The Inquisitr » Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s Iconic White Glove Sells for $350,000

Bang — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:37:06 +0000

Michael Jackson’s iconic white glove has sold for $350,000 at auction.

The rhinestone studded mitt was bought by Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma for well over its estimated value of around $50,000. Including taxes and fees, the final amount paid for the glove was $420,000.

The glove was hailed as the ultimate collector’s item by auctioneer Darren Julien.

He said, “It’s the Holy Grail of Michael Jackson gear.”

The glove was worn by the ‘King of Pop’ when he first performed his famous Moonwalk dance in 1983 on the Motown 25 television special.

After an opening bid of $10,000 the price of the glove immediately shot to $120,000 before eventually reaching $350,000.

Other items sold included a black jacket worn by Michael for his 1989 ‘Bad’ world tour, which fetched $225,000, 20 times over its estimated sale price, and a fedora hat worn by the star was auctioned for $22,000.

Many of the winning bidders for the memorabilia were internet based clients from the Far East.

Many people turned out at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, New York, to watch the sale of the late singer’s possessions.

Meanwhile, Dr. Conrad Murray has returned to work for the first time since the singer’s death.

Dr. Murray, who was Michael’s personal physician at the time of his passing in June from acute Propofol intoxication, returned to the Armstrong Medical Clinic in Houston, Texas, on Friday November 20, here he treated 16 patients who had requested appointments.

Dr. Murray is thought to be the last person to see Michael alive and has been investigated by Los Angeles police in connection with a homicide investigation into the star’s death, after he revealed to police he administered the powerful anaesthetic Propofol to the ‘Thriller’ singer. The doctor has not, however, had any criminal charges brought against him.

A lawyer for Dr. Murray, Edward Chernoff, claims the events surrounding the singer’s untimely death have left his client in financial ruin.

He said, “He has not been able to earn a living since the death of Michael Jackson.

“His legal fees are enormous and his debts have mounted to the point where it is unclear whether he will be able to keep his house or support his family.”

Evan Chandler, father of Jackson accuser, dead in apparent suicide

Kim LaCapria — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Evan Chandler, father of Jordan and precipitate of the child molestation case that arguably lead to Jackson’s downfall, was found dead in his luxury apartment of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

According to RadarOnline, Chandler did not leave a note:

“There was no note found in the apartment but officers did find medication in keeping with a serious medical condition. A doctor based at Colanta Hematology in Bayonne, NJ, had called the concierge, asking him check on Mr. Chandler’s apartment as Mr. Chandler had missed an appointment. It was thanks to the concierge’s actions that Mr. Chandler’s body was discovered. Mr. Chandler’s body has now been returned to his family.”

In the early 90s, Evan Chandler reported Michael Jackson to police in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara for the alleged molestation of Chandler’s son Jordan:

In the recent book “Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson,” celebrity journalist Ian Halperin wrote about an alleged conversation between Evan Chandler and his ex-wife’s second husband, in which Chandler, upset that Jackson had cut ties to the Chandlers, threatened that he was going to go after the singer for money. “And if I go through with this, I win big time,” Chandler allegedly said. “There’s no way I lose. … I will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever. June will lose [custody] and Michael’s career will be over.”

The case was settled out of court in 1994 and Jackson wasn’t convicted of a crime- under the terms of the settlement, Jackson admitted ““personal injuries arising out of claims of negligence” to the boy.

Michael Jackson Wanted to Clone Himself

Bang — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:00:47 +0000

Michael Jackson wanted to build a clone of himself.

The ‘Thriller’ star, who died of acute Propofol intoxication aged 50 in June, underwent several three dimensional scans in 1996 so a virtual reality ‘robotic’ twin could be produced.

It is thought the scans could now be used to bring the singer back in pop videos, computer games or even films.

The anonymous US businessman who owned the images and has reportedly been trying to sell them for $1 million told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper, “The data has been in our archives since he had the scans. The thing about this data is it immortalized him at the age of 37, before his nose was disfigured and when he was in the prime of his life.”

Meanwhile, it has been revealed Michael’s funeral was nearly canceled at the last minute in a row over its cost.

Around $1 million was estimated to have been spent on the funeral, which took place on September 3.

Court papers have revealed just three days before the funeral was scheduled to take place, lawyers acting for the ‘Billie Jean’ star’s mother Katherine had filed a request to the administrators of his estate to pay for the funeral bills.

The lawyers stated that if the funeral home and local police department’s bills were not paid by the next day, the burial would not go ahead as planned. Administrators were luckily able to pay the bills in time, preventing any delays to the ceremony.

Katherine’s lawyers admitted the cost of the funeral was high, but added it was, “Entirely commensurate with the decedent’s worldwide status as an entertainer and the world’s grief over his death.”

This Is It passes $100 million at the box office, now highest grossing concert film of all time

Duncan Riley — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:25:53 +0000

Michael Jackson’s This Is It broke new records Sunday when it passed the $100 million mark globally at the box office, making it the highest grossing concert film of all time.

Based on industry estimates Sunday (so including Sunday based on an estimate) This Is It grossed $32.5 million in five-days in the United States. Its three-day weekend take was $21 million, putting it ahead of viral sensation Paranormal Activity.

Proving the increasing power on the non-US box office, the international box office for This Is It of $68.5 million bought the total box office globally to $101 million to Sunday. That figure makes This Is It the highest grossing concert film of all time, ahead of the $65 million from previous record holder (and you couldn’t have beaten a better target) Hanna Montana: Best of Both Worlds.

This Is It was originally only slated for a two week release, which may have influenced the strong immediate box office numbers. Likewise though, if This Is It ticket sales continue on their merry way, expect it to get a longer run.

Movie Review: This Is It ( *** )

AHN — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:48 +0000

Well, if you’re a big Michael Jackson fan, this is it.

The posthumous concert documentary, This Is It, is a self-described “glimpse” of the King of Pop preparing to perform that’s been designed, as the film announces early on, “for the fans.”

That tells you two things: that the memorable Michael Jackson standards (Billie Jean, Thriller, Beat It, Man in the Mirror, etc.) won’t be ignored or omitted, and that nothing, whether documented or not, will be included that will be upsetting to those who cherish his memory.

In other words: this isn’t journalism, it’s entertainment. And Michael Jackson remains a mystery.
Jackson’s sudden death this summer came while he was rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out concerts set to take place this summer in England. This Is It is a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic performer as he, his collaborators, and his crew rehearse a show between March and June of this year that was set to premiere at London’s O2 Arena — this following a decade during which Jackson never toured at all.
There are at least three reasons to see MJ’s TII — as a privileged observer with a backstage pass, as a participant in a final celebration, or as a gawker with morbid curiosity. But the film offers far more to viewers in the first two categories than those in the third. If you’re in all three categories, by all means go.

The hour-and-three-quarters of actuality visuals has been culled from 120 hours of footage, some of it raw but most of it glossy and clear and fine, originally intended as something for the artists to watch so that they could critique and polish the upcoming show.

That mix of backstage B-roll and performed numbers renders the finished product somewhere between a concert and a documentary — but much more like the former than the latter, given all the extended musical numbers.

As we watch, we cannot take our eyes off Jackson, and we’re reminded of his performing gifts and the effect he had on fervent audiences throughout his storied on-stage career. Also of the degree of perfectionism to which he was obviously dedicated, as his micro-managing here makes clear.

But you also find yourself wondering whether anything you are watching contains insights into what was going on in his off-screen life, which was soon to end. There’s no denying that This Is It is an admiring tribute to its leading player as well as a front-row seat at a final appearance and a chance for fans to celebrate him and say goodbye. But let’s face it: our perverse curiosity about his life and his death are very much part of the targeted package here.

Still, this remains a narrow, focused portrait of the dancing-and-singing artist at work. Scour every frame to no avail: no hint of any other aspect of Jackson’s life, certainly none of the lurid offstage occurrences, comes into play in the footage selected for inclusion.

The director is ex-choreographer Kenny Ortega (Newsies, Hocus Pocus, the High School Musical trilogy), who was also the director of the stage show and a longtime Jackson collaborator, having directed several of his tours.

Ortega mixes interviews, candid backstage footage, and rehearsal performances. But it’s all there to showcase Jackson’s gift. This music’s irresistible, says the film, and Jackson is the music.

The film’s most awkward section involves scenes of Jackson shot in black-and-white and meant to be interwoven with actual footage from decades-old movies featuring the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Rita Hayworth, and Edward G. Robinson. Jackson, in costume or out, looks out of place, and the doc could and should have done without it.

But the rest of the film remains fascinating and entertaining, as was Jackson, who, for better or worse, was one of the most accomplished and celebrated performers in the history of show business.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It is a docu-concert that does a fine job with the “This” even as you decide what the “it” is.

Bill Wine – Celebrity News Service Movie Critic/ AHN

Michael Jackson’s Fans Want to Boycott His Film

Bang — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:14 +0000

Michael Jackson’s fans are boycotting ‘This Is It’, the film about his last performance.

Thousands of the late singer’s followers have formed a group called ‘This Is Not It’, to protest against the movie, which is due to be released on October 28.

The group has accused the AEG and Sony, the firms behind the film, of concealing Michael’s poor health and glossing over the stress he was under as he prepared for his 50-date London residency.

A statement on the group’s website reads, “The true state of Michael Jackson’s failing health was being hidden from you by those who are making a profit from the screening of the ‘This Is It’ movie.

“The movie is made of a careful choice of footage taken during Michael Jackson’s last rehearsals. Out of 110 hours of footage, a few scenes were selected in which Michael Jackson smiled, in spite of being in a dire state.

“The promoters for ‘This Is It’, ignored the signs, ignored the pleas, and in fact, actively covered up the truth. What you will see on that screen is part of that cover up.”

If people do decide to see the film, the ‘This Is Not It’ urges them to “see it with different eyes”.

The statement continues, “Should you decide to watch it, we hope that you will see this movie and the greed that produced it with different eyes, because you are watching the product of those who should bear much guilt for the passing of the world’s greatest entertainer, Michael Jackson.

“This movie is not a true representation of what happened to Michael Jackson in his last weeks, nor is it the polished, live performance that Michael would have wished the world to see. It is their lie. The true story behind is one of neglect, greed, and inhumanity.”

But Michael’s close friend Elizabeth Taylor, who has seen an advance screening of the film, sobbed when she watched the movie because she loved it so much.

Writing on her Twitter account, the iconic actress said, “It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. I wept from pure joy at his God-given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again.”

Michael died of acute Propofol intoxication on June 25.

Michael Jackson Needed to Eat

Bang — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:30:32 +0000

Michael Jackson’s choreographer doesn’t believe the singer ate enough.

Kenny Ortega, who choreographed Michael’s 50 sold-out London comeback shows, has revealed he tried to make the late pop star eat more during rehearsals.

He said, “I wished he would have eaten more. I was always making sure there was plenty of food around. I would unwrap his plate and slide it over in front of him. But I didn’t feed him.”

However, Kenny denies Michael – who was taking several different prescription drugs at the time of his death in June, and was ruled to have passed away from acute Propofol intoxication – was too frail to mount a comeback on such a huge scale.

Kenny told a British newspaper, “Look at photographs of Fred Astaire at the height of his career. They’re the spitting image.”

Kenny, who also choreographed Michael’s ‘Dangerous’ and ‘HiStory’ tours in the 90s, is adamant he never saw any evidence of Michael taking drugs while he worked with him.

He added, “I’d been to his home. I’d seen him playing with his children, and never saw any evidence ever of anything like that.”

‘This Is It’, the documentary film pieced together from rehearsal footage of Michael and his dancers, is being released worldwide this week.

Michael Jackson’s Song in Bidding War

Bang — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:31:25 +0000

Michael Jackson’s unreleased songs are at the center of a bidding war.

The late singer’s unheard music is reportedly being sent out to several record companies who are interested in releasing the tracks he was working on before his death in June.

Michael’s long-time attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain – who are overseeing Jackson’s estate – are said to be speaking with Sony Music, Universal Music Group and one other unnamed interested party about the catalogue.

A source said, “Universal and Sony have the two best worldwide distribution systems, so Branca is looking for who can provide the highest bid.”

According to the New York Post newspaper, the estate is believed to be keen to extend the deal Michael had in place with Sony Music to cover the 70 songs he wrote, produced and recorded after 2004.

However, the estate wants more money than Sony is prepared to offer.

At present, the label will have control of all recordings made before 2004 for the next few years until it becomes property of Michael’s estate.

A source said, “We’re trying to figure out the terms.”

Michael Jackson ‘Fighting Fit’ Before His Death

Bang — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:15:00 +0000

Michael Jackson was at his “fighting weight” when he died.

Kenny Ortega, the Hollywood choreographer who was working with the star on his ‘This Is It’ London comeback shows when he tragically died in June, was helping the frail singer bulk up.

He said, “He was thin, but he was at what he liked to call his ‘fighting weight’. He didn’t like to eat, but we were always watching him and making sure he had plenty of protein drinks and fluids.

“We were there sliding chicken salads in front of him and making sure he was OK. But he was strong and he was getting stronger.”

Kenny has also recalled the stunned atmosphere at the Staples Center in Los Angeles when news of Michael’s passing hit the rehearsal space.

He added, “We were all waiting for him, gathered for a big rehearsal, and then the text messages and news started to filter in and we realized the news. It was really sad.”

Documentary film ‘This Is It’, which is made up of footage from Michael’s rehearsals, is set being released in cinemas from October 28.

Michael Jackson Scores 5 American Music Award Nominations

Bang — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:45:07 +0000

Michael Jackson has been nominated for five American Music Awards.

The pop legend who died on June 25, is in the running to be named Artist of the Year at the prestigious event and will be up against Taylor Swift, Eminem, Kings of Leon and Lady Gaga.

The ‘Thriller’ singer is also nominated for Favorite Male Artist in both the Pop or Rock and the Soul/Rhythm and Blues categories, and Favorite Album for his ‘Number Ones’ LP in both of the categories.

Country singer Taylor Swift leads the list with six nominations, while Eminem received four.

Taylor, whose acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards last month was interrupted by Kanye West – who insisted Beyonce Knowles should have won – is up for Favorite Pop or Rock Female Artist alongside Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

She could also win Favourite Country Album, Favourite Adult Contemporary Artist, Favourite Pop or Rock Album, Favourite Female Country Artist and the prestigious Artist of the Year prize.

The nominees were selected through a measurement combining sales and radio airplay and the winners are determined by an online vote of fans. They will be announced at a Los Angeles ceremony on November 22.

Black Eyed Peas, nominated for Favourite Band, Duo or Group along with Kings of Leon and Nickelback – will perform at the ceremony along with Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez.

Michael Jackson ‘Controlled’ by Staff

Bang — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:45 +0000

Michael Jackson’s thoughts and actions were “controlled” by his team of minders.

The late pop star’s sister La Toya broke down yesterday October 5, as she revealed Michael’s staff had brainwashed the timid singer.

She told UK TV show ‘GMTV’, “Michael was very meek and very kind and people would just barge their way into his life. People controlled him. They did what they wanted and it was very difficult for him to say no. We’ve tried so many times to intervene but they keep everybody at bay, they keep everyone away actually.”

When asked exactly how Michael’s staff had influenced him, La Toya replied, “By controlling him. By controlling his thoughts, controlling what he does, not letting anyone through the gates. We couldn’t even get near security.”

Michael – who was allegedly addicted to prescription medications – passed away aged 50 on June 25 from acute Propofol intoxication.

Propofol is a powerful anaesthetic used to put surgery patients to sleep in hospital.

Los Angeles police are currently carrying out a homicide investigation into Michael’s death.

La Toya said the family is pleased with how this is progressing and are looking forward to the truth about the ‘Thriller’ singer’s life.

She said, “I think the police are doing an absolutely wonderful job. You guys are going to get really, really different information and news that you’re not aware of. More will be revealed probably within the next month or two.”

Michael Jackson’s autopsy results find that he was healthy

Duncan Riley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:46:16 +0000

The back story around Michael Jackson’s health has taken a serious beating today with his autopsy results showing that he was actually quite healthy.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s report states that Jackson was “a fairly healthy” 50-year-old before he died of an overdose. His weight of 136 pounds (62kgs) was in the acceptable range for his height, his heart was strong and his kidneys and most other major organs were normal. Even his sperm production was active and normal.

According to an AP report, Jackson did have some health issues though, but none of which contributed to his death. The autopsy found that he suffered from arthritis in the lower spine and some fingers, and mild plaque buildup in his leg arteries. His lungs “were chronically inflamed and had reduced capacity that might have left him short of breath” however their condition “was not serious enough to be a direct or contributing cause of death.”

The official cause of death was “acute propofol intoxication”, and three sedatives were also present in his system. However no other drugs and no alcohol was detected in his system.

The odds of Jackson’s physician Conrad Murray avoiding manslaughter charges now looks very slim indeed.

Paris Jackson Blames Tour for Michael’s Death

Bang — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:30:29 +0000

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris blames his ‘This Is It’ tour for killing him.

The 11 year old told her aunt La Toya Jackson her dad was pressured into working “non-stop” for his 50-date London residency, which was due to kick off at The O2 arena in July, and is certain it caused his death in June.

La Toya, 53, told UK TV programme ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’, “Paris asked me in the hospital, ‘How could this happen? The cardiologist was the best, so how could this happen?’

“She said, ‘You know, Auntie La Toya, they worked him too hard. He never got the chance to rest, it was just non-stop work.’ I said, ‘You’re kidding,’ and she said, ‘You don’t understand. They just worked him constantly and daddy didn’t want that.’ ”

The ‘Thriller’ singer had been rehearsing for his London shows, which were expected to be his final tour dates, when he died.

However, before his passing Michael – who also had sons Prince Michael I, 12, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, known as ‘Blanket’ – told La Toya he feared he would be killed over his huge song catalogue, which included tracks by The Beatles and other big name performers.

She revealed, “I thought that from day one. You must understand something Michael always told me. He said, ‘If anything happens to me, if I die, it’s because someone murdered me. They’re trying to kill me’. It wasn’t that he was being delusional, they did this over the catalogue.

“He owned The Beatles catalogue. Most entertainers out there, he owned their music. He would say, ‘They’re going to kill me over that catalogue. It’s dangerous.’ Look what happened.”

Michael, who was allegedly addicted to prescription medications, passed away aged 50 from acute Propofol intoxication.

Propofol is a powerful anaesthetic used to put surgery patients to sleep in hospital.

La Toya said family members were taking a backseat while Los Angeles police carried out their homicide investigation into the singer’s death, which has reportedly been focusing on his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray.

She said, “It’s being investigated. We’re working with police but leaving it to them to make the right decisions and we hope justice will be served.”

Michael Jackson’s Estate Sues Heal The World Foundation

AHN — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:45:16 +0000

Michael Jackson’s estate has sued a charity foundation for allegedly using his name and likeness without permission. Heal the World Foundation is being accused of unfair competition, trademark infringement and other violations.

According to the King of Pop’s estate special administrators John Branca and John McClain, the organization – which describes itself as a “universal charity organization designed to improve the condition of all mankind” – used websites and trademarks that suggest Jackson endorsed donations to the organization.

The singer’s own Heal the World foundation, which he formed in 1992, is no longer active.

Lawyers for his estate also alleges that the new foundation and a related entity, United Fleet, registered numerous Jackson-related trademarks, applied for another 41, and sold merchandise through them, BBC reports.

They are seeking to block the use of words and phrases associated with the “Thriller” hitmaker.

Tickets For Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” Film Sold Out In 2 Hours

AHN — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:45:16 +0000

Tickets for the Michael Jackson film “This Is It” have sold out in just two hours. Fans have lined up for three days to get advance tickets to the King of Pop tribute film in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Fans who want to see their idol as he prepared and rehearsed for his now-abandoned “This Is It” 50-show residency in London have patiently waited in line for three days to make sure they get one of the 3,000 tickets to the film, says the BBC.

The movie is a documentary of the late singer as he prepped up for his shows. It features his dance rehearsals before his death in June. “High School Musical” director Kenny Ortega, the musical director of the tour, compiled the film from over 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson’s rehearsals.

The “This Is It” film is due to have 25 premieres across the globe at the end of October and will last for a limited two-week run. The L.A. premiere will be held at 6 p.m. on October 27.

Michael Jackson Had Cure for Hitler

Bang — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:15:52 +0000

Michael Jackson thought he could “cure” Adolf Hitler of his evil.

The ‘King of Pop’, who died of acute Propofol intoxication in June, praised the Nazi leader’s “genius” in a previously unpublished interview, before insisting he could help rehabilitate him because no one was “all evil”.

Michael expressed his thoughts in a series of taped interviews conducted by his friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in 2001.

In one conversation, the ‘Thriller’ singer said, “Hitler was a genius orator. To make that many people turn, change and hate, he had to be a showman and he was.”

Boteach then asked, “You believe that if you had an hour with Hitler you could somehow touch something inside of him?”

To which Michael replied, “Absolutely. I know I could. Nobody is all evil. You have to help them, give them therapy, teach them that somewhere, something in their life went wrong.”

The tapes, which recorded more than 30 hours of dialogue, were intended to be released in 2001, but were delayed when Boteach and Jackson had an argument.

By the time they had reconciled, Michael had been arrested on child molestation charges and he decided the tapes might sway public opinion further away from him.

The interviews have been published today September 25, in a new book called ‘The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul In Intimate Conversation’.

Boteach said, “He desperately wanted these conversations to be published. Nobody had any sympathy for him before but there was a groundswell of sympathy after his death.

“I believe a public who once judged Michael negatively are now seeing a fuller picture. He was a man who yearned so deeply to do good with his life but was ultimately consumed by loneliness and pain.”

Kings Island amusement park drops offensive skeleton display

Kim LaCapria — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:17:15 +0000

An Ohio amusement park has disassembled a distasteful Halloween display that caused offense among parkgoers.

The display featured skeletons dressed as many recently (and not so recently) deceased celebrities. Included were Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and a Sonny Bono themed skeleton clad in ski-gear and tied to a tree. Also in the display were Billy Mays, Dave Thomas and a Heath Ledger “tribute” surrounded by empty pill bottles. The portion of the display that was most criticized referred to slain quarterback Steve McNair, with a skeleton wearing McNair’s NFL jersey (complete with gunshot hole) and a lingerie-wearing skeleton draped across his lap. (McNair was murdered by an angry mistress.)

While the park initially denied making reference to McNair in the display after internet outcry, officials sheepishly apologized when confronted with evidence of footage circulating online. And at least one relative of a targeted celebrity was aware of the display- Billy Mays III, son of the late pitchman Billy Mays, tweeted:

How about this King’s Island dead celebrity display nonsense? Sounds like a classy establishment…

Michael Jackson: Madonna was in love with me

Bang — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:30:37 +0000

Michael Jackson thought Madonna was “sincerely in love” with him.

The late pop star who died in June from acute Propofol intoxication, claimed he turned down the singer’s advances because he didn’t find her “sexy”.

In a 2001 interview with his friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Michael said, “I think she was sincerely in love with me and I was not in love with her. I think she likes shock value and she knows how to push buttons on people.

“She did a lot of crazy things. I knew we had nothing in common. She is not sexy at all. I think being sexy comes from the heart in the way you present yourself.”

As well as being convinced Madonna was attracted to him, Michael also thought the ‘Vogue’ star was jealous of his career.

He explained, “They admire you and know you are wonderful and great because they are jealous, because they wish they were in your shoes. Madonna is one of them. She is jealous. She is a girl, a woman and I think that’s what bothers her. I think women don’t scream for other women. Men are too cool to scream for women. I get the fainting and adulation and she doesn’t.”

The ‘Thriller’ singer also admitted he considered dating his long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor, even though she was 25 years older than him.

However, he decided against pursuing his feelings for fear of being publicly humiliated.

He said, “I know that if we ever did anything romantically the press would be so mean and nasty and call us The Odd Couple. It would turn into a circus and that’s the pain of it all.”

The interviews have now been published as a new book called ‘The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul In Intimate Conversation’.

Elizabeth Taylor Wants Jackson Plot

Bang — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:49 +0000

Elizabeth Taylor wants to be buried next to Michael Jackson.

The 77-year-old actress was close friends with the late pop icon and wants her final resting place to be alongside Michael at Los Angeles’ Forest Lawn cemetery.

A source told National Enquirer magazine, “After sitting through Michael’s funeral service at the Great Mausoleum, with its magnificent stained-glass windows and replicas of Michelangelo’s artworks, she later told friends, ‘I felt a sense of peace there that I’ve never experienced before.’ ”

Elizabeth is said to be searching for a plot next to Michael, who died on June 25 of acute Propofol intoxication.

The actress, who uses a wheelchair because of scoliosis, which causes abnormal curving of the spine, did not attend Michael’s public memorial service in Los Angeles, held in July, as she was too overcome by grief.

She said at the time, “I’ve been asked to speak at the Staples Center. I cannot be part of the public whoopla. And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word.”

In the immediate aftermath of his death, she released an emotional tribute to the ‘Billie Jean’ singer, saying, “I loved Michael with all my soul and I can’t imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together.

“He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty. I don’t think anyone knew how much we loved each other.

“It was the purest most giving love I’ve ever known.”

Michael Jackson Single Announced

Bang — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:38:50 +0000

Michael Jackson is releasing a posthumous single on October 12.

The late ‘Bad’ singer, who died in June of acute Propofol intoxication, brand new song ‘This Is It’ to being released ahead of a two-disc album of the same name.

John McClain, co-producer of the LP and co-executor of his estate, said, “This song only defines, once again, what the world already knows – that Michael is one of God’s greatest gifts.”

The new record includes tracks featured in the upcoming movie ‘This Is It’, which follows Michael as he prepares for the comeback shows he was due to perform at London’s O2 arena from July.

The first disc features some of Michael’s biggest hits, including two versions of new track ‘This Is It’.

Michael’s website states, “This song is featured in the film’s closing sequence and includes backing vocals by Michael’s brothers, The Jacksons.

“Disc two offers previously unreleased versions of some of the artist’s classic tracks. This disc also features a touching spoken word poem from Michael Jackson entitled ‘Planet Earth’ that has never been heard before.”

The album will be on sale internationally from October 26 and in North America on October 27.

The movie ‘This Is It’ hits cinemas worldwide on October 28, with a series of premieres taking place at the same time in cities across the globe.