LOS ANGELES (AP) — The BET Awards turned up the star power Sunday as the annual event was transformed into a musical farewell to Michael Jackson.

Here's an inside look at the backstage action:

— Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson arrived without tickets about 30 minutes before show time, sending workers and media into a frenzy.

He appeared briefly on the red carpet then disappeared into the Shrine Auditorium.

— Keri Hilson was backstage wearing shades, sparkly socks and cropped pants a la Michael Jackson.

A team of handlers perfected her look. Hilson and her dancers rehearsed in the wings before taking the stage. The crew had modified their routine last-minute to honor Jackson.

— Jamie Foxx had a makeshift dressing room made of black curtains and metal supports in the wings stage left.

A team of advisers rushed him to change clothes before the show began. One person with a clipboard and headset said, "We've got three minutes."

About 30 seconds later, Foxx emerged, having traded his blue T-shirt for a button-down white shirt, and waited for his cue.

— The Rev. Al Sharpton spent time backstage looking for Joe Jackson after Sharpton arrived in Los Angeles and said he was heading to the Jackson compound to discuss ways to memorialize the late pop star.

Sharpton was later seated next to Joe Jackson front-row center.

— Estelle, wearing one glove, shared a quick hello with Beyonce as she approached the stage. Jay Z followed a beat later and stood in the wings to watch his wife perform.

— Stage workers clapped as Beyonce returned backstage. She was quickly greeted by Jay Z then disappeared into a makeshift dressing room.

Jay waited in the wings, sharing small talk with show producer Stephen Hill.

— Snoop Dogg, dressed all in black save for blue Converse sneakers, posed for photos with fans backstage and with BET humanitarian award winner Wyclef Jean.

— Travis Barker made a special trip to Foxx's dressing room to shake his hand then hung around in the wings watching a monitor of Soulja Boy's performance. (By Sandy Cohen/AP Entertainment Writer)