14 DAY TRIAL // For the first time ever since speculation emerged on whether Michael Jackson would be physically able to complete the 50-date “This Is It” final series of concerts at London’s O2 Arena, the singer reveals he also has doubts about it. Speaking with fans gathered outside an LA dance studio where he has rehearsals, the King of Pop says 50 dates might be too much for him, as The Sun can confirm.
The extremely reclusive Michael is rarely known to address fans directly, save when he’s doing it in a more or less official setting. However, the other day seems to have been an exception as he really wanted to let his fans know that, as far as he was concerned, he would have done his final tour differently. This is precisely why he also admitted to feeling anger and frustration towards organizers AEG Live who went ahead and announced all the London dates without consulting with him beforehand.
“Thank you for your love and support, I want you guys to know I love you very much.” Michael reportedly told fans outside the dance studio. He then proceeded to explain that his biggest problem at the moment was whether he would be able to physically resist through the 50 dates since his frame was literally too weak to take all that effort. “I don’t know how I’m going to do 50 shows. I’m not a big eater – I need to put some weight on.” the singer told the fans.
The problem for Michael right now boils down, as per his own words, to a lack of communication on the organizers’ behalf. For instance, he personally agreed to only 10 shows – those that were initially advertised – only to find out one day that he would do 40 more to which he had not even agreed. His predicament now derives from having to do all 50 shows in the same place - he would have wanted to make “This Is It” international - and in a context in which he’s not sure he can rely on his own strength to do it.
“I’m really angry with them booking me up to do 50 shows. I only wanted to do 10, and take the tour around the world to other cities, not 50 in one place. I went to bed knowing I sold 10 dates, and woke up to the news I was booked to do 50.” Michael Jackson also explained. Nevertheless, fans of the legendary singer who will not be able to travel to London in the following months to see him perform will also get another chance in 2010, when Michael is set to take the stage as part of Jackson 5 again, in what will be a one-time reunion concert.