Yesterday Britney Spears went shopping in Hollywood, and X17 photogs broke the news to the pop princess that Michael Jackson had passed away. Though Brit didn't speak on Michael's passing, her face says it all - she looked utterly shocked.

Britney released the following statement a little later in the day:

"I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"

Rihanna reacted to the news of Michael Jackson's death today by changing clothes from a blue dress to all black.

The R&B singer visited her agents' offices at Endeavor earlier in the day and then hit up Kentucky Fried Chicken before heading over to the Westfield Mall in Century City to take in Transformers 2 at the theater. It was then that she switched out of her bright blue for a more subdued black ensemble.





Ri was no doubt saddened by the news of Jacko's death -- her ex, Chris Brown, did a memorable performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in which he donned a glove, did the moonwalk and got rave reviews for his tribute to the King of Pop.

There are few people more compelling than Michael Jackson was -- from his childhood singing career, to his wild success in the 1980s, to his troubles in the 1990s, to his untimely death.

We have compiled this gallery of candid shots of the King of Pop in honor of his life ...

click image to view gallery

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Jackson's children in an SUV returning home from the hospital today

Michael Jackson's children, Prince, Paris, and Prince II were taken to UCLA Medical Center this afternoon AFTER their father was pronounced dead, for a final goodbye.

A chauffeur-driven SUV took the kids from their Beverly Hills home to the hospital and the children stayed at UCLA for approximately an hour and then returned home.

The family's attorney Brian Oxman has said Jackson's mother Katherine will now care for the children.

Michael's sister LaToya Jackson made her way through the chaos of media and fans outside of UCLA Medical Center today after rushing to her brother's side upon news of his hospitalization and subsequent pronouncement of death.

It's believed their sister Janet arrived at LAX about an hour ago ...

Here's a clip of other friends and family, including La Toya, arriving to pay their last respects at the hospital earlier today:

After news of Jackson's hospitilization -- reported HERE on X17online first -- lead to news of the King of Pop's death, more and more fans gathered at UCLA Medical Center this afternoon.

Reports said some fans tried to storm the hospital to catch a final glimpse of the pop icon, while other blared Jackson's music from stereos on the hospital lawn.

Meanwhile, at Jackson's Beverly Hills home, police had to close access to the entire street from Sunset Blvd. after fans overwhelmed the road, stopping traffic and bothering residents.

A group of fans gathered at Michael's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to lay flowers on the street, sing songs, and share stories.

Hundreds of people gathered outside Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana, according to the AP.

The marquee outside the Apoloo Theater in New York read "In memory of Michael Jackson, a true Apollo Legend, 1958 - 2009."

At the Glastonbury Festival in England, concert goers applauded as Jackson's music was played over the speakers.

Here was the scene at UCLA after the news broke ...






And outside Jackson's LA home ...

Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman tries to make his way through a sea of media outside UCLA Medical Center today ...

Britney paid tributed to the King of Pop back in December '06 -- who DIDN'T own the Thriller album and know all the lyrics?!