Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

Thursday, 8 March 2007, 17:06 GMT

Jackson fans meet idol for £1,800

Michael Jackson Singer Michael Jackson has greeted fans in Japan who paid up to $3,500 (£1,800) for a brief meeting with their idol.

The 48-year-old arrived late for the event in Tokyo, did not perform and sat away from fans during a musical show.

Carlo Riley, who flew from the US to meet the star, told the Reuters news agency: "I'll pay it again".

Jackson visited Japan after being cleared of child molestation charges in 2005, calling it "one of my favourite places in the entire world".

'Very gentle'

At the "platinum VIP party", which reportedly made $1 million (£518,000) from ticket sales, the musician briefly posed for photographs with each of his fans.

Fans who were unable to find the cost of a ticket waited outside the venue to catch a glimpse of the star.

Jackson fan Carlo Riley

"I couldn't buy a ticket because of the price, but I don't think it's too expensive. It's just that I'm a student and can't afford it now," a Japanese fan told the AFP news agency.

"He was giving out hugs and handshakes and was very gentle with me. It was very nice," said party guest Sumi Yoshimi.

"He looked really cool seeing him up this close. It was worth 400,000 yen," she added.

Jackson has not performed on stage since the World Music Awards in London last November.

He disappointed some fans by singing only a few lines of We Are The World, when it was believed he would perform a version of his hit Thriller.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Jackson greeted by Japanese fans (04 Mar 07 |  Entertainment )
Jackson in rare press interview (26 Jan 07 |  Entertainment )
Jackson puts off Tokyo appearance (17 Dec 06 |  Entertainment )
Jackson fans demand ticket refund (16 Nov 06 |  Entertainment )
Jackson disappoints at award show (16 Nov 06 |  Entertainment )
Jackson 'not singing' at awards (15 Nov 06 |  Entertainment )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Michael Jackson official website
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©