Michael Jackson Fit, Focused in "This is It"

He certainly didn't look like a man who had only days to live. During rehearsals for his "This is It" tour, Michael Jackson sang, danced and directed those around him with the energetic intensity of a man on a mission. According to an early preview of segments of the documentary set to premiere in cities across the country on October 28th, the LA Times is reporting that the superstar's "ethereal falsetto sounds strong and clear, his movements vigorous and precise."

Although Jackson appeared to be extremely slender, the Times reported that he looked "sinewy" but he was not "painfully" thin. Michael Jackson had always been a dancer as well as a singer and according to his personal chef, Kai Chase, Jackson was preoccupied with eating only healthy food while preparing for the upcoming tour. Backup dancers Daniel Celebre and Timor Steffens commented on Jackson's high energy level and inability to stay still. Celebre called Jackson, "a true dancer, always moving." Steffens said "you'd get nervous standing next to Michael. The energy coming from him was so powerful."

Kenny Ortega, who directed Jackson on stage, referred to him as "the conductor. He was the man. He just didn't work through a show, he worked each audience differently. And the band, the dancers, the tech people, the lighting people had to be paying attention to that. He made sure everyone was in touch with that."

The first segment shown by Sony Films to the LA Times was a distillation of four different performances of Jackson's 1983 hit, "Human Nature." In the second, Jackson performs in his signature fedora in front of a New York City background to "The Way You Make Me Feel." The Times reported that an ebullient Jackson was so pleased at the end of the rehearsal that he declared, "I feel totally, totally nourished!"

The loss now seems even more profound. Jackson died, still in command of his talent, fit and enthusiastic about the future. Though that future was ticking away in days, hours and then minutes, there remains with the "This Is It" documentary, a permanent record of Michael Jackson as he was, on the brink of what could have been a triumphant return to his former glory.

Sources: LA Times
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