What if you threw a party and Michael Jackson showed up? That’s what happened to Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks during the Halloween bash she hosted last weekend. She told the story Monday (Nov. 3) on Howard Stern’s morning show on Sirius Satellite radio.

“A couple of people went up to him and told him he had the greatest Michael Jackson costume ever.”

Apparently, the disc jockey for the party at Maines’ California home assumed it was a Jackson impersonator, too, and started spinning “Thriller” when he walked through the room. Jackson came to Maines’ party with the wife of the late actor Gregory Peck, one of Jackson’s longtime friends. Maines said Jackson brought all three of his children to her party and noted that the eldest, in particular, seemed to be “well-adjusted” and “self-assured.”

Maines flew to New York to appear on Stern’s show for the opportunity to meet a guy known as Eric the Midget, who frequently phones the King of All Media to offer his opinions and lodge his complaints about a wide variety of topics. It was Eric’s first time to actually be in the studio with Stern and his crew.

Source: CMT

Corbin Bleu (Corbin Bleu Reivers), an US actor known for his roles in the ‘High School Musical’ series, appeared on the US tv show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and spoke about what it was like meeting Michael Jackson.

Jimmy Kimmel: When you were a kid did you have somebody that you idolized?? In the way that these kids go crazy for you and your coworkers.

Corbin Bleu: Yes. Michael Jackson! My mom is a huge eighties fan. And I pretty much grew up listening to Michael in the womb. She would pretty much put the headphones on.

I actually got the opportunity to meet him, once!

JK: Where did you meet him?

Corbin Bleu: Kenny Ortega, director of High School Musical, has done Michael’s tour numerous times. He has worked on music videos.

He actually came to the ‘High School Musica’l concert in Los Angeles.

JK: Michael Jackson???

Corbin Bleu: Michael Jackson came to the ‘High School Musical’ concert. With his kids. His kids are huge fans.

And… he actually came to the backstage. And you know… of course all these huge bodyguards come in and they check the surrounding and make sure there’s no cameras.

And then Michael walks in! He has got these big shades on. And, I mean - he is so cool. He is a guy… that’s first of all. He is a dude… Most people - if you see him - a lot of people think of him as you know…. more of a frail kind of person. Dude walks in… he is a big guy… he has got a strong handshake.

JK: Really???

Corbin Bleu: Yeah. He is very much of a… you know, he is a dude.

The crazy part was that afterwards, we had to do the show…knowing that he is sitting right there. And we could see him. And my bit in the show is almost an entire homage to him. I mean, between the outfit I pop up on the stage… a lot of the moves. I am sitting up here going: “Michael Jackson’s watching me dance right now!” I mean, it was just one of the most surreal moments of my life. But I grew up being so inspired by him, and loving him. I love his work.

Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live

Having collaborated with everyone from Ludacris and Ciara to Chris Brown, T-Pain has worked with most of his peers. So who’s left for him to work with? No one, he says.

“I pretty much did it already. I did two pieces with Michael Jackson, so I’m pretty much done; my list is all checked off.”

And it looks like MJ’s upcoming project will have T-Pain’s touch.

“I just worked on his new album. He actually invited me to his house. So I went to his house and it was pretty much that day where we just hung out …”

While the vocoder-laced singer/producer seems to be taking his success in stride, he admits that he never imagined he’d have a chance to collaborate with the King of Pop.

“I never thought Michael Jackson would ever work with me. He actually sent for me, so that was kind of weird and cool at the same time.”

Source: The Boombox Music Blog

Yesterday, Michael Jackson took his costumed children out shopping for Halloween costumes. They went from his Los Angeles (USA) hotel to a nearby Halloween shop.

Once spotted, he was immediately bombarded by autograph seeking fans and paparazzi alike - with Michael greeting them all with smiles and enthusiasm.

Source: Gossip Girls

The numbers are in - stating that 4,179 zombies worlwide danced to Thriller as part of the Thrill The World event last weekend! This means that a new record has been set!

For details you can check the web site of the Record Holders Republic. The entry there reads as follows:

Thriller Dance: Largest Simultaneous: 4,179 people: Ines Markeljevic. On Oct. 25, 2008, 4,179 people from 10 nations (Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America, and Wales) simultaneously performed The Thriller Dance as part of the Thrill The World event, organized by Ines Markeljevic of Canada.

Thanks to everyone who participated and who made this new record come true!

Source: Thrill The World, Record Holders Republic, MJFC-USA

Actor Zac Efron (’High School Musical’) was overwhelmed to find out Michael Jackson is a fan of his work - and was left “speechless” when the entertainer called to congratulate him on his success.

Michael Jackson is a close friend of the films’ director Kenny Ortega. Efron admits he was delighted when Ortega handed him his cellphone and told him that Michael Jackson was on the line for him:

“I’ve been wanting to talk to Michael Jackson my whole life, but as soon as Kenny handed me the phone, I was at a loss for words. I have never been so speechless.

He said he loves High School Musical. It was motivation for us, and encouragement.”

Source: World Entertainment News Network

Next Sunday, it will be Michael Jackson week on Australian Idol. The announcement on their website reads as follows:

Okey-dokey Australia, we’re bring out the big guns! The competition is heating up, and what better way to test your Idol’s performance smarts than seeing how they handle interpreting one of the most popular entertainers of all-time - the one-and-only Michael Jackson! That’s right, it’s King of Pop night next week on Idol! Which Number One hit will YOUR fave Idol choose?

Michael Jackson exploded onstage at the tender age of 11 as a member of the sing-along faves, The Jackson 5. Now at the reputable age of 50, he has cemented his reputation as one of the world’s great entertainers. He’s been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice, and the album Thriller still holds the record as the world’s best-selling album. To see your Idols channel their inner megastar (and to see even more of Wes’ sweet MJ moves), tune in next Sunday!

Click Here for more details.

Source: Australian Idol

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, stopped at a Robertson Boulevard boutique to shop, but for what?

He was at Off the Wall, the West Hollywood antique store that bears the same name as his 1979 album. An inside source tells E! News that the rarely seen star bought a Pan Am aluminum cast model airplane.

The source says Michael was looking around at other items but only purchased the plane. “It was a little difficult because people were pounding on doors and windows…so he was in and out pretty quick,” an eyewitness tells E! News. “The paparazzi were in hot pursuit of him.”

Despite the chaos going on outside, the source said Michael didn’t seem worried. “He was great,” says the source.

As Jackson was exiting the store, another eyewitness tells E! News that paparazzi and fans were everywhere. “He came out and shielded himself with an umbrella at first,” says another eyewitness. “Once he got in his car, he cracked the window and reached out and started shaking people’s hands.”

Source: Entertainment Tonight

Michael Jackson’s King Of Pop has re-entered the top ten of the album chart, from 47, since this week’s X Factor.

The TV talent show, which aired on Saturday, featured all of its 11 contestants singing from the star’s extensive back catalogue.

Music industry experts claim the hit show has become the biggest music promoter since Top Of The Pops.

King Of Pop is the Thriller hitmaker’s compilation album, released in celebration of his 50th birthday.

Speaking about its boost in sales since last week’s midweek figures HMV’s spokesman, Genaro Castaldo, told 6 Music:

“The X Factor shows have become the biggest way of promoting music in the UK ever since we lost Top Of The Pops. Everyone queues up to get on there.

Off the back of that his album King Of Pop, which was released some weeks ago and was around number 47 last week, has had a massive boost.

It was at number 47, but the midweek figures show that it is currently sitting in the top ten.

It just shows you the enduring appeal of Michael Jackson, reminding you of how brilliant his songs are, but also it tells us all how incredibly powerful the X Factor has become at promoting music in the UK.”

However, Castaldo estimated that its position will peter out by the end of the week:

“I think potentially the King Of Pop album might fall away a little bit because it’s natural that the most interest follows straight after the show.

I’d be very surprised if it didn’t make the top 15 or 20 and now that it’s there it might be the case that it’ll carry on selling quite well in the next few weeks.”

Source: BBC

Singer John Legend is not certain if pop star Michael Jackson is recording the song he gave him.

Legend is one among many who have given songs to Jackson for his next album.

“I wrote a song with Will I Am that we submitted to Michael for his project.

I don’t know what he’s doing with his album right now, I don’t even know if he’s still working on it.”

Even with the confusion, Legend is certain about Jackson’s reputation.

“Michael Jackson is obviously a legend, don’t get it twisted.”

Source: MDTV Music Page