Michael Jackson-s This Is It !!exclusive!! File
But just three weeks before the first show was set to begin, the world stopped. On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died from acute propofol intoxication. The This Is It tour never happened. However, the story of what would have been—and the documentary that immortalized the rehearsals—transformed the project from a canceled concert series into a posthumous masterpiece and the highest-grossing concert film of all time.
On June 23, just two days before his passing, Michael completed a full 90-minute run-through that lasted until nearly midnight. Photographer Kevin Mazur, who documented these final days, noted that Michael "looked great and had great energy" as he moved through iconic numbers like "Dangerous" and "Earth Song".
The rehearsals for "This Is It" were documented in a 120-minute film, also titled "Michael Jackson's This Is It," which was released on October 30, 2009. The film features footage of Jackson rehearsing for the concerts, as well as interviews with Ortega and other members of the production team. The documentary provides a fascinating glimpse into Jackson's creative process and his intense preparation for the concerts. Michael Jackson-s This Is It
The impact of "This Is It" on popular culture cannot be overstated. The concert series would have marked a major comeback for Jackson, who had been largely out of the public eye in the years leading up to his death. The concerts would have also provided a platform for Jackson to showcase his music, artistry, and showmanship to a new generation of fans.
Director Kenny Ortega (the choreographer behind Dirty Dancing and High School Musical ) pieced together over 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage. The result is raw, unpolished—and utterly mesmerizing. We see Michael in sneakers and dark pants, not full costume. He’s saving his voice, marking his dance moves instead of going full out. Yet even at 50% energy, he commands every frame. But just three weeks before the first show
The music industry as a whole was also impacted by the cancellation of "This Is It." The concert series would have been a major event in the music calendar, and would have likely sparked a renewed interest in Jackson's music. The concerts would have also provided a platform for Jackson to promote his music and artistry, and to connect with his fans in a way that was authentic and meaningful.
The impact of "This Is It" on Michael Jackson's legacy cannot be overstated. The concert series would have marked a major comeback for Jackson, who had been largely out of the public eye in the years leading up to his death. The concerts would have also provided a platform for Jackson to showcase his music, artistry, and showmanship to a new generation of fans. However, the story of what would have been—and
This Is It also teases the show we never saw. The film reveals elaborate stage designs: a giant spider for "Thriller," a 3D film sequence for "Smooth Criminal" with Humphrey Bogart and Rita Hayworth, a "They Don’t Care About Us" featuring an army of digital soldiers. The scale was unprecedented.
The production of "This Is It" was a massive undertaking that involved a team of hundreds of crew members, musicians, and dancers. The show was directed by Kenny Ortega, who had previously worked with Jackson on several projects, including the "This Is It" rehearsal footage that was released as a documentary film. The concert would have featured a 30-piece orchestra, a 16-piece band, and a cast of professional dancers.
. Originally a 50-show residency at London's O2 Arena, the project was intended to be Jackson's "final curtain call" from touring Artistic Vision and "Private Masterclass"
