CliffClavin
08-06-2004, 04:58 PM
Today, when one hears of Michael Jackson it is too often associated with weirdness - overdone plastic surgery, pet chimps, dangling babies, extravagant spending sprees and lurid accusations, supermarket newspaper speculation and charges of child molestation.
For decades one of the top sources for tabloid headlines, Michael Jackson's eccentricities and the public's seemingly endless fascination with him and everything about him have eclipsed the fact that two decades ago this son of a steelworker was unquestionably the biggest pop star of his time. Possessing an amazing ability to excite and mesmerize crowds with his talent, he was beloved by millions of adoring fans. Michael Jackson at the height of his musical career was as big as the Beatles and had as great an impact upon pop music and culture in the 80s as the British rock band did during the 60s. We have seen nothing like him since.
On September 13, 2004, Jackson's trial will begin as he faces charges of lewd acts on a young boy as well as child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment. Indicted by a Santa Barbara County grand jury in April, Jackson has pleaded innocent to all charges.
With so much focus on the Jackson's present situation, it is easy to forget the past. Who he was, the paths he chose, the impact he made on pop culture and what was behind the man who became so powerful an icon to generations of fans.
VH1, Blueprint Entertainment and Nomadic Pictures present Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story directed by Allan Moyle from a script by Claudia Salter. The film stars Flex Alexander as Michael Jackson. Also featured in the cast are Eugene Clark, Peter Onorati, Amy Sloan, Krista Rae, Fred Tucker and Patricia Idlette. The television movie is executive produced by Jon Katzman, John Morayniss and Joey Plager and produced by Mike Frislev and Chad Oakes.
(and yes it will cover The Jackson 5 to where he is now)
About Flex Alexander:
Flex Alexander was born and raised on the tough streets of the Bronx. For his first professional performance, he was paid $50 to breakdance at a Bar Mitzvah. Alexander loved to perform in front of an audience and decided to work as diligently as possible to become a performer. He became a dancer and choreographer with the rap trio sensation Salt N' Pepa. After appearing on such programs as the "Arsenio Hall Show" and touring with the group, Alexander became an assistant choreographer for the Warner Bros. Feature "New Jack City." He also continued to dance and choreograph with such recording stars as Queen Latifah, Toni Tony Tone, Heavy D and the Boys and Mary J. Blige, among others.
On television, Alexander appeared in the hit FOX series, "New York Undercover," and made his television debut on ABC's "Where I Live." He was also seen in both "Santa and Pete," which paired Alexander with James Earl Jones and Hume Cronyn, and the Stephen Bochco-produced drama, "Total Security." He also starred as Tyberious Walker on the UPN sitcom "Homeboys in Outer Space." Although "Homeboys" ran for only one season, Alexander proved that he could carry a sitcom with his charismatic personality and his irresistible good looks.
Alexander currently executive produces and stars in the hugely successful "One on One" for UPN. In the sitcom, he stars as a single parent whose life as a swinging sportscaster finds him having to play full-time dad to his 16 year-old daughter. His performance has earned him two NAACP Image Award nominations for lead actor in a comedy. In its second season, "One on One", was the number one rated show on UPN's Monday night primetime block as well as the number one show in African-American households.
Alexander is not foreign to the world of feature films. He recently wrapped the independent feature "Gas", produced by Ralph Farquhar and Claude Brooks. He co-starred in "Out Cold" for Spyglass Entertainment. Furthermore, he appeared opposite Harvey Keitel in the critically acclaimed "City of Industry," and co-starred with Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison in Disney's "The Sixth Man. "
Besides television, movies and dance, Alexander also enjoyed a successful stand-up comedy career. He has performed everywhere from the Uptown Comedy Club (a notoriously challenging club in Manhattan) to Stand Up New York, The Improv, Laugh Factory, Showtime at the Apollo, The Comic Strip and numerous comedy clubs and universities around the country, before turning his attention to acting.
Alexander attended the esteemed High School of Art and Design, majoring in Architecture, and loves to draw in his spare time. He currently resides in Los Angeles with wife, R & B artist Shanice and their two children, daughter Imani and son Elijah.
For decades one of the top sources for tabloid headlines, Michael Jackson's eccentricities and the public's seemingly endless fascination with him and everything about him have eclipsed the fact that two decades ago this son of a steelworker was unquestionably the biggest pop star of his time. Possessing an amazing ability to excite and mesmerize crowds with his talent, he was beloved by millions of adoring fans. Michael Jackson at the height of his musical career was as big as the Beatles and had as great an impact upon pop music and culture in the 80s as the British rock band did during the 60s. We have seen nothing like him since.
On September 13, 2004, Jackson's trial will begin as he faces charges of lewd acts on a young boy as well as child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment. Indicted by a Santa Barbara County grand jury in April, Jackson has pleaded innocent to all charges.
With so much focus on the Jackson's present situation, it is easy to forget the past. Who he was, the paths he chose, the impact he made on pop culture and what was behind the man who became so powerful an icon to generations of fans.
VH1, Blueprint Entertainment and Nomadic Pictures present Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story directed by Allan Moyle from a script by Claudia Salter. The film stars Flex Alexander as Michael Jackson. Also featured in the cast are Eugene Clark, Peter Onorati, Amy Sloan, Krista Rae, Fred Tucker and Patricia Idlette. The television movie is executive produced by Jon Katzman, John Morayniss and Joey Plager and produced by Mike Frislev and Chad Oakes.
(and yes it will cover The Jackson 5 to where he is now)
About Flex Alexander:
Flex Alexander was born and raised on the tough streets of the Bronx. For his first professional performance, he was paid $50 to breakdance at a Bar Mitzvah. Alexander loved to perform in front of an audience and decided to work as diligently as possible to become a performer. He became a dancer and choreographer with the rap trio sensation Salt N' Pepa. After appearing on such programs as the "Arsenio Hall Show" and touring with the group, Alexander became an assistant choreographer for the Warner Bros. Feature "New Jack City." He also continued to dance and choreograph with such recording stars as Queen Latifah, Toni Tony Tone, Heavy D and the Boys and Mary J. Blige, among others.
On television, Alexander appeared in the hit FOX series, "New York Undercover," and made his television debut on ABC's "Where I Live." He was also seen in both "Santa and Pete," which paired Alexander with James Earl Jones and Hume Cronyn, and the Stephen Bochco-produced drama, "Total Security." He also starred as Tyberious Walker on the UPN sitcom "Homeboys in Outer Space." Although "Homeboys" ran for only one season, Alexander proved that he could carry a sitcom with his charismatic personality and his irresistible good looks.
Alexander currently executive produces and stars in the hugely successful "One on One" for UPN. In the sitcom, he stars as a single parent whose life as a swinging sportscaster finds him having to play full-time dad to his 16 year-old daughter. His performance has earned him two NAACP Image Award nominations for lead actor in a comedy. In its second season, "One on One", was the number one rated show on UPN's Monday night primetime block as well as the number one show in African-American households.
Alexander is not foreign to the world of feature films. He recently wrapped the independent feature "Gas", produced by Ralph Farquhar and Claude Brooks. He co-starred in "Out Cold" for Spyglass Entertainment. Furthermore, he appeared opposite Harvey Keitel in the critically acclaimed "City of Industry," and co-starred with Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison in Disney's "The Sixth Man. "
Besides television, movies and dance, Alexander also enjoyed a successful stand-up comedy career. He has performed everywhere from the Uptown Comedy Club (a notoriously challenging club in Manhattan) to Stand Up New York, The Improv, Laugh Factory, Showtime at the Apollo, The Comic Strip and numerous comedy clubs and universities around the country, before turning his attention to acting.
Alexander attended the esteemed High School of Art and Design, majoring in Architecture, and loves to draw in his spare time. He currently resides in Los Angeles with wife, R & B artist Shanice and their two children, daughter Imani and son Elijah.