Latest news with #BillieJean
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The Simpsons episode that was banned 27 years after its original release
Stark Raving Dad was the first episode in season 3 of The Simpsons, but it's not as easy to watch today as the others. The episode first aired on September 19, 1991, but was banned almost 30 years later due to the appearance of a controversial guest star. In 2019, Stark Raving Dad was forbidden from airing worldwide and removed from streaming following the public resurgence of allegations of child sexual abuse against Michael Jackson, who voices a character. Credited as John Jay Smith at the time, Jackson, who died in 2009 aged 50, was the voice behind Leon Kompowski, whom Homer met in a mental institution but believed to be the King of Pop. The Thriller hitmaker was known to be a fan of the animated series, having called its creator, Matt Groening, and asking to be part of it. He pitched his own ideas and even wrote the Happy Birthday, Lisa song for his episode, as a side plot sees Bart promising his sister that he will get her the best present ever. For contractual reasons, Jackson's role was not confirmed officially until a later date, with Kipp Lennon also performing his written tune due to legal obligations with Jackson's record company. There are plenty of Jackson references throughout the episode, including soundbites of his hits Billie Jean and Ben. It was also said Jackson remained heavily involved in the production process, having requested several script changes, including that a joke about Prince was altered to one about Elvis Presley. Alas, Jackson's starring role ended up being the downfall of Stark Raving Dad. In January 2019, the documentary Leaving Neverland was released. In it, two men, now in their thirties, alleged that they had been sexually abused by Jackson at the height of his fame and when they were aged seven and 10. Director Dan Reed described the Primetime Emmy-winning doc as a 'study of the psychology of child sexual abuse, told through two ordinary families … groomed for 20 years by a pedophile masquerading as a trusted friend.' The filmmaker also said in the aftermath that he was 'not about cancelling Jackson,' but rather wanted people to know 'that he was, at times, a monster to children.' Wade Robson and James Safechuck provided graphic recounts of their alleged encounters with Jackson, which they claim took place at his home, Neverland Ranch, and elsewhere, not realising the acts were inappropriate until they were older. Many of Jackson's fans grew fiercely defensive in the wake of its release, and it actually boosted his music sales by 10%, with no mass demands for his tunes to stop being played. However, in many ways, it also tarnished his legacy, hence the decision to axe Stark Raving Dad to sever the Jackson connection. While Jackson was not alive by the time the Neverland doc was released, his estate has continued to deny claims that he abused either of the men, whom Jackson met on video shoots. Maintaining that he is innocent, the Jackson estate also previously emphasised that Robson testified that he had not been abused during the singer's 2005 criminal trial, which tried further child sexual abuse allegations. Safechuck said the same to authorities, with Jackson later acquitted. In November 2026, Robson and Safechuck will finally appear in court, with their joint suit against MJJ Productions and MJJ Venture having been revived, accusing the companies of failing to protect them. Meanwhile, a Jackson biopic is currently in the works, with the late performer's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portraying him. Having been recently pushed back, the movie will be released at some point after April 1, 2026. More Trending He also had somewhat of an involvement in other Simpsons episodes. Jackson was a big Bart fan, so he wrote Do the Bartman in a bid to give him a chart-topping hit, but he did not receive credit for it. He was also mentioned in the episode Bart Sells His Soul (1995) when Bart says: 'Milhouse, there is no such thing as a soul. It's just something parents made up to scare children, like the boogeyman or Michael Jackson.' View More » Another Jackson name-drop came in The Bart of War, released in 2003. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Desperate Housewives star Valerie Mahaffey dies aged 71 MORE: The Chase star with surprising new job away from ITV quiz show MORE: 'Elite' wrestling star quits WWE rivals days before Money In The Bank
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
BoyNextDoor breaks boundaries with 'No Genre'
With 'No Genre,' we will show that we are 'All Genre,' says BoyNextDoor After successfully wrapping up its first world tour, BoyNextDoor returned with new music. True to its name, the group's latest album, "No Genre," refuses to be confined to a single style, filled instead with infectious hooks, emotional storytelling and stylish homage to past musical legacies. At a group interview held in Mapo-gu, Seoul on Monday, six members shared their excitement and creative process behind the album. 'Since the album spans so many different genres, we wanted to show just how wide our musical spectrum is. The title is 'No Genre,' but we think of ourselves as 'all genre,'" said Jaehyun. The lead track, 'I Feel Good,' presents a punchy beat and vibrant guitar riffs, delivering a confident message about owning the stage and enjoying the moment. 'We started working on it from the beginning with the main track in mind. We wanted it to be powerful but also communicate with the audience,' said Taesan. Youngest member Woonhak, who participated in the songwriting process, added a clever twist by incorporating a familiar children's melody, 'Repeat after me,' to make the song more universally relatable. 'We always aim to create something new and challenging, but also something that connects,' he said. While the group embraces trends, they also place importance on musical references and homage. 'We have two big goals: to make music that only BoyNextDoor can make, and to create songs that people can really relate to,' said Jaehyun. 'For that, sometimes using quotes or paying homage to the past is essential.' The choreography for 'I Feel Good' includes a nod to Michael Jackson's legendary 'Billie Jean.' Leader Sungho noted that older references actually resonate quite well with young audiences as well. 'It's amazing that even younger fans like elementary and middle school students connect with these elements. We're learning a lot from how they react and engage with our music.' The group's recent world tour, "Knock on Vol. 1," proved to be a formative experience. 'We grew a lot as a team and as individuals,' Sungho said. 'We practiced every part of our past performances from scratch, and through that, we found things we had been missing. That process helped us improve everything from ad-libs to interacting with fans.' 'Concerts have a narrative. Understanding how to build and release energy during a show helped us deepen our musical approach,' added Jaehyun. When asked to define the group's musical identity, Jaehyun emphasized emotional connection. 'What we value most is what we call the 'BoyNextDoor vibe.' Straightforward lyrics, raw emotions, and the way our feelings resonate with listeners. That's what makes our music special,' he said. 'It's hard to categorize us into a single genre, and I think this album really shows that.' Looking ahead, BoyNextDoor will be taking the stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago this August. For Jaehyun, the experience holds a personal meaning. 'It's a dream stage I've wanted to visit since I was young, and now we're going as performers,' he said, adding that all the members are studying English to better communicate with fans. Woonhak closed with a bold vision for the future: 'Our goal is to make music that every generation can relate to -- and to become the voice of this generation. I think we're getting closer to that dream.' jy@
Calgary Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Beat it to the Jubilee this fall as Broadway Across Canada brings MJ along with Moulin Rouge and Mamma Mia!
Article content Broadway Across Canada's new season includes two shows still on Broadway, two old favourites, and a non-musical. Article content The new season starts in November with MJ The Musical, which is not the story of Michael Jackson's life, but rather of his Dangerous World Tour of 1992, and how it was created. It features 25 of his greatest hits, including Beat It, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal and Thriller. There are also medleys of his songs with the Jackson 5, and from his first albums. Article content Article content Article content The second show of the season, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, is still on Broadway, and it is the stage version of Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film set in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century. It swept the 2020 Tony Awards, winning 10, including best musical. Article content Back by popular demand is Mamma Mia!, which debuted in London in 1999. It is the story of a girl who doesn't know which of the three men her mother dated one summer in Greece is her father, so she invites all three to her wedding. This farcical story features the music of ABBA, and is estimated to have been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide. Article content The fourth show of the season is Clue, a comedy based on the 1985 film of the famous board game. It is a wildly funny farce and not a musical, a rarity for Broadway Across Canada. Article content The fifth show, which is an option, is the musical Les Misérables. This is the new version of the musical, which uses projections instead of the original turntable. Les Misérables, which opened in 1985, is still playing in London, making it the second-longest running musical in British theatre. Article content
Calgary Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Broadway Across Canada tour packed with big shows
Article content Broadway Across Canada's new season includes two shows still on Broadway, two old favourites, and a non-musical. Article content The new season starts in November with MJ The Musical, which is not the story of Michael Jackson's life, but rather of his Dangerous World Tour of 1992, and how it was created. It features 25 of his greatest hits, including Beat It, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal and Thriller. There are also medleys of his songs with the Jackson 5, and from his first albums. Article content Article content Article content The second show of the season, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, is still on Broadway, and it is the stage version of Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film set in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century. It swept the 2020 Tony Awards, winning 10, including best musical. Article content Back by popular demand is Mamma Mia!, which debuted in London in 1999. It is the story of a girl who doesn't know which of the three men her mother dated one summer in Greece is her father, so she invites all three to her wedding. This farcical story features the music of ABBA, and is estimated to have been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide. Article content The fourth show of the season is Clue, a comedy based on the 1985 film of the famous board game. It is a wildly funny farce and not a musical, a rarity for Broadway Across Canada. Article content The fifth show, which is an option, is the musical Les Misérables. This is the new version of the musical, which uses projections instead of the original turntable. Les Misérables, which opened in 1985, is still playing in London, making it the second-longest running musical in British theatre.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shreveport violinist QMajor triumphed over bullying, achieving success in music
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — For tens of thousands of years, music has been a driving force that connects people, particularly within the Black community. Across all genres, music has allowed the African diaspora to evolve through shared experiences continuously. Exploring the rich musical legacy of Shreveport and its connection to civil rights For many, these experiences arise from love, loss, anger, survival, and even trauma. Director and producer Ryan Coogler's latest film, 'Sinners,' demonstrates how Black people worldwide use music to maintain a connection to the past, present, and future. Just like one of the main characters in 'Sinners,' QMajor The Violinist embodies this connection, demonstrating that music is and will always be his saving grace. QMajor the Violinist, whose real name is Quinterrian White, was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. Unlike his peers, he didn't discover his love for music until later in life. As a child, QMajor often found himself in trouble, but everything changed at a young age when he stumbled upon his older cousin's violin. That moment set the course for his future. Recognizing his growing passion for music, his parents decided to support and nurture his talents. Although his journey was filled with many challenges and learning experiences, QMajor remained determined and persevered, a quality he attributes to the encouragement of his mother and father. For many parents, the idea of their child pursuing a performing art can be scary in terms of sustainability. Fortunately, the talented musician had supportive parents who encouraged him to reach his full potential. 'I always love to highlight that it pays to have a good support system. Far as your parents supporting you, friends, family. I wouldn't have been where I'm at literally without my dad and my mom. They created QMajor,' said White. For the young violinist, having his family's support was crucial in building his resilience. Although QMajor had a passion for music, he faced bullying in school, and it was the reassurance from his parents that helped him navigate those challenges and cope with his peers. He remembers sharing his experiences of being bullied with his parents, who never invalidated or dismissed his feelings. Instead, they reassured him and encouraged him to strive for greatness. While their support was helpful, the bullying still affected his ability to play confidently in front of crowds—until one day, something changed. More local news When he was young, QMajor was never fond of playing his violin in front of his peers. Whenever they asked him to play, he would always find an excuse to avoid it. However, this changed in middle school, when one of his teachers required him to perform in front of the student body. At that moment, QMajor realized he had to step outside of his comfort zone. As expected, he won over the crowd by performing Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'. It was in that moment that the multi-hyphenate artist discovered what he wanted to do with his life. From then on, his skills and talent were paired with newfound confidence. This would ultimately set the roadmap for his future, making him one of the most sought-after musicians in the area. Since performing one of Michael Jackson's hit songs in front of his peers, QMajor has consistently broken down barriers and shattered glass ceilings. Now, at age 23, this classically trained artist blends elements of pop, R&B, ambient, experimental, hip-hop, and soul into his music. His humility and love for the arts allow him to radiate whenever he picks up his instrument. His style of music and personality are also parallel, layered with deep stories. Many would consider QMajor accomplished, but he has only begun to showcase his remarkable talents, which have allowed him to perform alongside notable artists like Ginuwine and the musical duo Sons of Mystro. With a wealth of performances and experiences behind him, it's no surprise that QMajor is focused on his latest single, 'Resurgence'. This song marks a new era for him, but what does that entail, and what message does he want to share with both fans and newcomers alike? To learn more, be sure to stay tuned for the second part of the interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
