Las Vegas Weekly

May 19, 2009 · 12:28 PM

Video: Michael Jackson in ‘perfect health’ for concerts and slams cancer reports

By Robin Leach

Kenny Ortega and Michael Jackson with the selected dancers.

Photo: Courtesy

King of Pop Michael Jackson is in “perfect health” and “right on target” with his busy schedule of rehearsals for the 50-date concert run at London’s 02 Arena beginning July 8. That was the word last night shortly after Vegas Deluxe posted new photos and video of Michael in a behind-the-scenes report of his rehearsals: Click HERE for our story, photos and videos.

Michael and AEG Live President Randy Phillips, who is promoting the shows in the British capital, slammed reports published late yesterday by a London tabloid that Michael is battling skin cancer.

“He is as healthy as can be. There are no health problems whatsoever,” Randy said. “I asked him yesterday point blank about it, and he just brushed it off laughing and saying rumors like this have plagued him since he was 5 years old. It’s simply totally untrue. He doesn’t have skin cancer.”

Randy confirmed that before the mega-million-dollar contracts were signed, AEG insisted on a full and thorough physical exam for Michael, who passed with a clean bill of health. When Michael, who has been living on and off in Las Vegas the past two years, arrives in London, he’ll undergo another exam before the concerts begin, and everybody in the inner circle believes he will pass that, too, with flying colors.

“He’s working out every day with his choreographers and his dancers. He’s in better shape at 50 than many men at 30,” Randy added. The AEG executive confirmed again that the London shows will be recorded as a 3-D live concert film and for a new live from London album. He also revealed that plans are underway for a second 3-D movie to be based on the music video for “Thriller.”

Randy also said there will probably be another concert residency or a show tour after the London engagement and that it could be here in the U.S., with a possible Las Vegas run. Click HERE for our interview with Randy’s AEG colleague John Meglen, who told me it was possible that Michael could appear at either Caesars Palace’s The Colosseum or The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Meantime, MediaTakeOut.com reported this morning that singer-dancer Chris Brown might open for Michael at the London shows. MediaTakeOut reports that an insider said the two sides are close to a deal and that negotiations have reached a fever pitch. “The deal is basically done, and it’s now down to the details being ironed out,” MediaTakeOut reported.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Share This