Michael Jackson

USA Synchronized Swimming Moonwalked Upside Down Under Water During A Michael Jackson Routine

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Every four years at the Olympics, the world gets invested in a number of sports that rarely are part of the public consciousness in non-Olympic years. Whether that’s the marquee Olympic events like track, swimming, or gymnastics, it also applies to niche sports that can become fan favorites for a brief week in the spotlight (see: handball).

There are then the sports that remain fairly niche, even within the Olympic schedule, but even those that don’t get shown on TV can get their shine if they produce a viral moment. This week, we got an example of that with synchronized swimming, when the USA artistic swimming team broke out an under water moonwalk that had the internet buzzing during a routine set to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”.

Synchronized swimming is always wild to me, but hitting an upside down, under water moonwalk is truly incredible — and insanely cool. Team USA finished fourth after the technical routine, scoring a 282.7567 (I have no idea how that score is tabulated or why it goes into the ten thousandths of a point) that put them two points behind Japan, with Spain five points in front and China a hilarious 21 points clear of them for first. The free routine will be today, and perhaps they can climb into a medal position with that, but even if not, they’ve already garnered a whole lot of buzz and rightful praise from their Michael Jackson routine.

Janelle Monae Takes Down Michael Jackson Parody Video After Fan Backlash

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Janelle Monae caught an unfortunate bit of backlash for some slightly dark humor the other day, as they posted a video reenacting Michael Jackson’s infamous balcony-baby incident (if you don’t know what we’re talking about, you’ve got some serious pop culture history to learn). They didn’t address some fans’ controversial reactions to it, but they did seem to quietly take it down from their page, so we’d assume that they regret the decision to at least share the clip. It’s a pretty odd way to pay tribute to the King of Pop, but then again, maybe it was to highlight the controversies held in that career as well. Nevertheless, it looks like it won’t be a hot debate topic any longer.

Furthermore, this is especially curious because Janelle Monáe is a big fan of Michael, and especially of his sister, Janet Jackson. “We gather all around the world with your music as our soundtrack,” they introduced the Rhythm Nation icon for her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, calling her the “legendary queen of Black girl magic.” “We applaud you for your commitment to excellence [and] we celebrate you for giving us memories we wish we could bottle up and save for the next lifetime. History is not complete without you, Janet.”

Read More: Janelle Monae Net Worth 2024: Updated Wealth Of The Singer

Janelle Monae Seemingly Takes Down Controversial Michael Jackson Video

Meanwhile, Janelle Monáe recently commented on how they pick out movie roles, and their explanation was quite curious. “Really, I love to get to know the characters and feel with anything I’m doing,” they told The Guardian. “I really have to feel it in my pubic hairs -– they have to vibrate. My underarm hairs definitely tingled when I got the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery script.”

As for Michael Jackson, Janelle Monae’s odd reenactment wasn’t the only questionable “tribute” to him from artistic collaborators that raised fans’ eyebrows as of late. Janet Jackson herself caused a commotion when she chose to pose with someone dressed as her brother for a meet and greet with her. While many folks found this disrespectful, it also stands to reason that Janet sees this kind of thing often. As such, maybe she can see it from a more appreciative and respectful point of view than our Internet-influenced perspective.

Read More: Michael Jackson’s Son Prince Pens Tribute 15 Years After Singer’s Death

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Janelle Monae Recreates Bizarre Michael Jackson Balcony Scene

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Janelle Monae is an unpredictable artist. One never knows what she is going to say or do next. That’s a feature, not a bug. Monae is one of the most consistently inventive and exciting artists on the planet. All that said, her latest venture caught fans off guard. The singer was vacationing in Paris with her cyberpup and decided to show it off to fans by dangling it over a balcony. The parallels to the infamous Michael Jackson incident, in which the singer dangled his infant over the balcony, were not accidental.

The footage of Janelle Monae was obtained by The Shade Room. In it, the singer can be seen wearing a black wig and a red shirt identical to Jackson’s. Monae even went through the extra care of putting her cyberpup in a blanket, much like Jackson did with his son back in 2001. The whole recreation was odd. Monae dangled her pet over the balcony, then walked inside. She returned a few seconds later, before hiding behind a curtain and tossing a towel into the crowd. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That said, nobody has attempted to recreate this particular moment in MJ’s life. It’s a choice.

Read More: Janelle Monae Explains Unique Process For Picking Movie Roles

Janelle Monae Credits MJ As A Formative Influence

 
 
 
 
 
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Janelle Monae is frequently compared to Prince, in terms of style and musical range. She also worked with the iconic pop star before his death. However, the singer has always maintained a soft spot for Michael Jackson. She gushed about the King of Pop’s lasting influence during a 2015 appearance on Conan. She went as far as to claim that MJ inspired her to become a musician. “According to my Aunt Gloria,” Monae recounted. “It was apparent that making music was my dream after she took me to Michael Jackson’s Bad concert in my hometown Kansas City.”

The singer claimed that Jackson’s impact was so significant that began to emulate him. “The next morning I went to church and started beating on the back of a pew, tapping and singing Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It.’ That moment gave me great joy and extra confidence.” Monae’s confidence is undeniable, as evidenced by her electric stage presence. The balcony recreation was a tribute to a formative musical influence, and as unorthodox as it was, it served as a full circle moment for the acclaimed singer.

Read More: Janelle Monae Becomes The Grinch In Stunning Costume

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Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Spared from Santa Barbara Wildfire

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Earlier this week, concerns mounted as Michael Jackson’s iconic Neverland Ranch appeared to be in the path of the Santa Barbara wildfire, which has already scorched over 26,000 acres. Fortunately, the famous estate has been saved from the flames.

TMZ reports that Capt. Scott Safechuck, spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, confirmed that the wildfire did reach the sprawling Neverland property. However, initial damage assessments indicate that no major damage was inflicted on the estate. Additionally, there were no reports of injuries among the crew battling the fire at Neverland.

As previously reported by TMZ, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department had deployed a reinforced crew to the property, including several fire trucks and even a fire aircraft, to ensure the blaze was kept at bay. Their efforts were successful, thanks in part to the proactive wildfire mitigation measures taken by the current owner of Neverland, billionaire businessman Ron Burkle, who purchased the estate for $22 million in 2020.

“The crew was more than ready, but it was super helpful that the current Neverland owner did an excellent job with wildfire mitigation on the property,” said Capt. Safechuck. This proactive approach undoubtedly played a crucial role in protecting the iconic estate from potential disaster.

Neverland Ranch, once home to the King of Pop, remains a site of significant cultural and historical interest. The estate’s survival through this wildfire is a relief to fans and historians alike, preserving the legacy of one of the most famous figures in music history.

The post Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Spared from Santa Barbara Wildfire first appeared on The Source.

The post Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Spared from Santa Barbara Wildfire appeared first on The Source.

Victoria Monét Paid Homage To Michael Jackson With Her 2024 BET Awards Performance

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Fresh off announcing her song for the Disney+ Star Wars series, The Acolyte, “Power Of Two,” and dropping her Kaytranada-produced single “Alright,” Victoria Monét hit the stage at the 2024 BET Awards to perform that song, along with her breakout hit, “On My Mama.” Beginning with the latter and hitting the stage in a sporty, Y2K-era outfit, Monét paid homage to Michael Jackson, donning his iconic “Smooth Criminal” suit, then stripped down to perform “Alright” with some help from Kaytranada, ending the set with a striking, Flashdance-inspired pose, backed by a simulated waterfall. The performance was the star’s first for the BET Awards, but judging by the warm reception it received, it won’t be her last.

Although Victoria has had a fantastic year so far, it hasn’t all been good news. In May, the star said she was “gutted” to announce the cancelations of several of her upcoming festival appearances for health reasons. “Candidly I have been dealing with some ongoing health issues that have to be addressed right now, but I will be back out there soon, that’s a promise!” she wrote on her social channels. Please know it wasn’t an easy call but it’s definitely for the best. All other shows are still moving forward as planned. See you soon.”

You can watch Victoria Monét’s 2024 BET Awards performance above.

Victoria Monét Paid Homage To Michael Jackson With Her 2024 BET Awards Performance

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victoria monet
Getty Image

Fresh off announcing her song for the Disney+ Star Wars series, The Acolyte, “Power Of Two,” and dropping her Kaytranada-produced single “Alright,” Victoria Monét hit the stage at the 2024 BET Awards to perform that song, along with her breakout hit, “On My Mama.” Beginning with the latter and hitting the stage in a sporty, Y2K-era outfit, Monét paid homage to Michael Jackson, donning his iconic “Smooth Criminal” suit, then stripped down to perform “Alright” with some help from Kaytranada, ending the set with a striking, Flashdance-inspired pose, backed by a simulated waterfall. The performance was the star’s first for the BET Awards, but judging by the warm reception it received, it won’t be her last.

Although Victoria has had a fantastic year so far, it hasn’t all been good news. In May, the star said she was “gutted” to announce the cancelations of several of her upcoming festival appearances for health reasons. “Candidly I have been dealing with some ongoing health issues that have to be addressed right now, but I will be back out there soon, that’s a promise!” she wrote on her social channels. Please know it wasn’t an easy call but it’s definitely for the best. All other shows are still moving forward as planned. See you soon.”

You can watch Victoria Monét’s 2024 BET Awards performance above.

Michael Jackson’s Son Prince Pens Tribute 15 Years After Singer’s Death

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Michael Jackson cast a towering shadow over the music world. He transcended the medium altogether, and redefined what it meant to be a pop star, for better or worse. June 25 marked the 15th anniversary of Jackson’s passing, which led to various social media tributes from fans. The most notable statement released, however, was from the King of Pop’s own son, Prince Jackson.

Prince, who was only 12 years old when Michael Jackson died, posted a photo alongside his father on Instagram. “Miss you pops,” he wrote in the brief, albeit touching caption. “The world felt better with you in it.” Prince has made less controversial remarks about MJ than his sister, Paris, has, sticking mostly to happy childhood memories. He did just that during a KTLA interview back in March. Prince told the outlet that Michael Jackson never pushed him to pursue a career as an entertainer. “My dad used to say, ‘I don’t care what you want to be when you grow up, you just have to be the best at it,’” he recalled.

Read More: Michael Jackson Estate’s Funds Frozen By IRS In Tax Dispute With His Family

Prince Approves Of The Upcoming Michael Jackson Film

Michael Jackson’s legacy is more relevant than ever. The pop star’s career will serve as the focus of the upcoming film Michael, which is slated for release in April 2025. The titular role will be played by MJ’s nephew (and Prince’s cousin), Jaafar Jackson. Prince is not involved with the production, but he did give the film, and its creators, his blessing. He also posted a photo of Jaafar Jackson in character as MJ, and praised his performance. “Watching you perform and work your butt off,” Prince wrote on Instagram. “Is the closest I’ll ever come to watching my dad in concert and it’s been a dream come true! Proud of you cuz!”

Prince Jackson wasn’t the only one who paid tribute to the King of Pop this year. Jackie Jackson, MJ’s older brother, posted a photo of both of them performing on IG. “Hard to believe it’s been 15 years without you,” he wrote. We miss you everyday.” Tito Jackson also took to social media to share a black-and-white photo of his brother in his artistic prime. He didn’t provide any text, but Tito did use the hashtags #gonetoosoon and #missyoumuch.

Read More: Janet Jackson Raises Fans’ Eyebrows By Posing With A Michael Jackson Impersonator

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Janet Jackson Raises Fans’ Eyebrows By Posing With A Michael Jackson Impersonator

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Janet Jackson continues to captivate audiences during her tour, but a particular meet and greet participant left many fans puzzled. Moreover, a picture went viral of her posing with someone impersonating her late brother Michael Jackson, which prompted some confused and pretty comical comments from social media users. “I’m sure she didn’t mind, but definitely was on her mind for the rest of the night [crying emoji] prolly still is,” one fan commented under the Instagram post below. Another added: “She better than me, I would have cursed him up down , in and out,” which was another popular sentiment in the comments section.

However, not everyone reacted to this negatively. “I think people forget that he was THEE Michael Jackson,” one user posited. “He’s paying homage. She’s definitely seen this numerous times… She’s obviously cool with it and seems flattered. Nothing negative to see here folks.” As such, maybe this Janet Jackson meet and greet isn’t anything to write home about, or at least was a very personal decision for her that some fans will understandably be in disagreement with. Regardless, you should definitely go to see her live if you get the chance, as viral clips of her working in Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” into her live set are just the tip of the iceberg.

Read More: Janet Jackson Shares Throwback Photo Of Michael Jackson On The Anniversary Of His Death

Janet Jackson Poses With Michael Jackson Impersonator

Elsewhere, though, Janet Jackson and the rest of the family might have some financial worries to deal with. Recent reports emerged about the Internal Revenue Service freezing the Jackson estate’s funds due to a tax dispute. We don’t know exactly how much this is affecting the family or Janet specifically, but it seems like a very complex web. After all, the trust is worth an industrial boat-load of money.

Meanwhile, Janet Jackson seems to be living her life to the fullest right now and enjoying every step of the way. She also sparked some romance rumors with Q-Tip after a flirty Instagram birthday post, so she continues to be part of the rumor mill. Maybe nothing will come of this, or we’ll see some more viral meet and greet pics to distract us. Despite how differently each person would react to this situation, it’s not a decision or mentality for us to force on another.

Read More: Janet Jackson Documentary Claims Michael Jackson Would Call Her Names: “Pig, Horse, Cow”

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Michael Jackson’s Children Cut Off from Trust Amid Estate Tax Dispute

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Recent reports reveal that Michael Jackson’s children, Prince Michael Jackson II, Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson, have been barred from receiving funds from their late father’s trust amid an ongoing dispute over the estate’s tax liabilities.

According to documents obtained by various outlets, including Page Six, the King of Pop’s offspring have been blocked from accessing funds until the estate settles a longstanding disagreement with the IRS. The dispute stems from a tax audit that allegedly found the estate undervalued its assets, resulting in a claim of $700 million in unpaid taxes and penalties.

Although the estate contested the audit findings and emerged victorious in tax court in 2021, the matter remains unresolved as the estate has filed a motion for a reconsideration of the value of Jackson’s music catalog, known as Mijac. Until this request is addressed, the estate’s total value for tax purposes remains undetermined.

Prince, Paris, and Bigi Jackson are beneficiaries of Michael Jackson’s trust, while his mother, Katherine Jackson, is the sole beneficiary of a sub trust established in his will. The court documents indicate that the trust’s distribution to the late singer’s children has been put on hold until the estate’s tax issues are resolved.

The development comes in the wake of earlier reports that Prince Michael Jackson II had taken legal action against his grandmother, Katherine Jackson, accusing her of depleting the estate with excessive legal fees. The intricate legal battles surrounding Michael Jackson’s estate continue to unfold, leaving his children in a precarious financial position until the dispute is finally settled.

Thoughts?

The post Michael Jackson’s Children Cut Off from Trust Amid Estate Tax Dispute first appeared on The Source.

The post Michael Jackson’s Children Cut Off from Trust Amid Estate Tax Dispute appeared first on The Source.

Michael Jackson Estate’s Funds Frozen By IRS In Tax Dispute With His Family

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Michael Jackson’s estate is in a legal dispute with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and it’s now affecting his children and mother. Moreover, the estate temporarily froze the distribution of trust funds to his three kids Prince, Paris, and Bigi, as well as to his mother Katherine Jackson. This is due to an unresolved tax issue with the IRS, per documents reportedly obtained by AllHipHop, whose current deadlock is thanks to an open audit. Furthermore, this started with an IRS audit that suggested the estate owed $700 million in taxes and penalties, undervaluing the late superstar’s assets significantly.

Even with the estate‘s executors seeing a court win in 2021, a new motion to reevaluate Michael Jackson’s catalog and its worth made this gray area persist. Apparently, it’s because of this question mark around the estate’s value that the family can’t currently access the trust funds. Nevertheless, the estate’s legal team asked a judge to sign off on earmarking a portion of the funds for the family trust, something that the court withheld approval of due to not being able to determine a “safe” amount for distribution. In response, estate attorneys suggested a temporary “family allowance” for the beneficiaries in order to mitigate some of this monetary strain.

Read More: Michael Jackson’s Iconic Neverland Ranch Is Getting Updated For an Upcoming Biopic

Michael Jackson Performing In 1996

Michael Jackson IRS Dispute Taxes Family Estate Frozen Music News
Michael Jackson performs on stage on his HIStory tour in December 1996. (Photo by Phil Dent/Redferns/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, a previous development for the Michael Jackson estate was Sony Music Group’s $600 million purchase comprising of half of his music catalog back in February. Katherine Jackson herself issued legal contest to this move and sought to cover her legal fees with estate funds, which the estate was in disagreement with. In fact, Bigi Jackson filed paperwork in March to challenge Katherine’s attempt to use the estate’s money to pay for her legal processes. This further complicated the situation for the family, and may still be a point of contention.

Meanwhile, Michael Jackson was in the headlines recently for completely unrelated reasons concerning references to him in the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef. Regardless of that, it’s unclear whether the estate will ever see a resolution to the issues represented by this new legal development with the IRS. The King Of Pop’s name, likeness, and artistry continue to make a lot of cash and maintain their ubiquity and legend status in pop culture. Will this long-lasting success impact how the court and the government agency views the estate? We will see.

Read More: Michael Jackson’s Company Wants Accusers Blocked From Seeing Nudes

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