Big Picture
Kim & Kourt Take Bev Hills Plus, Daniel Radcliffe works his magic and Bruce Jenner blasts to the past. Get the latest pics!
MORE PHOTOS +Most Commented
- TV's Top Couples Tournament: Vote in the Final Round! (2036)
- TV's Top Couples Tournament: This Round Is Closed, Please Stand By (698)
- Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Photos Galore! New Pics From Their Post-Twilight Flicks! (607)
- Afternoon Mail! Are Gleeks Having More Sex Than Vamps? (586)
- TV's Top Couple Tournament: And the Winner Is... (504)
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z Share First Photos of Baby Blue Ivy! (398)
- Whitney Houston Dead at 48 (396)
- Twitter Name Change: Introducing @Ted_Casablanca (233)
- Life After Breaking Dawn?! Maybe, Says Studio Head! (226)
- Morning Mail! Céline Dion Talks Whitney Houston's Tragic Death (222)
Top 10 Stories
- Whitney Houston Remembered by Sparkle Producer: "Almost a Magic About Her"
- Miley Cyrus "Better Watch" Hunger Games, Says Liam Hemsworth
- Colbert Report Mystery Shutdown: Production Suspended Due to "Unforeseen Circumstances"
- Kevin Costner? Aretha Franklin? Bobby Brown? Latest Details on Whitney Houston's Funeral
- Diddy Remembers Whitney Houston: "She Was So Full of Life"
- Royal Feud Shocker! Sean Penn Slams Prince William's "Unthinkable" Deployment
- Real Housewives' Michaele Salahi & Journey's Neal Schon: Tareq Salahi Is the One Tormenting Us!
- Angelina Jolie Tears Up—Watch Her Get Emotional
- Josh Duhamel Not Coming Back for Transformers 4: Is Anyone?!
- Spoiler Chat Daily: A New Girl Baby on the Way?! Plus, Scoop on Vampire Diaries, Glee and More
Fashion Police
Our Partners
Michael Back on Tour (Sort Of)
Michael Jackson got his MTV and then some.
In his first official public appearance since being acquitted on child molestation charges last year, the erstwhile King of Pop turned up at MTV Japan's Video Music Awards where he accepted the Legend Award and thanked his legion of fans for sticking by him throughout his ordeal.
Saturday's outing kicked off a tour of Asia that will reportedly include stops in Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong as the 47-year-old Jackson begins the long process of rehabbing his scandal-tainted image.
"I think you are very sweet, generous and kind people," a clearly emotional Jackson told the thrilled crowd who apparently couldn't stop 'til they got enough of the legendary entertainer.
Jackson added that he was honored to be in Japan and was grateful to all those who "believed in me."
"I believe in you. I love you and thank you for your loyalty," he said.
Previous recipients of the Legend honor, which began in 2003, include Ozzy Osbourne and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.
Following last year's trial, the "Heal the World" crooner and his three kids left his Neverland estate and took up temporary residence in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain. Since then, Jackson has been seen primarily in tabloid photos showing him trying to dodge paparazzi when he donned a woman's veil and abaya while shopping in that country's capitol.
The day after the MTV kudocast, Jackson paid a visit to the Seibi Gakuen's children's home, a local Christian orphanage, where he was greeted by a group of 140 cheering children yelling "Michael, Michael," per Reuters.
The icon, wearing his trademark black sunglasses, white t-shirt and double-breasted black suit adorned with a red armband, said, "I'm happy to be with you lovely people," to his audience, who ranged in age from two to 18.
He then said, "Aishiteru," the Japanese phrase for "I love you." He spent time afterwards shaking hands and signing autographs.
"He is very tall and very cool-looking. I don't know his songs, but I've seen him dance on television," 13-year-old Eiho Omori told the wire service.
Before he began his trek, Jackson issued a statement saying he looked forward to "saying hello to my huge fan base in Japan who, like my other fans around the world, have for so many years consistently shown their love and support to me and my family."
Raymone K. Bain, a rep for the Gloved One, has said that once Jackson completes his jaunt, he plans to get back into the studio and record a new album that will be out sometime in 2007. Per Billboard.com, the popster has reportedly signed a co-venture deal with Bahrain-based Two Seas Record and hopes to collaborate with the likes of 50 Cent and Kanye West. No word on whether they're interested.
As for that much-talked about all-star charity single to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, Bain said Jackson's two or three steps away from completion.
0 Comments
Now loading...