This Is It debuts in Hollywood
This Is It, a cinematic tribute to Michael Jackson, debuted in Los Angeles to a star-studded red carpet world premiere at the Nokia Theater.
Celebrity guests at the unveilling of a movie that has already aroused much controversy included
Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Paula Abdul, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.
Members of Michael Jackson's family were said to be attending but not his mother, Katherine, or his three children, Prince Michael I, Paris Katherine and Prince Michael II.
Director of This Is It, Kenny Ortega (pictured) wiped tears from his eyes as he greeted guests. The film's verdict will be attributed to Ortega who has met a storm of criticism over the movie and handling of Jackson's legacy. Ortega was a longtime friend of Jackson and his choreographer for the UK 50-date tour he never undertook.
Ortega said he expected audiences would be surprised by "the intimacy".
"It's unguarded and raw and real, and Michael is there and available to us all, and lovely and kind," he said.
The film, which is a documentary drawn from 100 hours of rehearsal footage, is expected to gross $400million together with a new album, according to one estimate.
Ortega said: "We went in there to make a film for the fans. To help them understand what it was - what Michael's dream was for This Is It. So that guided us and helped us make our choices ... This is for them. This is for the fans."
