Michael Jackson’s fans shelled out big bucks for shows that would have featured lip-synching, TelePrompTer-reading and even a fake King of Pop, according to bombshell testimony yesterday.
Choreographer Travis Payne, testifying in a lawsuit pressed by Jackson’s family against concert promoters AEG Live, said The Gloved One was too frail and forgetful before his death in 2009 to pull off the magical stage performances fans had come to expect.
Jackson and his team regularly practiced lip-synched numbers and set up TelePrompTers in case he forgot lyrics, Payne said.
Payne said they had also crafted a wild stage entrance for Jackson for his “This Is It” concerts in which he would appear to jump through a plate of glass, to the amazement of fans.
But, in reality, it was a stunt double who would do the trick as the house lights would dim for just a moment, allowing the real MJ to sneak on stage, Payne said.
There’s no way the 50-year-old Jackson could sing and dance through any concert in June 2009 — and everyone producing the show knew it, Payne said.
One of the show’s band leaders e-mailed Payne, “Michael Jackson is not in shape enough yet to sing this stuff live and dance at the same time.”
Jackson never got to do the “This Is It” concert series set for London in 2009 and 2010. He died on June 25, 2009.
AEG refunded 1 million ticketholders about $85 million. MJ was going to do a 50-show run at London’s 02 Arena.
Jackson’s family is suing AEG, claiming the company should be held civilly liable for The King of Pop’s passing.
Dr. Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for giving Jackson deadly doses of anesthetics and other medications.
Jackson’s family believes AEG should be made to pay for hiring Murray to treat Jacko.