- Title: USA: Hollywood celebrities flock to "This Is It" L.A. film premiere
- Date: 1st November 2009
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 27, 2009) (REUTERS) JERMAINE JACKSON ON RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (English) JERMAINE JACKSON SAYING: "He's my brother. This is who we are, entertainment." JERMAINE JACKSON ON RED CARPET JACKSON BROTHERS ON RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARLON JACKSON SAYING: "Yes and no. The reason is I lost my brother, but I'm here to support his movie so it's almost like a bittersweet moment for me." (SOUNDBITE) (English) TITO JACKSON SAYING: "I'm very sad today. It's great to be here on the carpet for a premiere, but this is the saddest premiere I've ever been to. I'm not going to view the film; I'm just here to support my other brothers." JACKSON'S BROTHERS ON RED CARPET KENNY ORTEGA AND JERMAINE JACKSON (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENNY ORTEGA, "THIS IS IT" DIRECTOR, SAYING: "It started out stressful. It started out unimaginable. But it ended up being a real labor of love and a healing experience and I'm real pleased with the way the film has turned out." KENNY ORTEGA VARIOUS OF FANS AT PREMIERE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PATRICIA TAYLOR, JACKSON FAN, SAYING: "So this is long overdue. And I've always loved Michael Jackson and I've stuck with him through thick and thin. And I'm just absolutely thrilled to be here." PERSON HOLDING TICKET TO "THIS IS IT" MAN WEARING JACKSON SHIRT (SOUNDBITE) (English) TEDRICK KELLEY SAYING: "It's like Michael Jackson, he had this tour. And he said 'I'm gonna come back and I'm going to show people I still have it.' And unfortunately he passed away and wasn't able to do that. And now, through the movie, through AEG, we're able to go and enjoy what he planned for us to see." VARIOUS OF TRUCK WITH SIGNS PROTESTING FILM VARIOUS OF FANS AT PREMIERE PAULA ABDUL ON RED CARPET BERRY GORDY ON RED CARPET MEMBERS OF JACKSON'S "THIS IS IT" BAND ON RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOMMY ORGAN, MEMBER OF JACKSON'S "THIS IS IT" BAND, SAYING: "When me and my wife walked up in the front, there was a big wind twirling and my wife said, 'That's Michael making a big entrance.' And he's definitely going to make a big entrance." "THIS IS IT" DANCERS ON RED CARPET LOU FERRIGNO ON RED CARPET
- Embargoed: 16th November 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAD1QZXIG6K72ZIWPXM2I54KV06
- Story Text: The Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It" wrapped up a 17 world city premiere on Tuesday (October 27) with a final grand red carpet in Los Angeles. Celebrities like Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez joined the singer's brothers to watch a screening of the much hyped film.
Several hundred fans, many of them wearing a signature, single-sequined glove, gathered at the city's Nokia Theatre, where stars walked the red carpet ahead of the premiere.
Several of Jackson's brothers were on hand. Jermaine told reporters that Jackson would have approved of the documentary.
"This is who we are, entertainment."
For brother Tito, the red carpet was a bittersweet place.
"I'm very sad today. It's great to be here on the carpet for a premiere, but this is the saddest premiere I've ever been to."
"This Is It" was culled from 80 hours of videotape taken of Jackson's final days of rehearsals for a series of London concerts. Director Kenny Ortega said the film was a challenge, but completely worth it.
"It started out stressful. It started out unimaginable. But it ended up being a real labor of love and a healing experience."
Other celebrities in attendance included Paris Hilton, Anne Heche, and Paula Abdul. Members of Jackson's concert entourage, including his dancers and band, also walked the carpet.
"This Is It" will be released worldwide on Wednesday (October 28) for a limited two week run. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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