If you look solely at sales of all albums, this week Michael Jackson's special edition Thriller 25 would be lodged at #1 based on strong sales of 170,000 copies. However, a quick look at the Billboard Top 200 album chart shows Grammy-winning Amy Winehouse and her album Back to Black sitting comfortably at #2 with Michael Jackson nowhere to be seen.

The reason for this exclusion of Thriller 25 is that Billboard considers the album a catalog or oldies album, and Billboard publishes a special chart just for catalog albums. If you look at this chart, Michael Jackson is at #1 with the biggest one-week sales of a catalog album in over 10 years. Jackson's label Sony is complaining about the placement reasoning that the Top 200 chart is much more visible and likely to impact sales, but Billboard holds firm by their decision indicating they also spoke to major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy in making their decision. Sony also claims that it should be considered a new album because of the inclusion of new versions of songs featuring Akon and Fergie among others. However, past precedent shows that other albums including even more new material have been kept to the catalog chart.

Despite the controversy, it is quite an achievement for any 25 year old album to sell over 100,000 copies in one week!!!

Global response to the release of Thriller 25 reached a fever pitch across the world today, as first-week sales numbers are revealed. The Thriller 25th Anniversary release is America's #2 Top-Selling Album this week. Thriller 25 has rocketed into the Top 5 in many countries across the planet.

Outside of the US, the new edition of Michael Jackson's classic collection has hit: #1 in France and Belgium; #2 in Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland ; #3 in the UK, Denmark and New Zealand; #4 in Spain; #5 in Austria and Ireland; #6 in the Czech Republic and Italy

In order to completely reorganize MJPortal's websites and to add new languages to our news pages, we are looking for serious collaborators from all over the world. If you are really motivated to fight for and support Michael's message and future, please write to info(at)mjportal.com, providing your mobile number and a brief background about your MJ-Experience. Thank you in advance for your interest.

Michael Jackson was expected to make an appearance at the Grammy Awards ceremony last night to support the release of Thriller25. However, the King Of Pop was a no-show and executives decided to drop the Thriller Tribute. Another great opportunity missed for the King of Pop...

We have just added  all of the tracks, included in the 2008 version of Thriller, in the playlist of MJPortal radio.

Just click on RADIO (on the top banner) to start!

The deluxe edition of Thriller, realized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Michael Jackson album, is in store now!

Pop superstar Michael Jackson will appear at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, but he won't be singing at the ceremony. Jackson was rumored to be attending the Los Angeles bash to promote a 25th anniversary re-release of his album "Thriller," and organizers were eager for the star to duet on hits from the LP with various performers, including Will.I.Am, Kanye West, Akon and Fergie.

Michael, however, was reluctant to take on such a big project at short notice. A source reported the New York Post, "Michael can't go along with that. He needs more time to rehearse new versions of the songs. And everything requires new choreography." The NY Post also revealed that Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich backed down and consented for Jackson to just appear onstage.

Every month one of our members will be the lucky winner of this very special collectible hat, realized to celebrate the 6th year of MJPortal and the 25th anniversary of the Thriller album, which has sold 104 million copies worldwide!!! To take part to the contest, you just have to register to the website and cross your fingers! The delivery charges (wherever you live) will be completely up to MJPortal. By subscribing, you agree to receive our News Alerts, and that your real name may be published in the "Winner Section" in case of winnings. The contest will end on December 31st, 2008.

Epic/Legacy Recordings proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller with a newly expanded deluxe edition of the record-breaking pop album, available in the U.S. on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. The album will be available worldwide the week of February 11, 2008.

Pop culture superstar Fergie has joined an already stellar line-up of guest artists for the 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Alongside new remixes of classic Jackson tracks by musical contemporaries Kanye West, will.i.am. and Akon, Fergie has added her signature vocals to a new version of “Beat It” entitled “Beat It 2008,” produced and mixed by her fellow Black Eyed Pea will.i.am.

To celebrate the 6th year of history, MJPortal is proud to announce that a brand new website is just going to be launched!

MIchaelJacksonPortal.com is the innovative, state-of-the-art, and social oriented community that gives you the opportunity to meet fans from all over the world. Included in the services we offer: VoIP, Video Calls, Member Search, Video and Pictures Upload, Radio, Mail, Blog creation, Gaming, PostCards, and an incredible 3D City where you can walk and talk with other members in a sort of second MJ Life.

Every subscriber is given 60 days of free trial. Don't loose this chance, go on www.michaeljacksonportal.com and register your profile, NOW!

Note that this site,  including the forum and all the other services, will go on, independently from this community.

Official Press Release

In 2006, Mr. Jackson’s former advisors refinanced Neverland Valley Ranch through Fortress Investment Group, LLC. The loan matured in October, 2007. Contrary to published reports, Mr. Jackson was never in default of the loan. Mr. Jackson is in the final stages of refinance and will not lose Neverland Valley Ranch. No further comments will be made regarding this subject as it has been our long term policy not to address Mr. Jackson’s personal financial affairs.

Michael was at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to celebrate the 66th birthday of the Reverend Jesse Jackson last night. Here are the pictures...

A new version of the popular brand new pictures that are going to be published on Ebony Magazine, are now available for MJPortal's members, in the highest quality available on the net.

8 new pictures have just been added!

Just Login or Register your free account, then click on "Read More" to view them. Photos courtesy of Ebony for MJPortal.

We are very proud to announce that MJPortal has been granted an exclusive preview of some of the pictures that are going to be published on the next issue of "Ebony Magazine".

The magazine will hit newsstands on November 12th, 2007, but you should be able to get a copy of the newspaper also on ebonyjet.com. Click on "Read More" to view the pictures and a piece of the long interview to the King of Pop! Thank so much Ebony Magazine!

Hundreds of fans all around the world have already chosen our radio! All the best pop music of the last decades concentrated in one unique space. Featuring Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jackson 5, 3T, Beyoncè, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Shakira, George Michael, Kylie Monogue, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Tiziano Ferro, and many many more!!! Click on the banner on the right to launch Michael Jackson Portal Radio.

Michael Jackson will appear on the cover of "Ebony Magazine" to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his Thriller album, which has actually sold 104,000,000 copies globally since its realease. Michael has also released an interview to the magazine.

MJPortal will publish the pictures as soon as they are available. In the meantime, you can watch an exclusive footage of the photo shoot. Click on "Read more" to watch it.

Included in the latest release of "L'uomo Vogue", more than 20 brand new pictures of the King of Pop. Thanks to www.style.it

To my fans around the world:

I would like to thank you for the beautiful cards, photographs, messages, videos, and gifts, sent to me on my birthday. I was overwhelmed by your kindness. Your continued love and support mean so much to me. I really love and appreciate you all... from the bottom of my heart.

I've been really busy lately. Hopefully, you've all seen the results of my recent photo shoot with L'Uomo Vogue. Soon, I will be sharing exciting and surprising news with you from my other efforts.

Please know again, that I love and appreciate each and every one of you, and send to you my heartfelt thanks and warm wishes.

Sincerely, Michael Jackson

Included in the latest release of "L'uomo Vogue", more than 20 brand new pictures of the King of Pop. Thanks to www.style.it

Here are the fantastic, brand new pictures of the King of Pop, published by the Italian monthly newspaper "L'uomo Vogue". Jackson  is really doing well, and the fans got crazy seeing their idol in such a good shape. The pictures were taken last week in NYC by the famous photographer Bruce Weber. Click on "Read More"  to watch them enlarged. Thanks to www.style.it

Jackson's spokesperson and manager Raymone Bain has just released the following statement: "Wide spreading reports regarding Michael Jackson being married are not true. Documents stating otherwise are a hoax"

New York, USA: Michael Jackson took his three children, Paris, Prince and Blanket, to see "The Lion King" at the Minskoff Theatre on Sunday, September 16th.

"All of a sudden, the King of Pop appeared with his three kids - who all had wigs and baseball caps on," a journalist from the New York Post reported. Jackson was all dressed in black, wearing sun glasses, and that there were four bodyguards with the family.

Michael was in New York to pose for a cover of "L'Uomo Vogue", an Italian monthly magazine.

Michael Jackson's 1995 hit You are Not Alone was plagiarized from a song written by Belgian twins in '93, a Belgian court ruled last Monday. The court transferred rights of the song to the twin composer brothers, Eddy and Danny Van Passel, according to a report on Agence France Presse.

The judgment is only applicable in Belgium, so the Van Passels will meet difficulties in collecting royalties. You Are Not Alone debuted at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by the american singer-composer R Kelly and is included in  the "HIStory: Past, Present and Future: Book I", Jackson's album.

People Magazine has followed other publications in reporting untrue and inaccurate information about Michael Jackson and the Jackson family. Of these widely reported rumors, what has become the most troubling and heinous, is that my son, and our brother, Michael Jackson, is dependent on painkillers and alcohol.

People, and other news organizations, have quoted “sources” indicating that our family has attempted a drug intervention, and engaged in an effort to take over his business affairs, because of this alleged drug and alcohol useage.

We categorically deny ever planning, participating in, or having knowledge of any kind of intervention, whatsoever.  We strongly believe that these “sources” and others, no matter who they are, are making these defamatory, inaccurate, and untrue claims for monetary reasons. Michael Jackson, and the Jackson family, has endured years of false accusations and misrepresentations. It is time for these unfair and hurtful rumors, for profit, to end.

There have been several news reports regarding Michael Jackson that are untrue, defamatory and malicious in nature.

Mr. Jackson is not bedridden nor on any type of medications, including painkillers.  In fact, Mr. Jackson is doing very well, and conducted a meeting with his advisors yesterday, which included Former Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti, and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., among others.

Las Vegas, NV - Michael Jackson and Universal Express are pleased to announce the completion of a confidential resolution to the action disputing title to the items being auctioned at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 30 and 31, 2007, or by logging on to liveauctioneers.com.

“Mr. Jackson is satisfied with the negotiated settlement,” stated Raymone K. Bain, Jackson spokesperson,  “and is pleased that some of the proceeds from the auction
will be donated to certain charities.  As this is a confidential agreement, we will be making no further comments. ”

Universal Express Inc. has previously announced that the Jackson Family Memorabilia Auction is scheduled for May 30th and 31st at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Previewing is scheduled for 4 days before.

Universal Express and the auction house Guernsey’s have in the past few days received a hearing notice for early next week from Michael Jackson’s attorneys contesting ownership of some of the legally purchased collection.

“When the legal facts of this issue are presented we anticipate that the auction will continue as planned,” said Mr. Richard Altomare, CEO and Chairman of Universal Express.

After his last-week-trip to Japan, and during the way back to the recording studios, Michael Jackson and his entourage have stopped in London for a few days. Michael is rumored to stay there 'til next Saturday.

Click on the read more link to see the pictures of his arrival in the UK...

Excited fans got the chance to meet Michael Jackson in Tokyo on Thursday, but only those who could afford to pay $3,400)for the privilege.

Fans of the "King of Pop" screamed as he arrived by van at the venue in the Japanese capital for the event, at which he had promised to chat and take pictures with up to 300 guests, but not to sing or dance.

Michael Jackson arrived in Japan on Sunday for his second visit in recent years to host two exclusive events - a business dinner and a fan event. The King of Pop, wearing his trademark sun glasses and black leather jacket was smiling and waiving to his admirers, and was ushered by guards passed hundreds of screaming Japanese fans at Narita Airport on Sunday afternoon. Fans were carrying signs that read "We love Michael" and "Welcome to Japan."

Source: AP/YouTube/MJPortal

Over the years, as Michael Jackson has performed in cities around the world, he has been pleased, honored, and impressed by the large amount of fan art of him that he sees in the crowds that follow him. Seldom does Mr. Jackson’s schedule allow as much time, as he would like to meet fan artists, and more fully appreciate and enjoy their creative expressions.  And, so to say thank you to all the fans that pour their love and passion for Mr. Jackson into their creative art, Mr. Jackson is inviting fans attending the March 9th “Fan Appreciation Day” event in Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the first Michael Jackson Fan Art Contest.

Several unsubstantiated rumors have been reported in the media regarding Michael Jackson, all of which are erroneous and untrue.

* Jackson is not planning a concert tour with members of his family.

* Jackson has been presented numerous proposals,proposals which he has not solicited, but were presented to him, several of which include performing in Las Vegas. He is currently reviewing and evaluating each proposal. He does not believe that he is under any time constraint for making his decisions. Therefore, reports that he has been unsuccessful in finding a Las Vegas casino for his show, resulting in his having to turn to his family are false.

A lawsuit filed against entertainer Michael Jackson and Marian Medical Center is due to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria on June 18.

The lawsuit alleges abuse of celebrity status and was filed Feb. 15 by the family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz, who was moved Feb. 15, 2005, from a two-bed trauma room at Marian so that Jackson could have the room. Jackson reportedly entered the hospital because he was suffering from flu-like symptoms during his child molestation trial.

Ruiz, 73, of Santa Maria, was on a life support after she suffered a heart attack, and died the night of Feb. 15, 2005. The June 18 court appearance is a case management conference that will be heard by Judge Rodney Melville, the same judge who presided over Jackson's 2005 child molestation trial.

Source: MJPortal / Santa Maria Times

In the latest Rolling Stones issue, new details regarding the musical cooperation between Michael Jackson and Will.i.am have emerged. According to Rolling Stones, Will.I.Am, who produced the majority of The Black Eyed Peas' albums, is working with the King of Pop to at least 8 songs of the new record, which should be released within the current year. "I'm dreaming" is the working title of one of the tracks written with Will.I.Am. John Legend, Chris Brown and DJ Whoo kid are the other mentioned potential collaborators. Jackson is actually in Las Vegas for business, and is expected to come back in the recording studios in Ireland very soon.

Michael Jackson has amicably resolved a lawsuit filed last Wednesday by a Beverly Hills pharmacy claiming the singer owed more than $100,000 for prescription drugs during the past two years, his spokesperson said Friday.

According to various sources, Jackson owed $101,926 and had made his last payment in mid-2005. "Mikey Fine Pharmacy has been paid" said Jackson's PR. A lawyer representing the pharmacy initially declined comment on the lawsuit, and did not immediately return a phone call late Friday regarding Jackson's publicist comment.

This action related to the administration of Mr. Jackson’s finances, which has been transitioned away from his former business managers. Michael filed a lawsuit against his former business managers, Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman and Sloan, LLP, on December 22 2006.

Augusta, Georgia - Michael Jackson, rarely seen in the United States since being acquitted of child molestation charges, attended the funeral of James Brown last Saturday.

Jackson praised Brown as an inspiration after being invited to the stage by Sharpton during his eulogy of "the godfather of soul." "I don't care what the media says tonight, James Brown wanted Michael Jackson with him here today," Sharpton said in a booming voice.

“I am extremely shocked and saddened by the death of my mentor and friend, James Brown.  Words cannot adequately express the love and respect that I will always have for Mr. Brown.  There has not been, and will never be another like him.  He is irreplaceable.

“I send my love and heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Washington, D.C. --- Raymone K. Bain, General Manager, releases the following statement: “Reports that Mr. Michael Jackson is seeking to sell his Neverland Valley Ranch in California on the Bravo television network’s reality show, ‘Million Dollar Listing,' are totally untrue and ludicrous and yet another malicious attempt to damage Mr. Jackson’s character and misrepresent his financial affairs.

“Mr. Jackson is NOT selling Neverland Valley Ranch.  We have said this time and time again, but rather than believe the source, there are those who consistently rely on unsubstantiated reports from unnamed sources. 

“We have not been in discussions with the Bravo Network regarding the series ‘Million Dollar Listing,’ nor do we plan to do so.”

Tokyo, Japan Pop star Michael Jackson and Broderick Morris, CEO, Positive Productions, have mutually agreed today to postpone the Tokyo Christmas Celebration, planned for December 19, 2006, at the Tokyo Studio Coast, to March 2007.

Both men agreed to the change in order to add a second separate event, a “Fan Appreciation Day,” on March 9, 2007, for Japanese fans, and fans in other parts of the world who wish to attend, noted Morris, who added that they selected the March 9th date because it is referred to in Japan as San Ku, which means, “Thank You.”

On Tuesday, December 19, 2006, Michael Jackson will be attending a Christmas celebration being held in his honor, hosted by Mr. Broderick Morris, CEO, Positive Productions Yokohama, and Mr. Daisuke Kodo, CEO, God Gate Investment.  The celebration is being given to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the release of “Thriller.”  Messrs. Morris and Kodo hosted Mr. Jackson during his May, 2006, visit to Tokyo.  The Christmas celebration will be held at Tokyo Studio Coast.

With a few thrilling bars of We Are the World, Michael Jackson made a triumphant return to the spotlight at the World Music Awards Wednesday. "There have been so many who have loved me and stood by me throughout my 42 years in the entertainment business," Jackson, 48, told screaming fans after he received a lifetime achievement award to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Thriller.

In what could be one of the biggest conspiracies in entertainment history, documents have been sent to Michael Jackson, and his representatives, which reveal a deliberate plan by some former attorneys as well as associates and advisors, to force Mr. Jackson into involuntary bankruptcy. 

Washington, D.C.   …….  In what is the first of a sweeping restructuring of his personal and business affairs, Michael Jackson has severed ties with his long-time accounts and business managers, Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman & Sloan,  with Bahrani attorneys Qays Zu’bi and Grahame Nelson, and Gut Records executive, Guy Holmes.

Mr. Jackson has previously announced plans to record an album which he predicts will be released in 2007.  His recent Japan tour was the first in what will be a line of public appearances, and he is reviewing numerous offers to tour musically, which he plans to embark upon within the next several months.

Mr. Jackson, who is currently in Ireland on personal business, plans on relocating to Europe in the near future. He is continuing to build his management team and other appointments will be forthcoming.

Source: Bain and Associates / MJPortal.com

Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr., issues the following statement regarding Mr. Michael Jackson.

“I am very disturbed by the false, erroneous, and self-serving reports about the relationship between Michael Jackson, my law partner, Susan Yu, and me.

At the conclusion of the criminal trial in Santa Maria, CA., Michael Jackson was acquitted 14 times.  The jury acquitted him of 10 felonies and 4 lesser-included misdemeanors.  Michael Jackson was completely vindicated and exonerated by these verdicts.

Shortly thereafter, Michael Jackson, and his beautiful children, moved to the Middle East.  Attorney Susan Yu and I were asked to help him during this difficult period of transition.  Michael and his children were exhausted by the terrible, unjust prosecution, and needed to start a new chapter in their lives.

Because Michael Jackson was our client, and is our friend, Attorney Susan Yu and I agreed to help him, and his family, during this time of transition. For approximately seven months, we assisted Michael Jackson in this effort.

We never intended to assume these obligations on a permanent basis.  For example, my love is Criminal defense.  I will be in trial in the State of Alabama during April and June, in two Capital murder cases, in which I am representing the client free of charge.  I am also assisting in the development of a free legal clinic for the poor at a prominent African American church in Los Angeles.  Attorney Susan Yu has other clients that she needs to attend to as well.

We are still in communications with Michael Jackson, and his assistants, and remain close friends.  Mr. Jackson completely understands the situation and is grateful to us for helping him with the transition.  The speculation that surrounds this situation is nothing but shallow tabloid reporting.

People should leave Mr. Jackson and his family alone.”

Police have had to throw up barricades around a suburban Hamburg home to keep the fans and the curious at bay since singer Michael Jackson, 47, arrived to spend a few days with friends. Police confirmed a report in the mass-circulation daily Bild that the US star was staying at the home in a quiet, green, northern section of the city. Bild said he was visiting a man he had known since a 1995 television appearance in Germany. Two of Jackson's three children, Prince, 8, and Paris, 7, had joined him on the trip, arriving by air on Thursday morning. Bild quoted a woman friend of the host family who had disclosed a previous Jackson visit to Hamburg saying that the children and their father had played hide-and-seek and romped through the house, which has a snow-covered garden.

Jackson also stayed with the family in 1997, sleeping in the spare room, going for a stroll on the bank of Hamburg's Elbe seaway and to a movie theatre. Many Hamburg people saw him, but most acted bored, because it breaches German manners to stare at or accost strangers.

Police did not disclose how long he was staying this time, but said barricades were put up to stop fans walking onto the property.

Bild reported that further flights were booked in Jackson's name to Munich, Venice and Paris, with a reservation back to his Bahrain base on February 10.

After his acquittal on Californian charges of child molesting, Jackson moved to the Gulf to live in greater seclusion.

dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Thank you for your cards, your letters, your love, and your support. I love you all!

Sincerely,
Michael Jackson"

Source: Raymone Bain

The singer is doing an "Elvis".

Michael Jackson is set to re-release 20 of his UK singles early next year.

Following a similar move when 18 Elvis Presely singles were reissued last year, Jackson will release a single a week starting with 'Thriller' and 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' on January 23.

'Thriller' will feature a collector's box and will not be eligible for the chart, though all the other releases will be.

The re-reissues will be the first Dualdisc releases, featuring audio on one side and a video on the other, BBC News reports.

The likes of 'Beat It' and 'Billie Jean' will be included in the series of consecutive re-issues, which concludes with 'Blood On The Dancefloor' on May 29.

Michael Jackson has slammed a newspaper report claiming he has been obtaining prescription drugs illegally. The Sun newspaper also reported traces of cocaine were found on Jackson's underwear during a police raid and his former aides allege the singer is taking up to 40 pills a day. Santa Barbara’s notorius D.A. Dhomas Sneddon is still obsessed to bringing Jackson down, after failing twice to convict him on child sex charges.  A new single is coming out, and the blood-thirsty attorney is still concentrating his... efforts... to nail Michael. According to Sneddon, Jackson is suspected of transporting drugs from California to Bahrain, where he currently lives, and obtaining them with fake prescriptions. The investigation centres around a huge stash of prescription drugs seized when police probing the child sex claims raided Jacko’s Neverland ranch in 2003.

Sneddon is considering whether he can get Michael on charges of conspiracy to export a controlled substance and prescription drug abuse. He hopes to put together a case and file it in the next months.

In response to the claims, Jackson'