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10/04/2010
Last Nov. 24, Jermaine Jackson announced his support of the largest and most respected Michael Jackson tribute in the world. He asked Michael Jackson fans worldwide to join the free, ongoing tribute called The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Jermaine is now a member of the growing list of other celebrities supporting the tribute, including Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, George Lopez, Adam Lambert, Mickey Rooney, Vivica A. Fox, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and many others.
The tribute is a charitable project that has brought together nearly a quarter of a million fans in more than 165 countries. This innovative, interactive work of art is being created by LA-based celebrity artist David Ilan using a technique called pointillism — made from hand draawn dots. Fans everywhere are being invited to receive a free dot in their name by going to www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com.
Jermaine made the announcement during an inspiring event organized by the tribute, in association with May May Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali) and Torré Reese of Famli, Inc. (a nonprofit after-school enrichment/mentoring program).
Just in time for Thanksgiving, 60 students from three inner city public schools received VIP treatment as they became part of the tribute portrait and were treated to an exclusive screening of This is it, which they watched with cast members from the film, as well as Jermaine Jackson and other celebrities.
At the commencement of the event, the kids were clearly in awe as they walked down the red carpet with Jackson, Ilan, Michael Jackson’s musical director Michael Bearden, This is it vocal director Dorian Holley, guitarist Tommy Organ, drummer Jonathan Moffett, background vocalists Judith Hill and Ken Stacey, legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr., and Tatiana Yvonne, who co-starred with Jackson in The Way You Make Me Feel video.
Jermaine said, “It’s all for love,” as he invited fans worldwide to become part of his brother’s tribute portrait.
The students performed renditions of Michael Jackson’s hits in front of Jermaine Jackson, David Ilan, and the VIP guests. They listened closely to inspiring statements from Jackson, Ilan, Gossett, Jr., May May Ali, and others. Then, the lights dimmed and the students watched This is it. They cheered when they saw the stars of the movie they met just moments before.
“We see Michael’s tribute portrait as an opportunity to carry on Michael’s work. This is our mission,” said executive producer Jerry Biederman.
The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is a work in progress that requires fan participation for its completion. A dot is not drawn until someone signs up for it. The portrait will take one million dots to complete — one million fans side by side. Once completed, it will go on a world tour to promote the humanitarian causes that Jackson cared about.
To participate, go to www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com.
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