Michael Jackson's This Is It Premiere Attracts Celebs, Fans and Celeb Fans
Wednesday October 28, 2009
Michael Jackson fans who somehow finagled their way into a coveted spot in the bleachers at the LA premiere of Michael Jackson's This Is It didn't let the 30+ mph wind gusts that sent leafs and other debris into their faces let the weird weather dampen their spirits. Some sang, most danced, and nearly everyone in the stands wore one white glove in tribute to Jackson the entertainer.
Before the film screened to fans and media at Nokia Theater, celebs mingled with dancers and singers from Jackson's last tour to share their thoughts. Among those hitting the elaborately decorated red carpet (it's the first premiere I've attended that had chandeliers hanging over the stands) were Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Paula Abdul and Paris Hilton. Singers Adam Lambert, David Cook, and Katy Perry also turned out to celebrate Michael Jackson's musical talent. Jackson brothers Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon put in appearances as well, although Jackson's children and sisters were absent from the event.
At the LA premiere, This Is It principal dancer Shannon Holtzapffel told me working with so closely with Jackson on this comeback concert series was simply amazing. "The best moment of my life. You can't deny that. He was such a wonderful, giving person, and a genius as a performer as well, " said Holtzapffel. Holtzapffel worked with Jackson for three months rehearsing for the now-canceled concert series. "I worked with him up till his last day here. We started in April until his last day with us here. This documentary, the footage is of rehearsals every day. It's our last moments with him."
Dancer Daniel Celebre said being onstage with Jackson was a dream. "It was the most beautiful opportunity and blessing I've ever had. It was wonderful." On the red carpet, Celebre walked me through a typical day of rehearsal. "It was 8 to 12 hours, depending. Usually the dancers would rehearse for a couple of hours, get on our game because Michael's coming, and then when Michael came we would rehearse with Michael. I don't really consider it rehearsing because we were in show-mode. The dancers were ready. It was beautiful, man."
Celebre added, "I tell everybody, Michael brought that love, that positivity, that fun. He made you have fun. If you were stressing about getting things right or getting tired, or whatever it was, as soon as he came into the room, all that was gone. It didn't exist. He had that power. This one man had that power to make this love and this fun happen everywhere he went. That to me was everything. That's one of the biggest things I learned from Michael, and it's the most important thing - to spread love."
"It was a surreal experience and I forgot a lot of it. I just kind of blocked it out after Michael passed away. It was hard. It was really traumatic for a lot of us," said dancer Misha Gabriel. "Being able to watch the cast and crew screening last night reminded me of all the stories I would tell my friends and family, all my fun, amazing moments that I remember of Michael - they were all there. Every story that I told was in the film and I was so happy about that because it was always something that I wished the world could see, the Michael I wished the world could see."
Michael Jackson's This Is It was culled from 100 hours of rehearsal footage by choreographer/director Kenny Ortega and showcases the last footage of Jackson in action as a singer and dancer. The 111 minute, PG-rated film hit theaters in 99 territories immediately after the world premiere in Los Angeles which played host to 5,500 guests (some of whom dressed up as Michael Jackson).
Check out our exclusive gallery of photos from the LA red carpet of Michael Jackson's This is It:
More on Michael Jackson's This Is It:
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Before the film screened to fans and media at Nokia Theater, celebs mingled with dancers and singers from Jackson's last tour to share their thoughts. Among those hitting the elaborately decorated red carpet (it's the first premiere I've attended that had chandeliers hanging over the stands) were Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Paula Abdul and Paris Hilton. Singers Adam Lambert, David Cook, and Katy Perry also turned out to celebrate Michael Jackson's musical talent. Jackson brothers Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon put in appearances as well, although Jackson's children and sisters were absent from the event.At the LA premiere, This Is It principal dancer Shannon Holtzapffel told me working with so closely with Jackson on this comeback concert series was simply amazing. "The best moment of my life. You can't deny that. He was such a wonderful, giving person, and a genius as a performer as well, " said Holtzapffel. Holtzapffel worked with Jackson for three months rehearsing for the now-canceled concert series. "I worked with him up till his last day here. We started in April until his last day with us here. This documentary, the footage is of rehearsals every day. It's our last moments with him."
Dancer Daniel Celebre said being onstage with Jackson was a dream. "It was the most beautiful opportunity and blessing I've ever had. It was wonderful." On the red carpet, Celebre walked me through a typical day of rehearsal. "It was 8 to 12 hours, depending. Usually the dancers would rehearse for a couple of hours, get on our game because Michael's coming, and then when Michael came we would rehearse with Michael. I don't really consider it rehearsing because we were in show-mode. The dancers were ready. It was beautiful, man."
Celebre added, "I tell everybody, Michael brought that love, that positivity, that fun. He made you have fun. If you were stressing about getting things right or getting tired, or whatever it was, as soon as he came into the room, all that was gone. It didn't exist. He had that power. This one man had that power to make this love and this fun happen everywhere he went. That to me was everything. That's one of the biggest things I learned from Michael, and it's the most important thing - to spread love."
"It was a surreal experience and I forgot a lot of it. I just kind of blocked it out after Michael passed away. It was hard. It was really traumatic for a lot of us," said dancer Misha Gabriel. "Being able to watch the cast and crew screening last night reminded me of all the stories I would tell my friends and family, all my fun, amazing moments that I remember of Michael - they were all there. Every story that I told was in the film and I was so happy about that because it was always something that I wished the world could see, the Michael I wished the world could see."
Michael Jackson's This Is It was culled from 100 hours of rehearsal footage by choreographer/director Kenny Ortega and showcases the last footage of Jackson in action as a singer and dancer. The 111 minute, PG-rated film hit theaters in 99 territories immediately after the world premiere in Los Angeles which played host to 5,500 guests (some of whom dressed up as Michael Jackson).
Check out our exclusive gallery of photos from the LA red carpet of Michael Jackson's This is It:
More on Michael Jackson's This Is It:
- Michael Jackson's This Is It Photos
- Video Clips and Trailer for This Is It
- Michael Jackson's This Is It Resources
Follow Me on Twitter
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