I finally caught THIS IS IT, the film featuring Michael Jackson's last rehearsal performances, on the plane flying to Shanghai last week. In all honesty I did not particularly want to watch it (I saw it from the start more as another attempt to cash on his unexpected death) but it was the first thing to come up on the Singapore Airlines on-flight video system and before I knew it, I was hooked. Thrilled. And humbled.
Thrilled because of the quality of the performances. Considering these were rehearsals (and yes, I'm aware they probably edited it out to death), everything was truly close to perfection.
Humbled by Michael Jackson himself, focused, intense, alive but at the same time kind (during the BEAT IT rehearsal he tells his guitarist to hold the notes longer because it is 'her moment to shine'). It is often easy to forget the amount of work required to be a 'King of Pop' when all he see are sensational news headlines and hear are paparazzi gossips. But this was a reminder that nobody is able to stay on top without hard work, passion, and the most absolute dedication.
And I have to say I felt inspired by MJ, probably for the first time since I tried to mimick every steps and tricks from the Billy Jean video as a teenager.
