A video has surfaced on YouTube featuring Michael Jackson's friend and stylist Christian Audigier claiming that the star flew into London today and will announce his O2 residency in a press conference on Thursday.
As such, it is possible that last week's sudden silence regarding Jackson's residency was manufactured in order to create a calm before the proverbial storm, ensuring that the announcement makes a much bigger splash than it would have done if information had continued to leak steadily for another week.
Could it be that O2 and Sony were told that the announcement would be made on the wrong Thursday in order to ensure that any leaked information did not spoil the surprise?
Could rumours of Lopez's dismissal have been an elaborate exercise in misdirection?
Meanwhile, Sony BMG has today redesigned Michael Jackson's official website.
Sony sources told the Newshound that they were expecting an announcement via Jackson's official website on Thursday of last week. Could this development lend more credence to the theory that staff were told of the wrong Thursday in order to ensure leaked information did not spoil any official announcements?
More skeptical fans have said that the website, largely designed around the artwork for Jackson's 'Off The Wall' album, is merely setting up another re-release. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the album's launch. Could fans be seeing 'Off The Wall 30' released hot on the tails of 'Thriller 25'?
If so, the decision could anger some fans, who are tiring of Jackson's consistent failure to deliver on promises of new material, instead favouring a string of bland re-releases. The mood amongst the fan community will be worsened still if the re-release is announced in place of, rather than alongside, a tour.
Seemingly, all will become clear on Thursday.
Mahalo!
The Lowly Newshound
