Michael Jackson’s final night passed peacefully

Today (Saturday), while millions of Michael Jackson fans are mourning him from Russia to Mexico and his star has been covered with flowers along Hollywood Boulevard, moving trucks are transferring his belongings from his final residence in Los Angeles to an unknown location. Michael Jackson, who died in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 25, spent his last night of life on stage—the place he loved more than anywhere else. The King of Pop went to the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday night for the final rehearsal of the concert his fans had been eagerly awaiting. Michael Jackson, along with dozens of dancers, his orchestra musicians, choreographers, costume designers, stage props, and the artistic directors of a concert that never took place; were supposed to fly to London, England, in the first days of next week to do another full rehearsal on the big stage of “O2” in that city. But around half a day on Thursday, Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest. Those who were present at the rehearsal at the Staples Center describe Michael Jackson as energetic and full of spirit, saying that Michael had found fresh energy as the work progressed, and that there were no signs on his appearance of what would happen to him the next day. The concert director, Kenny Ortega, choreographer and film director—whose latest film, “High School Musical,” and his two musical theater shows, “Hannah Montana” and “Dirty Dancing,” have enjoyed great success—four months earlier, when he joined the Jackson team, called it “the greatest honor of my artistic life,” so he could collaborate with Michael Jackson, this musical genius of the world. Ortega says that during the past four months, Michael participated happily in every stage of the concert’s work and, as usual, gave 150% of himself to it: "On Wednesday night, Michael stood next to me for a few minutes, and we both looked at the stage—now completed. I felt his excitement and joy at how proud he was that they were so close to finishing the work. He was truly happy and eagerly awaiting the performance of these new shows." Ortega told reporters that while working, he saw no signs that Michael Jackson was using drugs or any medication, and he doesn’t think Jackson harmed himself by exercising for several hours a day: "Michael danced every day, warmed up, and trained for consecutive hours with our choreographer, Travis Payne. He was lean, but in excellent physical condition. Especially when he was supposed to go on stage, his weight always dropped, and because of these rehearsals his body was in better shape." Ortega adds that Michael had enough time to rest: "Every day Michael came to the rehearsal venue and, after a few hours of work with the dancers, choreographers, choir singers, orchestra members, and stage designers, he would go home and rest. He took care of his health while also trying to participate in all the different stages of preparing the show." Randy Phillips, the corporate executive who was in charge of producing Michael Jackson’s concert and had invested more than $20 million in it, was another person who was at the Staples Center on Wednesday night: "This final rehearsal was truly amazing. Michael executed his program in the best possible way, so that not even a hair on a person’s body would move." Phillips said: "I’m truly proud that I was able to witness Michael Jackson on stage during this final session. I witnessed his unparalleled self-confidence, and the pride and honor that surged through him as he carried out his newest artistic ideas. This is a memory that I will keep forever in my spirit and heart about Michael Jackson. A permanent and unforgettable memory." Kenny Ortega? (Note: The text says “Ken Ehrlich,” likely “Ken Ehrlich.”) Ken Ehrlich, who has produced dozens of television programs featuring Michael Jackson during his professional life, went to the Staples Center on Wednesday night to talk with him about the possibility of satellite broadcasting one of Michael’s new concerts: "He welcomed me warmly and seemed very happy and energetic, and he kept joking with everyone. After our conversation, Michael invited me to stay and watch the final rehearsal on stage." Ehrlich says: "Even though these scenes were still being prepared, Michael’s presence was so powerful that it surprised me. Suddenly I didn’t feel like I was watching Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, or Usher. It was Michael Jackson—the genius—reappearing on stage in the most modern form of art I’ve ever seen him in." Alonzo, a circus magician whom Michael Jackson had hired for part of the concert, performed a luminous spear toss that spun around Jackson’s body, then went into the crowd, flew again toward Michael Jackson from above their heads, and landed in his hands: "Michael arrived at the rehearsal location at 6 p.m., but he didn’t start his rehearsal until 9 p.m. His voice seemed a bit hoarse. But he was in very good condition and looked happy and energetic. He sang several songs in a row, then went to look at the equipment chosen for performing the song ‘Thriller.’ A giant black spider! He was dancing and joking with the people around him, and he was laughing. If he had any physical pain or any other issue, none of us seemed to notice it." Frank Dileo, Michael Jackson’s tour manager, also says: "He was in a very good mood and didn’t seem to have any problem at all. Michael even faced the performance challenges with optimism. He was waiting for a return that would prove his superstar status again—in the way he had always imagined in his mind—and everything was moving him toward that moment." Dileo says: "He wanted to show his cross-racial and cross-cultural nature, pay off a huge portion of his debts, and give his three children an opportunity to understand why millions of fans around the world recognize their father as the King of Pop." Dileo says: "That night, he told me how happy he was that everything was going so well." Source: eMJey, quoting Voice of America