NEW YORK – A New York politician has declared August 23 as Michael Jackson Day. Hundreds of fans came together at the Caribbean Cultural Center in Manhattan to celebrate Jackson's birthday, as the King of Pop turns 50 on August 29, proving he is no Peter Pan.
Michael Jackson is a name that has reached far and wide. Most people know of him and his colourful life, whether the reasons are good or bad. He started out as part of The Jackson Five and eventually became a solo artiste, dazzling music producers and audiences all over the world.
His first album "Off The Wall" produced mega hits like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You". His second album "Thriller" swept seven Grammy awards.
Jackson reached a new high in the early 1980s, creating his signature “moonwalk”, a smooth dance that still leaves a lasting impression. Monster hits like “Billie Jean”, “We Are the World”, “Thriller” and “Beat It” are still heard on the radio today. He was nicknamed “King of Pop” by Elizabeth Taylor, who described him as “the true king of pop, rock and soul”.
People started questioning Jackson in mid 1980s, when his multiple cosmetic surgeries became too obvious to ignore. His nose, chin, eyes, and cheeks were all altering drastically. The most glaring of all the changes was his lightening skin colour, which he blamed on a skin condition.
His displays of erratic behaviour continued over the next 20 years.
He splashed out US$17 million on 2,700 acres of land to build Neverland Ranch, a private amusement park. He wore surgical masks in public. He had two short-lived marriages – one with the daughter of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, and another with a dermatologist’s nurse. He caused controversy when he dangled his then-toddler son off a balcony.
He was also first accused of child molestation, which was eventually settled out of court for US$22 million. Instead of the King of Pop, people were dubbing him “Wacko Jacko”, and his career was in the rut.
But it was another child molestation accusation in 2003 that saw Jackson being formally charged in court. The trial dragged on for two years, and Neverland Ranch was searched for molestation evidence. Jackson was eventually acquitted, but sordid details and allegations revealed during the trial ruined his reputation and career beyond repair.
It is undeniable though, that Jackson’s reign in the music industry for almost two decades rightfully earned him the title of "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by the Guinness Book of Records. He has also been inducted into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, which solidifies his title as King of Pop.
It doesn’t matter whether you recognise him as the King of Pop or Wacko Jacko. Michael Jackson has left his mark in history, for better or worse.
LOS ANGELES – For David Duchovny, it’s a case of real life imitating reel life. The actor, whose Golden Globe winning role as sex-loving novelist in TV series "Californication", has checked himself into rehabilitation for sex addiction.
The 48-year-old, who became a household name after his role as Special Agent Fox Mulder in "The X-Files", has admitted to his sex addiction in a released statement from his attorney.
Duchovny said in the statement, "I have voluntarily entered a facility for the treatment of sex addiction. I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family."
Duchovny has been married to actress Tea Leoni since 1997, and they have two children together.
The second X-Files movie - "The X-Files: I Want to Believe", released this year after a long hiatus of 15 years, had a poor showing at the box office. Duchovny and co-star Gillian Anderson had claimed that the timing of the film release coincided with the much anticpated "The Dark Knight", affecting the movie’s performance at the box office.
LOS ANGELES - Singer and songwriter Neil Diamond is offering audiences of a recent Ohio concert a refund after his raspy voice caused some unhappiness amongst fans.
Some even left during the 67-year-old’s performance on Monday.
Diamond’s spokeswoman said a refund will be given to those who place a request before September 5.
“Dear Fans in Columbus, I haven’t let you down before and I won’t let you down now,” Diamond apologised on his website.
Diagnosed with acute laryngitis, his ailment also forced Diamond to cancel two concerts this week in Green Bay, Wisconsin and St Louis, Missouri. Both concerts have been rescheduled for dates in September.
His heydays in the 1960s and 1970s saw the New York City native writing popular radio tunes for 1960s pop group “The Monkees” and his hits include “Kentucky Woman” and “Sweet Caroline”, which was inspired by a childhood picture of Caroline Kennedy.
“Sweet Caroline” is the theme song of the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
NEW YORK - Victoria’s Secret has a new angel in town.
The top lingerie fashion house has signed on 23-year-old Doutzen Kroes as one of the special group of models the company calls “Victoria's Secret Angels”.
Kroes joins the ranks of millionaire supermodels Heidi Klum and Adriana Lima, as well as past angels like Gisele Bundchen and Tyra Banks.
Along with Lima to promote the new lingerie from the "Supermodel Obsessions" range in New York, the Dutch model said, “It was just amazing and unbelievable and a dream coming true.”
Lima, according to Forbes.com, raked in US$7 million last year.
However, Kroes is no stranger to fame and fortune.
Gracing the covers of several fashion and society magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, and starring in advertisements for Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana, Kroes was reported to have earned US$6 million last year.
In April 2006, she signed a three-year contract with L'Oreal Paris, and can now be seen in the company's commercials alongside Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington.
