MTV News |
| Janet Jackson Says She 'Had Michael's Back' On 'Scream' Posted: 19 Sep 2009 12:25 AM PDT 'The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance' airs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday on MTV.
Though Janet Jackson had not performed the choreography from "Scream" since she and her brother Michael shot the video in 1995, it couldn't have been a more fitting tribute to him. Jackson talked about the making of that video along with how she prepared for the Video Music Awards in the half-hour special "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance," which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.
According to Janet, "Scream" was a turning point for Michael, who used the video to express frustration over his legal troubles. " 'Scream,' there was so much going on at that time," Jackson recalled. "That's when the — I hate to say this but — the first allegations [of child molestation] came out and the whole bit. He was very upset and very angry and he had so much pent up in him that he wanted to get out and say. And when you listen to the lyrics, that's what it's about." When Michael asked Janet for her help with the song, there was no way she could say no. "I played the role that I've always played in his life: his little sister that was there by his side, that had his back no matter what," she said. "That's what 'Scream' was for me." The MTV special followed Janet as she relearned the intricate choreography for the VMA tribute along with her backup dancers, a crew of renowned choreographers including Tyce Diorio, Tina Landon, Jeri Slaughter, Travis Payne, Brian Friedman, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Mia Michaels, Laurie Ann Gibson and Wade Robson. Sore muscles aside, the group couldn't have been happier to get the chance to honor the man who inspired their own careers. "As soon as I got the phone call I was absolutely thrilled and on board 110 percent," Slaughter said. "It's an honor to be in this for Michael." After costume fittings, a cross-country flight to New York and a final run-through in Radio City Music Hall, Janet and company mounted the stage to a standing ovation, performing alongside images of Michael from the 1995 video. "I know he was watching," Jackson said. "I know he was looking down. I hope he enjoyed it." "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance" re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Janet Jackson On VMA Tribute To Michael: 'I Know He Was Watching' Posted: 18 Sep 2009 11:41 PM PDT 'The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance' airs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday on MTV.
It was one of the most memorable and touching moments from Sunday night's Video Music Awards: Janet Jackson and a crew of renowned choreographers dancing alongside images of Michael Jackson from his 1995 video with his sister, "Scream," in tribute to the late pop icon.The process was an emotional one for Janet, who shared her story in the special "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance," which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.
"I know he was watching. I know he was looking down," Jackson said of the performance. "I hope he enjoyed it." The half-hour special began with day one of training in a Burbank, California, studio, introducing the celebrated choreographers who would accompany Jackson: Tyce Diorio, Tina Landon, Jeri Slaughter, Travis Payne, Brian Friedman, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Mia Michaels, Laurie Ann Gibson and Wade Robson. Many of the choreographers had worked with Janet or Michael during their careers and said they owed much to the revolutionary dancer and singer. "Being a part of this show is making you proud to be a dancer," Judd said. Janet saw the performance as the perfect way for dancers to honor one of their own. "You see tributes. And you see the stars paying homage ... this time around because he represented dance for dancers. To be able to pay homage to him and choreographers, that was something so special to me," she said. Day two of rehearsals found the sore choreographers ("This is why I choreograph. My back hurts," Scott moaned) being fitted for their Jackson-inspired costumes, including silver-studded shoes specially designed by Christian Louboutin. "I like what [costume designer Robert Behar] did in homage to my brother, with the different looks he did," Jackson said. "But it's all in black and white." Jackson and her crew also took a break from their own rehearsal to watch the other dancers who would open the awards show with a medley of classic MJ numbers. The dancers were so able to embody MJ that it was sometimes hard for Janet to control her emotions. "It's like you're seeing all these carbon copies of your brother," Jackson said. "And I was trying not to cry, and I got choked up a few times. It gave me goose bumps. I thought they looked incredible." When Jackson flew to New York and arrived at Radio City Music Hall for a final run-through of the performance, she was once again overcome with emotion. "When I looked on that screen and I saw his face there, well, I started to cry," she said. "I had to walk away. It was very emotional for me, and I was trying not to cry, and I got choked up a few times. [His death is] hard for me to believe still sometimes and accept." And what was Jackson thinking about as she approached the stage for the big performance? "Missing him. And just to say I love you and thank you. Just to say thank you for giving us the talent you've given us, the love you've given us, the music you've given us. Everything." "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance" re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| You are subscribed to email updates from MTV News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar