Tavis Smiley, renown television host and political/social commentator, is extending his talents once again to the pen via ‘Before You Judge Me’ – an in depth look at the tragic last days of King of Pop Michael Jackson.
Released in late June, the biographical page-turner “examines Jackson’s highs and lows — including his constant hunt for privacy in a life that was more public than almost any other and the pressures he endured as someone whose fame made him socially fragile and almost unable to live.”
Now, while blazing the promo trail in support of the project, Smiley dishes with ExtraTV on his intention to turn the book into a TV series and even reflects on MJ’s reported longtime feud with fellow pop icon Prince. Details inside:
Recent reports indicated there were secret recordings of Jackson where he openly shared his disdain for the Prince – even claiming the ‘Purple Rain’ singer was ‘one of the rudest people’ he’d ever met. The video above, however, sees Smiley – longtime friend of Prince – paint a different picture of the Purple One.
“J.J. Abrams [‘Star Trek’] producer is teaming with Tavis Smiley and Warner Bros. Television to adapt the author/broadcaster’s upcoming book, Before You Judge Me: The Triumph and Tragedy of Michael Jackson’s Last Days, as TV event series. A network has not yet been set up; the studio is expected to shop it to broadcast, cable, premium cable and streaming services.
Smiley, Abrams, Ben Stephenson and David Brewington will executive produce Before You Judge Me, which will hails from Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Tavis Smiley TV & Film.”
It’s no secret that MJ and Prince didn’t much like each other on a personal level, and would have never buddied up in public like Kendrick and J. Cole do, but it seems like they secretly respected each others talent.
Actually credible people around both say they were somewhat close n of course admired eachother talent.
Michael was jealous of Prince’s talent … But, Prince was envious of Jackson’s star power & success. I don’t think Rogers liked seeing someone with far less raw musical talent being praised, having 10x the success & constantly being compared to him, Even tho he (Prince) was the far more superior talent of the two. But, like you stated, they definitely secretly deep down inside respected & loved each other.
it’s so typical that they are using the dislike they had for each other to sell this series, so sad that negativity is what sells must these days. ofcourse they respect each other even though they didn’t see eye to eye, but that would sell the dislike is what they are trying to high light on this series pff, i could do without that aspect of it.
The King Of Pop! The Prince Of Music! Michael And Prince will forever be imitated, but NEVER duplicated! OH, and s*** never left! lol #JustBeInspired
It’s sad even in death MJ, Prince and Whitney can’t never seem to get a break or respect thru just tributes without someone trying to cash out on their lives for tabloids n theories.
Agreed like they are no longer here, so why can’t they just rest in peace? Sick world.
If done respectfully I think it’s always a good thing nobody complains about the hundreds of documents about Marilyn Monroe let them be icons in death just like they were at life! And plus these dumb ass kids that act like they don’t know nothing about these legends could truly benefit from docu series like this
exactly i see agree with you, them leaches never takes a break.
Michael and Prince weren’t at all close. At best they low key and disgruntley respected each other as peers, but that was was about it. There was a lot of resentment between them, probably because people insisted on pitting them against each other. If you spend your whole career being compared to and asked about somebody else, you’d be cynical about them too.
Anything for money. Let it go . Hasn’t his kids suffered enough. Why do we need a tv series showing how bad his last few days were.
It not a good idea at all. He should leave it alone and let them rip