Kenny Ortega testifies – Day 1

Kenny Ortega was the first witness on day 1 of the Michael Jackson manslaughter trial. Ortega talks about the times he worked with MJ including charitable events and tours. What Ortega provides is detailed information on why Michael wanted the tour, his physical and mental state and the disregard shown by Dr. Conrad Murray regarding Michael’s health. He humanized the superstar and showed motivation for the tour.

He explained they were co-creators for History and This is It tour. It was ‘fun, inspirational, creative, etc.’ From music, staging and lightening.

Michael did the choreography with the help from others. Ortega supervised but did not create them.

Between tours Orega and Jackson had a friendship. The last few years they kept in touch but it was mostly when working.

He was informed by AEG that MJ was interested in Ortega helping him on This is It. Michael then contacted him directly asking him to be involved with tour. MJ was excited and used the term ‘This is It’.

Ortega started mid-April 2009 working with MJ as co-creator and co-director. MJ was completely involved in the production as usual according to Ortega. He would see him 3-4 days a week at the beginning and then increased to 4-5 days a week when rehearsals started in Centre Stages in Burbank. Creative conversation and choreography sessions took place. Elements from other shows would be incorporated but it was a new show.

Beginning in mid-April weekly visits MJ was excited and convinced it was the time and reason to do the show. MJ said he wanted to share what he loved with his children, his fans who had been loyal to him and he believed his music applied to our world situation – use it as a platform to care for the planet and others.

Rehearsals moved eventually to the Forum and then to the Staples Centre. The children did not attend because MJ wanted them to see the show in London and would be concentrating on school.

MJ let the fans vote on what songs they wanted on the show. He had an incredible relationship with his fans and he wanted to give back.

Forum rehearsals were at the Forum during June. The production moved the week before his death to the Staples Centre.

Rehearsals with Michael would last 5-7 hours typically and would be in late afternoon to evening. This included all aspects of production not just physical rehearsal.

Ortega identified Dr. Conrad Murray and said he first met the doctor at MJ’s house early in the process – April or May. They were at the earlier stages of the tour.

Murray would come to the rehearsals only occasionally. He visited at the Forum.

In June, MJ was not showing up for rehearsals. Ortega said this was the latter part of June before going to the Staples Centre. It was the week before his death. A continued absence started to happen and Ortega was told it was due to scheduling.

On Friday, June 19th (one of the last rehearsals) MJ appeared lost and chilled and incohert. Ortega rubbed his feet, offered him food, put a heater near him. He asked to watch rehearsal and he did for awhile. It lasted around 1 hour or so. He did not seem chilled but he seemed not himself. Ortega said he had never seen him like this before.

Ortega expressed concerns with an email to Randy Phillips on Saturday, June 20th.

This email is heart wrenching as Ortega pleads for help from AEG. He sated he needs a strong therapist. No one is taking cre of him. Tonight I was feeding him, messaging his feet and that it would break MJ’s heart if the tour was pulled’.

A meeting was held at Michael’s house. Randy Phillips, Frank Dileo, Michael, Dr. Murray, and Kenny attended this meeting. Dr. Murray confronted Ortega. The doctor was upset that Ortega sent MJ home the night before. He was upset and said he should stop being an amateur doctor and phsychologist and start being a co-creator.He said it was not his choice.

Ortega said he was shocked. MJ did not appear to be physically or emotionally stable from that night. Murray was stern with Ortega. Ortega responded back the same. MJ told them that Ortega and he had decided he could not rehearse. MJ said he was ready to take the reins and wanted Ortega to stay by his side. Ortega was concerned and cared about him. They hugged and Ortega left.

Following that meeting on Saturday, June 20th the next rehearsal was Tuesday, June 23rd. Michael came on Tuesday with energy and a desire to work. He was enthusiastic.

On Wed. June 24th MJ came to rehearsal again in good shape. He was a full participant.

MJ performing The Way You Make Me Feel. The June 24th Earth Song was rehearsed.

A big illusion which transitioned MJ from one song to another. He was standing on a bed with silk flames and then he would be on a cherry picker.

MJ loved magic and he was excited that the apparatis on Wed. June 24th, 2009. He asked Ortega to tell everyone he loved them and thank them.

The next day, Ortega went to the Staples Center to start work on the illusion. He then learned a serious issue occurred with Michael. Paul Gongoer called him twice and then told him the singer was dead.

Ortega knew everyone was getting text messages. He called everyone to the floor and the entire cast, joined in a circle and he informed them of Michael’s passing.

On cross examination, Murray’s defense lawyers asked Ortega if this meeting was held because of missed rehearsals. The lawyer tried to get Ortega to state that other meetings had been held regarding MJ’s missed rehersals.

Ortega said that the doctor was putting together a schedule for MJ to ensure the issue regarding missed rehearsals would not occur again. The schedule was being put in place to help MJ re: schedules.

Ortega admitted concern to AEG before. He expressed concern during the Forum rehersals. Ortega admitted to talking to Randy Phillips and others regarding concern MJ.

He stated he had real concern that goals could not have been met without Michael.

On June 20th the conversation with Murray. Dr. Murray was not what had occurred and at one point looked to Michael for confirmation. Clarity occurred because Ortega clarified he did not insist Michael go home the night before.

Ortega confirmed he talked to Karen Faye. He denied telling her to ‘not playcate Michael Jackson’. He said MJ told him that he would take the reings but he denied telling her ‘he read him the riot act’.

He admitted that he too wanted This is It was important to him and would impact him too if Michael Jackson did not show up. The 3D effect was Michael’s idea and was involved in all of the effects and the show.

Ortega said that MJ had talked to him about taking the show on the road and making movies. On the June 19th rehearsal MJ’s condition scared him. He admitted he suspected MJ might have been on drugs at times during the concert rehearsals.

Dr. Klein’s name was brought up.

The schedule was changed to allow Michael to have lunch with his children.

The rehearsals got more intense with more people as they moved from the Forum to the Staples Center.

There seems to be some issue as to the changing testimony of Kenny Ortega. Some say he was not as supportive as suggested on the stand. He does, however, humanize MJ during his testimony.

Let us know what you think.