14 DAY TRIAL // Late last month, speculation had it that Michael Jackson’s London O2 Arena final series of concerts would not take place at all, because the singer was missing rehearsals and did not have the motivation to properly prepare for such a challenging task as that of performing 50 dates. Now, The Sun says that Jackson has hired actor and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno as his personal trainer.
Reports in the industry have it that Michael, who reportedly weighs a mere 9 stone (approximately 57 kilograms) and eats only a meal a day, has finally realized that he would not be able to dance and perform for the millions of fans that will come to see him in London in what has been dubbed the last concert of his career. Consequently, he has turned to Ferrigno, known for once playing the Hulk in the TV series with the same name and a former Mr. Universe, for a little help in the working out department. The only problem is, sources are whispering, that Michael still lacks dedication and does not want to go through with the training.
“Lou has been visiting Michael to build him up so he can perform his dance routines. But Jacko refuses to lift weights. He doesn’t want to bulk up.” an unnamed but reportedly very reliable source tells The Sun. Allegedly, Michael does not want to build muscle or gain in weight because he’s battling skin cancer and he strongly believes that this would decrease his chances of winning over the condition, says the same source.
However, getting into a better shape is a must at this point, other insiders in the industry are saying, because otherwise he stands little chance of being able to offer fans the grand show both he and organizers AEG Live promised when they made the official announcement. Ferrigno, as far as he’s concerned, seems convinced that he’d eventually “break” Michael into accepting that he needs to work out more for the upcoming tour.
On this note, not long ago, the actor was speaking to the media about how it was to work with the King of Pop himself. “Michael is more delicate. Our trainer conditioned him for dancing. He likes me – he feels safe with me, he feels protected. He was nervous about people looking at him when he was training.” Ferrigno reportedly said recently, as per the same publication.