mum who found out she was pregnant during Jackson's Singapore concert in 1993.

She showed her son, now 16, to everyone.

Many also thanked the trio for helping bring closure. 'That really melted our hearts,' he said.

Co-organiser Vikneshwaran Kobinathan, 21, said the trio are definitely planning a trip to the US, wherever Jackson's funeral will be held.

He said: 'I'm proud to be a fan. I'm proud to have been there, in an era where he was alive.'

This article was first published in The New Paper.

Read also:
» 'I had to tell his kids their daddy was dead'