Michael Jackson’s posthumous respect should be sealed this week with the release of ‘This Is It’ – the concert that never was becoming the sell-out movie that will break all records.
Sadly, there’s been a pre-release brouhaha about its truth and authenticity with wild suggestions of smart editing to hide MJ’s true state, and amateur talk of digital enhancements to present a healthier-looking man. In death as in life, there is debate about what is real and fake surrounding this performer.
A dedicated website is now determined to vent hysterical claims that Michael was in “a dire state” whilst performing; that AEG ignored the ‘warning signs’ and that, during 110 hours of footage, the performer rarely smiled because of his pain. What speculative nonsense.
In writing the Britney book, I found myself speaking with many in the world of choreography where the circles of the pop princess collided with those of the King of Pop. I know the friends of dancers who were going to share Michael Jackson’s comeback; who danced with him side by side in rehearsals; who witnessed his gentle spirit back-stage, daily. And here’s the truth. Here’s what it is:
MJ was “dancing with a superiority above that of 20 and 21-year-olds…he was going to blow people away”. He was “dancing as good as ever” and was “gung-ho about the tour and couldn’t wait to start”. These are the accounts of sources who were there, not fans who were not. MJ died not because of dire health but because he was desperate to sleep. His health and stamina will be evident when the movie screens.
As for AEG, the truth will ultimately emerge, I think, that its people were truly concerned about Michael’s reliance on prescribed medication and sleep deprived state. Indeed, I believe from what I’ve learned that AEG-hired Dr Conrad Murray was trying to ween him off the drugs MJ insisted on taking.
And here’s something else the saboteurs should consider. One of Michael’s biggest wishes for this London concert was that his children saw him perform, and shared the experience. He was doing it for them as much as for his reputation & money. Within all the commercial realities of show-business, both before and after his death, he was determined to make that stage to “show his kids what he could do”. That he was denied that opportunity is the tragedy of his passing.
My understanding is that 110 hours of footage has been edited into a movie that “will do justice to Michael”. Here was a perfectionist who was determined to prove a point, and the pressure on him was self-imposed. As it always was. No-one drove Michael harder than Michael himself. I think this, too, will become evident within the documentary.
It is impossible to know his mind-set at the time but it’s fair to say that he must have hidden the majority of his pain from the dancers who rehearsed with him. Because, to them, he was sharp, on point “and couldn’t wipe the smile from his face”.
‘This Is It’ is not about profiteering from death. It is about enshrining the memory of a legend, and to provide for his legacy what he desperately wanted to achieve – a quite brilliant comeback; a return to his No.1 status. That a certain section of fans are now seeking to tarnish that aim is a real shame. Because this IS it – as decided and directed by the people like Kenny Ortega who knew him best. My prediction is that speculative conspiracy theorists will soon become irrelevant when the footage – and MJ’s performances – speak emphatically for themselves.
Or maybe we should listen to dear friend Elizabeth Taylor who took to her Twitter account after seeing a private screening of This Is It and said: “It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. It cements forever Michael’s genius in every aspect of creativity.” And she, more than anyone in his circle or siblings, should know. I DON’T see her saying that Michael would be turning in his grave. Because this movie will prove the point he wanted to make – to prove his brilliance as a performer.
Really? You quoted Elizabeth Taylor as an objective viewpoint? Seriously? And Elizabeth Taylor isn’t nuts herself? In regards to the people speculating, what are you doing, if not speculating?
As for the drivel about how Michael was just doing this concert for his kids and not to pay back the millions in debt he had accrued because of his outrageous lifestyle, I say ha!
Michael’s legacy is he paid off a kid who accused him of molestation after photos of Michael’s naked body would corroborate the boy’s testimony. End of story.
This is a man who slept with boys, not girls, and his bedroom door had padlocks to keep the staff from coming in unannounced. Anyone who defends that comes off as a Branch Davidian.
Whether or not Michael Jackson’s health, which you would have us believe was not at all affected by years of drug abuse, would keep him from performing at age 50 the same as he did when he was 25 is meaningless to most normal people. Most of us see him as a ruthless businessman and a pedophile who was in a lot of trouble with money and needed to raise a lot of it, quickly.
IN REPLY FROM SD: The piece does point out that ONE of the reasons behind this concert was his children, whilst accepting that money (and reputation) had much to do with it as well. I’d prefer to heed the words of Elizabeth Taylor that conspiratorial fans any day of the week
Michael – Really? You quoted someone who said he had padlocks? And in fact, the boys testimony did NOT corroborate the boy’s testimony. You are an example of someone who is so far out of the loop from the reality of Michael Jackson’s issues that you should have posted your name as “National Enquirer”. Was Michael cash strapped? Yes…was he broke? No! He owns the Beatle’s Catalogue PLUS his OWN Catalogue of music! Measly “millions” of debt was nothing that could not be paid, which is evident now as his estate gets handled. The Beatles catalog ALONE is worth at least $1 Billion!
Millions of debt, boy’s testimony, padlocks, ruthless? Sounds like a lot of “speculating” youself…so to YOU, I say HA!
Steve,
I believe MJ was a great singer, dancer, and inventor or style. One can never take any of that away from him. However, his life was less then perfect. The autopsie has the facts about if he did or did not do something. A fake nose?? So what, it was his nose. Liking little boys and who he befriended, please this is public knowledge. He was who he was……he is a “was” because what he did with his life and drugs. Did he smile or not, could he dance or not is not the question………..the question should be who was MJ? Thats what everyone wants to know. Thats why the big meda circus. Steve, you can not defend the facts……..MJ made his own life what it became…….a man with boys, who marries….a man with needle marks on his legs, a man who just could not sleep…..a man who put vails over his childerns faces…….thats sad……Steve, write a book about the real MJ and please don’t try to hid the facts, MJ didn’t……he danced on cars before court, almost dropped his child out the window, but he could dance………..great title for your book,,,,,”But he could dance”………Bob
Michael Givens what you just said just shows you are a total imbecile. You seem to quote garbage you heard from the media. Get your facts straight before you accuse someone of molestation dummy.
And also to the writer of this story, sorry but you too are talking fiction. You have your story from friends of dancers who happened to be employed by AEG. Maybe and just maybe, those dancers and production were told to DARE NOT SAY A WORD about the truth that happened behind the scenes at the rehearsals. You are seeing a very HEAVILY EDITED version of some footage. Michael was in poor health mentally and physically. Kenny Ortega had to feed him for gods’ sake and help him off the stage. But did ya really think they would show you that in the movie?!? Get real. You are talking to 3rd party people who are telling you what they heard. Those dancers will not dare go behind aegs’ back. GET YOUR FACTS, READ UP ON THE ‘this is not it’ website. You are seeing what AEG wanted you to see. Please redeem yourself and see the website and interview some real people who were there and knew the real Michael Jackson.
Why can’t people just let the movie be what it is? In fact, I believe it is what MJ would have wanted it to be…about the show, the good stuff. ALL artists would make a movie like this and leave out the “bad” stuff…come on, get real. Anyone with a brain knows he is not a molester, was not ruthless in business or otherwise, from what we have seen so far he looks and sounds great…and OF COURSE it’s edited…they can’t make a 100 hour movie! And somehow some website (this is not it) has all the “facts”…Come on…None of us have even SEEN the movie!!
Let the movie be what it is…an OMAGE to MJ…his last piece of work. If you don’t like the movie or even MJ in genereal, you don’t have to see it! It wasn’t made for you anyways…
Getting real tired of the lies from people. I am not going to see “This is It” because I don’t think it should have been made. I would trust Michael with my children before I would trust them with most school teachers. Michael was a fantastic example of how to treat people when going through adversity and many people reading this would do well to really study him and learn more about him before judging him on 15th party information.
Michael Givens – I wish people, and the press, would get and set the facts straight. The description the boy in the 1993 allegations gave of Michael did NOT match the photos taken. The boy stated that Michael was circumsized and Michael was NOT circumsized. That’s a BIG discrepancy. In addition, Michael’s lawyer in the 2005 case, Tom Mesereaux, had witnesses who the 1993 child TOLD that Michael never touched him.
You were being fed lies and you believed them without so much as a little research. I pity you. It’s not too late. Read the transcripts. Educate yourself.
Michael Givens, Steve, and Lisa and to all the anti-MJ critics. Each person has the right to express their opinion, however, what I cannot grasp is (If you all have these negative assumptions) then why go through all the trouble to search for a story about MJ. You dont like him, fine, go read about someone you do like and PLEASE, PLEASE, LEAVE MJ ALONE!!!!!!!!!!
If it is not for money why the limited release? If it is truly for the fans why not put it out all over and give everyone a chance to see it. This is a marketing ploy,save your money and wait for the 2 DVD disc set with director commentary.
He was such a talented artist, but so much pain and trouble in his personal life. It is hard to
seperate the two at times.
MJ was not a child molester! If those TINI supporters put this much effort into proving THAT they could clear his name for good! Those are the LIES they should expose. The TRUTH they should be seeking is that MJ was falsely accused and THAT is what ultimately led to his death. False accusations killed MJ not some concerts.
Michael Givens: The photos didn’t match. Michael paid the money because to him a few million was nothing and he wanted to get on with his life. Think about this. What kind of parent, if their child had really been molested, would take money and let the molester remain free?
Michael was about 400 million in debt. Music catalogs that he owned alone were worth an estimated 1 billion. Most people would realize the size of debt is not as important as net assets.
Michaels “bedroom” was a 2 story suite inside Neverland and it didn’t have padlocks.
If you interviewed people on the street about what they think of Michael Jackson, I would bet money that “ruthless businessman” wouldn’t be one of the descriptions. You obviously worship at the same shrine as Peter King. Go back to your little padlocked closet of hate and flagellate yourself.
BTW Kenny Ortega did not feed Michael.The quote was that he kept pushing Michaels plate in front of him when they were working to remind him to eat. And sorry TINI conspiracy theorist, there is no CGI that could make a man who couldn’t go up stairs do what Michael Jackson is shown doing in TII. He is unbelievably good.
I just got back from seeing the documentary “This Is It”. It showed me his (MJ)great talent and the scheduled concerts would have been- Stupendous.
I do not believe the press as a whole, I do beleive the man had a private life ( optimum word- private).
I will miss his music.
Jane
Come on people, just relax and enjoy the movie. Stop talking and speculating about someone who is dead and gone.
i thought the movie was great and i think that micheal was a great person people need to relax he was a loving father