The 'Queen of Bermuda' remembered meeting the King of Pop as he was laid to rest in Los Angeles yesterday.

Sybil Barrington reminisced about embracing musical icon Michael Jackson at a birthday party for Janet Jackson in New York in 2001.

He was one of several female impersonators who performed at a private party for Ms Jackson on her 35th birthday.

It was, says Sybil, an "intimate" affair, with only 50 guests and the drag queens. The guests included Madonna, Cher, other celebrities, plus music industry movers and shakers.

Halfway through the show however, the host announced that Michael Jackson was also present.

For Sybil, who was impersonating his favourite diva Patti LaBelle, the evening was one of his "most wonderful experiences".

After performing LaBelle's 'You are my Friend' and, in the finale, a rendition of Sister Sledge's 'We Are Family', he then got to meet the famous siblings.

Sybil says he embraced both Michael and Janet in his excitement.

"I gave them both a big hug and a kiss. Michael was very warm and it was like so much electricity going on, because I couldn't believe this guy was standing in front of me, let alone her," he says.

"It was just so amazing. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever meet Michael Jackson or Janet Jackson.

"It was one of my most wonderful experiences and something I will always treasure. One of the good things he said to me was, 'As a performer and entertainer you always have to strive for excellence and to be the best, and better'. I thought that was good advice.

"The only thing I regret is I never got a picture with either of them."

The gig however, was top secret until the last minute, with security staff confiscating the drag queens' cell phones until the party was over.

Sybil, aka Mark Anderson, was working as a female impersonator on the New York club circuit for promoter Mark Berkley at the time and was asked to do a show with 'no questions asked'.

He was picked up in a limousine and transported with four other performers to a club on 23rd Street in Chelsea. On arrival, Sybil was paid $1,500 and then told he was to perform for Janet Jackson's birthday party.

"It was small and intimate and Janet had picked all the celebrity impersonators she idolised. So instead of having celebrities performing, she wanted impersonators," he says.

Yesterday, as Sybil watched the live coverage of Michael Jackson's memorial service in LA, he reflected on the superstar's "amazing" talent.

His favourite song will always be 'Ben' but he believes the song of most relevance to Bermuda is 'We Are the World'.

"Michael Jackson was so important to race relations around the world," says Sybil. "In particular, the song 'We Are the World' brought different people together.