Jackson's sister breaks silence | |
In her first interview following Michael Jackson's sudden death in June, Janet Jackson has said that she has not watched any TV news since. The singer, 43, told Harper's Bazaar magazine that continuous coverage in the US, "will drive you crazy", adding: "Not everyone is stone." She also told the magazine she was "really proud" of niece Paris, who spoke at Jackson's memorial in the US. Jackson's death, following a cardiac arrest, has been ruled as homicide. In the interview, Janet Jackson reveals that she last saw her brother less than six weeks before he died. "We had so much fun that day," she said, "We kept calling each other after and saying how great it was." She was working on a film in Atlanta when she got the call that her brother had died and immediately returned to Los Angeles. 'Emotional eater' Jackson also praises her mother, Katherine, saying: "I always wanted to have my mother's strength, but I didn't know if it was really there." Jackson, who has battled weight problems in the past, also revealed she had turned to comfort-eating to cope. She said: "I can be an emotional eater. Of late, I have been doing that, yes." Earlier this week, it was revealed that Janet Jackson will perform a tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on 13 September. | |
Jackson tribute 'badly organised' | |
The mayor of Vienna has admitted that the Michael Jackson tribute concert that was expected to be held in Austria's capital was badly organised. Mayor Michael Haupl told the city's council the show would have been "very interesting... had it been properly prepared and organised but it was not". Organisers cancelled the planned 26 September concert after struggling to find major stars to perform. A replacement show has been planned for June next year, in London. Vienna authorities had initially agreed to subsidise the tribute at Schönbrunn Palace and planned to give organisers 600,000 euros (£550,000) after city experts estimated the event's advertising value to be around 35m euros (£32.1m). But the funding was pulled on 11 September when the concert's organisers - led by Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine - failed to present the "top stars" promised to perform at the event. Short notice Vice Mayor Renate Brauner said, at the time: "The advertising value is unlikely to be as high as we had initially expected it to be. We will call off all talks with the organisers." Later the same day, the concert was cancelled - with Jermaine Jackson admitting "numerous stars were just not able to change their schedules" at such short notice. Organisers also blamed the Austrian media for the cancellation, saying it viewed the line-up as "B-List" artists, who were "made fun of and generally disrespected". Artists Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Natalie Cole, Sister Sledge and Akon had originally been announced as performers, however plans were dealt a blow when representatives for Blige, Brown and Cole later said none of the three would be performing. World Tribute Productions said they were hoping to hold the rescheduled concert at Wembley Stadium. | |
Global premieres for Jackson film | |
The Michael Jackson film This Is It is to have simultaneous premieres in more than 15 cities around the world. Cities hosting the premieres on 27 and 28 October include Los Angeles, London, New York, Berlin, Seoul and Rio de Janeiro, Sony Pictures said. The movie is based on more than 100 hours of footage from rehearsals for the 50 London shows he had planned to do. Jackson died in June aged 50. Names of the other cities hosting the premiere have not yet been released. Hollywood films often hold premieres at different locations around the world but rarely at the same time. "Michael Jackson has an army of fans everywhere around the world... we are giving the audiences an incredible opportunity to join together in celebration of Michael Jackson's incredible career," said Jeff Blake, chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for Sony Pictures. The Los Angeles premiere will take place on the evening of 27 October, while the London event will happen after midnight local time on 28 October. Limited release In total, more than 25 cities will host premieres but not all will take place at the same time - they include Moscow, Tokyo, Sydney and Paris. This Is It, directed by Kenny Ortega - the choreographer of Jackson's planned shows at London's O2 arena - offers a behind-the-scenes look at preparations. The content is drawn from footage shot in Los Angeles between March and June. The film will go on general release in cinemas on 28 October for just a two-week run. The $60m (£36.4m) movie deal was made between Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live and Sony Pictures. Tickets for This Is It go on sale on 27 September. The singer died after suffering a cardiac arrest on 25 June, weeks before he was to have started the concerts. | |
Higher cause'
Mr Boteach is an orthodox Jewish rabbi who has written self-help books with names like Shalom in the Home and Kosher Sex.
The latter book, which encouraged Jews to have more sex, was publicly criticised and the rabbi was forced to resign from the synagogue where he preached in Willesden, north London.
 Jackson with Uri Geller (left) and Rabbi Boteach (right) in 2001 |
He was introduced to Jackson in 1999 by entertainer Uri Geller and acted as his confidant for many years, helping to establish the star's Heal The Kids initiative.
Their conversations were taped with an eye to giving the public a more accurate image of the pop star.
Mr Boteach said he became disillusioned with the book - originally set for release in 2003 - after Jackson failed to adhere to recovery programmes they had worked out for his public image and private self.
On the Today programme, he insisted that Jackson would still have wanted the tapes to be released.
"He did all this because he wanted to consecrate his fame to a higher cause, and that was cause was 'parents prioritise your kids. Don't neglect them, because look what it did to me.'"
