The associate choreographer for Michael Jackson’s comeback tour says that the 50-year-old performer “was at his best” before his sudden death last week. “He really was in good shape, he was moving well,” Stacy Walker tells EW. Walker worked with choreographer Travis Payne on the “This Is It” tour that Jackson would have headlined in London this summer. “I don’t know what he was feeling on the inside but he certainly looked good on the outside. He was very, very up and happy. We all know he wasn’t a big guy. He was always very lean. Oddly enough, his best rehearsals were his last two on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. That’s where all the magic happened. We were all like, ‘Wow!’ It was stunning and ironic that he was at his best, right before he left us.”
Walker says she and Payne were rehearsing the show’s 11 dancers at Staples Center in Los Angeles when they heard the news about Jackson. “We were waiting for Michael to come,” Walker recalls. “None of us believed it. You know, there’s so much craziness around Michael’s life, so we are pretty good at sticking with the truth. We didn’t truly believe anything until our director Kenny Ortega got an official call.”
Talks are still ongoing over whether to continue Jackson’s show in some form. “We’re hoping to still do something,” says Walker. “I don’t really know what that is at this point because it’s all very fresh, but all of us feel the need to somehow spread his message because he had a big message. It was very important to Michael for people to get along without judgment and make this world a better place. Without sounding corny, it was about taking care of each other. We’re all very hopeful we’ll be able to do something and honor his life and get his message out there.”
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They should hire a Jackson look-alike and still run the concerts as a tribute to his comeback. It looks like everything was done from recorded music anyway, so why not? Even though he;s dead, I’d still pay money to see what would have been his final show. Sounds like it’s in the can already so why not?
Janet Jackson would be fabulous in Michael’s shoes. An amazing entertainer just like her brother.
How about that for a great idea?
Janet Jackson….not a good idea.
They should put the concert on via satellite around the world like Live Earth. They should keep the playlist and choreography as is. They should put together video of Michael from rehearsals for him to “perform” 2 songs and have an all-star cast perform the other songs in his place. Madonna, Janet, Usher, Justin etc. I am sure many of them would be happy to appear at this tribute.
…sorry. I forgot to say for a one night only event.
Wow.. Mr. Jackson to me looked very tired and totally not to with it… If I had been his Dr. I would have not let him go out and perform for even one second.
You could just look and see the drain was all over is face. He just couldn’t hardly do it. I feel like crying now just looking at it. I am going to use that very look to remind myself what enough really is and when it is time to sit my own as down and get some dam shut eye. Without drugs or a sleeping pill. I know he was in debt but really was it worth his life? well at least he did go shopping and shopping and shopping and he spent himself some money on his own self for a change. I feel that over the years he knew he was going to die and he just wanted to be as happy has he could towards the end. Besides what is life when you have nothing to live for? This is what kind of feelings you have when you take meds. You just loose it.
To the family. God Bless u all. Lov Michael. You gave the world your last breath..
michael i love u, my life is weast
i love u ,i love u,
r.i.p micheal i hope i get to goto you memorial i love you and your music
R.I.P MICHEAL I HOPE I GET TO GO TO YOUR MEMORIAL I LOVE YOU AND YOUR MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!1
Marilyn I’m sorry, but you’re an idiot. What video were you looking at? Because the one I’m looking at shows him performing the moves just as he did 15yrs ago. I know you probably meant well but please respect him and keep your comments about his looks to yourself!!!!!
Love you MJ, R.I.P
God Bless you Michael…………….
May you finally get some peace because you didn’t on this earth. You poor soul May you rest in angels arms
Charity,
I am replying to your answer about Michael Jackson, and how he appeared in the video… My point still stands, he did appear some what weak and a bit fatigued. I did say I observed this, I am entitled to my opinion? You r to!
Try this site, it worked for me:
http://televission.blogspot.com/
It asks you to do a little survey but then it takes you right to the show! Enjoy
Um Marilyn, what video were you watching? He looked good and strong…I’m sure that he died of a sudden heart attack, and that he was very up and into it right before he passed away…Besides, we just heard from the horse’s mouth that he was in good shape…He had lots of love and support from his fans and his children…he said he wanted more than anything, to give his kids a show that would make them realize why he was so famous and why everyone followed his every move…He may have used drugs to sleep and deal with anxiety, but I think he used those drugs just to help him with these performances.
Yeah Marilyn, what video were you watching!!!!MJ moves are fantastic, no-one moves like him. Also, how can you say he had nothing to live ???? He had his kids for God’s sake, whom he loved dearly like all parents. Get real!!!!!!
Maddonafan, i agree with you 100%