Spinner

NKOTB's Wahlberg Remembers Jackson as an 'Amazing Performer'

New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg, who was thrust into the limelight and idolized by millions just as Michael Jackson was, tells Spinner that what people should remember about the late pop icon is his ability to perform, not the controversy that surrounded Jackson near the end of his career.

"Michael Jackson was, without a doubt, the single most amazing performer that I've ever seen," Wahlberg tells Spinner. "As a young teenage boy with a dream -- he was beyond inspirational. The fact that his public and private life became a soap opera and a sideshow is more of a reflection of our society's misplaced priorities than it is a reflection of the type of person that he may have been. Yet despite all of that, the fact that his performances, even 25 years ago, still resonate today ... that is a true testament to his greatness."

Michael Jackson died Thursday at the age of 50.


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stephanie marie cruz

Thank you Donnie for defending Michael and what he sttod for and believed in.I pray for his children and his family.

December 04 2009 at 11:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jessica

I hope the Jackson Family gets to see that..it was so well said and heartfelt.

June 29 2009 at 2:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Goldie

There is no disputing that Michael Jackson was an amazing talent who changed the face of music forever. And for that we should all be thankful :-) I just wish that this fact wasn't overshadowing certain other facts. And that's all i'll say on that subject. Because, Donnie, i love you and i don't want to start an argument with you (or anyone else). So i'll just comment on the wonderful tribute to him during the (NKOTB) concert. It was very moving :-) And if he saw from wherever he is now, i'm sure he would have been proud :-)

June 27 2009 at 6:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shellbells48

Well said Ddub. No one understood the things Michael went through as a child or the burden he had to bare just because he was who he was. It is not for us to Judge, without him music and dance would be completely different today. RIP Michael. The king of pop and the king of soul and the king of rock and roll are all dancing above us together.

June 26 2009 at 6:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
K

My post was cut off...what I wanted to say was that MJ & J-5 did so much to facilitate the careers of groups like NKOTB. Donnie, you are a class act for what you have said! Regardless of what each of us interprets MJ's personal (and should have been private) life, I think that we can all agree that he was a brilliant, gifted artist. He was like a shooting star...he came and went too quickly. We may never see anyone as talented as MJ was in our lifetimes. RIP...

June 26 2009 at 4:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
K

"Thriller" was my first record as a kid. I went on to absolutely adore NKOTB (I still do

June 26 2009 at 4:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marissa

Well said.

June 26 2009 at 2:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stacy

I love you Donnie... Detroit was great last night! It was very elegant and classy the way you guys did a tribute to Michael. Amazing. You are 5 amazing performers as well!

xoxo
Stacy
www.photoartbystacy.com

June 26 2009 at 2:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
adoresummer

You are so well spoken, not that you don't know that. I love that about you. I can't wait to see another interview

June 26 2009 at 1:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
adoresummer

Donnie you said what I was feeling and thinking. I am actually a little mad at MTV for playing the entire Black and White video. We all know he edited the ending of the video after the song ended because it caused a lot of problems and was "misunderstood" I don't want to remember that I want to enjoy the wonderful video he made and watch in amazement at his talent,creativity and live in that happy place. What a wonderful performer. I wish I could have seen him live just once. I hope that the media can hold back on the negative espeically while his family is in shock.

June 26 2009 at 1:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply