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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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10

Jackson Aide: He Took Drugs in Bid to Avoid London Shows

Singer wanted trip to hospital but overdid it

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(Newser) – A confidante of Michael Jackson says the singer may have inadvertently triggered his own death by purposely taking an overdose of prescription drugs so he'd end up in the hospital and be excused from some of his London tour dates, reports Gerald Posner of the Daily Beast. “Like a child who doesn’t want to go to school, Michael thought he could get away from his obligations if he had a ‘note from the doctor,'" says the anonymous confidante.

The scheme may be why Jackson asked his doctor to stay overnight—to help him if something went wrong. Jackson had been angry that he had to perform 50 shows, a number necessitated by his disastrous finances, though he seemed to have trouble grasping just how bad they were. He thought he could get the number of shows reduced through a "medical escape clause," writes Posner, but he "wound up accidentally overdosing instead."

Michael Jackson, in 2005.
Michael Jackson, in 2005.   (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant, file)
Fans sing and dance to the music of Michael Jackson during a tribute at Harlem's Apollo Theatre Tuesday.
Fans sing and dance to the music of Michael Jackson during a tribute at Harlem's Apollo Theatre Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Film director Spike Lee, left, speaks as Rev. Al Sharpton looks on during a tribute to Michael Jackson at Harlem's Apollo Theatre Tuesday.
Film director Spike Lee, left, speaks as Rev. Al Sharpton looks on during a tribute to Michael Jackson at Harlem's Apollo Theatre Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
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It’s also clear, based on a half-dozen sources in Jackson’s business and financial entourage, that Jackson desperately wanted out of the commitment to 50 concerts, which were to be held at London’s O2 Arena. - Gerald Posner, Daily Beast

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10 comments
VIEWING:
 
Laugh
Jun 30, 09 10:51 PM CDT
So maybe Perez wasn't that far off. Reply
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-1
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Shannonals
Jun 30, 09 11:53 PM CDT
Laugh your going off the word of Perez-Hilton, are you retarded?
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
Laugh
Jul 1, 09 12:57 AM CDT
Shannonals, sorry if I upset you. According to reports, "Hilton said he found the heart attack “dubious,” said that Jackson had pulled similar stunts before, and concluded that Jackson was either lying, or purposely making himself sick." And now Newser reports this: "...the singer may have inadvertently triggered his own death by purposely taking an overdose of prescription drugs so he'd end up in the hospital and be excused from some of his London tour dates..." and "He thought he could get the number of shows reduced through a "medical escape clause," writes Posner, but he "wound up accidentally overdosing instead."" I'm neither believing or nor doubting either source (I don't care), I am simply noting the similarities.
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+5
RobN
Jun 30, 09 11:25 PM CDT
It is a bit like when he went running off to the hospital during his trial. Maybe a little history of crying wolf when things got too overwhelming for him. Pretty sad whether it's true or not. Reply
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+8
Jojo
Jun 30, 09 11:43 PM CDT
Sureeeee.... that's why he was attending rehearsals regularly, hired a fitness trainer, made plans for his son to appear with him on stage in concert, etc.... Another creep that is probably a fan of Perez Hilton crawling out of the woodwork to plant a story. Here is the first clue: "A close Michael Jackson confidant tells The Daily Beast's..." The Daily Beast? Yes, a very close friend of Michael Jackson would be willing to talk to a blog that no one has ever heard of and make a HUGE claim like that. We can all start bah'ing now... Reply
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+6

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