Jackson arrives in Japan for fan events

1 hour, 28 minutes ago

Smiling and waving to screaming fans, Michael Jackson arrived in Japan on Sunday for his second visit in recent years to host an exclusive party where admirers pay $3,500 to spend 30 seconds with the pop icon.

A relaxed-looking Jackson in trademark sun glasses and black leather jacket was ushered by guards past hundreds of screaming Japanese fans at Narita Airport on Sunday afternoon, some carrying signs that read "We love Michael" and "Welcome to Japan."

At the VIP party, guests will get to mingle with Jackson, spending 30 seconds to one minute each of exclusive face time with him, according to organizers. It was unclear whether the star will perform any songs.

While in Tokyo, the star will also host a fan art contest for those who cannot afford VIP tickets, organizer Broderick Morris said in an e-mail.

"Over the years, as Michael Jackson has performed in cities around the world, he has been pleased, honored, and impressed by the large amount of fan art of him," said Morris. "He would like to meet fan artists, and more fully appreciate and enjoy their creative expressions."

Three winning artists chosen by Jackson will have brunch with the star and their picture taken together.

Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, has lived abroad since his acquittal, forsaking his Neverland Ranch in California for residences in Bahrain, France, and a castle in Ireland.

Jackson's VIP meet-and-greet party was scheduled for Thursday, with the fan art contest on Friday. It was not clear when Jackson would leave Japan.

Jackson, 48, is not obligated to perform at either event, and promoters refused to comment on how much he would be paid.


[Edited 3/4/07 4:26am]

Shit that mofo has huge hands!

Anyway, I wonder how many fan will actually pay $3,500 to meet him for 30 seconds. I'm pretty sure Michael wont have to worry about financial problems after this. If he can get 300 fans to attend, that $1 million in his back pocket.

I wonder if he will perform. I'd be very surprised if he did.

Haven´t you noticed before? He´s got great hands.

No he won´t. At least, as far as I know, it´s not on the schedule.

Another new picture.
He looks good in this shot. Thank god he got rid of his old glasses. These look cool.

[Edited 3/4/07 4:56am]

i would love to be able to afford to go to these events i bet those who go have a great time

you know, what's so "fan appreciation" about charging people 3500 bucks to spend a minute with you? it sounds more like "michael appreciation." i think its disgusting.

sallysassalot said:

you know i didnt want to, but i do agree

sallysassalot said:

It's 3500 dollars for half a minute Even worse.

He has the opportunity to fix his financial problems by touring or releasing an album. But he would much rather be lazy and milk off his loonish die-hard fans by sitting on his ass and telling them he loves them, all while pocketing $3500 to spend half a minute with him.

Of course he's one of the handful of stars that could pull this off successfully. But to me, it's just another reason to add to my long list of why i've lost respect for him over the years.

MJ's looking good!

MikeMatronik said:

Do you have $3500? If you do, then you can go see MJ so he can appreciate you. Remember, MJ only appreciates his rich fans

MikeMatronik said:

I guess if you like that snow-white look, he doesn't look too bad. But, that ain't Michael Jackson to me, he is someone but not Michael Jackson.

there are 2 events one which is $3,500 (though the price varies depending on report) which is aimed at more buisness people etc and one the next day which is $28 a ticket aimed at the fans where the art contest etc is being held
[Edited 3/4/07 11:16am]

He BETTER appreciate each of their $3,500.00

DarlingDiana said:

So this is from the airport when he arrived in Japan?

CinisterCee said:

Yes.

I didn't know there were two events. One for "higher-ups" that costs $3500 and one for fans that costs $28. That's much better.

To me this is just bizarre. You pay for a concert because you are seeing a performance. I know he is Michael Jackson, but c'mon, what are these people paying for?

CinisterCee said:

It's not a concert. I'm not entirely sure what is involved. All I know is that it's called a "fan appreciation event". But it is in now way, shape or form a concert. Why is Michael expected to perform everywhere he goes? This isn't a concert, so don't start bagging on him when all this is over and the reports say he didn't perform. I just know the tabloids are going to run with this and bag on Mike for not performing. It's not a frickin concert!

But I'm pretty sure the "fan appreciation event" will involve a few things. We know there is a fan art competition where Michael will judge art made by fans and select a winner which will be published on his soon-to-be-created website. I'm not sure what else the event entails, but I'm sure the fans will get their $28 worth.
[Edited 3/4/07 19:35pm]

jayaredee said:

I think he appreciates ALL his fans..but is just looking to make some cash and not do much, actual, work. It is sad, because, even the HIStory Tour was fun to watch on video, even if lip synched. (90% of it) I thought even the MSG was fun to watch. (And the singing that he actually did was good.)

Point being: I wish SO BADLY he'd get his shit together, suck it up, and do one last tour. The kind of shit he is doing now is for entertainers who are like 70 or 80. Not almost 50. MJ needs to learn stuff from like Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger. How old are they anyway? I know they are both WAY older MJ and still rocking the house.

WTF is up with his fan!!?

xperience319 said:

You mean that thing he is holding? A fan made it and handed it to him.

dag said:

To me, he looks truly awful. It looks like he's dead.

DarlingDiana said:

No, just this time he is getting money for what seems like nothing.

I don´t know what is the reason for the price being so high, but it´s ridiculous. Well, if someone does have the money than let them enjoy it. I sure would enjoy it. Damn, I would love to meet him sooooo much...I guess I never will.

Anyways, as I said many times I would love to see him work again, but I do realize that I don´t have a right to want it from him. If he does, and there are news that he might be actually working, than I´ll be eternally grateful.

Well, yeah, some shots are not very flattering as usual, but he looks good. What makes him look deadly is his white skin.
One more shot from the airport

[Edited 3/4/07 23:43pm]

dag said:

$28 is not that high. The $3500 is for platinum tickets that business people and rich fans can buy, and it's for a special event that I don't know the nature of. The rest of the tickets cost $28 and they are for the actual "fan appreciation" event.

DarlingDiana said:

Damn it, sorry I am not reading the articles properly, just casting an eye over them quickly getting wrong info. Yeah, that´s not that bad.
ah the picture didn´t work. Here´s another one.

[Edited 3/5/07 0:15am]

General Event Information

The premium ticket holders get the following:

- Meet and Greet & photo opportunity with Michael Jackson (single or group photo)
- Free Food & drink service (with alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages)
- 1 free bottle of champagne
- An autographed photo of Michael Jackson
- Entertainment for the evening: Gospel Choir with Band and Strings section
- Four tribute Michael Jackson dance performances
- Michael Jackson will attend the event for about 5 hours
- Michael Jackson will be watching all of the entertainment from the VIP area with the attendees
- Michael Jackson will personally speak to all attendees after entertainment is complete
- Nonprofessional cameras and digital cameras are allowed
- VIP members can also attend the Fan Appreciation Day event 9 at no charge (2nd floor VIP area)

The fan event ticket holders get the following:

- Michael Jackson will attend the event for about 3 hours
- Michael Jackson music videos will play and the DJ's will play some of Michael's favorite music
- Four tribute Michael Jackson dance performances
- No cameras allowed in the building

DarlingDiana said:

I want that premium ticket!!! To have a chance to talk to him. That´s my dream. Although I am sure I´d be pretty speechles.

dag said:

I find this part hard to believe.

Weird. Fucked. Stupid.

Even for under 30 euros.

novabrkr said:

Why is it weird, fucked and stupid? Because it's Michael Jackson? Ofcourse if Prince was doing it, it'd be a brilliant idea.

DarlingDiana said:

It'd be even more weird, fucked and stupid.