Paying tribute to the King of Pop, Hot Toys is proud to present the 1/6th scale Michael Jackson collectible figure again, this time depicting his image in his popular hit Bad’s music video in 1987, highlighting the authentic head sculpt, the multi-layered stereoscopic hair sculpture and the highly-detailed costume of his style. A complimentary value-added set of upper outfit portraying his image in the Dirty Diana music video in 1988 is also presented.

The 1/6th scale Michael Jackson (Bad version) collectible specially features:
- Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Michael Jackson in the Bad music video
- Newly developed head sculpt with new make-up
- Parallel Eyeball Rolling System (PERS) and colored Translucent Iris
- Multi-layered stereoscopic hair sculpture
- Slim version of TrueType body with 38 points of articulation
- Approximately 30 cm tall
- One (1) pair of punches, five (5) additional right and two (2) extra  left interchangeable and posing palms
- Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted

Costume:
- Two (2) sets of costumes (one (1) set for Bad version and one (1) set of upper outfit in Dirty Diana image)
- Bad costume:
+ Black jacket with buckles, zips and pouches as accessories
+ Black and white tees
+ Black pants with buckles and a red stripe on the left
+ Four (4) belts with buckles (three (3) in black and one (1) in brown)
+ One (1) pair of black shoes with buckles
+ Nine (9) pieces of black gloves with buckles (six (6) for right hands, three (3) for left hands) (right gloves with rivets added)
- Dirty Diana costume:
+ A set of white shirt and tee

Accessory:
- Square-shaped deluxe figure stand with LED lights with Michael Jackson nameplate and M ICON DX series title

Release date: Q2, 2010

Artists:
-  Head Sculpted by Lee So Young
-  Head Painted by JC. Hong
-  Head Art Directed by Yulli
-  Figure Costume Made by Namgung Mijin
-  Accessory Sculpted by Kouhei Okui

© 2010 Triumph International, Inc, under license to Bravado International Group, manufactured by Hot Toys Ltd.

To see additional details and photos of the doll click Here.

Source: mjfanclub.net

On Friday, February 12, 2010 Lionel Richie sat down with talk show queen Oprah Winfrey to discuss the release of the We Are the World 25 to help benefit Haiti.

It’s been 25 years since Lionel Richie wrote “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson to help end hunger in Africa. With producer Quincy Jones on board, musicians like Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen were eager to lend their talent to the cause. The single skyrocketed to the top of the charts, won four Grammys and raised millions to help those in need.

After the devastating Haiti earthquake, Lionel and Quincy decided it was time to bring back “We Are the World.” More than 80 of the world’s most talented singers joined the project—including Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, The Jonas Brothers, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Jay-Z, Jennifer Nettles, Jennifer Hudson and Lady Gaga.

“I’ve never seen so much excitement—Tony Bennett, Snoop Dog talking to each other. Lil Wayne, Barbra Streisand talking to each other,”

Lionel says.

“Everyone stepped up, and it’s beautiful

.
When the original single was recorded in 1985, there was a sign at the studio that read,

“Check your egos at the door.”

This time, Lionel says everyone’s egos disappeared once they were reminded why they were there.

“It lasted for about 20 minutes,”

he says.

“Once you see the kids standing on top of their homes, on top of their families—because they’re still in the rubble. … Now, the egos stop. You absolutely know what you’re supposed to do when you’re there.”

Despite the amazing talent in the room, Lionel says many of the performers were actually nervous.

“You get in there and realize the new group can’t really perform in the circle. In other words, they’re nervous,”

he says.

“We had to have three separate rooms [for soloists to record in].”

The plan, Lionel says, was for the new recording to remain a secret..

“Right after we finished the first verse, everybody’s Twittered.”

Lionel says the new performance brought back memories of working with Michael Jackson back in 1985—and shares a story he’s never told publicly.

“We’re writing the lyrics of ‘We Are the World’ the first time,”

he says.

“I’m lying on the floor, and I see out of the corner of my eye some records falling over. There’s a python.”

Lionel was rattled, but Michael was excited.

“[He says]: ‘Oh, there he is, Lionel. I found the snake,’”

he says.

“It’s an albino python that he couldn’t find in the house.”

To honor his friend, Lionel found a way to put Michael in the video.

“He had to be in it,”

he says.

“So what we did was we have Michael singing [his] exact same part with the footage, and Janet, his sister, singing along with him.

Source: mjfanclub.net

The revamped “We Are the World” made its world premiere Friday during NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, and a simultaneous worldwide screening of the full, and the seven-minute version of the music video is planned for Saturday.

The worldwide simulcast on 53 domestic and international channels was planned for 2 p.m. (1900 GMT) Eastern time.

A three-minute version of the video aired Friday. Filmed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis, the video shows images of devastation from the island nation after the January 12 earthquake that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.

It also shows some of the 85 artists who gathered in Los Angeles earlier this month to re-record the 1985 charity anthem.

Teen sensation Justin Bieber opens the song. Also featured are Jennifer Hudson and Nicole Scherzinger, Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and Fergie. Josh Groban, LL Cool J, Nick Jonas, Lil Wayne (and his auto-tune), Jeff Bridges, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and Haitian-American singer Wyclef Jean also get screen time.

Michael Jackson, who co-wrote the original hit with Lionel Richie, is shown in a clip from the original music video. In the new version, Jackson, wearing his trademark 1980s pseudomilitary regalia, sings alongside his sister, Janet Jackson.

Richie and fellow producer Quincy Jones introduced the song Friday via video, saying money raised by its sales will provide food, shelter and medicine for the Haitian people.

Fans can download “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” online now. All proceeds will benefit earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti.

Visit the Official We Are the World 25 website Here for more details!

Source: mjfanclub.net

Peter Andre has recorded a version of Michael Jackson’s ‘She’s Out Of My Life’ for his new album.

The song – a top three hit for Jackson in 1980 – is one of five classic ballads Andre has covered for Unconditional Love Songs, due for release on Rhino on February 1.

The remainder of the 16-track compilation comprises the singer’s favorite romantic tracks from his previous LPs, including the hit singles ‘Lonely’ and ‘The Right Way’.

“I have always wanted to cover an MJ song and this particular song is so simply done and says so much about the artist,”

Andre said in a press release.

“It’s lyrically beautiful and is so thought-provoking.”

Andre’s last studio album Revelation debuted and peaked at number three on the UK albums chart in September. It has since been certified platinum.

Source: mjfanclub.net

According to Roger Friedman,  Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie are planning a massive 25th anniversary re-recording of “We Are the World.”

The timing couldn’t be better, sadly enough.

The duo is summoning lots and lots of talent from Grammy weekend to stay an extra night — Monday Feb. 1 — and come to the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. There, they will celebrate a quarter century since Ken Kragen, Richie and Michael Jackson organized the original “We Are the World” with Quincy.

This time the artists invited include Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend. But you can bet that more names will be added shortly and that all the Grammy nominees and participants will be asked to come as well. Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the event, which will then be turned into a video and single just like it was in 1985. Don’t be surprised if Wyclef Jean joins in, along with Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and other distinctive voices.

It’s hoped that as in 1985, everyone will

“leave their egos at the door.”

Originally, this anniversary celebration was to be held on Jan. 28. But when the Haiti earthquake happened, sources tell me, the whole deal changed. Now proceeds will go to Haiti relief. In 1985, “We Are the World,” which begat Live Aid, raised money for Africa relief.

Plans are still sketchy, but one thing’s for sure: In some way, the song’s co-author Michael Jackson will be invoked. AEG is co-producing this event. They’re also putting together a 3D tribute to Michael for the Grammy show from elements Jackson was going to use for his tour. Jackson recorded “We Are the World” for what became “This Is It.” Surely he’ll be included here as well, which will make the whole project even more poignant.

Stay tuned. PS: Quincy Jones is about to release what has been described to me as a landmark new album that he’s made with contemporary R&B and hip hop artists. He was responsible for the original “We Are the World” and will guide the new one. He is not a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in case you were wondering.

Source: mjfanclub.net

GRAMMY winners Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, and Usher will join together, along with the voice of Michael Jackson, in a moving tribute to Jackson at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 31. This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature the never-before-seen 3-D mini-movie for “Earth Song” that was created by Jackson as the centerpiece of his much-anticipated This Is It tour, but was never seen by the public prior to this GRAMMY performance.

The 3-D film was created to support the performance of “Earth Song,” an original composition and a No. 1 hit for Jackson. The song has a strong theme about the future of the planet, and Jackson saw it as a unique opportunity to deliver a message to millions of people who would have seen him on tour.

“It was one of the most important portions of the concert tour to Michael and when Michael saw the film for the first time at his last rehearsal, there were tears in his eyes,”

according to Ken Ehrlich, GRAMMY co-Executive Producer and longtime Jackson associate, who was also at the rehearsal that night.

“This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature some of our most respected GRAMMY recipients, all of whom have a great love for Michael,”

added Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy.

“This segment promises to be an emotional highlight of this year’s show, and is sure to join the unique list of amazing performances for which the GRAMMY Awards have become renowned.”

This special segment also represents another GRAMMY technical breakthrough in that it will be the first time a major awards show broadcasts in 3-D. The GRAMMY Awards also were the first awards show to broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound (2003).

So that viewers can enjoy this unique 3-D TV experience at home, CBS and Target have partnered to provide millions of free 3-D GRAMMY Glasses. From Sunday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 31, Target stores nationwide will exclusively offer these 3-D GRAMMY Glasses so that fans have the opportunity to see the film that was very personal to Jackson. Additionally, the audience at Staples Center will share the 3-D experience, wearing the same glasses as those being worn by viewers at home.

This GRAMMY tribute to Michael Jackson joins previously announced performances by nominees Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, Pink, Taylor Swift, and the Zac Brown Band.

The 52nd GRAMMY Awards will take place live on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Louis J. Horvitz is director.

Source: mjfanclub.net

Paula Abdul used her appearance on Larry King’s Haiti show to announce that she is auctioning off her copy of The Michael Jackson Opus, signed by dozens of celebrities, to benefit earthquake victims through the Charitybuzz Heal Haiti Auction.

The money raised will be split between the US Fund for UNICEF and The American Red Cross.

The Official Michael Jackson OPUS is the only new publication approved and endorsed by the Estate of Michael Joseph Jackson. With over 400 pages of stunning and never-before-seen photographs plus personal, heartfelt essays written exclusively for this OPUS by those who knew Michael best and respected him most. This one-of-a-kind tribute book will help fans treasure the memory of an extraordinary person and performer.

This special book is signed by Paula Abdul and other celebrities.

The Charitybuzz Heal Haiti Auction is currently live at www.charitybuzz.com/healhaiti. More items and experiences donated by A-list stars will be added every day, including Ben Stiller, Jimmy Kimmel, Gilles Martini and Selena Gomez.

Source: mjfanclub.net

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced the January 26 release of Michael Jackson’s This Is It on Blu-ray with the kind of flourish you’d expect from associates of the King of Pop. Jackson choreographer Travis Payne performed live at the Sony booth at CES with two of the dancers who were set to tour with the late singer. Sony also ran a “Smooth Criminal” vignette from the disc showing Jackson “interact” with Rita Hayworth, Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart in classic black and white footage from Gilda and other old-time movies.

Sony Pictures says the Blu-ray features 90 minutes of new and never seen before footage.

See Photos below from Travis Payne’s performance which were posted on Facebook!

Worldwide release dates are now available for Michael Jackson’s This Is It on DVD and Blu-ray®

U.S. fans can pre-order the DVD and Blu-ray® with movie poster Here.

Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito may be as tired of their A&E show as everybody else in America — we’re told the network has already offered them a second season … but so far, the bros. haven’t bitten.

TMZ spoke with a rep for A&E, who confirmed the offer and told us the network would gladly have MJ’s male siblings back for another round of “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” — which airs its last episode this Sunday.

But there’s one problem: we’re told the brothers haven’t responded to the offer yet.

It’s unclear why the brothers wouldn’t jump at the chance for a paycheck … but then again, it’s the Jacksons … so nothing is ever as it seems.

Source: TMZ.com