(11/14/02, 5 p.m. ET) -- Michael Jackson appeared in a Santa Maria, California, courtroom on Wednesday (November 13) to testify in the $20 million breach-of-contract case that promoter Marcel Avram filed against the singer. In June of 2000, Avram sued the "King Of Pop" after Jackson canceled two New Year's Eve concerts planned to coincide with the millennium celebrations.
According to Avram, Jackson signed a contract to do the two shows--one in Sydney and one in Hawaii--in addition to charity events in Seoul, South Korea, and Munich, Germany. Jackson did perform the charity shows, but the for-profit gigs never materialized. Avram claims that Jackson never gave a reason as to why the shows were canceled, even after Jackson was allegedly paid $1 million in advance for signing the contracts. Both Avram's and Jackson's camps have tried to negotiate a fair settlement, but all talks quickly stalled.
During his testimony, Jackson denied ever canceling the concerts, but rather claimed it was Avram who canceled the shows. "I remember feeling a little bit upset because I was looking forward to doing the millennium shows," Jackson told the jury, adding, "I was so excited about them that I told people in my organization that we should reach the Guinness Book Of World Records because I felt that these would be the most-watched events of all time."
Prior to taking the stand, presiding Judge Zel Canter forced the singer to remove his trademark breathing mask while testifying. During that time, a pool photographer snapped up-close and revealing pictures of the singer.
Jackson was supposed to appear in court again on Thursday (November 14), but never showed, much to the dismay of his lawyer Steve Cochran. "I don't have any information to provide. I'm sorry," Cochran told the judge.
According to Avram, Jackson signed a contract to do the two shows--one in Sydney and one in Hawaii--in addition to charity events in Seoul, South Korea, and Munich, Germany. Jackson did perform the charity shows, but the for-profit gigs never materialized. Avram claims that Jackson never gave a reason as to why the shows were canceled, even after Jackson was allegedly paid $1 million in advance for signing the contracts. Both Avram's and Jackson's camps have tried to negotiate a fair settlement, but all talks quickly stalled.
During his testimony, Jackson denied ever canceling the concerts, but rather claimed it was Avram who canceled the shows. "I remember feeling a little bit upset because I was looking forward to doing the millennium shows," Jackson told the jury, adding, "I was so excited about them that I told people in my organization that we should reach the Guinness Book Of World Records because I felt that these would be the most-watched events of all time."
Prior to taking the stand, presiding Judge Zel Canter forced the singer to remove his trademark breathing mask while testifying. During that time, a pool photographer snapped up-close and revealing pictures of the singer.
Jackson was supposed to appear in court again on Thursday (November 14), but never showed, much to the dismay of his lawyer Steve Cochran. "I don't have any information to provide. I'm sorry," Cochran told the judge.
