MTV has quietly dropped Michael Jackson’s name from the Michael Jackson’s Video Vanguard Award which they renamed in 1991. This shift in the award’s title came quietly into the public view after VMA awards on Monday when Missy Elliott was announced the recipient of the award. While Elliott did mention the late King of Pop’s name in the acceptance speech, saying, “The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award means so much to me’’ MJ’s name was visibly removed from other promos.
While MTV is reportedly yet to reply to the statement, the dropping of MJ’s name is believed to be a backlash following HBO’s controversial documentary “Leaving Neverland’’ where James Safechuck and Wade Robson alleges the late singer of sexual abuse.
Following this major shift by MTV regarding the award, Twitter has shown outrage over the decision. And fans who spoke with Yahoo Entertainment outside the red carpet has this to say;
“We still don’t know one way or the other [what happened]. Michael Jackson is still Michael Jackson,” said Ice-T
“We don’t know if anything that’s been allegedly said [about Jackson abusing children] is actually fact or fiction. But I don’t think we should take away from Michael Jackson’s legacy. And I am soexcited to see Missy Elliott perform and receive her award!” Todrick Hall told Yahoo Entertainment.
Past recipients of the Michael Jackson’s Video Vanguard Award include The Beatles, Beyonce, U2, David Bowie, and Britney Spears.
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