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'Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson' by Ian Halperin, veteran celebrity chronicler and journalist, promises to reveal startling new information about the pop icon that will make it the most definitive biography yet, according to the publisher, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. It is scheduled for release on July 14th."If you think you know everything there is to know about Michael Jackson you're wrong,'' Jennifer Bergstrom, vice president and publisher of the imprint, says in a prepared news release. "Ian has uncovered startling new information."
In 'Unmasked,' Halperin, who made the eerily prophetic revelation in December 2008, that Jackson had only six months to live, concludes that Jackson was not a child molester, Bergstrom says. Halperin also examines Jackson's prescription drug use and his ties to Scientology, she says. Just days after Jackson's death, Halperin wrote a revealing article for the Daily Mail Online in which he reported that the King of Pop said, as he feverishly prepared for his sold out 'This Is It' comeback tour, "I'm better off dead. I'm done'' because he lacked the physical and emotional stamina to perform 50 dates. But a dress rehearsal video obtained by CNN shows an energetic Jackson performing just two days before he passed away.
'Unmasked' was originally scheduled to be published as a lead-up to Jackson's tour, reports say. But his untimely death threw the book's publisher, Transit Publishing, the small Montreal-based company, into a last-minute scramble to update the biography. In the meantime, Transit sold the U.S. rights to Simon Spotlight Entertainment. Deputy Publisher Anthony Ziccardi negotiated the deal for U.S rights with Jarred Weisfeld of Objective Entertainment on behalf of Halperin and Transit Publishing, Bergstrom says. Executive Editor Lauren McKenna will edit the book.
Halperin is the author or coauthor of five books, including 'Fire and Rain: The James Taylor Story,' 'Celine Dion: Behind the Fairytale,' and 'Who Killed Kurt Cobain?'
'Michael: In His Own Words,' is scheduled for release this week by Johnson Publishing Co., publisher of EBONY and Jet magazines, according to Richard Prince's JOURNAL-ISMS column. It will feature previously unseen photos, 5,000 words from Jackson himself, and celebrity tributes from Berry Gordy to Rev. Al Sharpton to Ne-Yo, Prince writes. For ordering information go to Ebonyjet.com
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Comments: (74)
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By: ticia mj lover on 7/11/2009 9:58PM
thats a damn lie trust and believe i know everything about my husband he was not dangling his child ova the damn balcony so u can kiss his ass he showed his child off cuz he knew his child was sexy like him sike but he wanted to show the child to the public cuz da was chanting i want to see the baby
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By: Mariah on 7/11/2009 10:34PM
Jason, slanted when you want it to be a lie huh? How do you know that the boys parents didn't coach him on what to say??? Why did he recant later and say MJ didn't molest him?? I am a parent and no one has enough money to make me walk away if my child was harmed! And as far as Michael sleeping with them? He slept on the floor with the door wide open. Face it, if God Himself told you that Michael did nothing,you would'nt even believe Him because you want it to be true like a whole boatload of you people.
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By: Laine on 7/12/2009 12:42AM
Michael could not have a normal life because he was not raised in a normal way. People had been all over him since he was 9 yrs old. No, he would not have made it thru 50 concerts. I recently saw one of his live concerts from 1992 in Bucharest, and don't think he could ever exude the same energy as he had back then - and WOW, what a show!!! I realized his look as well is what helped him to cross over to so many millions of people around the world, cause I doubt if his skin was darker - they would have paid as much attention to him - even with all the talent. He never denied his blackness, and for that I am the most proud of him. Michael Jackson was the last King of Entertainment we will ever have. Also - there are no facts that he abused ANY children ... and I am sure none of the naysayers were there to witness.
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By: nicedream on 8/05/2009 10:05AM
I don't think this book is worth buying. if I am not mistaken the guy who wrote this book is the one who has never been close to MJ and explained on HLN that he was undercover yeah crap... we know that. the thing is people who were close to MJ shouldn't dare write biographies about him that's just none sense.
We all have to wait for Moonwalk to be published because that is what himself MJ wrote. otherwise I wouldn't advise people to buy any book written by people without credential.
if you guys want some more proof check the reviews on this book on amazon... bogus
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