Fans in Las Vegas show support for pop star

Jace Radke and Jen Lawson

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

Jenna Curry, a 19-year-old Las Vegas resident, was feeling helpless as she watched news of the charges against Michael Jackson on Wednesday.

"It's just really devastating to see him have to go through this again," said Curry, who decided to stand outside CMX Productions, a studio off Valley View Boulevard just south of the Palms, where Jackson had reportedly been shooting a music video this week. "I just feel more productive being out here and showing everyone that there are fans who are supporting him.

"It makes me feel better about the situation to be around people who are going through the same things I am."

Curry, who was wearing a purple shirt with Jackson's picture on it and the words "Beat It" was joined by four other supporters in front of the studio Wednesday afternoon.

Donna Green, who was also outside the studio Tuesday, said that her 15-year-old son missed school to come down and show his support for Jackson.

"He couldn't go to school because he was too upset, so it's kind of a special day where he gets to come out and support Michael," Green said of her son Brian, who sat on the sidewalk drinking chocolate milk.

The Greens and Curry arrived at the studio about 7 a.m. with homemade poster board signs that read, "100 percent innocent," "Leave him alone" and "Love always: Michael Jackson."

The Greens, who said they have met Jackson and had photos of them with the singer, said that while they had hoped to catch a glimpse of him at the studio they were there for a more important purpose.

"It's important that he knows we're out here supporting him," Donna Green said.

Joining the small group of supporters outside the studio where more than 20 members of the media, including representatives from network television stations in California.

Curry said she has been a Jackson fan for as long as she remembers.

"I remember seeing Captain EO when I was 2-years-old at Disneyland," Curry said. "My mom was telling me that Michael Jackson was in it. Even at two I knew what Michael Jackson was all about.

"It's almost like something you're born with."

Reporters gathered Wednesday morning on Industrial Road, across the street from the rear of the Mirage, after word began circulating that Jackson had stayed the night in an exclusive luxury villa at the hotel and was inside negotiating his surrender to authorities.

George Ciccarone, a local freelance television producer, began his stakeout of the Mirage at 7 a.m., gathering video footage for "Extra."

The attack of Roy Horn was a major story for Ciccarone and journalists everywhere, but the Jackson story is among the biggest he's covered recently. He said nothing tops the O.J. Simpson chase, which he covered for "A Current Affair."

"More and more entertainers are entertainers are getting themselves in trouble," Ciccarone said. "When you stop and think about it, the lines are being blurred" between news and celebrity.

Every few minutes, passersby honked or yelled incoherently at the cameras.

Whenever a limousine would pull in or out of the guarded entrance, Cicarone would pick up his camera and begin filming, just in case. A white stretch sport utility vehicle reportedly being used by Jackson was hidden behind some shrubbery.

But by about 1:30 p.m., it began looking as if Jackson had foiled the media.

Reporters' cell phones began ringing and the 10 or so that had been gathered there started slowly leaving after being told Jackson was probably no longer at the Mirage.

But by evening, rumors were still being bandied about, with some saying Jackson was definitely in California and others saying he hadn't yet left Sin City. There were televised reports this morning saying that Jackson was at the Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson.

Ciccarone stayed behind for a while longer, hoping to get that lucky shot of the King of Pop.