It was a star-studded evening at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles Tuesday as celebs like Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez (in a black beaded Herve Leger bandage dress paired with Herve Leger slouchy boots), Neil Patrick Harris, Paula Abdul (wearing a cobalt blue Temperley London strapless Grecian dress with a embellished bodice), Katy Perry (in a vintage Christian Lacroix gown), Paris Hilton, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ashley Tisdale flocked to the premiere screening of Michael Jackson’s This Is It. Los Angeles hosted one of 19 screenings being held simultaneously around the world, from London, New York, Rio, Moscow to Berlin and Seoul.

Also in attendance were all of Michael’s brothers – who received a standing ovation inside the theater before the film began. None of Michael’s sisters nor mother Katherine Jackson or father Joe Jackson (who actually attended the premiere in Las Vegas) was present. “We had to be here to support my brother’s work,” Jermaine said. “They say this is it, but this is just the beginning.” Added brother Jackie: “It’s a sad moment, but we have to support our family.”

Also absent were Michael’s three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, who, Jackie said, “are wonderful. They will see a private screening of the film later.”

Speaking from the Las Vegas premiere, patriarch Joe Jackson said of Michael’s children: “They are healthy, they exercise, they practice martial arts. They are fine.”

Rushing to embrace Jermaine on the red carpet, Paula Abdul declared, “Tonight is a celebration. I learned so much from working with Michael and his brothers. I have nothing but love and support.”

“I’ve known Michael since I was four,” Paris Hilton said. “He was very special friend. I love him. I’m here to support the legend.”

The flick contains intimate rehearsal footage of Michael in sparkling gold pants while displaying his signature dance moves and desire for perfection in the calculated notes of Smooth Criminal, Human Nature and Thriller. To that last song, he added a new frightening spin on the classic theatrics that had guests stunned. “We want to take them places they’ve never been before,” Michael said to his crew during a segment in the film.

“It was beautiful and touching,” Joey McIntyre said after the screening. “It’s great that we have proof that he didn’t want to go away and that he wanted to prove to the world that he was still the king of pop.”

The This Is It movie has been described as ‘the single most brilliant piece of film-making’ by Jackson’s friend, Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

Jackson, 50, died suddenly on June 25 after being rushed to hospital suffering from a suspected heart attack. The LA County Coroner has since ruled the death was homicide caused by acute intoxication with the sedative propofol.

Filming for the movie began in March when Jackson announced the live performances, his first for more than two years, which he said would be his ‘curtain call’. Rehearsal footage released shortly after his death showed the King of Pop looking thin but well as he danced around the stage at the Staples Centre, in Los Angeles, but protesters said his failing health was obvious to those close to him.

This Is It is directed by Kenny Ortega, Jackson’s creative partner and director of the stage show, has also been produced with the support of the late singer’s estate. The film will be in cinemas for two weeks.