Wacko Jacko is under fire after the European wing of PETA threw an ethical bomb at his 50-date O2 extravaganza.
His extensive residence at London’s O2 Arena, starting July 8th, is reported to be ‘jungle-themed’ and will feature an African elephant, processions of panthers, parrots, wild birds and Masai warriors… but thankfully, no children are involved.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals choked on their tofu salads when they caught wind of Jacko’s plans and responded immediately with pleading letters, bags of flour and a resurrected report of the star’s sordid past with the animal kingdom.
“These animals belong in Africa, not the O2 Arena among screaming fans, bright lights and stage explosions,” said PETA in a statement to NME.com. “They are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them when they are forced to perform under stressful conditions. Michael needs to learn to leave exotic animals alone.”
The onslaught continued as PETA reiterated their 2008 investigation of the animal outcasts from Neverland Ranch, the star’s former residence. The organisation tracked the private sale of four Jackson giraffes to a couple in Arizona who planned to open a zoo. According to their findings, the animals had been kept in ‘temporary’ enclosures measuring 15 by 15 feet, while one, named Princess, had bled for five days after giving birth to a stillborn calf. Other members of Jacko’s animal family such as Bubbles the Monkey, were reported to have been sold off to animal trainers in Hollywood.
In a letter published yesterday, PETA’s UK director, Robbie LeBlanc, urged the CEO of entertainment giant AEG Europe to prohibit the use of wild animals at Jackson’s concert. Detailed examples were given on the King of Pop’s flagrant disregard for animal welfare, cruel training methods involving bull hooks and electric prods plus a reference to US show Siegfried & Roy where one of the hosts was mauled by a tiger in Las Vegas, 2003. He wrote:
“The plan to use animals in his concerts would be blatantly cruel and potentially, a disaster waiting to happen. The fact that Jackson’s shows sold out instantly is proof that all the star needs to do to thrill his fans is simply show up.”
The prospect of an already hideous O2 arena being fashioned after the sick and narcissist fantasies of Michael Jackson is poisonous food for thought. Despite PETA’s well-earned reputation as feminine vegan fascists, one tends to agree with them when confronted by Jackson’s general history as an abuser of animals and other life-forms. 1,200 speakers, stage lights and 20,000 screaming fans over 50 days just might be a little bit much, Michael.
Mind that your birthday doesn’t turn into the world’s most extravagant performance of Animal Farm.
[story by Alex de Moller]
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Ironlung says
i dont like it when PETA make valid points. I need to go cleanse myself.
Julian Mentat says
Just one more evidence that reality and Mr. Jackson long ago parted company.
Gilbert Wham says
The thought of Wacko getting eaten by a tiger in front of a packed arena is tittilating though, no?
J thomas says
These are unconfirmed reports.
Why must you believe all the crap that the media comes up with.
2 months ago they ssaid he was dying for crying out loud.
Learn from the media’s continual rubbish
Septic Sceptic says
Won’t PETA be pleased with themselves when it is announced that there will be no displays of live animals at the O2.
They will claim that it is all down to them, never mind that health and safety rules wouldn’t allow this to happen anyway.
All this is rumour anyway.
Let me start another rumour…
Michael Jackson is exhuming the bodies of Elvis, Jim Morrison and Sid Vicious, having them stuffed and animated and will have them moonwalk everynight of his tour.
MJ says
I hate you Michael Jackson haters!!!!!!!!!!!
MJ is the greatest entertainer ever!!!! and ppl must stop believe in everything the press say!!!! don’t you understand it’s all crap!
HT says
MJ, I dunno, the “greatest entertainer ever” title really should go to Jesus for the whole turning water into wine thing. I mean, come on, what a party trick. And you should know, using more than one exclamation mark in any given piece of text immediately disqualifies the argument contained therein. So, you know, fuck off.
JayZ says
Any body who buys this shit is full of crap themself.
Do some research and find out how much MJ has given to animal shelters.
Wake up people. This shit sells, regardless of the truth.
THE KING, has returned~!
liz says
calm down everyone, its only a rumour PETA so lets hold back until u have official confirmation that mj actually IS holding an concert/ animal circus
i for one dont think itl happen even if the reports were true-its too controversial- britney spears nearly ended her career al because she carrieda snake or two onstage- his tour organizers wont allow it and the british public would protest as its widely accepted in their culture that circuses are cruel.
none the less, i am a huge mj fan and i cant wait to see him live, i hope he puts together,id prefer if he doesnt use live animals,but il still go to the concerts of course!
ItsMe says
PETA can suck my dick. The “journalis” and editor of this article can also suck my dick.
Julian Mentat says
Dear ecstatic and illiterate fans of MJ: let’s review the tour so far, shall we?
MJ has given one performance so far: an onstage press announcement. How did it go?
He showed up 90 minutes late, that’s how it went.
MJFanSinger says
THe media are a bit desperate aren’t they?
flo says
ok so even tho i agree with PETA, it would be totally awesome if there was an elephant in the show. even if just for a second. but it would be awful for the poor animals.
and also i really hate ur bias attitude at the end of this article. MJ is awesome and ur an idiot for believing everything the media publishes.
Kay says
Isn’t a little too early for PETA to start getting furious over unconfirmed rumors? I mean do they have any proof that Michael really intends to use animals at his shows? They are going to end up looking really silly when the shows start and there is no animal in sight? Personally I think people are just making up stories about Michael simply because they really have no idea how/what he is preparing for these shows. PETA is getting way ahead of themselves for nothing!
Nate says
Bogus story. Bogus content.
As the film ‘This Is It’ clearly showed, no use of any animals was planned. Just another day, another dollar for cheap journalism though isn’t it? Make it up as you go along.
Nice work if you can get it.