ETonline - Music

Behind the Scenes of the Tragic Michael Jackson Pepsi Commercial

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:15:00 -0700

ET has eyewitness reports from the day Michael Jackson's hair caught fire during a Pepsi commercial back in 1984, resulting in second and third-degree burns. Rebecca Reddin, the talent coordinator on the commercial, and Naomi Naughton, her then-teenaged daughter who watched from the audience, describe the scene -- and watch the new video for the first time.

"We saw Michael enter, we saw something go wrong, and we knew that there was a problem," says Naomi of the disastrous take in which pyrotechnics went off early and the King of Pop's hair caught fire. "The next thing we knew, the very large body guards … threw themselves on Michael. We didn't know why."

Rebecca worked for the commercial's director, Bob Giraldi, and also worked with Michael and Paul McCartney on the "Say Say Say" video. During the commercial, Naomi sat in the fifth row with two of her friends right behind Janet Jackson.

Video: Christina Aguilera Sings for Supper

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Why was pop singer Christina Aguilera panhandling in Hollywood?

Christina belted out a song for charity as the spokesperson for From Hunger To Hope campaign. The pop princess is seeking to raise awareness of hunger issues by appearing in the organization's PSA and other advertising materials.

"As a mom I cannot accept that even one child can go hungry," Christina said of the cause.

Diane Dimond With the Latest on the Drugs in the Michael Jackson Investigation

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:20:00 -0700

ET special correspondent Diane Dimond has the latest on the anesthesia drug reportedly found at Michael Jackson's home.

Propofol, also known as Diprivan, is speculated to be what triggered the King of Pop's cardiac arrest. Thousands of vials of propofol have been recalled after testing confirmed that two lots of the drug may be tainted.

Diane has the latest on "The Propfol Trace."

An Eyewitness Account to Michael Jackson's Fiery Commercial

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:37:00 -0700

Virginia Watson was an extra casting director working for Atmosphere Casting and Cast & Crew Casting on Michael Jackson's fiery Pepsi commercial. Now she gives ET her eyewitness account of the horrific events of that day.

"I saw just like a spark of something that hit the back of him, and then it just looked like it was a special effect," Virginia, who was standing at the foot of the stage at the Shrine Auditorium, tells ET. "But when the red flames started to come up … then he realized he was on fire and started spinning. You could see the smoke coming off him and then everybody was just on him."

In the Us Weekly video from the 1984 commercial shoot, you can see that the crew members grab him. Then his brothers and his friend Miko Brando were there helping to smother the fire.

Coroners Office Tells ET when Jackson Toxicology Results Expected

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:43:00 -0700

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Coroners office issued ET a time line as to when he thinks the results will be completed regarding Michael Jackson's cause of death.

Assistant Chief Ed Winter tells ET he believes it will be another two weeks before the coroners office will have finished their toxicology report.

Keep checking ETonline for more details into the mysterious death of the King of Pop...

Madonna 'Devastated' By Stage Mishap: 7 Injured, 1 Dead

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:11:00 -0700

Madonna is speaking out about a tragic accident that occurred Thursday while a stage was being constructed for the pop star's upcoming show in France, which claimed the life of one man and injured seven others.

"I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," Madonna said in a statement. "My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news."

A rep for Madonna confirms to ET that during construction of the stage for Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" show set to take place on July 19 at Velodrome Stadium in Marseilles, France -- the roof accidentally collapsed, causing one death and injuries to seven others.

Startling Video: Michael Jackson Catches Fire

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:07:00 -0700

Horrifying footage has surfaced of Michael Jackson's accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial in 1984. Watch as for ten, terrifying seconds Michael is on fire.

US Weekly obtained the footage of the King of Pop's hair bursting into flames after the pyrotechnics for the production went off too early. In the video, Jackson initially doesn't seem to know he's on fire, dancing across the stage normally.

Once he realizes his head is on fire, he frantically spins in circles and takes off his jacket to fend off the flames. People then rush the musician to help put out the fire that leaves Jackson with a bald patch.

Diane Dimond on Michael Jackson's Drug Use

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:33:00 -0700

ET special correspondent Diane Dimond, who has been covering Michael Jackson news since 1993, talks about the accident that she claims led to Michael's drug use.

It was a TV spot that went bad. The King of Pop was filming a Pepsi commercial when, during the sixth take, Michael's hair caught on fire. He was rushed to the hospital with burns to his scalp and face.

"That was a horrific accident, and that is the point at which Michael Jackson was introduced to the world of painkillers," Diane says. "After that, and all the cosmetic surgeries, he became hopelessly addicted."

Whitney Houston Album Artwork Revealed

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:52:00 -0700

Whitney Houston is about to drop one of the most highly anticipated albums of the decade -- and ET has a first look at the cover right here!

Wearing an elegant one-shoulder sliver and white striped dress, the singer looks refreshed and beautiful as she stands solo on the cover of her first album of original material since 2002.

Earlier this year, Clive Davis told reporters to expect classic Whitney all the way. "We're not going to compromise who she is to fit into today's hip-hop radio market," he said. "The public wants Whitney material."

Michael Jackson Dominates Charts with Millions of Albums Sold

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:05:00 -0700

Michael Jackson continues to be King of the Pop charts, selling over two million albums in less than three weeks.

Michael's solo albums sold 1.1 million copies in the U.S. this week, according to Billboard.com and Nielsen Soundscan.

This is a 37% jump from the album sales made in the previous week -- 800,000 of Jackson's albums were sold.

Report: Tito Jackson Says Family Confronted Michael about Drug Use

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:25:00 -0700

British tabloids are reporting that Michael Jackson's brother Tito says the family staged interventions to confront the late King of Pop about his drug use.

According to the Daily Mirror, Michael's family had become increasingly concerned about his addiction to painkillers and in an attempt to help the star, planned a number of raids on Neverland Ranch.

Tito tells the Mirror that his brother went to great lengths to hide his drug use from his family.

Diane Dimond on Michael Jackson's Sexuality

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:01:00 -0700

ET special correspondent Diane Dimond, who has been covering Michael Jackson news since 1993, responds to the explosive new allegation that the King of Pop was gay.

In his new book, Ian Halperin, author of Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, raises questions about Michael's sexuality. The author claims that whenever Michael would go out to meet one of his alleged gay lovers, he would wear an elaborate disguise.

"He was always dressed as a woman, and very convincingly, to the point no one else would recognize Michael," Halperin says in an interview with ET. "He was a master at costume -- at showbiz. He could've been a professional make-up artist he was that good."

Joe Jackson: 'Michael Was Never Beat'

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:58:00 -0700

ET has the latest...

Michael Jackson's father, Joe, reveals all in a new interview.

"Michael was never beat as they call it," the Jackson patriarch says in a new interview with Chris Connelly for "Primetime: Family Secrets -- The Jackson Family: Life After Michael," airing tonight at 10 p.m. on ABC.

"And everyone spanked their kids when they did wrong. But not beat. Katherine spanked Michael more than I did, 'cause I was workin' two jobs and she was at home with him the most."

Reality Project May Contain Lost Michael Jackson Footage

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:03:00 -0700

Producer Jodi Gomes says she has hours of footage for a reality show that may contain never-before-seen scenes with Michael Jackson.

"We have months and months of exclusive and intimate footage as a family as a unit, as individuals, as brothers," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's enormous ... this is not your average special."

Jodi filmed the Jacksons for a one-hour special that was to air next year. She is under a confidentiality agreement and cannot discuss the exact content of her footage, but adds, "A lot of it had to do with Michael ... We were filming long before Michael announced his [London] O2 shows. The Jackson 5 were to have dates as well."

L.A. Mayor Says City Will Pay for Jackson Funeral

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:01:00 -0700

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is speaking out about previous requests for donations and repayment to offset Michael Jackson's funeral.

Villaraigosa commented on talk of the city requesting money from various sources, including the Jackson family, to pay for the funeral, saying, "The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."

ET has confirmed that a city councilwoman who was filling in for Villaraigosa set the ball rolling for a Web site that asked the public for donations to offset the city's $1.4 million funeral costs. The web site, which raised $35,000, ceased operating last Friday.

Coming Soon: Michael Jackson Concert Souvenirs

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:35:00 -0700

Michael Jackson's "This is It" tour was scheduled to kick off Monday in London, and although fans will no longer be able to see the late King of Pop perform, they will still be able to purchase concert merchandise.

Souvenirs such as hats, sunglasses, mugs, T-shirts, and a replica jacket like the one Michael wore in the "Thriller" music video will be sold online and in retail stores, the Associated Press reports.

According to Peter Lofrumento, a spokesman for the Bravado merchandising company, Jackson helped to design many of the concert souvenirs.

Diprivan: The Drug that Killed Michael Jackson?

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:04:00 -0700

Was Michael Jackson taking Diprivan right before he died? The powerful anesthetic has been repeatedly mentioned in connection to the late King of Pop's death investigation, and now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht weighs in on the possible private use of the heavy sedative.

"Never in all my years of working have I heard of Diprivan being used at a private home, under any circumstances whatsoever," Dr. Wecht tells ET. "Even in a hospital, it must be given with only the [supervision] of an anesthesiologist. … It is extremely dangerous and can lead to sudden death unless you have people who are there who recognize the developing complications and deal with them immediately."

If Diprivan was indeed being administered to Jackson in his home, it could lead to big problems for the doctor who provided the drug to him.

Diane Dimond on La Toya's Accusation that Michael Jackson was Murdered

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:09:00 -0700

Investigative journalist Diane Dimond, who has been covering Michael Jackson since 1993, talks to Mary Hart about La Toya Jackson's accusations that her brother was murdered.

La Toya reportedly said, "Michael was murdered, and we don't think that just one person was involved. Michael was worth well over a billion in music publishing assets and someone killed him for that. He was worth more dead than alive."

"Details to this story have been constantly changing and I have been working the phones all day," Diane tells Mary. "La Toya claims that Michael was fed all sorts of drugs. People around him kept him drugged up so they could keep him submissive and controlled."

Barbra Streisand Seeks Out Environmental Initiatives

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:36:00 -0700

In a new interview, actress, singer and environmental activist Barbra Streisand educates about global warming and why she believes it is an urgent issue.

"The awareness of global warming and the efforts at conservation have come a long way in the past 20 years. But clearly we are not moving at a quick enough pace," Streisand told Politico.com.

"Many Americans feel like the problem can only be solved with significant intervention by the federal government. That is true, but we also need the action of every American to help solve this problem."

Video: Jackson's Hometown Pays Tribute to Icon

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Family, friends, and fans gathered in Michael Jackson's hometown of Gary, IN. on Friday to pay tribute to the late King of Pop.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a close family friend to the Jacksons, spoke to ET about watching Michael grow up to become a star.

"This is where I first met the Jackson family in Gary, Indiana," he says. "I will remember him as an awesome musician, innovator and dancer in the professional sense...He was instant joy to people. He found joy in spreading joy."