Chapter 449: Jackson and MTV

In Britney Spears' villa in Hollywood Hills, Charles hugged the girl on the sofa and asked about Michael Jackson.

"You mean the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards?" Britney Spears was a bit surprised.

At the end of August that year, the awards ceremony was held at New York's Radio City Music Hall. MTV called Michael Jackson beforehand and told him he had won the Artist of the Millennium Award, hoping he would attend the ceremony.

Britney Spears was the host who presented the Millennium Artist Award. After introducing, she invited Michael Jackson to the stage.

Coincidentally, it was Michael Jackson's birthday that day. The staff brought out a birthday cake with a fake Millennium Artist trophy on it.

Michael Jackson naturally assumed it was his award and started giving an acceptance speech, thanking God, his parents, and so on.

After several minutes of thanking, Britney Spears then presented the actual Millennium Artist Award to the real recipient, making Michael Jackson a laughingstock for everyone.

"I really thought Michael knew it was a joke," Britney Spears explained, "I always thought it was supposed to be a performance show put on by Michael and MTV together. Only after the ceremony, when Michael announced he wouldn't attend any MTV events, did I realize the truth.

However, Michael must have felt extremely embarrassed on stage. MTV must have told him in advance that he was the winner, otherwise, he wouldn't have given an acceptance speech the moment he appeared!"

After all, Britney had followed the organizer's instructions to invite Michael Jackson on stage without ever mentioning the winner.

To make matters worse, the next year MTV hired comedian Jack Black to exaggeratedly imitate the previous year's Michael Jackson.

Not only was the background music Michael Jackson's song, the actor was dressed like Michael Jackson from the previous year, and even the acceptance speech included words from Michael Jackson.

The impersonator moonwalked onto the stage and intentionally tripped, and the host said, "This isn't your award."

The impersonator replied, "Don't take it away from me!"

Charles hadn't paid much attention earlier, as his first MTV appearance was in the summer of 2004. After that, he met Britney Spears.

"MTV probably forgot who started the VMAs, huh?" Charles shook his head. Michael Jackson was the first person to integrate a storyline into a music video; he could be considered the founder. Thriller was the first.

Released in 1983, Thriller saw MTV establish the VMAs the next year to award Thriller.

Additionally, Thriller was the first black song played on MTV. Before that, MTV only played white artists' songs.

Michael Jackson was undeniably significant to the global development of MTV music, not only promoting black culture but also leaving an indelible mark on the history of world pop music!

Charles looked at Britney Spears in his arms and reminded her, "Remember to tell the truth in your next interview, MTV screwed up."

Britney, not one to oppose Charles, nodded, "I just got a message from the company, they say we should not attend the MTV ceremonies anymore.

Taylor Swift, Katy Perry are excellent singer-songwriters, and so is Lady Gaga! This year, including me, several female singers from Capet Records released albums, and the sales were pretty good. We're bound to win something at the VMAs. Not going will definitely have an impact."

Charles nodded, "Don't worry, the company's got your back, MTV's not a big deal. The company is also in talks with Michael Jackson to sign a record contract. Who knows, Michael Jackson might be part of Capet Records soon!"

"I hear you. I'll casually mention Michael Jackson's embarrassment during my next interview," Britney said, hugging Charles' neck.

"Charles, it's been a while since I've seen you. Let's go on a vacation to the Caribbean!"

Charles smiled, squeezing the girl, "Do you have time for a vacation? You're releasing an album and going on tour, it's almost Christmas, don't you have a lot of business activities?"

"I have time, just have my manager cancel some unnecessary events," Britney said, leaning in for a kiss.

"Let me think about it, I might be busy recently," Charles said after kissing her.

After all, this was a head-on confrontation with Viacom, and Capet had to be ready for any moves from them!

Though Britney knew some insider information and her manager had reminded her, she trusted Charles.

Then, Britney lowered her head.

"Ow," Charles shivered, "Darling, what are you doing?"

"Mmm, you're thinking, I'm working here," Britney mumbled.

Charles, leaning on the sofa, stroked her golden hair and whispered, "In a few days, let's spend three days on a Caribbean island, you need to relax!"

"Mmm... mmm," Britney mumbled in response.

...

Meanwhile, in an office on Beverly Drive, Evelyn Capet put down the phone, looking worried.

"Capet Pictures made a move; Charles' PR must fully cooperate with Capet Entertainment. I don't want to see any negative news about Charles," Evelyn told her assistant.

The assistant nodded, "Mr. Capet has great resources, with numerous partnerships with TV stations, magazines, and newspapers. Moreover, Capet Entertainment's collaboration with Google is getting closer, and they hold stakes in Twitter and are shareholders of Facebook. News about Mr. Capet won't be released easily!"

Evelyn nodded, "Make sure the artists know not to say anything they shouldn't."

Evelyn hadn't expected her son to have such a big temper, retaliating through movies, television, and music.

It was a financial crisis now. Capet Entertainment's performance couldn't compare to Viacom's. Without Gossip Girl, how would the CW's ratings fare?

Britney leading female singers to ditch MTV would also hurt the network significantly!

*****

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