Raymone K. Bain, Michael Jackson’s spokesperson and General Manager, confirmed to the Italian Fan Club CTE that the King Of Pop posed for the October issue of Vogue Magazine (Italian version). The photoshoot took place in the past few days in New York.

Source: CTE

Michael Jackson was the Motown artist who spoke most to dance professor Derek Reid, but not necessarily because of the entertainer’s smooth moves onstage.

“I was a huge Jackson 5 fan. I think I related a lot to Michael Jackson,” said Reid, 41, who is starting his fourth year teaching at Butler University’s Jordan College of Fine Arts.

Reid, 41, who grew up in Maryland, recalls being first introduced to the Motown group through “Jackson 5ive,” a 1970s TV cartoon series.

“I never particularly felt a kinship to Michael because he was a dancer, but I loved his music,” Reid said. “I really liked ‘I’ll Be There’ (a chart-topping single from 1970). I like ballads, and it has a really nice melody. . . . I also like the sentiment about being there when you need someone.”

Reid believes certain Motown hits have staying power. In fact, he has introduced some to his daughter.

Source: IndyStar.com

Michael Jackson’s DVD `Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour` has recently been featuring in the Top 20 Musical DVD chart in Spain. In the week running (September 3-9, 2007), it reached position #15. Furthermore, the DVD is now certified Gold status for over 10,000 copies sold in the country.

Source: promusicae

YouTube features an interesting radio interview with Stephanie Mills. The Grammy Award-winning R&B and soul singer talks about dating Michael.

To listen to the interview click here.

Source: YouTube

A Brussels court has ruled that Michael Jackson’s 1995 hit “You are not alone” is largely similar to a song penned by Belgian twins two years previously, local media reported Tuesday.

All the authorial rights of the Jackson number one hit, written by Robert Kelly, alias US singer-songwriter R. Kelly, therefore are switched to the brothers according to the court ruling handed down last week.

The twin composers have fought for 12 years to gain recognition for their work, however the judgement is only applicable in Belgium and getting hold of royalties may be no simple task.

“You are not alone” was released in August 1995, the second single off the multi-platinum Jackson album ‘HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I’.

It became the first-ever single to début at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

On their website the Belgian composer-brothers said that the Belgian rights society SABAM had confirmed that “the most important and largest part” of the Jackson hit is “identical” to the Van Passels’ work.

Source: AFP

Forget Britney — Last night’s MTV Video Music Awards belonged to 18-year-old Chris Brown, whose electrifying performance and homage to Michael Jackson kick started the show into high gear.

One person who took notice of Brown’s dazzling display was none other than the King of Pop himself, who issued this exclusive statement to Access Hollywood:

“Chris is a bright and shining star whom I enjoy watching perform. I am happy to have had a positive influence on him.”

Justin Timberlake, a big winner at last night’s awards, was also impressed by Brown’s dynamic energy:

“Nobody likes to be reminded that they’re getting older. And whatever Chris Brown just did reminded me of how I’m getting older,” said the 28-year-old Timberlake on the broadcast. “Cause damn. It’s just exciting to see”

Brown’s dance break to the riff from Jackson’s “Billie Jean” was only one part of an elaborate set, that began with the carnival-inspired “Wall to Wall” and climaxed with an all-out dance spectacle to Brown’s and T-Pain’s “Kiss Kiss.” There was also a surprise performance from Rihanna thrown in to take things even higher.

Brown’s sophomore album, “Exclusive,” is scheduled to hit stores on November 6.

Source: Access Hollywood

People Magazine has followed other publications in reporting untrue and inaccurate information about Michael Jackson and the Jackson Family. Of these widely reported rumors, what has become the most troubling and heronious, is that my son, and our brother Michael Jackson is dependent on painkillers and alcohol.

People, and other news organizations, have quoted “sources” indicating that our family has attempted a drug intervention, and engaged in an effort to take over his business affairs, because of this alleged drug and alcohol usage.

We categorically deny ever planning, participating in, of having knowledge of any kind of intervention whatsoever. We strongly believe that these “sources” and others, no matter who they are, are making these defamatory, inaccurate, and untrue claims for monetary reasons.

Michael Jackson and the Jackson family has endured years of false accusations and misrepresentations.

It is time for these unfair and hurtful rumors for profit to end.

Thank you

Signed by
Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Katherine Jackson

Source: Raymone K Bain

On a recent trip to the National Zoo, spokesman John Gibbons accompanied Michael Jackson and his three children and commented on the time he spent with the family:

“I was struck by how considerate and nice and normal they all were.”

It is said that the children very much adore their father because Michael sometimes acts like a child himself, singing songs, getting giddy on trips and making everything a game.

Jamie Foster Brown, a journalist who accompanied Michael and his children on a trip to Japan some time ago, also reported that she was very impressed by the children:

“They’re just cordial and friendly and playful, and they like to play jokes on their daddy. …They are all very comfortable with him. He is raising his children well.”

Source: Detroit Free Press

We have picked up all of the packages. The packages and cards have been sent to Mr. Jackson. I personally forwarded to him all of the emails that I received from the fans wishing him Happy Birthday, and I advised each of them that I had forwarded the emails to him. There were hundreds.

Per advice from our attorneys, we do not sign for certified mail for Mr. Jackson, unless we or the attorneys have been advised beforehand. Therefore, any items which require signature will not be signed for. I have advised the fans that have contacted me about this not to send certified mail, we will receive the mail, there is no need to send it certified.

We plan on sending something really nice to the fans this week, acknowledging the cards, gifts, etc.

Best.
Raymone