“And my goal in life is to give to the world what I was lucky to receive: The ecstasy of divine union through my music and my dance.” -Michael Jackson

So, this has nothing to do with NKOTB.

But it has everything to do with me.

And since this is my blog,

this is where I have chosen to share it!

So, if you've been following this blog,

or if you know me at all,

you already know that, since I was a small child,

I have absolutely ADORED Michael Jackson.

When he passed away last year,

I felt a drive from deep within to choreograph and perform in

a tribute to my dancing idol.

Since January, I have been working on this piece.

And this past weekend, it came to fruition.

I, along with 16 talented dancers,

performed in my 2010 remake of

Smooth Criminal.

So, here it is. I hope you enjoy it, and

I truly hope it adequately pays homage to

the one and only King of Pop,

Mr. Michael Jackson.

This Is It

It opens today!

Michael Jackson's 

This Is It

is in theaters for two weeks 

starting today.

If you've been reading this blog,

or if you know me at all,

you know how much I completely 

worship and adore

everything Michael Jackson ever did.

He was a talent beyond recognition.

He was intelligent and truly gifted.

He was unique, innovative, and inspiring.

Quite simply,

he was like no other.

He was the one and only 

Michael Jackson.

And it's strange....

 I woke up really early this morning 

and realized that I was

simultaneously excited for the movie,

yet sad for his loss,

all at the same time.

So, since I didn't know what else to do,

I decided to search the Internet

for responses to the movie 

(since it opened at midnight last night in most cities).

And I found this...

Posted on Twitter by the beautiful, the incomparable

(and longtime friend of Michael Jackson),

Elizabeth Taylor.

This is just what I needed to read this morning, 

and I'm sure it is for many others as well.

Thank you, Ms. Taylor.

I was honored with the great privilege of seeing "This Is It" last week. I was sworn to secrecy, but now I can let you know about it.

It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. It cements forever Michael's genius in every aspect of creativity.

To say the man is a genius is an understatement. He cradles each note, coaxes the music to depths beyond reality.

I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again.

And we have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him.

God blessed him and squandered nothing, but loved it all. Michael knew how to put together every tone, every nuance to make magic.

To say he was a genius seems so little. I wish my vocabulary encompassed what I feel.

You owe it to yourselves and your loved ones to see this again and again. Memorize it and say to yourselves, "I saw genius in my lifetime"

I loved genius in my lifetime. God was so good to me. I will love Michael forever and so will you, if you don't already.

I hope I don't sound condescending. I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about, but go to see it again and again.

I meant to repeat myself. I love you. I remember Michael loved you. He was totally up to now and the message of today in all his songs.

If you listen to his lyrics they are those of a modern day prophet and it beseeches us to listen to him and what he sang.

I won't use words like preaching because that is off-putting, but listen. Listen to his messages.

From "Black And White", "Man In The Mirror". The inspiration behind "We Are The World". We must take his words of responsibility seriously.

We cannot let his life be in vain / and always done with love. Remember that. Remember him and thank God for him and his genius.

Kenny Ortega did a masterful job of directing the process that goes into making a complete show before hitting the stage.

From A to Z you get Michael's input on every level. Michael's genius at work with the dancers. Mr. Ortega catches Michael in his every mood

You see in front of your eyes Michael's genius blossoming on this piece of film thanks to Kenny Ortega and his crews.

I truly believe this film should be nominated in every category conceivable.

- Elizabeth Taylor

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"Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight. Here one day, gone one night. Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon-Gone too soon." -Michael Jackson

At four, Michael Jackson was my hero.

At five, I decided I wanted to marry him.

By age six or seven, I had decided that 

even if I didn't marry him,

I would dance with him one day.

(Above, from Captain E0, 1986.)

As a child, I would sneak and watch MTV

to see his videos.

(My secret was discovered when, after the Thriller video came out,

I was scared to pieces every time Vincent Price laughed on my record.)

As I got older, I kept watching his videos.

I memorized his moves.

I tried to imitate them.

When I was 12 or 13, I used the money my dad had given me 

to buy clothes on a shopping trip 

to buy the book Dancing the Dream.

I cried my eyes out when he made me return it.

I taped Live in Bucharest 

(from the Dangerous tour)

and watched and mimicked the dances 

until the tape just about broke in half.

At 15, I enlisted the help of my two closest friends and 

choreographed a dance to Smooth Criminal.

At 17, I performed this same dance for my 

Junior Miss talent portion.

I learned to moonwalk.

I tried to isolate my muscles and move with 

the combination of grace, elegance, power, and badassness 

that only Michael could perfect.

At 23, I choreographed a 

contemporary ballet piece en pointe 

to Beat It.

Yes, we moonwalked... 

en pointe.

You see, Michael Jackson was my inspiration.

As a dancer.

As a writer.

As a peacemaker.

As a dreamer.

He was more to me than I can ever tell you.

He was my King of Pop.

I know he meant a lot to a lot of people, 

and I also know that there will never, 

in the history of the universe,

be another that matches the 

artistry,

integrity,

grace,

talent,

and ingenuity

that was 

uniquely Michael Jackson.

My idol is gone.

And now... 

As I approach 29 years,

I'm more determined than ever

to dance again

in his honor.

Cheers to you, Michael.

Thank you

for all the gifts you have given this world.

You will truly be missed.

I close my eyes 

Just to try and see you smile one more time 

But it's been so long now all I do is cry 

Can't we find some love to take this away 

‘Cause the pain gets stronger every day

~Michael Jackson,

"Don't Walk Away" 

**Please, share your thoughts 

on what Michael meant to you

in the "comments" portion of this blog.**



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