Michael Jackson’s This Is It tour was ongoing when he died three months after he announced extra dates at his last public appearance. He assured fans of an extra 50-night residency at the O2 Arena in London but did not live to fulfill his promise.
With Jackson’s supporters having more entertainment to look forward to, they cheered him on with chants of “This Is It” as he left the stage. Tickets for the announced concerts were released days after the press conference, and in the usual Jackson fashion, they sold out in no time.
Michael Jackson’s last words to fans
Just before leaving the stage after informing fans of more performances, Jackson told them it would be his last show in London, adding that it was the final curtain call. The concerts were scheduled for July 2009. However, Jackson was confirmed dead on June 25, 2009.
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While Jackson’s death was pinned to the use of sedatives and propofol, his bodyguard, Bill Whitfield, recently revealed that stress may have contributed to the Pop legend’s unfortunate demise. He noted that Jackson was visibly sad and behaved differently in the months leading up to his passing.
Jackson’s health was reportedly already declining
Bill, who worked as Jackson’s personal guard for his three final years, added that the sexual abuse allegations from 1993 deeply affected the legendary singer and led to a decline in his health and social interactions. After his public trials and scrutiny, Michael’s emotional well-being was irreversibly affected, and he reportedly experienced bouts of sadness.
Regardless of his personal struggles, Jackson prioritized entertaining his fans, which Bill claims took a toll on his physical wellness. Bill believes that Jackson overworked himself while preparing for his This Is It tour, as he was trying to make a comeback to the stage after the damage to his reputation.