Contractual obligation has prevented Blige from performing at Michael Jackson tribute, which is planned to be held on September 26.
- Sep 11, 2009
AceShowbiz - Contrary to earlier reports, Mary J. Blige will not take the stage at the highly anticipated tribute concert for Michael Jackson, which is planned to be held at Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna on date 26 later this month. Confirming the matter is the R 'n' B singer herself who told MTV News on Thursday, September 10, she won't be able to make it to the affair due to scheduling conflict as she will have to fulfill a contractual obligation in Milan on the same day.
"There's a lot going on at the time - I'm really, really sorry that I'm not gonna be able to be there," Blige said in a statement. " 'Cause why wouldn't I want to do a tribute to Michael Jackson?"
Notwithstanding her absence from the planned tribute, Blige has no hesitation to admit that she looks up to the late King of Pop and considers him as one of her inspirations to pursue a career in music industry. She also recalls the first time she watched his "Thriller" video. "When we didn't have anything and we were in our neighborhood, we were running home cutting school to watch the 'Thriller' video on MTV," she said. "He broke barriers that day and every day since then."
Shortly after Blige uttered her confirmation, Jermaine Jackson held a press conference, during when he insisted the songbird will be at Michael tribute concert. He said Blige will fly from a previously booked engagement in Milan to Vienna in time for her performance.
During the same press conference, Jermaine also claimed Chris Brown, who has denied his involvement in the tribute concert, will still appear at the event. He said only a judge's ruling could prevent Brown, who is on probation, from appearing.
However, a representative for Brown claimed otherwise, telling reporters, "It was in the most crude, fundamental research phase as a possibility. To say it was even being considered was a stretch. He was not close to saying yes." Meanwhile, there has been no comment made by Blige's camp regarding Jermaine's statement.
Earlier-announced line-up for Michael Jackson's tribute will include the likes of Akon, Natalie Cole, US 5, and Angela Bassett just to name some.
