JAPAN: Michael Jackson arrives an hour late for exclusive meet-and-greet event with fans in Tokyo

Record ID: 462528

  • Title: JAPAN: Michael Jackson arrives an hour late for exclusive meet-and-greet event with fans in Tokyo
  • Date: 16th March 2007
  • Summary: FAN BEING INTERVIEWED BY JAPANESE PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) RU HONDO, 35-YEAR-OLD DANCER SAYING: "It's like a dream. It's well worth it to wait outside for more than five hours." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) MARIKO NARANO, 28-YEAR-OLD PART-TIME WORKER SAYING: "Michael was so gentle. I could not only take a closer look at him but also took photographs with him." FAN SHOWING OFF MICHAEL'S POSTER WITH HIS AUTOGRAPH
  • Embargoed: 31st March 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA23V8GCNLX6IC0C1K4C907H2J8
  • Story Text: Pop star Michael Jackson arrived an hour late on Friday (March 9) for an exclusive and pricey "meet-and- greet" event where organisers charged 3,400 U.S. dollars (USD) for tickets - even though he wouldn't perform.
    Earlier he and other participants checked out the event and greeted fans who had already been waiting for hours.
    Jackson, who arrived in Tokyo on Sunday (March 4) took part in the "Premium VIP Party," which an Internet advertisement said would include dancers and gospel singers.
    Jackson himself was not due perform, but was said to watch the show from a special area. He was expected to make some brief remarks.
    The event was supposed to take place on Dec. 19 and was billed as a Christmas party with Jackson. There was no reason given from the postponement.
    Jackson last visited Japan, where he has a huge fan base, in May to accept a music award. In November, Jackson sang at an awards ceremony in London, his first public performance since his child molestation trial ended, but his efforts were panned by critics.
    Since being acquitted of child molestation charges at a trial that ended in June 2005, Jackson has lived the life of a recluse, dividing his time between Bahrain and Ireland, but still generates hysteria among loyal fans wherever he goes.
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