ET caught up with Queen Latifah Wednesday night in New York where she was a guest on "Late Night With David Letterman" and the star opened up about being a part of Michael Jackson's emotional public memorial.

"It was an honor and a privilege," Latifah tells ET about being a part of the ceremony, and admits she was impressed but not surprised by Michael's kids. "It's a strong family so I'm not surprised that the kids are as strong and as beautiful as they are."

During the show, Latifah went on to tell the talk show host about the memorial and how it was touching to see so many people who knew and loved Michael come together to celebrate and honor the King of Pop.

"It was beautiful, it was poignant, sad, funny, it just had so many moments," she says. "It was just wonderful to see all the people who really knew him, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, his brothers, daughter, just celebrating the great entertainer that he was, the great human being."

The 39-year-old star also talked about the influence Michael had on her own career as an entertainer as well as his effect on the world, and the way he broke down cultural barriers.

"He was a huge influence especially being a black kid," she says. "It was fantastic, it was inspiration that let you know that you could make it. To see him go around the world and see him touch so many different people. People who couldn't speak English were so touched by his music. He really broke down a lot of barriers."

Click here to read more star reactions to Tuesday's public memorial.