MJ-UPBEAT
December 25, 2006
Michael Jackson COMES BACKO
ENDS EXILE HOPING TO LAND VEGAS ACT
By BOB SHEMELIGIAN in Las Vegas and PAULA FROELICH and DAVID K. LI in New York
December 25, 2006 -- Michael Jackson has ended his self-imposed U.S. exile - landing in Las Vegas over the weekend with hopes of revitalizing his dormant music career, sources told The Post.
Jackson sparked a mini-riot yesterday when he went shopping at the posh stores of Caesars Palace.
Hundreds of tourists crowded Jackson - who was wearing dark pants, a white shirt and a black leather jacket - and three hotel security guards.
He spent only 15 minutes window shopping at a Sony store, before ducking out a back door.
"He's amazing. His moves, his music. He's unique. He's a legend," gushed Los Angeles resident Natalie Natalynorohian, 28.
Another 28-year-old tourist from L.A., Cathy Bamshad, said she's admired Jackson since she was a little girl.
"When I was a child, I had Michael Jackson posters, Michael Jackson sweaters, everything was about MJ," she said.
Jackson, 48, hasn't been seen in the United States since he moon-walked out of a California courthouse in June 2005 after being acquitted of kiddie-sex charges.
"Yes, he's here, and yes, we're working on projects. But we're not willing to disclose anything," said Sin City businessman and Jackson pal Jack Wishna.
Almost immediately after the verdict, Jackson and his kids - sons Prince Michael I, 9, and Prince Michael II, 4, and daughter Paris, 8 - headed overseas.
They had been living as guests of rich pals in Bahrain, Ireland and other countries.
Jackson and his children touched down in Las Vegas on Saturday night, Wishna said.
The Gloved One's publicist declined to discuss the singer's whereabouts and denied Jackson has ties to Wishna.
"They don't know each other, and they're not friends," said spokeswoman Raymone Bain.
The singer has several personal links to Las Vegas. One of his sisters, Maureen "Rebbie" Jackson, has been a longtime Vegas resident, while father Joe Jackson owns property and lives there most of the year.
Veteran Vegas show producer Jeff Beacher said Sin City is Jackson's best shot at jump-starting a dead career.
"Vegas is about wild and weird and crazy. If Michael Jackson is going to come back, this could be the place to do it," Beacher said.
While Wishna declined to detail any projects Jackson has in mind, sources said the fallen star is looking to score a long-term hotel showroom deal à la Celine Dion and Elton John.
Jackson has no known offers on the table and is in Vegas with hat in hand, looking to generate any buzz he can, insiders said.
Even though Jackson hasn't had a hit in decades, Wishna said his pal would still draw fans.
"I believe America likes a comeback story," said Wishna.
Thank you to Gail Feleix for alerting us to this information