Vowing to give 10% of all proceeds to the Heal The World Foundation, Douglas says he wanted to honour Michael with this fitting tribute.

If you are a professional dancer and want to try out for Michael The Musical and dont mind relocating to Nevada (who wouldnt!), then send an email to the following address: dancers@michaelthemusical.com"! For more info on Michael The Musical go to www.michaelthemusical.com!

Source: KOP Discussion

Michael Jackson reportedly is planning to produce and star in an animated feature, about an orphan who teams up with a lonely rich girl and some endangered animals to save the earth.

The Associated Press reports pre-production on The Way of the Unicorn: The Endangered One is scheduled to begin next month with a possible spring 2003 release.

Meanwhile, there may be only a semi-reunion for the Jackson 5 this fall. All of the brothers were expected to perform at Jackson's self-tribute concert in September, but now Jermaine is backing out. That leaves Jackie, Tito and Marlon to perform with Michael.

Source: ABC News

Marlon Jackson Announces: The Original Jacksons to Reunite with Randy at ``Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years''

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 23, 2001--``Randy Jackson will reunite with the original Jacksons: Michael, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito,'' announced Marlon Jackson, an original member of the group.

According to Marlon, ``I am very sorry for the confusion my brother Jermaine has caused by his statement which he also attributed to my youngest brother, Randy. The statement from Jermaine was totally false regarding Randy's non-participation in the show. Randy had never even seen the statement that Jermaine sent out. Randy will be a part of these evenings and the public will see the original Jacksons reunite. Randy is as excited as all my brothers about this reunion and we all look forward to singing with 'N Sync on Dancing Machine. We love 'N Sync and are so glad they are part of this tribute to Michael.''

Marlon went on to state, ``When the Jackson 5 left Motown and changed names to the Jacksons, Jermaine was not a part of the group. He was not featured on any of our hits, including Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), Heartbreak Hotel, Lovely One, Show You The Way To Go, and Blame It On The Boogie. We look forward to performing many of these songs as well as a number of the Jackson 5 classics at both the Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001 shows.''

Tickets to the public will go on sale Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 10:00A.M. through Ticketmaster for the Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001 performances. Ticket prices begin at $45.00.

For further information contact: Susan Blond, Inc. at (212)333-7728

Source: Susan Blond Inc

The statement from Jermaine and Randy read, in part: "As of today, we have not formally signed a contract to participate in the concerts and dinner celebrations for a number of reasons. The exorbitant ticket prices being charged by promoters will prevent some of our most loyal and true fans from attending. Let it be known that despite the $1,200 fee we have each been offered to participate, Jermaine wishes to go on record stating that he'd do the shows absolutely free for the legion of Jackson fans who have patiently anticipated a reunion since the 1984 Victory tour."

The statement concluded: "Performing together has been something that all the brothers and our parents have been looking forward to for 18 years. I do not think we should share this most precious and memorable moment with anyone. Despite the aforementioned problems we have with the events surrounding the show, the Jackson family is united in their unfailing support of brother Michael and there is no rift between Michael and any of his family members."

Moments after Jermaine and Randy issued their reasons for opting out of the gala, concert organizer David Gest issued a reply that read, "I am sorry Jermaine has chosen not to participate in this event. This is an event for Michael Jackson. It is a salute to a truly great and legendary artist. Jackie, Tito and Marlon, original members of the Jackson 5, will join their brother Michael on stage for this very special reunion" Gest's statement concluded: "I only wish Jermaine the best on his solo career and hope he finally gets the attention he so justly deserves."

Another one of Michael's siblings has yet to confirm her status for the September concerts--Janet Jackson tells LAUNCH, "I'm actually going to be on tour, and I'm trying. He asked me to participate and I don't know if I can because it's one of those things where they ask you, like, two or three weeks a little too late, where everything with the tour is kind of etched in stone, so it kind of switched things around. I'm gonna try and see if I can make it work," she says.

Of her thoughts about a full Jacksons reunion, Janet says, "I hope that really pans out, 'cause, oh God, I know my brothers are probably sick of me. For the longest time, I've been talking about them getting together because I'm a fan, and I miss that. I miss seeing them perform on stage, and I thought their shows were always so awesome. I don't know. If they do, best believe I'm going to be front row and center. I love watching them--they're really entertaining and they put on a great show as, as brothers."

Source: Launch

Legendary Entertainer to Perform ``You are Not Alone'' With 300 Member Gospel Choir

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 23, 2001-- ``Academy Award-winning actress and singer LIZA MINNELLI has joined the all-star salute to the `King Of Pop,' MICHAEL JACKSON: 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, THE SOLO YEARS,'' announced event producer David Gest (pronounced guest). Accompanied by a 300 member gospel choir, Minnelli will perform the Michael Jackson hit ``You Are Not Alone.'' Minnelli, who is co-chairman for the event, will join more than 200 stars at the two-day tribute to Jackson held at Madison Square Garden on Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001.

The event will mark Jackson's first live performance on a mainland stage in eleven years and the first reunion with his brothers, The Jacksons, in twenty years. The two evenings will be filmed as a two-hour primetime special for the CBS Television Network to air during the 2001-2002 Season. In addition to Michael Jackson and The Jacksons the line-ups are as follows:

Friday, September 7, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Ray Charles; Deborah Cox; Gloria Estefan; Billy Gilman; Whitney Houston; James Ingram; Quincy Jones & The Legends Of Jazz including Al Jarreau, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David ``Fathead'' Newman, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry & Cassandra Wilson; Liza Minnelli; Monica; Mya; `N Sync; Jill Scott; Shaggy featuring Ricardo ``Rikrok'' Ducent & Rayvon; Britney Spears; Tamia; 3T; Usher and many surprise guests.

Monday, September 10, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Mary J. Blige; Deborah Cox; Missy ``Misdemeanor'' Elliott; Gloria Gaynor; Al Jarreau; Gladys Knight; Lil' Romeo; Ricky Martin; Liza Minnelli; Monica; Mya; 98(0); Jill Scott; Usher; Luther Vandross; Dionne Warwick and many surprise guests.

Chairmen for the event are: Alfred R. Berkeley lll (Vice Chairman, Nasdaq), Jeff Bezos (Founder & CEO, Amazon.Com), Whitney Houston, Sean Lennon, Yoko Ono Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Leslie Moonves (President & CEO, CBS), Liam Neeson, Veronique and Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor and David Weild (Executive Vice President, Nasdaq).

Tickets to the public will go on sale Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 10:00 A.M. through Ticketmaster for both performances. Ticket prices for the concert only will range from $45.00 to $500.00 per seat.

For further information contact: Susan Blond, Inc. at (212) 333-7728.

Source: Susan Blond Inc

A reunion of all six brothers had been billed as a highlight of two all-star concerts slated for September at New York City's Madison Square Garden to celebrate Michael Jackson's 30 years as a solo artist.

But an open letter last week attributed to two of the brothers -- Jermaine and Randy -- raised objections to ''exorbitant ticket prices'' being charged for the shows and to plans for the Jacksons to share the stage with other performers during their reunion.

In response, the producer of the shows, David Gest, issued a statement Friday excluding Jermaine Jackson from the talent lineup and leaving unclear the status of Randy, the only one of the brothers who was not a member of the original Jackson 5.

On Monday, promoters issued another statement, this one attributed to Marlon Jackson, saying Randy would join him, Michael and two other founding members of the Jackson 5 -- Jackie and Tito -- for the reunion but that Jermaine would not appear.

``I am very sorry for the confusion my brother Jermaine has caused by his statement, which he also attributed to my youngest brother, Randy,'' Marlon wrote. ``Randy has never seen the statement that Jermaine sent out .... We wish Jermaine all the best on his solo career.''

A Jackson family spokesman, John McLaughlin, said on Friday that Jermaine and Randy ``were together'' in the memo circulated to the media. He said then that despite their misgivings about certain aspects of the show, both planned to participate.

But a spokeswoman for the producers said Monday that Gest ''only wanted people (in the show) who are happy doing it'' and he ``interpreted'' Jermaine's remarks in the memo to mean that he ''did not want to participate in the event.'' Gest also was described as irked by the way in which Jermaine aired his complaints to the media instead of addressing them to organizers of the event.

While the Jermaine-Randy memo last week insisted there was ''no rift between Michael and any of his family members,'' the statement from Marlon indicated that five of the brothers were closing ranks with Jermaine being left out.

Marlon Jackson noted that it was Jermaine who split off from the group when the four other members of the original act -- Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Michael -- left Motown in 1975 and signed with Epic, adding Randy to the lineup and changing their name to the Jacksons. Motown retained rights to the name the Jackson 5.

Jermaine, who was then married to Motown founder Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel, initially stayed at Motown but rejoined his brothers at Epic in 1984 for the ``Victory'' tour and album.

Source: Susan Blond Inc

The King Of Pop will both star in and produce the animation, entitled 'The Way Of The Unicorn, The Endangered One'. It's estimated to cost $75 million and Jackson will narrate the voice of the main character Sailor. The story is about an orphaned boy who teams up with a lonely rich girl and a whole host of endangered animals and together they endeavour to save the planet.

Jackson is no stranger to the big screen as he starred in Disney's 3-D movie 'Captain EO'. He also played the scarecrow in 1978's remake of the 'Wizard Of Oz', entitled 'The Wiz', alongside Diana Ross.

It's been estimated that 'The Way Of The Unicorn' will hit US cinemas in the spring of 2003.

Source: Dotmusic

Source: MJIFC

Source: MTV Europe

Both have issued a press statement saying that as yet no charity has been named to benefit from money raised at the shows. They reveal while they are each only receiving $1,200 (£800), to take part they would glady participate for free and stress they will reunite onstage with brother Michael at the shows on 7 and 10 September.

On Friday, Jermaine and Randy issued a press statement stressing 'there is no rift between Michael and any of his family members' and that he has their 'unfailing support.'

It added, 'We are very honoured to be a part of this much deserved celebration of brother Michael Jackson. As of today we have not formally signed a contract to participate in the concerts and dinner celebrations for a number of reasons. The exorbitant prices being charged by the promoters for tickets will prevent some of our most loyal and true fans from attending. Let it be known that despite the $1,200 fee we have each been offered to participate we wish to go on record stating that we would do the shows absolutely free for the legion of Jackson fans who have patiently anticipated a reunion since the 1984 Victory Tour. Further, it is almost embarrassing that no charities have been named to benefit from this most momentous occasion.'

The top ticket for the shows are $2,500 (£2,000) with eight other price grades beginning at $45 and spiralling up to $1,500. Tickets go on sale 31 July through Ticketmaster.

As previously reported the shows will feature Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Missy Elliott, 'N Sync, Whitney Houston, Usher and many more.

Source: Worldpop

Tickets are $45 to $500, but producer David Gest is also selling packages for up to $50,000 which include 10 show tickets, champagne and caviar dinner at Tavern on the Green, and gift bags with posters signed by Jackson.

Jermaine also might have been perplexed because the Madison Square Garden concerts are being billed as a celebration of Michael's 30th anniversary as a solo artist - not a tribute to the Jackson Five.

Gest is being extremely tight with complimentary tickets and some artists, such as Jay-Z, allegedly are offering to perform in the show just so they won't have to pay for ducats.

A source close to Michael noted that no one involved with the event was concerned with Jermaine's pull-out because "Jermaine was not a part of the Jacksons when they left Motown and had their big hits on Epic Records."

Even Gest said, "We were hoping Jermaine would be a part of the event. Unfortunately, it did not work out. We wish him the best of luck with his solo career."

Jacko is expecting a bevy of Hollywood legends in the audience, including Liz Taylor, Marlon Brando, Liza Minnelli, Jane Russell, Gregory Peck, Angie Dickinson, Robert Wagner, Rhonda Fleming, Jill St. John, Janet Leigh and Jennifer Jones.

Meanwhile, the self-titled King of Pop, who lost his manager Louis Levin last week, has angered ABC and Disney chief Michael Eisner. "Michael had made an agreement with ABC for $4.5 million to air his 30th anniversary on the network," a source said. But, without notifying ABC, Jackson and Gest were also negotiating with other networks. When CBS came up with a higher bid, Michael dropped ABC. "ABC didn't know about the deal [with CBS] until it was announced," we hear. Sources inside ABC said Eisner sent Jackson a "terse" letter, threatening a "major lawsuit for breach of contract." "[Eisner] is really mad," the source added. But according to Joel Weinstein, lawyer for World Events, Gest's company, "There is only one signed deal and it is with CBS." Weinstein noted he was "unaware of any letter from Michael Eisner to Michael Jackson." A rep for ABC did not return calls.

Source: NY Post

"This is the new Michael Jackson, the movie actor and producer," said Dennis W. Peterson, chief executive officer of Big International Group of Entertainment Inc.
"This is Michael's future and he wants to devote his energies to it," added Mr Peterson, who will also act as executive producer.
Jackson appeared in the 1978 musical The Wiz with Diana Ross.

Source: Ananova

"I think we're performing with the Jackson 5," Timberlake said. "I don't know what's going to happen yet. If it goes down, we'll be there. Some things are highly speculated and then sometimes they don't happen. If it goes down, I'm on that stage with Michael."

If Jackson is the King of Pop, Timberlake was asked, what would NSYNC be?

"You can't put yourself up there with somebody like Michael Jackson. You don't put yourself up there. If it gets to the point where people do, that's awesome. Maybe we're the princes of pop! Madonna's the queen! Britney's the princess!"

And the joker?

"Eminem," said Timberlake.

Source: Toronto Sun

World leaders, scientific pioneers, billionaires and music superstars have answered the call from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, to join him at a luxurious summit by the Arabian Sea.

Bill Gates, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela will make opening speeches at the Burj al-Arab hotel, where diners take a submarine to the restaurant and suites cost £5,000 a night.

Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart will perform at the October gathering as an added incentive for the dignitaries, which it is hoped will include Tony Blair and President Bush, to lift billions of children from poverty.

British royalty will be represented by Prince Michael of Kent. However, Prince William and Prince Harry have also been invited to join a celebrity polo match, riding Sheikh Mohammed’s finest thoroughbreds. The Business Leaders Forum is supporting the event and an invitation has been extended to the Prince of Wales, its president.

The organisers hope to raise millions of pounds for Unicef and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund by broadcasting the all-star concert, on a stage on Jumeirah beach, on satellite and the Internet.

Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, is expected to sit at the top table with James Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, and Michael Moore, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. Richard Holbrooke, the American diplomat who masterminded the Bosnian peace accord, will be on hand to steer the participants through any tricky negotiations at the three-day event.

The actress Mia Farrow will offer her perspective on development issues. Madonna and Ringo Starr are also in discussions to perform.

Saving the world does not mean slumming it though. Guests will be offered a ten-course gourmet meal and a round of golf with Bill Clinton (who has waived his £150,000 fee) on top of a minimum five-star accommodation and first-class return travel courtesy of the Emirates airline.

Mr Clinton said that he was expecting “a summit that will bring together governments, artists and other interested people to a single event to celebrate the impact of technology on all our lives over the last 20 years.”

The guest list shows how the power in the world has shifted. Politicians are much less influential than the chief executive officers of entertainment conglomerates and high-tech IT firms such as Cisco Systems, Dell and Microsoft. Some names still carry cachet. The organisers of the Science, Technology & Arts Royal Summit (STARS 2001) hope Baroness Thatcher will accept her invitation, although she may find herself sitting next to the President of the Bundesbank.

With so many eminent figures, competition will be great for the Burj al-Arab’s two royal suites. Each has its own cinema, butler and a lift linking the two private floors. The spillover will be catered for in the only slightly less luxurious Jumeirah Beach Hotel, where suites enjoy a panoramic view over the Arabian Gulf. The event will end with an award ceremony in which millions of Internet users will be invited to vote for the greatest contributions to science, the arts and “human life” over the past 20 years. Nominations include David Bowieand the Human Genome Project. Robert Davies, chief executive of the Business Leaders Forum, said: “This event marks the 20th anniversary of the birth of the personal computer and also the discovery of the HIV virus. We hope it will raise money for projects in Africa and show the contribution the IT industry can make to socially responsible development.”

The summit’s ultimate goal is to create an entire community in an underdeveloped country, including a school, built using environmentally friendly material.

Kenny Jones, the former drummer with The Who whose Small Faces Charitable Trust for handicapped children will be one of the beneficiaries, is calling upon some famous friends to perform.

Mr Jones said: “I expect I will be doing a few numbers with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. But this event isn’t about the stars, it’s for all these influential people to get together and raise awareness. We are also hoping to raise $100 million (£70 million) from the concert and corporate sponsorship.”

He has experience of the Burj al-Arab hotel from his rock’n’roll days. “I had to tell the butler to get lost — it would have been all right if it was a female butler, but he was cramping our style,” he said.

Source: The UK Times

The Original Jackson 5 Will Reunite Without Jermaine At the 'Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, the Solo Years'

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2001--In response to the letter sent by Jermaine Jackson and Randy Jackson to the media, World Events LLC president David Gest stated, ``I am sorry Jermaine has chosen not to participate in this event.

This is an event for Michael Jackson. It is a salute to a truly great and legendary artist. Jackie, Tito and Marlon, original members of the Jackson 5, will join their brother Michael on stage for this very special reunion. They look forward to joining more than 250 stars flying in from all around the world to take part in these festivities. They are very excited to see Michael perform live again. Michael will make his first U.S. solo appearance on a mainland stage in eleven years. I only wish Jermaine the best on his solo career and hope he finally gets the attention he so justly deserves.``

Among those already scheduled to perform between the two nights are:

Friday, September 7, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Ray Charles; Deborah Cox; Gloria Estefan; Billy Gilman; Whitney Houston; James Ingram; Quincy Jones & The Legends Of Jazz including Al Jarreau, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David ``Fathead'' Newman, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry & Cassandra Wilson; Monica; Mya; `N Sync; Jill Scott; Shaggy featuring Ricardo ``Rikrok'' Ducent & Rayvon; Britney Spears; Tamia; 3T; Usher and many surprise guests.

Monday, September 10, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Mary J. Blige; Deborah Cox; Missy ``Misdemeanor'' Elliott; Gloria Gaynor; Al Jarreau; Gladys Knight; Lil' Romeo; Ricky Martin; Monica; Mya; 98(0); Jill Scott; Usher; Luther Vandross; Dionne Warwick and many surprise guests. >{> Among the 250 stars confirmed for the event are: Elizabeth Taylor; Marlon Brando; Liza Minnelli; Jane Russell; Sean Lennon; Chris Tucker; Gregory Peck; Angie Dickinson; Snoop Dogg; Dr. Dre; Master P; Robert Wagner; Jill St. John; Rhonda Fleming; Liam Neeson; Yoko Ono Lennon; Magic Johnson; Ann Rutherford; Janet Leigh; Sir John Mills, Hayley Mills and Jennifer Jones, just to name a few.

Tickets to the public will go on sale Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 10:00 A.M. through Ticketmaster for both performances. For further information contact: Susan Blond, Inc. at (212) 333-7728.

Source: Susan Blond Inc

Source: Worldpop

Source: Yahoo Uk

Spears has recorded Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' 1981 hit "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" with hitmaker Rodney Jerkins for a scene in her upcoming movie, "What Friends Are For," as well as for her still-untitled third album, which a Jive Records spokesperson said is tentatively due November 6.

Jerkins, who produced Spears' Stones cover for last year's Oops! ... I Did it Again, said Monday (July 17) that their version of the Joan Jett hit (which itself was a cover of a song by the Arrows), relies on the original melody but has a hip-hop element. Spears will perform it in a bar scene in the movie.

Jerkins, who recently produced seven tracks for Michael Jackson, has recorded four songs for Spears' album and is hoping to do a fifth. [...]

Source: VH1

Ticket prices range from US $45 to US $500 and tickets will be available through Ticketmaster outlets and the Madison Square Garden box office. Tickets will also be available online through ticketmaster.com and thegarden.com. The Madison Square Garden web site has information about its box office location, modes of payment, window schedules, and phone numbers.

Source: MJIFC

Special thanx to Cherri at Destiny's Divas for Screen caps!

Source: Destiny's Divas, MTV, and Blender