Michael Jackson Hologram Performs at Billboard Music Awards
Last night at the Billboard Music Awards ceremony, the long-promised Michael Jackson hologram made its appearance on stage. The ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
During the performance, the Michael Jackson hologram appeared on stage alongside sixteen other dancers, performing the song "Slave to the Rhythm" from the Xscape album.
The stage design was intended to evoke the cover of Michael's Dangerous album, since the song was recorded during that same era. Laser lights, flames, and dancers moving alongside Michael were all part of the hologram. Real dancers in front of the stage performed in synchronization with the hologram.
Reactions to the performance have been mixed, but for those in the audience who felt they were experiencing a live Michael Jackson performance on stage, it was a moment of blended joy and sorrow. The performance was met with a standing ovation and tears.
The costume designed for the hologram consisted of red pants, a white shirt, and a gold jacket. The hologram's appearance was modeled on Michael's style from the Dangerous era. At the opening of the performance, the hologram sat on a golden throne, then slowly descended the stairs in Michael's signature manner and walked across the stage, performing the iconic dance moves of the King of Pop — including the moonwalk — before the audience's eyes.
Beyond the advanced technology behind this performance, last night's show was the result of six months of planning, choreography, and filming.
Larry Klein, director and producer of the Billboard Music Awards, said about the hologram performance:
"You witnessed the magic of Michael Jackson — just as when he performed on stage."
The Talauega brothers were the choreographers of this performance. These two brothers worked with Michael for many years during his lifetime. They choreographed him for the 1995 MTV awards and during the HIStory tour of 1996 and 1997.
Download this hologram performance here. (Quality: 1280×720)
It is worth noting that in the audience voting poll for most popular performance — held prior to the awards ceremony on the Billboard website — Michael Jackson's performance, listed as "The Michael Jackson Experience" (without mentioning a hologram), received the most votes.
The demand for a Michael Jackson hologram was very significant, and the Michael Jackson Estate felt that this hologram should be presented before a live audience.
In late last year, the song "Slave" was chosen for the hologram performance.
John Branca, the Estate's executive, says:
"This is a song people can dance to and use in clubs. We spoke with Jamie King, the director of Michael Jackson's Immortal tour, and he agreed with us. The experience of a live Michael Jackson performance is an important matter. We wanted a live performance before a live audience — and what better opportunity than an awards ceremony."
Source: eMJey.com / Billboard
Last night at the Billboard Music Awards ceremony, the long-promised Michael Jackson hologram made its appearance on stage. The ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
During the performance, the Michael Jackson hologram appeared on stage alongside sixteen other dancers, performing the song "Slave to the Rhythm" from the Xscape album.
The stage design was intended to evoke the cover of Michael's Dangerous album, since the song was recorded during that same era. Laser lights, flames, and dancers moving alongside Michael were all part of the hologram. Real dancers in front of the stage performed in synchronization with the hologram.
Reactions to the performance have been mixed, but for those in the audience who felt they were experiencing a live Michael Jackson performance on stage, it was a moment of blended joy and sorrow. The performance was met with a standing ovation and tears.
The costume designed for the hologram consisted of red pants, a white shirt, and a gold jacket. The hologram's appearance was modeled on Michael's style from the Dangerous era. At the opening of the performance, the hologram sat on a golden throne, then slowly descended the stairs in Michael's signature manner and walked across the stage, performing the iconic dance moves of the King of Pop — including the moonwalk — before the audience's eyes.
Beyond the advanced technology behind this performance, last night's show was the result of six months of planning, choreography, and filming.
Larry Klein, director and producer of the Billboard Music Awards, said about the hologram performance:
"You witnessed the magic of Michael Jackson — just as when he performed on stage."
The Talauega brothers were the choreographers of this performance. These two brothers worked with Michael for many years during his lifetime. They choreographed him for the 1995 MTV awards and during the HIStory tour of 1996 and 1997.
Download this hologram performance here. (Quality: 1280×720)
It is worth noting that in the audience voting poll for most popular performance — held prior to the awards ceremony on the Billboard website — Michael Jackson's performance, listed as "The Michael Jackson Experience" (without mentioning a hologram), received the most votes.
The demand for a Michael Jackson hologram was very significant, and the Michael Jackson Estate felt that this hologram should be presented before a live audience.
In late last year, the song "Slave" was chosen for the hologram performance.
John Branca, the Estate's executive, says:
"This is a song people can dance to and use in clubs. We spoke with Jamie King, the director of Michael Jackson's Immortal tour, and he agreed with us. The experience of a live Michael Jackson performance is an important matter. We wanted a live performance before a live audience — and what better opportunity than an awards ceremony."
Source: eMJey.com / Billboard