Results tagged “Access Hollywood” from Access Hollywood

By Terri MacLeod


The King of Pop will live on forever. The gravity-defying moonwalk, the sequined glove, the cropped pants, and black loafers - Michael defined my generation. I can document my life by his music. When the news broke of his sudden death, I (like the rest of the world) was stunned, shocked and saddened - now a week later, I still can't believe Michael Jackson is gone!

When I returned home from work on June 25, I told my 14-year-old daughter about his death. ...To which she replied, "Why are you upset about him? Isn't he the creepy guy who slept with young boys?"  

My daughter's reaction shocked me! She had no appreciation or understanding of Michael's musical legacy. Obviously, this generation isn't growing-up on Michael. Most tweens today are familiar with his dance moves and mega-hits like "Billie Jean" or "Thriller," but for the most part Michael's 'Wacko Jacko' reputation eclipsed his immense talent, or, seemingly so to my daughter.  

While, I am not here to debate Michael's addiction to painkillers, his questionable relationship with children, or his gasp-worthy plastic surgery, I do believe there are many life lessons we as parents can pass on to our children about Michael's complicated and seemingly very lonely life.

For starters, let's try and get our kids to stop and listen to the music. Michael is, in my opinion, the greatest entertainer our generation has ever seen! He set off a global phenomenon that is rarely seen and quite possibly will never be seen again. His music, his dancing, and his outright sheer genius as a performer, is something to celebrate and be inspired by. For a moment, try and forget all the craziness in his later years and let his music get passed on to the next generation, and hopefully, set into motion a new crop of young artists. As Michael once said, "I always wanted to do music that influences and inspires each generation."    

Justin Long owes me an apology and Ellen owes Justin Long an apology. Neither needs to be a long apology. Ha ha!

 

Yesterday on "Ellen," Justin shared a story about being on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Break-Up" starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, the film that brought them together as a couple.

 

Justin said that I had asked him about his worst break-up on the red carpet.

 

At that moment, his current breakup, unbeknownst to the public, was fresh... the day before. So he began to tell me. He said I was looking over his shoulder at Jennifer Aniston because she had just arrived - i.e. that I was blowing him off.

 

What kind of vacuous superficial guy would do that?

 

Apparently me!

 

Not so!