Good evening.

Thank you to everyone here in the global fashion community who have done so much to help amfAR and to support HIV AIDS research.

When this terrible pandemic began, everyone who was infected, died of AIDS. Today, with your help, millions of people are living with HIV. Even with new and very expensive treatments, as well as a possible vaccine of hope, we still heartbreakingly lose 5,000 lives to AIDS every day.

Your support is critical to amfAR's important research efforts to bring prevention, treatment, and a cure to those in need. We are all so grateful that you are opening your hearts and together we can realize our dream of a world without AIDS.

Please enjoy this very special evening. Please keep fighting... This battle needs us all to be brave warriors.

Thank you and God bless you.

Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:03pm EDT

MTV to Premiere 'The Making Of Janet Jackson's Video Music Award Tribute Performance' on Saturday, September 19 at 12:30PM ET/PT
Janet Gives Fans an Intimate Look Behind the Performance of a Lifetime

NEW YORK, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV gives fans an all access look into everything that went into Janet Jackson's 2009 Video Music Awards tribute to her brother Michael as the network premieres "The Making Of Janet Jackson's Video Music Award Tribute Performance" on Saturday, September 19 at 12:30PM
ET/PT.

To honor her brother and his illustrious career, Janet, along with her creative director, Gil Duldulao, handpicked a team of the world's most renowned choreographers, all of whom took time away from their various projects and made their way to New York City to join together for a high-energy and memorable tribute. MTV cameras were there from the first day of rehearsals in Los Angeles, CA to show day when Janet and her team of choreographers took to the stage for the performance of a lifetime, where they recreated one of the most unforgettable music videos ever, "Scream." The celebration received a standing ovation.

JANET'S RETURN: Fresh off her stunning MTV VMA tribute to brother Michael, Janet Jackson is back in the studio working with producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins on a new album, which he calls "a hybrid of the old Rhythm Nation stuff, Control, the Janet record and Velvet Rope," according to MTV News, which claims the album could be released early next year. Meanwhile, look for Interscope Records to release a Janet greatest hits album, which will include all her old A&M hits (which they own) as well as songs licensed from her Virgin albums when she was signed to EMI. Wonderers are wondering if the current track, "Make Me," currently streaming on her website here, will be part of the release. (9/16p)

Janet Jackson dropped her first single 'Make Me,' off her upcoming album, '#1's' -- a two CD set comprised of 30 global number-one hits. The album is set to release on Nov. 17, but you can listen to the disco-sounding single (which references lyrics from Michael Jackson's 1979 hit 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough') on AOL Radio's New Pop First station.

"It's about dancing," Jerkins said. "It's all about her. It's about [saying], 'Listen, if you really want to get with me, you gotta make me feel a certain way.' "

Jerkins, who produced several tracks on Janet's 2008 album, Discipline, said he and Ms. Jackson have a lot more songs to come.

"I'm working heavily with Janet," Jerkins said, adding that her new album will have a throwback feel. "We've been in the studio for the last month. We've been getting it in. We're going back to basics and fundamental sounds of Janet. We're trying to target her fans [by making] the records that her fans will embrace. A lot of uptempo stuff makes you feel good. There's so many different colors of Janet. I'm a fan, I've always been a fan of Janet. The Rhythm Nation, the Control, the Janet. record ... those make you feel a certain way. It's been fun. I'm excited about it."

Michael Jackson VMA Tribute Will Include Top Choreographers

Wade Robson, Cris Judd and more will take the stage for a dance tribute to the late King of Pop.

By Eric Ditzian
Sep 11 2009 9:14 PM EDT

Since he won his first Moonmen at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, Michael Jackson has graced MTV's biggest stage time and time again with his eye-poppingly inventive dance moves - kicks, spins and moonwalks that continue to influence the world of contemporary dance. Though MJ's gone, the music industry's biggest choreographers have not forgotten the King of Pop's impact on their craft.

That's why some of the hottest names in choreography from the last 15 years will be joining the tribute to Michael Jackson that will kick off the VMAs on Sunday.

The creative director for the tribute is Gil Duldulao. Joining him as dancers will be choreographers Dave Scott, Cris Judd, Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio, Travis Payne, Jeri Slaughter, Laurie Ann Gibson, Mia Michaels and Tina Landon.

Some of these people you may have heard of before, but you've most definitely seen the way they've made the feet move of the biggest names in music: Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Usher, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga - they've all worked alongside these choreographers.

And these choreographers have all been heavily influenced by MJ over the years - they've even contributed moves to the King of Pop's own routines. The VMA tribute gives these talented men and women a chance to honor Jackson's body of work, to connect past generations of dancers to future ones and, of course, to bring some high-energy toe-tapping to the 2009 show.

The list of their career collaborators is a long and impressively dizzying one. Duldulao is Janet's close creative partner who's also come up with moves for Aguilera, Spears and Lopez. Today's pop-culture universe has opened up vast new opportunities on the big and small screen, a development Scott has taken full advantage of with his work on movies like "Stomp the Yard" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Although probably best known as J. Lo's onetime hubby, Judd is a pop force in his own right, having performed with 'NSYNC and Celine Dion.

Who doesn't remember Christopher Walken's turn in Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" video? Well, if you dug it - and how could you not? - you're already a fan of Friedman, as he was Walken's double for the shoot. He's also boogied with Prince, Spears and 'NSYNC. You want Grammy nominations? Emmy wins? Look to Robson, a vet of "SYTYCD" who's also worked with Spears and 'NSNYC. Another "SYTYCD" contributor - a guest judge, in fact - is Diorio. He's also found time to work with Paula Abdul and J. Lo.

Payne knows MJ's style well, and he's partly responsible for it: The guy created some of the choreography for the pop star's HIStory tour in the '90s. Gibson has jammed with Lady Gaga, Danity Kane and Jordin Sparks, while Michaels has danced with the likes of Madonna, Prince and Celine Dion. Landon's impressive credits include work with Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin and Abdul. And Slaughter is just plain ridiculous: Aguilera, J. Lo, Mariah Carey, Spice Girls, Leona Lewis, Cher and more.

Check it all out on Sunday at 9 p.m. when the VMAs get an unforgettable jolt from this all-star Michael Jackson tribute.

Gil Duldulao and Jackson are behind the show's concept; Jackson, Duldulao, Broome, Kenneth Crear and Johnny Wright are all exec prodcers.

"This is not something that just came together - we've been in talks with [Janet] for a while," MTV general manager Stephen Friedman told The News. "We felt there was no one better than Janet to anchor it and send a really powerful message.

"She's working with well-known choreographers who've all worked with Michael, as well as the dancers who were going to be on Michael's tour," added Friedman. "In a sense, she's carrying on her brother's legacy."

The Awards will also feature the official trailer from Michael Jackson's "This Is It" film, with behind-the-scenes clips of the performer prepping for the tour.

Janet Jackson Opens Up About Losing Michael
Brotherly Love: The Pop Star Talks About Growing Up With the King of Pop
By LISA FLETCHER

Sept. 9, 2009

There had always been a powerful bond between Janet Jackson and her brother, Michael.

Perhaps this is why she says she hasn't watched television or read a newspaper in the two months since her brother's sudden death.

"I'd, I'd just like to say that to you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family," the pop star told Harpers Bazaar. "And he will forever live in all of our hearts."

In her first interview since his death, she opens up about her relationship with Michael and their last day together, and how she's coped by immersing herself in a new album and book.

The Michael Jackson Only She Knew

As a 14-year-old, it was Janet's job to take care of her superstar brother. "I would shop for him. I washed his clothes and cleaned his room. When mother would go out of town, she'd say, 'I'm leaving you in charge. Take care of Michael.'"

She knew early on that her brother loved clothes that stood out. For the 25th Anniversary of Motown special, Michael grabbed his famous sparkly black jacket from his mother's closet.

"If it was shiny, if it had any kind of bling, he loved it," Janet said.

Except for his shoes. He danced them down to the soles.

"He would wear his shoes all the way down," remembered Janet. "His penny loafers would have huge holes in the bottom."

She recalls the joy of making the 1995 music video "Scream" with her brother. "We had so much fun back then. We would organize our days together."

She also fondly remembers the last time she saw Michael -- a month before his death.

"The last time we were together, he'd laugh so hard, he'd just start crying."

In 2002, Janet told Diane Sawyer how important her brothers were to her.

"I was close to my brothers growing up, and I missed them a great deal when they would go out on tour," she recalls.

She admits that she used binge eating as a way to cope with the pain of their absence.

"I can be an emotional eater," she says. "Of late, I have been doing that, yes. It started when I was very little. My brothers were gone on tour a lot, and I would miss them so much."

Moving On as a Family

Jackson says that they are going through the ordeal of her brother's death as a family.

She's especially proud of Michael's children, Blanket, Prince Michael and, especially, Paris. She said that people have told her that the way that Michael's daughter spoke at his memorial really gave them a sense of how he was as a father.

She says the kids are doing well. "They're with their cousins," she says. "That family love will keep them going."

Janet Jackson To Pay Tribute To Michael At The VMAs
Janet will help kick off the awards show, which airs live Sunday at 9 p.m.

By Eric Ditzian
Sep 8 2009 6:49 PM EDT

Michael Jackson has contributed some of the most unforgettable moments in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards. In 1984, he won a handful of Moonmen for his "Thriller" video. A decade later, he shared a famous kiss with wife Lisa Marie Presley onstage. The list of epic performances and remarkable pop-culture moments goes on and on.

Following Jackson's sudden death in June, his sister Janet will return to the VMA stage to pay musical tribute to her brother. On Sunday, Janet - who has won nine VMAs - will make a special appearance at the VMAs to help open the show and honor MJ's career. Previous reports noting that choreographer Frank Gaston is involved are erroneous.

Airing live Sunday at 9 p.m., the Russell Brand-hosted VMAs will pit Lady Gaga against Beyonce, as each pop star has nabbed nine nominations, including nods for Video of the Year and Best Female Video. Britney Spears has garnered seven nominations for her "Womanizer" and "Circus" clips in categories like Video of the Year and Best Pop Video. Kanye West, Eminem and Coldplay received four nominations each.

Performers include Beyonce, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Pink, Taylor Swift and Muse. Among the evening's presenters are Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado, Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, Ne-Yo and Miranda Cosgrove.

"Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner will also appear on the show to debut an exclusive expanded trailer for "New Moon," the second film in the vampire saga.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards will take place this Sunday, September 13, at 9 p.m. ET. Stay tuned all week long for news on additional performers and celebrity presenters.

Subject: WADE ROBSON TO PERFORM WITH JANET JACKSON

Body: WADE ROBSON, MIA MICHAELS, BRIAN FRIEDMAN, CRIS JUDD, TRAVIS PAYNE, TINA LANDON, DAVE SCOTT, TYCE DIORIO, JERRY SLAUGHTER, LAURIE ANN GIBSON & GIL DULDULAO ARE PERFORMING WITH JANET JACKSON ON THE MTV VMA AWARDS ON SEPTEMBER 13TH IN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON.

Janet Jackson -- If the Glove Fits
Posted Sep 8th 2009 1:45AM by TMZ Staff

Janet Jackson has been busting her butt rehearsing for a Michael Jackson tribute at the MTV Video Awards this weekend -- and it promises to be a nipple-free affair. We think.

Ms. Jackson is set to put on a huge MJ-honoring performance featuring 20 backup dancers -- which is being put together by some of the best choreographers in the world, including Frank Gatson and Travis Payne.

According to Kryiss Grant, one of the dancers involved (who was also an usher at MJ's burial), some rehearsals have lasted 15 hours a day.

Once Janet is finished honoring her brother, Grant tells us "there won't be a dry eye in the house."

7,010,000, "janet." (1993)
3,229,000, "The Velvet Rope" (1997)
3,107,000, "All for You" (2001)
2,422,000, "Design of a Decade 1986/1996" (1995)
1,377,000, "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" (1989)
1,002,000, "Damita Jo" (2004)
655,000, "20 Y.O." (2006)
496,000, "Control" (1986)
446,000, "Discipline" (2008)