OK Magazine Michael Jackson cover horrifies fans

By Zap2it

July 2, 2009 7:58 AM

The cover of OK! Weekly magazine featuring a grim photo of Michael Jackson shortly before he was declared dead is causing a stir on the Internet.

While most magazine tributes to the pop icon feature him performing or in a positive light, Media Week reports that OK! allegedly paid approximately $500,000 for exclusive rights to photos of the dying star as he was rushed to the hospital before he passed away on June 25.

The cover trumpets that these are the "last photos" of Jackson.

It's not a pleasant picture or how many fans choose to remember the King of Pop. If you are curious, you can check out this link to the OK! magazine cover.

OK!'s editorial director defends the decision to use the photo since it will set the magazine apart from the usual feel-good tributes out there.

"It's a photo that captures the surprise and the upset and the moment of this breaking news story," says Sarah Ivens. "I hope the cover will provoke readers. It celebrated the man, but it also does expose that he was an eccentric character who lived a very controversial life."

The magazine plans to use the image on the covers of many of its international editions.

One fan in the UK even put a video on YouTube titled "The sickest magazine cover ever? OK pays 'tribute' to Michael Jackson" and shows the British cover of the magazine. He then leafs through it to display the full tribute within.

Do you think OK! went too far, or is this all fair game when it comes to news and public interest? Should this be on newsstands for everyone to see?

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in Celebrities (Entertainment)

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40 Comments

That cover was scary, sad to see he faded and couldnt stay around like Madonna and Britney. Too much pressure on him.

meow | July 2, 2009 8:46 AM

That's sick. The man is dead and as he said it before, 'leave me alone'.

Have some respect.

Serene Yap | July 2, 2009 9:05 AM

Hope this is a wake-up call to all the other doping celebs. Michael had people around him screaming, warning him that he would wind up dead. And he turned a deaf ear. Anyone think his middle-eastern 'faith' has him perched with 2 dozen virgins right now? Didn't think so.

Jonah | July 2, 2009 9:10 AM

Look at Lindsay, she is a mess, but she a HOT mess, so some celebs can pull it off as long as they dont butcher their faces!

meow | July 2, 2009 9:14 AM

Here's a thought... I've been watching the coverage of MJ's kids since he's died. Seriously, where's the black? In fact, I never noticed it until they kept showing pictures of before and after the 'facelifts' and apparently'skin bleachings' but he's not the kid from the Jackson 5. Okay, people say there is a disease that turns black people white, but completely? Where are the patches? Any medical book will tell you that there should be patches on the chest and back. He likes to walk around with his shirt open. Maybe I'm crazy, but with this next autopsy, they should do a DNA test as well. RIP MJ.

Avatar | July 2, 2009 9:20 AM

Michael Jackson Fans Fight OK! Mag: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HelpMichaelJackson/

Abbey | July 2, 2009 9:30 AM

Michael Jackson Fans Fight OK! Mag: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HelpMichaelJackson/

Abbey | July 2, 2009 9:30 AM

He was a pedophile and drug addict. And he died a horrible death that he deserved - way overdue.

Good riddance and let his scary noseless dead face be some educational warning to would-be pedo's and addicts.

So What? | July 2, 2009 9:33 AM

That's pretty bad, but Entertainment Tonight has been showing that same picture basically every night for the past week.

Aaron | July 2, 2009 9:34 AM

Thats not way to talk about the King of Pop.

meow | July 2, 2009 9:42 AM