| In the 4 days since MICHAEL JACKSON has died, the old saying in Hollywood, “the show must go on” was tested, but held true. JACKSON’S death was announced at 2:30 Thursday afternoon, whilst a busy entertainment world was readying a dizzying array of events.
At Grauman’s Chinese Theater, by coincidence where MICHAEL’S star in the Walk of Fame is located, the security detail was rolling out the red carpet for the BRUNO premiere. Stars walking the red carpet passed JACKSON’S star, shuttered away from fans who were convening on THE JACKSON FIVE’S star over on Vine, or even radio personality, MICHAEL JACKSON’S star, further East on Hollywood Boulevard. Executives, and editors were busy after the death was announced, cutting a scene from the film, which aired at 7:45pm that night, which poked fun at LATOYA and by reference, MICHAEL.
In Westwood, a large crowd gathered at RONALD REAGAN/UCLA MEDICAL CENTER, where MICHAEL’S body, and his family members could be found, but the Los Angeles Film Festival went on as planned just blocks away at numerous theaters in Westwood, still the movie-going mecca of Los Angeles.
Back in Hollywood, last year’s American Idol finalist, MICHAEL JOHNS belted out at 10-song set at Hollywood & Highland, after walking the red carpet at the BRUNO debut, and before sitting to sign copies of his new release, HOLD BACK MY HEART.
Just down the block, at LES DEUX, LAUREN HILDEBRANDT performed 3 snappy dance numbers, choreographed by BRIAN FRIEDMAN who was in attendance, in celebration of her new release, I AM NOT A WAITRESS. There was a lively, and decidedly hipster following, few of whom seemed daunted by the day’s events.
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photo by: MIke Skiff |
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photo by: Cheryl Riley |
In Hollywood, the show really does go on. And that was just within 5 hours of the big news.
The rest of the weekend kept the entertainment machine rolling.
On Friday evening, the Queen of Soul, ARETHA FRANKLIN was in town for her first performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 30 years. She paid homage to the King, of Pop, with a moment of silence and sincere words, “Thank you Michael, for every moment, for every kind thing that you did.” And the show went right along.
Over at the Beverly Hilton, ASCAP held their 22nd annual RHYTHM & SOUL MUSIC AWARDS, with ALICIA KEYS, NE-YO and BERRY GORDY paying tribute to MICHAEL.
“Nobody could tell him what he could and could not do; how long his videos could or could not be; or how the song structure should be; or how many records he could or could not sell, “ said KEYS. “I think he is someone who genuinely inspired us all.”
TIMBALAND shared why he was so down, “I had an opportunity to work with MICHAEL coming up, before the tour, and it’s been wild. The same thing happened to me when I was supposed to work with BIGGIE SMALLS before he passed. “
Motown founder BERRY GORDY quieted the crowd when he took the stage, “For the world, Michael’s legacy will always be his music and his artistry. But for me, it will be so much more.”
GORDY of course saw MICAEL grow from a child of 9 years old, into one of Motown’s biggest stars.
On Sunday, the BET AWARDS were converted into a MICHAEL JACKSON lifetime achievement show. MICHAEL’S father, JOE JACKSON walked the red carpet, and even spoke to CNN, avoiding much discussion about MICHAEL in lieu of promotion of his new label dealing in blu-ray only recordings. Talk about the show going on. Really.
JANET JACKSON took the stage at the Shrine Auditorium where the BET statuettes were being handed out. “To you, Michael is an icon, but to us Michael is family, and he will forever live in all of our hearts.
JAMIE FOXX implored the audience, “There’s no need to be sad,” as he tried to moonwalk and shuffle like MICHAEL. LIL WAYNE, LEBRON JAMES, NE-YO, BEYONCE and many other big names in entertainment joined in the tribute, with FOXX and NE-YO bringing down the house as the show closed with a rendition of “I’ll Be There”.
Even TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN went on without a hitch, grossing more than $200 million since opening Wednesday evening, approaching the record for a 5-day opening, that held by DARK KNIGHT with $203.8 million for a weekday opening, 5 day run.
The entire sequence of events left one stunned. If the King of Pop, MICHAEL JACKSON can die without so much as causing a hiccup in the entertainment machine, then what significance does anything attach to it? Does anyone even remember FARRAH FAWCETT earlier in the day on Thursday? It is the end of an era, the passing of an icon, the loss of a genius.
And, BRUNO, it opens July 10th.
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