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Jackson keeps judge waiting
15/11/2002 07:40 - (SA)
Los Angeles - Superstar Michael Jackson on Thursday turned up hours late for a rare personal appearance in court where he is being sued for $21.2 million for failing to play at two millennium concerts.
After keeping the judge and jury waiting for four hours, the "King of Pop" still found time to talk to a large crowd of fans outside the court, near his Neverland ranch, while aides handed out CDs and autographed photos of him.
Wearing a red shirt and blue velvet jacket, Jackson clutched an umbrella to shield himself from the California sun, but did not have on his trademark white surgical mask which he removed when giving evidence on Wednesday.
The Celebrity Justice television show said he was late for medical reasons, but also revealed that the judge had summoned a photographer into chambers following a complaint by Jackson's lawyers that pictures he snapped of the star in court on Wednesday "exploited Jackson's facial imperfections".
The pictures revealed a rare and shocking glimpse of the off-stage face of the reclusive 44-year-old pop idol, who is said to have undergone extensive plastic surgery in recent years.
He sported the beginnings of a goatee beard, had a discoloured nose - the end of which was covered by a transparent sticking plaster - and was wearing lipstick and eye make-up.
Following Thursday's delay, Jackson took his seat in the witness box for the second day of a trial in the California town of Santa Barbara where he is defending himself against a $21.2 million breach of contract lawsuit.
He has been summoned as a hostile witness in the breach of contract suit brought by his longtime concert promoter Marcel Avram who claims "Jacko" illegally cancelled two concerts in Sydney and Honolulu, leaving Avram with millions of dollars in costs.
But Jackson on Wednesday denied backing out of the two performances, saying it was Avram who had telephoned him to cancel the shows, for which Avram says Jackson was to have been paid $15 million.
"I don't think he was prepared," he told the court. "He (Avram) cancelled it. I specifically remember the telephone call.
"He said: 'We're not going to do those shows on the millennium. It couldn't work to fly from one time zone to another.' "I remember feeling a little upset because I was looking forward to doing the show," Jackson said.
"I was excited because I thought it would make the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest watched show in history."
Israeli citizen Avram (64) claims that "Jacko" pulled out of the concerts in October 1999 after two charity concerts in Munich and Seoul in June of 1999 suffered "dismal" ticket sales.
Avram maintained in his suit that - after advancing the singer $11.2 million for the concerts - he was then "left to explain Michael Jackson's erratic behaviour - and to pay all of his bills."
Avram is demanding that the singer, who is reportedly suffering financial woes following the slump of his career since his 1980s heyday, return the advance and also cover a further $10 million in lost profits.
"Michael Jackson's decision not to perform at the Millennium Concerts came as a shock to Avram who had for many months expended much time and money" on planning the shows, the suit said.
Jackson's starring role in the court proceedings has made the tiny town of Santa Maria a magnet for fans and news reporters.
On Wednesday, Jackson arrived at court in true star style in the back of a black and silver stretch limousine, which was led by a police escort, to the screams and cheers of up to 200 fans brandishing "Free Michael" placards.
Some 30 fans who had won a lottery for coveted seats in the court's public gallery were admitted into the packed courtroom. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA
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South Africa
