Michael Jackson Postpones London Shows

Michael Jackson has postponed the start of his London concert extravaganza by five days to allow him more time to prepare for the grueling seven-month residency.

The pop superstar will now take his first bow at the British capital's O2 Arena on 13 July (09) - five days after he was due to open his This Is It string of concerts.

Fans with tickets for the original opening night on 8 July (09) will still have seats for the first gig - but those due to attend on 10,12 and 14 July will now have to wait until March 2010 to watch Jacko in action.

A statement from concert producers AEG Live reads, "Due to the sheer magnitude of the This Is It concerts at the O2 Arena, promoters and producers AEG Live and Kenny Ortega, Michael's directorial partner and creative collaborator, have elected to move back a few of the opening shows in order to meet the challenges presented by such a massive and technically complex show.

"Organizers are determined that all Michael's legions of fans attending the opening nights get the same quality of staging and level of entertainment.

"Kenny and Michael are, at the same time, both creative pioneers and perfectionists. This show has grown in size and scope, thereby, necessitating more lead time for manufacture of the set, programming the content for the massive video elements, and, most importantly, more time for full production and dress rehearsals in the world's busiest arena, the O2.

"As much as we agonised over this change in the original schedule, we are sure the fans will understand when they experience the level of entertainment Michael Jackson intends to deliver while also ensuring the safety of the musicians, cast and crew and the crisp execution of the production."
Choreographer Ortega adds, "After directing the Dangerous and HIStory tours, I know what the fans expect and myself and the team want to deliver a flawless production. We apologise to all disappointed Michael Jackson fans and remain extremely dedicated and focused on creating an exceptional live music experience." (WENN/IG/WN/MT)

Halle Berry Doesn’t Care If She’s Seen Without Makeup

Fame Pictures

The Oscar-winning beauty refuses to conform to the pressure of looking
perfect and is happy to show off her natural beauty.

She is quoted as saying: "All these paparazzi are just out of control, it
has added a new pressure. When you just want to go out and be a normal
person you get put on that bad clothes list. Or it's like, 'Look, she's got
a zit,' and they zero in on it. Or it's, 'Look, she's got cellulite,' and
they zero in on that. They make you feel like you can't go out and be a
normal girl. I try to resist it and go out without my make-up even though I
know I am going to be on that list."

This is not the first time Halle, 42, has spoken about how stressful it is
to be a Hollywood star.

When she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter Nahla, who is now 15
months old, Halle found it "liberating" not worrying about her figure at red
carpet events.

She said: "It was the first red carpet that I've really walked down where I
didn't have to think about holding in my stomach.

"It's the first time I've been to an awards show where they served a meal
and I actually ate it. I was eating off everybody else's plate and that felt
very liberating and good."

Lady GaGa Has To Sing In Her Underwear

"There was this one night where I had had a couple of drinks. I had new material and I had on this amazing outfit. So I sat down, cleared my throat and waited for everyone to go quiet.

"It was a bunch of frat kids from the West Village and I couldn't get them to shut up. I didn't want to start singing while they were talking, so I got undressed.

"There I was sitting at the piano in my underwear. So they shut up."


(WENN/CL/WNBINS/ZN)