Michael Jackson named MTV News' Man of the Year

MTV has named Michael Jackson their 2009 News Man of the Year. The pop singer, who met an untimely fate and passed away on June 25, 2009 from cardiac arrest, has rocked the world in both life and after his death. Michael Jackson was always bigger than life and his character drew speculation and intense scrutiny. At the time of Michael’s death, he lived almost in exile, away from Neverland and away from the music that had put him in the spotlight when he was just a young child.

The announcement of his “This is It” Tour proved to be a nearly prophetic statement. Out of the blue, Michael Jackson announced that he would tour, one final time, and fans were thrilled. The news of Michael Jackson’s final tour swept the nation and tickets sold out in record speed.

The concert was not to be, however. Amidst all the scandal, rumors, innuendos, and tabloid media fare that those close to Michael said destroyed him and pushed him into a life of depending upon pain killers, Michael Jackson made world news when it was announced on June 25, 2009 that the singer had stopped breathing and had been rushed to the hospital.

The news was even more stunning as it had followed the tragic loss of Farrah Fawcett. Mourners barely had time to grieve the fallen ‘Charlie’s Angel’ star as media coverage swept the nation with word on Michael’s condition. When it was announced that he had died, no one could believe it. It was only after his death that many who had accused him of the worst of crimes took pause and asked if quite possibly, he were in fact innocent all along. On Monday, December 21, 2009, 333 pages of once classified FBI files related to the allegations of child molestation will be made public. For many of Michael’s fans, however, there is nothing in those documents that will reveal or shed light on the pop-star that they adore: Michael Jackson is innocent and always will be, despite what any one accuses, alleges, or has stated previously.

Did Michael Jackson know how much his fans adored him?

After Michael’s death, the vast amount of his charitable works received the focus and attention that had once been reserved solely for the crimes he was accused of. After his death, the reality of how much Michael Jackson had contributed to those in need, his charitable deeds, the amount of money he donated finally took center stage. Also revealed, was Michael Jackson’s pure talent. In his final film ‘This Is It’, a movie compiled from backstage footage and filming for the final tour, movie watchers worldwide recognized the sheer giftedness that Michael Jackson was. From dancing and singing to his professionalism, it was uncanny to realize that parts of filming were shot just days before he would exhaust his final breaths.

There is no question as to why MTV named Michael Jackson their News Man of the Year. He will quite possibly be remembered as the greatest pop-star that ever lived.