Liz Taylor declines Jackson memorial invitation

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Elizabeth Taylor declined an invitation to speak about her friend Michael Jackson at his public memorial because she “cannot be part of the public whoopla,” the legendary actress said in an online message Monday. Taylor, 77, posted the message on her Twitter.com account — DameElizabeth — saying she was invited to speak at the Staples Center memorial in Los Angeles set for 10 a.m. Tuesday.

“I just don’t believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others,” Taylor tweeted. “How I feel is between us. Not a public event.”

Taylor, who uses a wheelchair because of scoliosis, or abnormal curving of the spine, said she would not attend the public memorial.

“I certainly don’t want to become a part of it,” she said. “I love him too much. … And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word.”