MICHAEL JACKSON has brought in choreographer Kenny Ortega to direct his shows at the O2.


Popular on LondonNet


The appointment could be an attempt to deflect attention from the threat of the 50 concert residency being cancelled due to legal action, but Ortega’s reputation goes before him.

His work as a choreographer includes High School Musical, Dirty Dancing and two of Jackson’s previous tours, Dangerous and HIStory. He has already helped Jackson choose some of the main dancers for the This Is It tour, in auditions held in Los Angeles last month.

“To be invited to partner with him again is a dream come true,” said Ortega.

“Working with Michael is always a true and full partnership, he is a creative mastermind, the most significant artist and entertainer of our generation.”

Recruiting such a high profile name helps Jackson play down the attempts of AllGood Entertainment Inc. to put a block on the O2 series, which start in July.

AllGood claims to have signed a contract with Jacko’s business manager, Frank DeLeo, for Jackson to play at a family reunion gig in Texas next year, which the company says was meant to be the first of the King of Pop’s comeback efforts.

“Frank DeLeo refuses to honour our agreement and that’s why we’re filing a lawsuit by week’s end,” said Patrick Allocco of AllGood.

Jackson is no stranger to being sued and the chances are this case, like most of the others, will be sorted out of court.