MOSCOW, July 8 (RIA Novosti) - The daughter of Michael Jackson has described the late King of Pop as "the best father you could ever imagine" at a memorial service in front of 17,500 people in Los Angeles.

The service, held at Staples Center on Tuesday after an earlier private funeral ceremony, was attended by family, fans and stars including Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey.

"I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," 11-year-old Paris said. "And I just wanted to say I love him so much."

Jackson was accused of child molestation in 1993 and 2005. The 1993 charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence and he was acquitted 2005.

Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton defended Jackson's reputation, telling the singer's children in an emotional speech: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it."

"This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come," said Stevie Wonder. "Michael, I love you."

A message was also read from former South African leader Nelson Mandela.

Jackson died on June 25 in Los Angeles of a cardiac arrest. He was 50.