Last night Michael Jackson’s This Is It, the much-anticipated documentary/concert film which chronicled the final months of MJ’s life as he rehearsed for his This Is It concerts scheduled to take place in London last Summer, held a glitzy Hollywood premiere at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles, CA last night. Other premieres were held for the film all around the world at about the same time and screenings of the film were also coordinated to take place simultaneously. Here are a few photos of some of the celebs who attended the LA premiere last night along with a very positive review of the film:

Watching “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” will have fans grieving once again, but this time, it won’t only be for the fallen King of Pop, but for what we lost — a brilliant entertainer who gave every inch of his body and soul for what might have been one of the most spectacular comebacks of all time. Jackson never got to complete that comeback, dying days before his London concerts were to begin in July, but “This Is It,” culled from hundreds of hours of rehearsal footage for those shows, does it for him. Even though it’s been well edited, the amazing performances Jackson delivers in this film are not a result of camera magic, but Jackson’s own. When Jackson announced his “This Is It” concerts earlier this year, many wondered whether Jackson had any magic left at all. Besides his tattered reputation, he was rumored to be in frail health and hadn’t performed a major concert in almost a decade. There were well-deserved skepticism about whether Jackson had the vocal and physical agility to stage the kind of concerts that wowed fans in his prime two decades earlier. “This is It” gives both answers an emphatic yes. Even though Jackson’s looks — with his weirdly delicate face and his stick-thin frame — still makes one squirm with discomfort, once he starts to perform, that discomfort gives way to amazement. At 50, Jackson was still an amazingly gifted dancer with moves that leave your mouth agape. Though we only see him do the moonwalk once, and just fleetingly, his stop-on-a-dime spins, deft footwork and body jerks recall the Jackson the world fell in love with 25 years earlier with “Thriller.” And Jackson’s voice still dazzles — even when he’s trying to play it down. “I’m trying to conserve my voice,” Jackson says at one point — then delivers a vocal that is spine-tingling — and these are just run-throughs, not the actual show. Fans never get to see what would have been the “This Is It” concert — full dress rehearsals weren’t due to happen until the show went overseas for final rehearsals. Instead, the movie takes from segments of taped rehearsals, and also weaves in film segments Jackson planned for the concert to give at the very least an idea of how the concert might have looked. A graveyard scene meant to be in 3D was planned for Jackson’s performance of “Thriller,” and a computer-animated dancing army would have accompanied Jackson on screen for a militaristic version “They Don’t Care About Us.” Jackson kept much of the same moves from his classic “They Way You Make Me Feel” video — including the floor humping — as well as the groundbreaking choreography from his “Beat It” clip. But whether it was through new visuals and different musical arrangements, he appeared to be breathing new life into his well-worn catalog, promising fans a show that would have taken Jackson and his fans to new heights. Jackson is gentle but authoritative as he demands perfection from his crew, whether it’s gently taking the audio crew to task for making his earpiece too loud or attempting to elicit a grand performance from his young star guitarist. “This is your time to shine,” he says in that famously soft soprano voice before delivering a high wail and challenging her to do the same on her guitar. The film doesn’t give viewers much insight into Jackson outside of performance mode — we only see him rehearsing or hear him talking about music, or the meaning of his songs. Yet the film does give a glimpses into Jackson’s personality — alternatively playful and shy, firm yet understanding, often saying phrases like “with love” after giving a command. The film also splices together different performances of the same song at times, leaving one to wonder why. Is it for a visual effect? Or did he not complete enough in one take? Thankfully, there appears to be enough full takes so one’s mind does not play into conspiracy theories. There were certainly critics of “This Is It” before its release — those who wondered whether it would be an exploitative flick, a quick attempt to cash in on his newfound popularity, and those who felt the preparations for the concert contributed to his death. But “This Is It” is a beautifully made, loving tribute that gives Michael Jackson what he so desperately wanted — affirmation that he indeed was the greatest entertainer of our time.

Some friends and I got to see the film last night and I’ll post my review of the film a little later on. Last night’s LA premiere was a who’s who of the Hollywood glitterati and members of the Jackson family who can’t seem to shy away from the spotlight. I understand that Paula Abdul referred to the Jacksons as “the Johnsons” and Jermaine Jackson brought a change of clothes so that he could wear two outfits for the premiere. Both of those strange occurrences are not connected, I just thought I’d share. I’m sure many of y’all saw the film last night as well or are planning to see it during it’s limited 2 week theatrical engagement. I’m very curious to hear what others thought … was this the film that the world has been waiting for?

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

As we are all pretty much aware by now, the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were handed out at Radio City Music Hall here in NYC last night in a ceremony that was mired in controversy but also featured heartfelt tributes to the late Michael Jackson as well as a few spectacular performances and on stage appearances. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night:

But for a few exceptions, most everyone looked amazing on the red carpet. I loved all the shiny bling that some folks were wearing … particularly Kristin Cavallari who wore a simple vintage dress and looked absolutely amazing in it. The show itself was really fun .. the opening tribute performance to MJ was really very cool and except for Kanye West’s douchey behavior, the show was very entertaining. Here are a few pics from the show and some deets about what went down:

Planned and random acts of kindness reigned at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night. Among the planned acts: Janet Jackson’s opening tribute to her brother Michael, whose death at age 50 on June 25 rocked the music world. The production began with Madonna recalling her encounter with Michael and reminding the audience that “Michael Jackson was a hero.” And while “he seemed otherworldly,” she added, “he was also a human being.” And then, the performance began. Dancers crept up on stage with original Thriller video airing in the background. The dancers’ moves duplicated the ones being performed on the video. Then a sequence of Michael’s hits played. Bad and Smooth Criminal led to Scream, his duet with Janet, who broke through glass to make her way onstage and sing along with the video. The loud, almost angry performance had the audience on its feet. After the tribute, Madonna said backstage that “it was good to finally get to say my piece.” And then near the end of the show, in a gracious act of kindness, video-of-the-year winner Beyoncé offered young country music star Taylor Swift a second chance to say her piece with an acceptance speech. The moment came after Kanye West took everyone by surprise early in the show when he went onstage to interrupt Swift’s acceptance speech for best female video for You Belong With Me … The teen country star returned for her live performance of You Belong With Me later in the show. Celebrities reacted backstage. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong said, “Well, you know, she’s young, I think she’ll get over it. I think he needs to get it over it also. It was very uncomfortable sitting there.” “I feel bad for Taylor,” said Kristin Cavallari. “I think it was really disrespectful” … Other music-related news items had guests talking at the awards show, too. American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi was asked about her new colleague at the judges’ table, Ellen DeGeneres. “I feel fantastic. I feel ecstatic. I can’t wait for January, when we can all be on the panel.” DioGuardi added that she has been in touch with former judge Paula Abdul. “I’ve spoken to her, and she seems to be doing really well, and that’s what matters.” Abdul is set to play host at the VH1 Divas special on MTV’s sister network on Thursday night (9 ET/PT). Faye Dunaway had two divas she was looking forward to seeing on Sunday at the VMAs. “Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. How could you not love Beyoncé?” Dunaway asked. Ne-Yo echoed Dunaway’s sentiment. When asked who he was rooting for, he replied, “Besides myself?” and then added, “I’m here to see Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Pink, everyone. I’m here just to enjoy the electricity.” And the atmosphere was electric, with returning host Russell Brand doling out his brash brand of humor. Among the stars: Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Eminem, Jermaine Jackson, Katy Perry, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

For me, the live performances were the highlight of the entire night. After the jump, check out a few photos from the press room and watch a couple of my fave performances from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

200 of the late Michael Jackson’s family and closest friends convened at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA last night to pay their last respects to MJ at a small funeral/burial service exactly 70 days after he passed away on June 25. For the most part, the service was fairly quiet (even tho some of it was broadcast live on TV and all of it was filmed for possible inclusion in the upcoming A&E reality TV series The Jackson Family) and provided family and friends the opportunity to say their final farewells to the King of Pop:

Michael Jackson’s family and about 200 of their closest friends gathered on a hill Thursday evening for their final farewell to the pop singer, who died 10 weeks ago. Jackson’s burial may lay to rest some of the mystery and controversy that erupted with his sudden death on June 25. His large family was divided over where the superstar’s final resting place should be, but matriarch Katherine Jackson settled on a crypt inside the well-guarded and ornate Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California. Thursday’s service began 90 minutes past the announced start time, leaving dozens of celebrities — including Elizabeth Taylor — waiting in their seats for the 26 cars carrying the Jackson clan to arrive. It began with Jackson’s five brothers — each wearing a single sequined glove — carrying his flower-covered bronze casket onto the outdoor stage among six large bouquets of white lilies and white roses, along with green topiaries. His three children, led by daughter, Paris, 11, placed a crown atop their father’s coffin, which a family spokesman said it was “to signify the final resting place of the King of Pop.” Jackson’s children, parents and siblings took their seats in the front row, while his nieces and nephews filled several rows of white chairs behind them.

After an opening prayer by Pastor Lucius Smith, soul music legend Gladys Knight sang the gospel hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” Clifton Davis sang “Never Can Say Goodbye,” a hit he wrote for The Jackson 5 — the group that featured a young Michael and his brothers. What was said by Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, and others who took the lectern is not publicly known, because the family barred news cameras from the ceremony. A family statement issued afterward said close friends and family, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, spoke “spontaneously to celebrate Michael’s life.” News helicopters hovering above captured video from a distance, but without sound. Lisa Marie Presley, one of Jackson’s former wives and the daughter of Elvis, attended the service, according to the family statement. It did not mention Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s second wife and the mother of his two oldest children. Macaulay Culkin, the “Home Alone” actor who spent time with Jackson during his Neverland Ranch days, was there with his girlfriend, actress Mila Kunis. Actors Corey Feldman and Chris Tucker were also seen arriving for the service. Motown founder Berry Gordy, who gave Jackson and his brothers their first big record deal, and Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson’s “Thriller” album, were there. Music producer Teddy Riley, who helped with Jackson’s 1991 “Dangerous” album, attended. The guest list included TV executive Suzanne de Passe, who produced a miniseries about Jackson’s family, and Kenny Ortega, who was producing Jackson’s comeback show. Thomas Mesereau, the lawyer who successfully defended Jackson in a child molestation trial, sat just behind the Jackson family. When the hour-long service ended, his brothers lifted Jackson’s casket for a final time to carry him inside the Great Mausoleum, where he was placed in his crypt at 9:43 p.m. PT (12:34 a.m. ET Friday). The family statement said it was “his final resting place.” The family and friends then drove to an Italian restaurant eight miles away, in Pasadena, California, for “a time of celebration.”

I watched most of the service as it aired live on CNN last night and found it a much more pared down service compared to the lavish service that took place at the Staples Center last July. I have to admit, I found the placing of the crown on the casket a bit odd but, that seems pretty de rigeur for any service honoring the memory of Michael Jackson. After all these weeks and months, tho, Michael Jackson is finally laid to rest … where he belongs.

[Photo credit: Getty; Source]

Jermaine Jackson is talking these days about the possibility that Michael Jackson might’ve fathered a secret son after a one-night stand in the 80’s. After Omer Bhatti, the boy long ago claimed to be MJ’s “secret son”, was photographed seated next to the Jackson family at Michael Jackson’s memorial service earlier this month, the subject of the young man’s paternity began to take on new meaning. If Omer was not related to MJ, why was he seated next to MJ’s sisters Rebbie and Janet Jackson in the front row of the service with the rest of the Jackson family? Jermaine does confess that he does not know for sure if Omer Bhatti is MJ’s son but he does insist that if it is proven that he is, Omer will be welcomed into the family and will be treated with “the same love and care [given to] Prince and Paris and Blanket”. Here is a pic of Jermaine answering these tough questions in London, England this week along with photos of Omer Bhatti when he was a child and at MJ’s memorial service with the Jackson family:

Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine has vowed to welcome Omer Bhatti into the Jackson clan if he proves to be the singer’s fourth child. The 25-year-old Norwegian rapper sat in the front row with the Jackson family at the singer’s memorial service in Los Angeles two weeks ago. Jermaine Jackson said he wasn’t yet sure whether Omer, said to have been the result of a one-night stand, was his brother’s son. But if he was a Jackson, he would be treated exactly the same as Michael’s three younger children, he said. “If Omer’s his son, he’s his son,” Jermaine declared yesterday. “We won’t deny it. We are going to give him the same love and care that we give Prince and Paris and Blanket. I can’t clearly say if he is Michael’s but I saw this kid around him.” Jermaine said Omer, who as a child looked remarkably like Jackson’s seven-year-old son Blanket, was moved to the family seats at the memorial service by Jackson’s eldest sister Rebbie. She wanted him closer to their mother, Katherine. “My sister went and got him during the service and got him to sit closer to my mother,” Jermaine said.

Omer is said to be seeking a DNA test to find out whether Jackson was his father. In dark sunglasses and a black suit, he looked just like a member of the family as he bowed his head while listening to tributes to the King of Pop at the July 7 service. His appearance at the memorial and his physical similarities to Blanket, has fueled speculation that he is the son of the legendary star. Omer has remained in LA since Michael’s death and has been playing with the Jackson children at the family compound in Encino, California. If he is a Jackson, Omer would be the oldest of Michael’s four children, joining Prince Michael, 12, Paris Michael, 11, and Blanket (Prince Michael II) seven. The Thriller singer reportedly told close friends several years ago that he fathered Omer after a one-night stand with a Norwegian fan in 1984.

HMMMM … interesting. I am of a mind that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. We’ve been hearing about Omer Bhatti for many, many years but nothing has ever been proven. The fact that he was seated WITH the Jackson family at the memorial service and Jermaine will not rule out that he’s not MJ’s son seems to smell a lot like he actually is MJ’s secret son. You may recall that earlier this week we heard from Star magazine that Pia Bhatti, Omer’s mother, is rumored to be the biological mother of MJ’s son Prince Michael Joesph Jackson, II a.k.a. Blanket … it would make sense that MJ would go to her to mother a child if they already shared a child together. Whether or not that report is true has NO bearing on the paternity of Omer Bhatti. It would be pretty stunning if we learned definitively, after all these years, that MJ had been a father since 1984! What do ya’ll think … could Omer Bhatti be MJ’s secret son?

[Source]

Yesterday morning, here in Los Angeles, CA, thousands of family, friends and fans of Michael Jackson paid tribute and homage to the late King of Pop in a respectful, somber yet mostly celebratory memorial service at the Staples Center in downtown LA (which you may have watched online HERE). David and I were at yesterday’s memorial service and I will share my personal experience from the event a little later on today … but I will say that it was a very beautiful, very fitting tribute to Michael Jackson. Family and friends eulogized him with words and songs as his shining casket, reportedly with his body inside, stood at the front of the venue for those in attendance to pay their respects. Here are a few photos and some info about the event itself:

His was a tumultuous life and a chaotic death, but Michael Jackson’s funeral and memorial Tuesday were orderly and celebratory, moving and bittersweet, as family, friends and fans around the world joined in lamenting the loss of the King of Pop. It was one of the most-watched celebrity sendoffs in history, telecast across multiple channels and streamed across the Internet. But the predicted traffic and crowd-control nightmares did not materialize. Thousands of police officers helped keep the ticketless crowd to a minimum — about 1,000 people vs. the 250,000 feared — and the motorcade with Jackson’s hearse encountered few problems traveling blocked-off freeways to downtown. The goodbye to Jackson started early with a private service for family and close friends at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. (A crash was heard as drivers slowed to watch the procession leave the cemetery). A star-crowded memorial program followed, at the downtown Staples Center, that was spiritual, smoothly entertaining and jubilantly roof-raising as Jackson was hailed as a superstar and humanitarian. “The King of Pop has gone to meet the King of Kings,” intoned the Rev. Lucious Smith, pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena. It was a day filled with touching moments, perhaps the most poignant when Jackson’s daughter, Paris, 11, took the microphone. “I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much,” she said, breaking into tears. That followed two hours of farewell tributes from musicians, athletes and friends of Michael Joseph Jackson, who died suddenly June 25 at age 50. The crowd of 20,000 was alternately reverent and boisterous. They watched in solemn silence as the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey sang sweetly, and older brother Jermaine crooned Smile, the theme from Charlie Chaplin’s classic film Modern Times. Usher sang Jackson’s sadly prescient Gone Too Soon as he caressed the golden casket spotlighted in front of the stage and draped in flowers. But when Kobe Bryant walked in, many jumped to their feet and started cheering and taking pictures; some reached over for high-fives. They cheered loud approval for the Rev. Al Sharpton’s fiery eulogy and laughed at a story Magic Johnson told about fried chicken. And they snapped photos with phones and rained shout-outs of “I love you, Michael!” during lulls … Other celebrities in the crowd: Cicely Tyson; P. Diddy; Rick, Kathy and Nicky Hilton; Lil Kim; Chris Brown; and Tatum O’Neal. Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela sent messages. Also absent: Jackson’s longtime pal Elizabeth Taylor, who said in a Twitter post she couldn’t bear to be part of the public hoopla, and Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s ex-wife and mother of Jackson’s two oldest children. Outside the Staples Center, the mood was festive. Vendors hawked T-shirts, buttons, photos and other memorabilia … As the memorial service ended, Jackson’s three children and eight siblings — his brothers were all wearing one beaded white glove in his honor — gathered onstage to say thanks. “We will never understand what he endured … being judged, ridiculed,” said brother Marlon, choking up. “Maybe, now, Michael, they will leave you alone.” The Rev. Smith closed by noting: “All around us are people of different cultures, different religions, different nationalities. And yet the music of Michael Jackson brings us together.” After the memorial, the family went to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private reception. It was unclear whether Jackson’s casket would be returned to Forest Lawn for burial or taken to another final resting place.

I have to tell you that I was touched by the service more than I thought I would be. As I’ve tried to make clear, I’m not the biggest Michael Jackson fan in the world (there are plenty of uberfans all around the globe who are more fitting of that title than I) but I really wanted to pay respects to such an icon of pop culture. I didn’t count in being as affected by the memorial service as I was. Mariah Carey’s performance brought the first tears to my eyes … Brooke Shields’s eulogy brought them back. When Paris Michael Katherine, MJ’s 11 year old only daughter, spoke at the end of the service I absolutely burst out crying. There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere in our vicinity. Paris’s comments were so heartfelt, so honest … so raw. I’m sure it was difficult for most to keep from crying as she declared her love for her daddy. She said, “I just want to say… ever since I was born…. daddy has been the best father you can imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.” In case you missed it, you can watch Paris’s short speech after the jump …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »

As I mentioned earlier, the LA Coroner’s office is conducting the autopsy of Michael Jackson today (according to the morning news, it is underway right now) but there are so many questions as to what caused his sudden death … until the official results of his autopsy are released, speculation is sure to run rampant as to what happened to cause his death. Just Wednesday night, MJ did a semi-full dress rehearsal for his upcoming This Is It Tour which was scheduled to kick off at London’s O2 Arena on July 13 and, by pretty much all accounts, he looked healthy and very happy during rehearsals. TMZ posted a few photos from MJ’s final rehearsal at the Staples Center just Wednesday night:

We’ve learned Michael Jackson showed no unusual signs of distress — he was rehearsing his upcoming concert at the Staples Center in L.A. But, we’re told, like other nights of rehearsal, Jackson was both hours late and lethargic. We’re told rehearsal went late into the evening. Jackson was singing and dancing with the backup dancers and the band. Someone who was there says Jackson was supposed to show at 7 PM but didn’t arrive until 10 and he was “listless.” But that was normal, according to people at rehearsal.

So, barring any natural cause, what could’ve happened between a night of rehearsal to an incident of cardiac arrest? It turns out that MJ had a personal doctor on hand at his home and it is being alleged that that doctor gave him an injection of Demerol right before he went into cardiac arrest and that may have been the cause of his death. I understand the shot of this strong prescription drug was administered at around 11:30AM yesterday … the 911 call was made at around 12:20PM … he was pronounced dead at 2:26PM PT. MJ’s doctor, who cannot be found right now, is being sought for questioning:

We’ve learned law enforcement is looking for a doctor who lived at Michael Jackson’s home — and the doctor is nowhere to be found. Law enforcement sources tell us a BMW belonging to the doctor was towed from Jackson’s home last night. Cops are looking to interview the doc. A law enforcement source says the doctor gave Jackson an injection before he died. Jackson reportedly may have OD’d on Demerol. As we first reported, family members were concerned that Jackson was taking too much morphine.

It would make sense that something as strong as Demerol might be the cause of death but until the full toxicology report on Michael Jackson’s body comes back (those reports take some time to be processed) we prolly won’t know the official cause of death. Brian Oxman, a family lawyer for the Jackson’s, tells Life & Style magazine that police have seized prescription drugs from MJ’s home to determine what, if anything, he was taking that might’ve lead to his death:

Investigators have seized bags of prescription drugs from Michael Jackson’s home, family lawyer Brian Oxman has confirmed to Life & Style. Police searched Michael’s rented Beverly Hills home and took away “bags of material,” including vials of prescription drugs. Oxman also said he was prepared to name names of doctors who prescribed drugs to Michael. He told Life & Style, “Police seized bags of material from his house. They were looking for drug vials and syringes. I don’t know if they found syringes, but there would have been a lot of drug vials.” Oxman said he would help the police investigation into Michael’s death, adding, “I did warn him about the drugs, but I am sorry I didn’t warn him enough.” “I am going to wait until I get the toxicology report, and if his death has something to do with drugs, I am prepared to name names of doctors who prescribed them.” He added that the Jackson family was totally devastated by Michael’s death: “They couldn’t even talk to one another in the hospital. It was total silence, and they were just holding one another’s hands.”

To be honest, there has been much speculation on Jackson’s health in recent months. I, too, heard the rumors of skin cancer, etc. — after all, we saw photos of MJ doing to visit his doctor in Beverly Hills, CA almost every day in the past few months. Whatever the cause of death, IMHO, it came too soon ;( The duty of delivering the Jackson family’s official statement on Michael’s death fell to his older brother Jermaine Jackson. If you are so inclined, you can watch video of Jermaine delivering his official statement at the UCLA Medical Center moments after his brother’s passing …

READ THE REST OF THIS POST »