Jackson tribute could happen in just weeks

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

The Michael Jackson tribute concert, “This Is It,” is now going to take place sooner than September, according to sources involved with the planning.

“We’d now like to do it as soon as the next couple weeks,” said one tour organizer. “The entire cast and crew has been asked to hold everything and stay in Los Angeles.”

While the date might have changed, the plan to have celebrities perform is still in place.

“Every major celebrity has been reaching out, saying they want to participate in the show,” said the source. “(Director) Kenny Ortega and (associate director and choreographer) Travis Payne have been given authorization to proceed in deciding who will take the stage.”

When the stars take the stage, some might even don the costumes intended for Jackson, who would have begun rehearsals June 29.

“The backup costumes are still in a position where they can be altered to fit other people,” the source said. “Where we can, we can execute Michael’s vision, we would like to. So where we can, we’ll use the costumes.”

Organizers also are toying with the idea of doing more than one show. “There’s been talk of two or three nights. Three might be really difficult to pull off with celebrities’ schedules, but two shows is certainly a possibility,” said the source.

Does confidentiality agreement still hold?
As reports about Michael Jackson from “close friends” surface at the same time as his inner circle lawyers up, it’s hard to know which stories are accurate.

Slideshow   Jackson and famous friends Michael Jackson mingled with everyone from world leaders to actresses during his long career. Many of them spoke out about his loss.

According to sources who worked with Jackson recently, employee confidentiality agreements prevent those who worked closely with him from divulging information about the singer.

“It stipulated you weren’t even allowed to say his name to another person who wasn’t in the room with him,” said one person familiar with the agreement. “That could be why the person who placed the 911 call said, ‘We have a gentleman here that needs help,’ and not ‘Michael Jackson needs help.’ ”

Another person who signed the agreement as recently as fall 2008 said that the agreement prevented anyone from talking about the singer posthumously, as well. “My agreement extended beyond the date of his death, should it occur,” said that source.

So why would someone who might have worked with Jackson discuss personal details of his life? It’s possible there’s a different confidentiality agreement, or it’s they’re just brave.

“There’s a question as to who will enforce it right now. The family lawyers are more concerned with getting to the bottom of his death as opposed to going after people who might be violating a confidentiality agreement,” said one family friend.

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.

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