Where Were You When You Heard THE News? MJ Dead at 50

Posted on June 25, 2009 - 5:40pm by Cindy Okay, so myself and two other Hollywire Girls were having lunch at Tender Greens in Culver City (down the street from Sony Studios--yes, we ate very late today) when our phones started lighting up with text after text.



First text: "Do you know anyone from Michael Jackson's camp?"

Our first thoughts, "Uh, why?"

Then very quickly after that, next text from someone else: "Michael Jackson just died."

1st reaction: no way.

But 2nd reaction: the person who was asking about Michael Jackson's camp was from a very credible source--he would not be asking that without good reason.

3rd thought: this could really be true.

The 3 of us instantly go into Hollywire mode-- all on phones, calling, confirming, getting the latest down-lows and then upon confirmation, stop to look around us, literally all in shock.



We realize no one at the restaurant knows what we know right at this very moment.  Do we tell them?

We want to tell everyone.  We want to start filming people's raw reactions.  But, we have to get back to the office because we have an interview with Jessica Sierra at 4pm. So, as much as we want to start filming, we can't and we leave to go get ready for our interview.

We get back to the office and encounter some less than savory jokes about Michael Jackson & kids in heaven running for the hills.  We make sure we have something up on the site regarding MJ.  Our resident artist has Michael Jackson songs playing in the background.  And suddenly just as quickly as the hype all started, it ends.  The story is up, Jessica Sierra hasn't arrived yet, we are sitting just listening to "Beat It" & our "Hollywire Mode" of operating has dissapated.  The news truly sinks in.  We're bothered by the unempathetic jokes.  Thriller almost brings on tears.



The legend of all legends of my time has just died.  Put aside any of the rumors, lawsuits, & weirdness that perpetually surrounded this man.  Just sit back and listen to "Billy Jean"... think back to the 80s sparkled gloved posters hanging on your bedroom wall...picture Weird Al's parody of "Bad."



This icon reached a global greatness that only a very special few can or will ever achieve.  That does not deserve jokes, that deserves a tribute.

Where were you when the news sunk in?  How did it change your mood; your day, your outlook?  Your comments are our tribute to Michael.