Michael Jackson’s fitness trainer has revealed the late superstar was unable to lift even the lightest of weights in the run-up to his comeback tour.
Lou Ferrigno, who had previously trained the singer for his History World Tour, was brought in to get Jackson in shape for his 50 concerts at London’s O2 arena.
Ferrigno admitted that Jackson found even the smallest dumb-bells too much for his frail body.
“He didn’t want to do these,” Ferrigno said, pointing to a tiny weight. When asked if it was too heavy for the King of Pop, Ferrigno admitted: “Yes.”
He added: “No, but 20 years ago, he used it, it’s light, but he just loved being here.”
Ferrigno, who played the part of The Incredible Hulk in the 1970s TV series, demonstrated the abdominal exercises and light resistance work using an elastic rope he had instructed Jackson to do in preparation for the comeback tour.
The unlikely pair became close after meeting 20 years ago, and the former actor revealed that Jackson was able to relate to his TV alter ego.
He said: “He was a huge fan of the Hulk because it’s about power, he had that power through music and I have that power through the Hulk. Because every one of us has a little Hulk inside of us, Michael felt like a little Hulk he told me because of all the pain and anger.”
Michael Jackson’s memorial service could cost Los Angeles taxpayers $1.4million after a website to recoup costs crashed.
City chiefs set up the donation site for Jackson fans that wanted to help pick up the tab to relieve financial pressure caused by the event. But the site failed for more than 12 hours after receiving massive amounts of traffic.
City officials say they have received just $17,000 in donations so far but are hoping for more after the site was fixed.
The overall cost for policing and cleaning up after the memorial came to $1.4 million, a spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced.
The amount includes salaries for the more than 3,000 police officers deployed to secure the streets around the LA Staples Center plus traffic control and cleanup costs.
Members of Michael Jackson’s family are reportedly arguing over where the star will be laid to rest.
The King of Pop’s memorial recently took place in LA, and it is claimed that his brother Jermaine wants Jacko to be buried at his Neverland Ranch, but laws prevent the burial from taking place on private property ? although the music legend?s ashes could be scattered there if he is cremated.
But it is claimed that Jackson’s mother Katherine does not want his ashes or body to be buried anywhere near Neverland.
A source said: “Michael left Neverland for good, never to return. He felt violated by law enforcement after his molestation trial. He felt this place he had built had been tainted.
“Katherine continues to be her son’s protector even after his death.”
King of Pop Michael Jackson?s coffin was given a guard of honour by his grieving brothers, as his emotional public memorial got under way.
The gold casket covered with red flowers was wheeled out through the 20,000-strong audience and positioned in front of the stage, as a choir sang ?Soon And Very Soon? in emotional scenes at the Staples Centre.
The ceremony got under way about 10 minutes after the scheduled 10am start time as mourners waited for the hearse carrying Jackson?s coffin to arrive from the nearby Forest Lawn cemetery.
The memorial began with Motown legend Smokey Robinson reading touching tributes from Jackson?s friends Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela.
Ross, who Jackson named as guardian of his three children in his will, told of her grief in her message: ?I want you to know that even though I?m not there at the Staples Centre. I?m there in my heart?
?Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can?t seem to find words to express.
?Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they need me.
?I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him.?
Mandela?s message was read out by Robinson: ?Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide.
?We also mourn with his family and his friends over the loss of our dear friend. He will be missed and memories of him cherished for a very long time.?
The first 20 rows at the Staples Centre venue were packed with VIPs and family friends, including former boxing champ Mike Tyson, Motown legend Berry Gordy and reality-TV star Kim Kardashian and her family.
A top Australian band, Human Nature, revealed they got their big break from the late Michael Jackson.
Jackson booked the group in 1997 for his HIStory tour, starting the multi-platinum-record band off on the road to success. Earlier this year, Jackson put in a good word for them with a friend and tour promoter.
Andrew Tierney of Human Nature told RadarOnline exclusively, “Touring as opening act for Michael Jackson on his last world tour was an incredible break for us.”
He continued: “We learned so much from seeing him perform that many times and experienced things that have shaped us into the entertainers we are today. He was the ultimate artist and so inspiring.”
Jackson gave the nod to the band when his good friend Smokey Robinson talked of bringing them to the US, allowing the endorsement “Human Nature is Amazing – Michael Jackson.”
Robinson has booked the band on a long-running engagement in Las Vegas under his banner. The band members were in Vegas when they learned of the singer’s sudden tragic death.
Source: Splash News
Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris believes her famous father has “gone to live with the angels” after his sudden death, a friend of the pop legend has revealed.
Jackson died suddenly in LA on 25 June, after reportedly suffering a heart attack. He left behind his three children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, six, who is also known as Blanket.
Jacko’s long-term pal Mark Lester spoke to the superstar’s daughter Paris two days after the singer?s tragic death, he revealed.
“I spoke with Paris who told me: ‘Mark, don’t worry, Daddy has gone to live with the angels now. Can we still come and stay with you?’? said the Oliver! actor, who is godfather to the three children.
Lester also dismissed rumours that Jackson was stressed out preparing for his upcoming tour, and said that he had never looked so good.
“I’d never seen him [Michael] so invigorated or alive. He was excited in that kind of way he had which was enchanting,? said Lester.
Lester also revealed that the King of Pop’s youngest son Blanket could be the “next Michael Jackson”.
?He [Blanket] could easily be the next Michael Jackson. He loved to dance with his dad and Michael taught him to do the moonwalk.”
One of Michael Jackson?s famous electric-white gloves is expected to sell for a bumper six-figure sum when it goes up for auction later this year.
The late music superstar wore the glove on his 1984 Victory tour alongside his brothers.
Jacko sported the iconic glove in his performance of Suit Of Lights ? and it is now tipped to sell for several times its market value, following his sudden death at the age of 50.
Los Angeles auction house Profiles in History describes the glove as ?the single most iconic piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia in the world?.
The glove is emblazoned with bugle beads and Austrian crystal rhinestones, and fitted with 50 small glass light bulbs.
The bulbs were wired on separate circuits, making them twinkle at random for added visual effect.
There were only two of the gloves made for the Victory tour, with the one up for auction gifted to the designer Ted Shell by Jackson in 1986.
Profiles in History president Joseph Maddalena, said: ?I estimate the value at $60,000 to $80,000, but it could sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.?
The 911 caller at the scene of Michael Jackson’s medical emergency has been identified as a security guard.
According to RadarOnline, Alberto Alverez was working at Jackson’s rented mansion.
Police have already questioned Alverez, who placed the call as Conrad Murray, a personal physician to Jackson, administered CPR to the pop singer.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the questioning was not part of a criminal investigation. RadarOnline claimed its sources say it is only a matter of time before it turns into one.
In the call, Alverez said: “We have a gentleman here who needs help, he?s not breathing, we?re trying to pump him but he?s not breathing.”
The voice of Murray can also be heard on the 911 tape. Paramedics arrived within minutes. Jackson was taken to UCLA Medical Center and worked on for at least an hour before he was pronounced dead.
President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Michael Jackson a week after his sudden death and told how he has all the music icon’s hits on his iPod.
The President, who had faced criticism for not making a public statement about Jackson, gave his thoughts on the King of Pop a week on.
Obama said Jackson will “go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers”.
He added: “I grew up on his music. I still have all his stuff on my iPod.”
Obama said he felt Jackson lived a “tragic and in many ways sad personal life”.
The President did not make a formal public statement about Jackson’s death, something typically done by the White House when a prominent public figure dies.
Instead Obama sent a private letter of condolence to the Jackson family.
The Jackson family’s lawyer has revealed that the King of Pop’s reported will has never been seen by the Jackson clan ? and he insisted that Michael Jackson “loved his dad”.
It has been reported that the superstar left a will dated from 2002, leaving his estate to his children, mother and some charities ? but excluding his father Joe Jackson.
The singer had accused him of beating him during his childhood.
But Brian Oxman, the Jacksons’ attorney, has cast doubt on the document.
“No one that I know has ever seen this will,” he told CBS’ Early Show.
And he said the reported exclusion of Joe Jackson did not reflect Michael’s feelings for him.
“Michael loved his father and I want that to be known throughout all of time. He loved his dad and all of the controversies need to be set aside at this point,” Oxman said.
He also dismissed previous reports of Jackson?s childhood abuse.
“We hear all kinds of things to the contrary, but that’s just part of the storm that has surrounded Michael’s life,” said Oxman.
“I only know what I saw? that Michael loved his dad.”
Michael Jackson’s body could be displayed in a glass casket so fans can pay their last respects, according to reports in The Sun newspaper.
The 50-year-old star died suddenly in LA after reportedly suffering a heart attack.
It is claimed family members cannot agree on funeral arrangements for the star and as his parents Joe and Katherine are Jehovah Witnesses, their faith believes a body should be buried as soon as possible.
A source said: “The idea is causing internal stress within the family. The glass casket idea would create so much public interest it would take time to organise.
“People would make the pilgrimage from the other side of the world. The question that keeps coming back is: ‘What would Michael have wanted?’”
A second autopsy is currently being carried out on Michael Jackson’s body.
According to reports in the US, the family of the late pop star was a second opinion on what killed the singer.
So a second autopsy was being carried out on Saturday afternoon.
US website TMZ reported: “A source close to the family of Michael Jackson tells TMZ the family has requested a second autopsy — and it is currently underway somewhere in Los Angeles.
“The Los Angeles County Coroner conducted an autopsy on Friday and while he said there was ‘no indication of foul play’ the official cause of death could not be determined.
As the autopsy was being performed, the Jackson family gathered in Encino to discuss funeral arrangements for Jacko.
Brother Tito Jackson revealed that the family is spending quality time together today and discussing plans about Jacko’s funeral.
He also revealed that the family were discussing the option of have a private service just for the family but then have a public memorial for Jacko’s celebrity pals and fans.
A desperate man told an emergency responder Michael Jackson was unconscious and had stopped breathing in a dramatic 911 call made from the King of Pop?s home.
The unidentified caller told the operator Jackson?s personal doctor ? named in reports as Dr Conrad Murray ? was on the scene and was the only witness to the incident.
In the tape, released a day after Jackson?s death, the man says: ?I need an ambulance as soon as possible. We have a gentleman here who needs help and who is not breathing and we’re trying to pump him but he’s not?
In the call, made at 12.21pm local time on Wednesday, he tells the operator: ?Yes, he?s not breathing sir.?
Asked if Jackson was conscious, he replies: ?No, he?s not conscious.?
He says Jackson is on a bed and is told to put him on the floor for CPR.
The man says: ?We have a personal doctor here with him.?
But he adds: ?He’s not responding to anything. He’s not responding to CPR or anything.?
The operator asks if anyone saw what happened to Jackson and the man replies: ?No, just the doctor. The doctor’s been the only one here.?
The operator asks: ?OK, so did the doctor see what happened??
The man is then heard asking the doctor: ?Did you see what happened??
There is some background noise before the man urges the operator: ?Sir, please, if you can please?.?
He tells the operator: ?He’s pumping, pumping his chest but he’s not responding to anything.?
The operator reassures him: ?OK, we’re on our way.?
The co-organiser of the Glastonbury Festival believes artists at the festival will pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
Emily Eavis said: “I am shocked. This is such a tragic moment. We haven’t got anything official to say yet but what I can say is there are tributes all over the site.
“Everywhere you go you can hear Michael Jackson’s music. I am sure the artists will pay tribute in their own ways. In the coming days everyone wants to pay their respects.”
Jackson died in LA aged 50 of suspected heart attack.
