June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson died on June 25, shortly before his 51st birthday and the world was in a great mourn. Despite the sudden death, he has left behind an immense legacy that helped shaping the pop culture: his music and his incredible life story.

Below is a look back from the day he was born to the stardom he gained and what came along with it.

A movie version of "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" is in the work. The Hollywood Reporter came up with the story that Columbia Pictures have set their eyes to develop the big screen version of the action-adventure video game by setting "Kane & Lynch" and "Hitman 2" screenwriter Kyle Ward to pen the adaptation.

While Ward will be responsible for the screenplay, Avi Arad, Charles Roven, Ari Arad and Alex Gartner are serving as the project's producers. No director has been appointed just yet nor have any names in relation to the position been thrown in. Words on possible lead actor are not disclosed as well.

After a nationwide audition, 20 plus size women have been selected to participate in the first season of FOX's "More to Love". These women will compete for the love of Luke Conley, a 26-year-old who works as a subcontractor and real estate investor.

Luke, who is weighing over 300 pounds, has the selection from a college student to a rocket scientist. 26-year-old Tali said she is looking for "someone who knows what he wants from life and knows where he is heading and doesn't give up - no matter how hard things get." 25-year-old Bonnie, meanwhile, wants a guy "who can create. Blend that with a handsome smile and a sarcastic wit."

A funeral service for Farrah Fawcett reportedly has been planned to be held at a Catholic cathedral in Los Angeles in the next few days and her son Redmond James O'Neal, who is imprisoned on drugs charges, is expected to be present. Radar Online quotes sources close to the young man as revealing that a removal order allowing Redmond to attend the service has been signed by Commissioner Jane Godfrey.

Still according to those sources, Redmond will be allowed to come to the funeral wearing a suit instead of his prison attire. In related news, Radar Online also reports that Redmond is devastated by the death of his actress mother and has "committed to his sobriety to honor her because he promised he would stay clean for her."

After releasing a music video for single "Girlfriend", DAY26 come up with another video, this time to promote their song called "Truth Is a Lie". In one of the scenes, the group who sport all-black outfits are shown leaning against the wall of a dark tunnel while a woman in white dress is captured running through them.

Both "Girlfriend" and "Truth Is a Lie" appear among new songs in DAY26's second studio album called "Forever in a Day" which has been in stores across United States since mid April. While the former song is produced by Tank and Willie Taylor, the latter is worked on by Rob Holladay, Allen Potridge, Ms. Rideout and 808.

Another promotional photo for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" has been found by Snitch Seeker. It focuses on Jessie Cave's Lavender Brown and Rupert Grint's Ron Weasley. In the picture, Lavender clings onto Ron while standing in the Hogwarts corridor.

Aside from the photo, Cave was recently interviewed by LA Times about her role as Hermione's roommate-turned-romantic-competitor. "She is incredibly dominating of Ron," part of her interview read. "She just wants to be around him all the time, and she's the one who initiates everything. She's one of those girls that's very pretty and very obvious, she's just not really aware of how she's being perceived by anyone else."

A new updated news has been brought forth by Life and Style concerning the cause of Michael Jackson's death. The publication claims a source close to the late music performer has confirmed that he consumed a cocktail of up to seven prescription drugs in the past few months which might cause him suffering cardiac arrest that then led to his death on Thursday, June 25.

Among the prescription medications that he consumed were anti-anxiety drugs Xanax, Zoloft and painkiller Demerol, says the source. It is suspected that Michael took an overdose of those drugs on Thursday morning, which led to his suspected respiratory and cardiac arrest.

A source said Michael Jackson had passed a medical exam to obtain proper insurance for his London gigs. This statement is contrary to previous claim from another source close to Michael who informed the singer was actually not ready for a concert.

"He passed the physical and everything was a go," the source told E! Online. It is also said that Michael who passed away on June 25 reportedly due to cardiac arrest had been scheduled to have another exam before he kicks off the concerts on July 13.

On Wednesday, June 24, Zack Snyder attended the press conference for the Blu-Ray release of "Watchmen" and had an interview with Devin Faraci of CHUD. He gave an update on his upcoming movie "Sucker Punch" and made a surprise by informing that he aims to get a PG-13 rating for the film.

Zack made a retreat from his initial statement which described "Sucker Punch" as R-rated. However, the director of "300" believes that he can manage to obtain a PG-13 rating for the movie without softening the action. "If you can make 'Taken' PG-13, you can make this movie PG-13. That's what I believe. Because it's more fantastic. No one really dies in the movie," he insisted.

The family members of late singer Michael Jackson have all gathered at the family compound, which is the house of their parents Joseph and Katherine Jackson, located in Encino, California, Access Hollywood reports. Jermaine Jackson, who addressed to the media at U.C.L.A. Medical Center shortly after Michael's death on Thursday, June 25, reportedly has also made his way to the compound. Michael's children; Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II, are also at the venue.

In related news, Michael's manager, Frank DiLeo, has confirmed to People the kids "are very upset" upon hearing news of their father's death, "but they are fine." Brian Oxman, an attorney for the Jacksons, adds "Mrs. Jackson loves the kids and she will care for them now." Michael's father Joe reportedly has flown from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to be with the entire family.

Top 10 "American Idol" season eight have been rehearsing for their upcoming summer concert, and a footage from the rehearsal session has arrived via Los Angeles Times. It captures them performing Journey's 1981 ballad song titled "Don't Stop Believing".

Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre are seen sitting behind piano opposite each other. Meanwhile, the others including Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey and Megan Joy, are shown standing near them with mics in their hands.

Michael Jackson's sudden death apparently has altered Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comedy "Bruno". Prior to its Los Angeles premiere on Thursday night, June 25, the comedy movie has undergone a significant cut with the elimination of a scene featuring Michael's older sister, La Toya Jackson, out of respect to the mourning family.

The scene reportedly is similar to the prank done to "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul, where she was coaxed over to a home in Los Angeles to do an interview with Bruno. It is claimed that during the La Toya's scene, this fictional gay Austrian fashion journalist creates a pretext to copy Michael's telephone number from her BlackBerry.

In an interview with the latest issue of Parade Magazine, the cover of which features him as the model, Daniel Radcliffe opens up about falling for older women. The Harry Potter depicter in "Harry Potter" films is quoted as frankly admitting, "Girls my own age are not really an option. I find, generally speaking, they have to be entertained more than older girls do. So most of the girls I have had serious things with are generally sort of in their 20s."

Despite such fact, Daniel admits he himself doesn't like getting old. The British actor, who will turn 20 years old next month, tells the print media, "I've noticed I make noises when I get up and sit down now. I mean, my knees are rotten bad - I refused to wear knee pads too many times when I was doing stunts, and I just clobbered them up a bit. I am an old man in a young man's body."

Whitney Houston has revealed her new album will be called "I Look to You". In addition to that announcement, she also reminds fans that it will be made available for purchase in U.S. market on September 1.

Unfortunately, no other details about the album are shared. But earlier this year during a Grammy party, the founder and president of Arista Records, Clive Davis, revealed Whitney gets helping hands from R. Kelly for its title track.

NBC is the latest network to announce the Fall premiere dates of its shows. "The Jay Leno Show" shows a domination in the air time, airing Monday to Friday starting Monday, September 14 at 10/9c. The talk show thus becomes the first-ever entertainment program to be stripped across primetime on broadcast network TV.

The next day, "The Biggest Loser" returns with a two-hour episode presenting once again the non-couples season. A contestant named Amanda has been cast via audience votes in the previous season and shooting had begun in May.

A music video aimed to support Demi Lovato's new single "Here We Go Again" has just made its way out. It starts with a scene where Demi is in the dressing room holding a picture of her love interest played by Cris Brown. It then switches to a capture of her rocking an intimate indoor concert with the guy she loves standing among the crowd.

"Here We Go Again" is the title track from Demi's upcoming second studio effort "Here We Go Again". The song has arrived for digital purchase since June 17, while the album will not come out until July 21 under Hollywood Records.

Vanessa Hudgens is best known for her role as Gabriella Montez in "High School Musical" series, but she has a dream of playing a character in black leather suit. Met on the set of "Beastly", the teen star expressed her desire to portray Catwoman.

When asked by MTV News about the comic book characters or stories that she'd like to bring to the screen, Vanessa answered uncertainly, "Wonder Woman?" Then she immediately added, "Honestly, when I was a kid, one of the reasons my parents realized I loved showbiz was because I dressed up every single day in my Catwoman costume." After telling how the character inspired her acting career, she continued speaking, "So maybe someday, down the line... I could play Catwoman."

Singer Lisa Marie Presley joins the long list of mourners who pay tribute to late Michael Jackson, telling People, "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family." She adds, "This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me." Lisa was married to Michael in May 1994, but the pair then divorced in January 1996. They have no children together.

Brooke Shields, who briefly dated Michael, also shares her grief. She states, "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."

As soon as words of Michael Jackson's death are spreading all over the Internet, radio, and TV, hundreds of the King of Pop's fans are quick to converge outside U.C.L.A. Medical Center in Los Angeles, where the late singer was rushed to on Thursday, June 25 after collapsing at his home. Number of the crowd is growing by minute. Some of the fans are photographed crying.

Meanwhile, people also begin gathering at Times Square in New York. Some of them remember Michael at the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which they believe belongs to the late music figure. But, as claimed by Associated Press, the star actually belongs to a radio personality of the same name.

Before Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, a source close to him admitted that the singer indeed was not ready to hold a concert. "Michael is physically just not ready [for the concerts]," so the source revealed.

In further statement, the source also mentioned about Michael's weight issue which was claimed as the cause of his unreadiness. "He weighs even less than he did during his trial, which was almost nothing. He's 50 years old," the source explained.

"Gossip Girl" season 2 DVD is heading to the stores on August 18 and a clip featured within the package is released. Titled "Cold Feet", it sees Blair's mom worrying about the outfit when she is questioning about her love for Cyrus Rose. Blair and Serena comfort her in order to get her downstairs.

The clip is part of the "unaired scenes" which is one of the DVD's special features. Apart from having never-before-seen clips, the DVD will include also Chasing Dorota Webisodes, Gag Reel, downloadable audiobook of novel "Gossip Girl: You Know You Love Me" which is read by Christina Ricci, "5th Ave. Meets Gossip Girl" where fans can have a tour to Gossip Girl crowd's favorite haunts, and a footage showing creative forces behind the show's art and fashion.

Yahoo! Movies has scored an exclusive trailer for vampire thriller "Daybreakers". In 2017, an unknown plague transforms the world's population into vampires, making the remaining men on the planet the hunted. As the vampires capture and farm every remaining human, the population of the human race comes nears to extinction.

Before time runs out, they are forced to find a blood substitute. However, a covert group of vampires has another thing in mind. Aided by the help of a vampire researcher, they make a remarkable discovery to save the human race. The trailer presents a look at the main characters played by Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill.

Michael Jackson's body has just arrived at the L.A. County Coroner's Office for an autopsy. Soon after his death on Thursday, June 25, his body was transported from U.C.L.A. Medical Center to USC Medical Center downtown via helicopter before then being transferred by van to the Coroner's Office, where autopsy is expected to be performed as soon as Friday, June 26.

The autopsy is set to determine the exact cause of the late singer's death amidst mounting talks that he died of cardiac arrest. According to L.A. County Department of Coroner spokesman, Craig Harvey, results of the autopsy won't be available until several weeks, when the results of toxicology tests come back. Craig, furthermore, mentions that since Michael was not "under the care of any U.C.L.A. doctor for a particular condition at the time of his death, the job of signing off on his death certificate goes to the coroner's office."

Official working title and tracklisting for Paramore's forthcoming third studio album have finally been shared. It is confirmed that the record is called "Brand New Eyes" and set to arrive across America on September 29.

Paramore have included eleven new songs on the album's tracklisting. Among them, the band reportedly have chosen a song titled "Ignorance" as its lead single, and will drop it for purchase on July 7. Prior to the release day, they have showcased the song at MTV Unplugged on June 25.

The death of world's icon, Michael Jackson, has kept the television networks busy. Many of them are airing special tributes just hours after the king of pop was pronounced dead on Thursday, June 25 in Los Angeles.

CBS is moving forward with "The Life and Death of Michael Jackson" at 10/9c. Meanwhile NBC is saving time by combining "American Legend: Michael Jackson" and the special tribute for Farrah Fawcett who also died on the same day, during a special edition of "Dateline" at 9/8c. At the same time with NBC, ABC is going to slip its tribute for Jackson within "20/20" which is also airing Fawcett's.

While news regarding Michael Jackson's death keeps inundating the web, his family has just released a public statement to the many awaiting reporters gathering outside U.C.L.A. Medical Center, where the late singer was pronounced dead for a reported cardiac arrest. On Thursday, June 25, the same day the King of Pop passed away, his brother Jermaine Jackson faced the press, sharing with them few details surrounding Michael's death.

"My brother, the legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25, at 2:26 P.M.," Jermaine told the media shortly before 6:30 P.M. After taking deep breath, he then continued stating, "It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known."

First real look into Amelia Earhart's biopic, "Amelia", emerges for viewing pleasure through its brand new trailer. Providing an idea of how the drama movie will look like, this promotional video also presents Hilary Swank as Amelia, Richard Gere as Amelia's husband, George P. Putnam, and Ewan McGregor as Amelia's lover, Gene Vidal.

Kicked off with a shot of a muscular plane flying over a terrain, the trailer continues to expose Amelia, her dream of going to strange, faraway places, and her vision to be the first woman who flies around the world. It previews glimpses of her relationship with the two men in her life as well as the danger she faces when she lives up her dream.

More on who will be involved in the making of Adam Lambert's post-"American Idol" studio effort is revealed. And according to Entertainment Weekly, OneRepublic's vocalist Ryan Tedder whose songwriting and producing credit included Beyonce Knowles, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks will make a contribution.

A source close to Adam also stated that the 2009 Idol runner-up has tagged producer Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera, Pink, James Blunt) in an attempt to make hits. Furthermore, he is rumored getting help from Idol judge Kara DioGuardi.

Soon after the reports of Farrah Fawcett's imminent death hit the world, ABC was taking measures to air the special tribute to the late actress. "Farrah Fawcett: Her Life, Her Loves, Her Legacy" which was initially scheduled to air on Friday, June 26 is moved a day earlier to receive air time on Thursday at 10/9c.

The special documentary about the "Charlie's Angels" actress' life goes on air via Channel 7 as a special edition of "20/20". It includes interviews with people close to Farrah's life such as long-time partner Ryan O'Neal, her doctor Lawrence Piro and fellow "Angel", Jaclyn Smith.

Paula Abdul and Christina Applegate are among the first stars who give instant reaction upon learning news of Farrah Fawcett's death. Rocker Shooter Jennings, Disney teen star Miley Cyrus, and director-producer Adam Shankman are some other Hollywood famous figures who pay tributes to the late actress, who was dubbed sex symbol back in her younger years.

Applegate, who is a cancer survivor herself, tweets, "Today please donate money to a great cancer organization for research. This damn disease has taken another. We must find a cure. Farrah RIP." As for Abdul, she writes on her Twitter account, "What a wonderful, beautiful woman inside & out. Kind as can be, an amazing fighter who always kept hope in her heart. We can all learn a lot from her tremendous will to keep on fighting. God Bless You Farrah & may she finally rest in peace."

Nothing has been set in stone just yet for "300" sequel, but director Zack Snyder has indicated that he will use the same setting and technology to bring it to the big screen. "I think we would use the same technology... I don't want it to look too Star Wars-ian... Just from what [Miller] told me, it would be bigger as far as landscape and terrain," the 43-year-old told Coming Soon.

"We're going to see Athens and the Aegean and other places," Snyder further shared before adding that the sequel is likely to be made in a grander scale. "There would be an opportunity for bigger visions, though I'd hope for the same aesthetic. The tech we used for '300' was not a revolution. It's basically what the weatherman has. Look, instead of Accuweather it's Sparta... It's going to be the same way, but on crazier steroids."

Numerous Hollywood celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, Miley Cyrus, and John Mayer, are quick to react on the sudden death of Michael Jackson. They took it to their Twitter account to express their loss.

"So sad to hear about Michael Jackson. His music changed our lives. The world has lost an amazing singer and dancer. I will miss him," Ellen wrote. As for John, he tweeted, "Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ." The singer then added, "I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player." Miley, meanwhile, wrote, "michael jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings."

An artwork confirmed to be featured on the front page of Mariah Carey's new album "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" has been revealed. The picture is outed by Mariah herself on her official website and Twitter page.

The photo shows three images of Mariah wearing white dress and striking different poses. "The reason I chose to use 3 images for the cover is cos there are a lot of different emotions and stories revealed on this album. I knew...," so she said of what the pic is representing.

Farrah Fawcett has lost her battle against anal cancer. The actress passed away on Thursday, June 25 at 9:28 A.M. PST at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. where she'd been treated for more than two weeks due to complications for the particular disease. She was 62.

News of Farrah's death came hot on the heels of earlier reports that her health was worsening. She was said to have been transported to the intensive care unit of the facility. Her longtime partner, Ryan O'Neal, friend and hairdresser of 18 years, Mela Murphy, and actress friend Alana Stewart were all by her side when she passed away, it has been reported.

Prominent music figure, Michael Jackson, has passed away on Thursday, June 25. He was 50 and is survived by three children; Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

Representatives for the King of Pop haven't given immediate comment just yet on the news nor have they given specific details on the cause of his death. In the meantime, words have been circulating that he died of cardiac arrest.